Wednesday 20 October 2021

Sri Markapureeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ மார்கபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில், விசலூர் / Visalur, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

This visit to this temple is a part of Pudukkottai Heritage Visit, arranged by Mr Trichy Parthy. The temple is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India.  The Kumbhabhishekam was performed few days before. The second visit to this Markapureeswarar Temple at Visalur was a part of Heritage Visit to temples around Keeranur in Pudukkottai District, organized by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே” group on 2nd and 3rd, October 2021. 



Moolavar : Sri Markapureeswarar /Sri Markabandeeswarar
                  Sri Vakiswaramudaya mahadevar

Some of the important features are...
The temple is facing east with Shiva & Parvathi stucco image on the entrance arch. A Nayak’s statue ( may be one of the contributor of this temple ) and a mandapam are immediately after the entrance arch. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandi are in front of the 2 tier Rajagopuram.

In the Vimana koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu & Brahma and 4 Nandis are on 4 corners. In the niche / Deva koshtam Dakshinamurthy, installed at a latter state.  In the outer prakaram sannidhi for Vishnu, Durgai, Lingas, Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai, Ambal sannidhi, Chandikeswarar. Navagrahas are in the Mukha mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam.  The sanctum sanctorum is built with 6 angas/ parts via Adhisthanam, Bitti, prastaram, greevam, Sigaram and stupi. A single tier Nagara style stone vimana including kalasam / stupi is on the square sanctum, called suddha vimanam.

Adhisthanam…. Upana is not visible. The adhisthana consists of jagathi, Threepatta kumuda, kampu, kandam with kandapada, kampu, pattigai and kampu.  Totally 25 parts and called as Padabandha adhisthana.
Vedhigai.. Vedhigai is not visible.

Bitti… The bitti is divided in to three parts with 4 Brahmakantha pilasters. In the pilasters the square base missing. The pilasters consists of idaikattu, kalasam, thadi, kudam or Kumbha, paalika mandi, palagai, veerakandam  and Pothyal. The uthram is above pothyal. The Koshtam, in salaipathi is not extended. 

Prastaram…. In prastaram we can see Utharam, vajanam, valabi / ezhuthagam/ vajanam, Kapotham, Aaliskam / Anthiri, prathi vajanam and viyalavari. Bhutaganas are in the valabi. Palai karukku and Nasi koodus are found in Kapotham.  Makarathunda can be seen in the Bhoomidesam, above all the pilasters.

Square Vedhigaai, Greevam, Sigaram, Stupi are on the Bhoomi desam called Srigaram. 4 maha nasis with thorana is on all the 4 directions.  The stupi is beautifully done. Since the vimana from adhishanam to stupi are constructed with stone, this Vimana is called as Suddha Vimana.

The prakara or the thiruchutru maligai is with three anga Upa peedam, chithrakanda  pillar with vettu pothyal. This is connected with 2 tier Rajagopuram on both sides. Chandikeswarar sannidhi and Dakshinamurthy sannidhis are added at a latter date.  Pallava period Maha Vishnu Jyeshta devi / Thavvai, Bhairavar, Vinayagar, suriyan and Chandikeswarar are as Parivara Deities.







HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION
This is the 9th Century temple, constructed by Vijayalaya Chozha ( Tamil Virtual Academy claims that it was Parantaka Chozha-I ). Inscriptions of Rajaraja-I, Kulothunga Chozha-I are found in this temple. The inscription stones which are not used during renovation are kept in the north side praharam. The moolavar’s name is recorded as as Vasukiswaramudaya mahadevar and Varathukasuramudaya Nayanar and this place as Visalur. Some of inscription stones mentions the name of a Village called Puliyur, which is still exists in the same name.

One of the Kulothunga Chozha-I’s earlier period inscription mentions his real name as Rajendra.

The Pandya King Veerapandya’s 14th reign year incomplete inscription records as Misengurnattu puli…




TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 Hrs to 17.00 hrs, since the temple was maintained by ASI.

HOW TO REACH:
The temple Can be reached through Pudukkottai- Keeranur-Kunnandar Kovil – Visalur. The temple is on the Keeranur – Puliyur – Killukottai Road.
The temple is 13 KM from Keeranur, 42 KM from Pudukkottai, 35 KM from Tiruchirappalli  and 353 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Junction is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION  OF THE TEMPLE :    CLICK HERE

The Vijayanagara King / Nayak, who constructed this temple

Durgai
Jyeshta Devi


--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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