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 the Pudukkottai Heritage Visit, arranged by Mr Trichy Parthy. The temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India.  The Kumbhabhishekam was performed a few days before. The second visit to this Markapureeswarar Temple at Visalur was a part of the 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 faces east with Shiva & Parvathi stucco image on the entrance arch. A Nayaka statue (may be one of the contributors to 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.  It totals 25 parts and is called Padabandha adhisthana.
Vedhigai. Vedhigai is not visible.

Bitti… The bhitti is divided into 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 the 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, and Stupi are on the Bhoomi Desam called Srigaram. 4 maha Nasis with Torana are in all 4 directions.  The Stupi is beautifully done. Since the vimana from adhistanam to stupi are constructed with stone, this Vimana is called 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 and Kulothunga Chozha-I are found in this temple. The inscription stones which are not used during renovation are kept on the north side of praharam. The moolavar’s name is recorded as Vasukiswaramudaya Mahadevar and Varathukasuramudaya Nayanar and this place is Visalur. Some of the inscription stones mention the name of a Village called Puliyur, which still exists in the same name.

One of the Kulothunga Chozha-I’s earlier period inscriptions 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

Durga
Jyeshta Devi


--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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