Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple /ஸ்ரீ லக்ஷ்மி நருசிம்ஹர் திருக்கோவில்/ Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple, / Pon Vilaintha Kalathur / P.V. Kalathur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Lakshminarasimhan Temple at P. V. Kalathur was a part of the Maha Vishnu and Shiva Temples visit at Singaperumal Koil, Kolathur ( Appur, Vembakkam ), Mettu Pudupakkam and Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, on 24^th October 2021. This temple is on the same street as Sri Pattabi ( Kothanda ) Ramar Temple.

Moolavar  : Sri Vaikunda Perumal

Utsavar    : Sri Lakshminarasimhan

Thayar     : Sri Lakshmi / Ahobilavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…..

The temple faces east with a recently built 5-tier Rajagopuram. A 4-pillar mandapa is opposite to Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam / Kodimaram, and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram.  Moolavar is not with Simha Face and Maha Lakshmi is with him. Dwarapalakas paintings are at the entrance of Ardha mandapam. Stucco ( bas reliefs ) images of Lakshmi Narasimhar with Dwarapalakas, Hayagreevar, Andal, Alwars, Krishna, and Anjaneyar are in the mandapam. A Tonsuring  mandapam is on the right side of the Rajagopuram.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum Sanctorum / Vimanam is on the 3 anga upa peedam. From upa peedam to prastaram sanctum Sanctorum was constructed with stone. Madhalam is in the valabi. Koshata niches are shown with Makara Thorana. Garudan, Maha Vishnu are in the Makara thorana. A 3 tier Nagara Vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. Vimanam thangis and Maha Vishnu’s avathara stucco images are on the Vimanam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple is believed to be more than 1000 years old and no old inscriptions were found anywhere in the temple. During the Pallava and Chozha periods, this place was called Kalanthai, later turned to Kalathur, and is now called Pon Vilaintha Kalathur. As per the Thondai Mandala Sathagam, the Poet Pukazhenthi, who was born at this place holds the position of Royal Poet of Vikrama Chozha Pandyan.  Also, the 17^th Century Anthakakavi Veeraraghava Mudaliar, a blind and a great poet belongs to this place.  

Kodi Archana was performed from 05^th August 1970 to 11^th March 1973.  The 5-Tier Rajagopuram was constructed in the Year 1976.

On 24^th March 1995, a new temple chariot was made with the help of Villagers, Devotees, and Urupattoor S. Sampath Ayyangar, and a chariot procession was also carried out.

On 02^nd June 1991, Ashtabandhana Maha Samprokshanam was carried out.

02^nd April 1997, a new Dwajasthambam was installed. The same was replaced with a new one on 15^th November 2009.

On 18^th May 2016, Ashtaabandhana Maha Samprokshanam was conducted.

A 1.61-cent land was gifted to Naivedyam by Avuli Desikachariyar on 11^th November 2018. As per the temple records, the temple has 15.74 cents of land at various places.

A swarna kavasam was gifted to Moolavar Sri Narasimha Swamy on 06^th May 2001 in memory of Acchan Ramapriya.

Ashtabandhana Maha Samprokshanam was performed with the blessings of Srirangam Srimath Andavan Sriranga Ramanuja Mahadesikan ( Srimushnam ) on 8^th November 2013.  

The annual income of the temple as per the records of HR&CE, is: for Fasli 1400 - Rs.15,316/-; for Fasli 1401 - Rs.17,086/ - and for Fasli 1402- Rs.17,174/-. A Board of three trustees administers the temple. The temple is under the control of the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Sri Nikamantha Mahadesikan stayed one night in this Village along with his daily worshiping Vigraha, Hayagreevar. On that night the farmers found that a horse was grazing in the paddy field. When they chased the horse out of the paddy field, it ran into the house where Desikan stayed and disappeared. The next day when the farmers reported, Sri Desikan went along with the farmers, to asses the farmer's statement. At the paddy field, He and the farmers found that all the paddy beads had turned into golden beads. Sri Desikan concluded that the horse that grazed in the previous was nothing but Hayagreevar. Hence this place was called Pon Vilaintha Kalathur ( Pon – Gold ).

In another legend, the utsavar has a connection with the Mahabalipuram Maha Vishnu Temple. During the sea flood, many Utsavar idols were washed away. Garudan was asked to take the Narasimhar Utsava idol and keep it safe. When Garudan was flying over this area, he found this place was an ideal and calm place for the Narasimhar. So the Narasimhar was installed at this place. 

In another legend, during the foreigner’s invasion, Lord Narasimhar himself told to take the Lakshmi Narasimhar to some safe place. Garuda will fly along with him. The Narasimhar may be installed at a place where Garudan lands on the earth. It is believed that Garudan landed at this place and Lakshmi Narasimhar was installed.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunda Ekadasi & Garuda Sevai, Rama Navami, Narasimha Jayanthi, Pavithra Utsavam and annual Brahmotsam with Chariot procession in the month and Panguni.

Thirumanjanam is performed on Pradosham time to cool down Lakshmi Narasimhar since Maha Vishnu took the form of Ugra Narasimhar to kill Hiranyakasipu on that day.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 08.00 hrs to 09.00 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Landline and mobile numbers of Dharmakartha Avali Srinivasan ( Narayanan ) P. Pathri Narayanan and D Jaganathan ( Administration ) +91 9894425477 may be contacted for temple activities.

HOW TO REACH

This place Pon Vilaintha Kalathur is 10 KM from Chengalpattu, 44 KM from Tambaram, and 71 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Donors are behind the grill ( Bar..?)

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple / Sri Pattabi ( kothanda ) Ramar Temple / ஸ்ரீ கோதண்ட ராமஸ்வாமி திருக்கோவில் / ஸ்ரீ பட்டாபி ( கோதண்ட ) ராம ஸ்வாமி திருக்கோயில், and Dharba Sayana Sethuramar Temple / Pon Vilaintha Kalathur / P.V. Kalathur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple at P. V. Kalathur was a part of the Maha Vishnu and Shiva Temples visit at Singaperumal Koil, Kolathur ( Appur, Vembakkam ), Mettu Pudupakkam and Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, on 24^th October 2021. The temple complex consists of Sri Pattabi (Kothanda) Ramar Temple and Thirupullani Darba Sayana Perumal Temple.

SRI PATTABI ( KOTHANDA ) RAMAR TEMPLE.

Moolavar  : Sri Pattabi Ramar

Utsavar    : Sri Kothanda Ramar

Thayar     : Sri Sita

Some of the Salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance mandapam. Stucco images of Ramar and Sita in Pattabisheka Kolam and Lakshmana and Anjaneyar are at the top of the entrance mandapam. A small Vilakku Thoon / Garudathoon, balipeedam Dwajasthambam / kodimaram and Garudan are after the entrance mandapam. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum.   Moolavar is in a sitting Posture with Sita in Pattabisheka Kolam. ( The unique feature of this temple is Sita is on the right side and Lakshmanan is on the left side since Ramar is in Pattabisheka kolam.)  Lakshmana and Anjaneyar are in the Sanctum Sanctorum. No deities are in the Koshta niches.

In Praharam, Thayar, Srinivasan with Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Alwars, Sri Bhaktha Anjaneyar, Sri Sudharsanar with Narasimhar ( sanctum is in Round shape ) and  Nagars/Adhiseshan.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and a open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a three anga upa peedam with a patti. A 3-tier Nagara Vimana is on the adhistana. The Vimana koshtam too does not have images.

Three shallow koshta niches with Makara Toranas are shown on the sanctum walls.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple authorities claimed that the temple is more than 1000 years old and reconstructed later. During the Pallava and Chozha periods, this place was called Kalanthai, later turned to Kalathur, and after Desikan’s Visit, this place was called Pon Vilaintha Kalathur. As per the Thondai Mandala Sathagam, the Poet Pukazhenthi, who was born at this place holds the position of Royal Poet of Vikrama Chozha Pandyan. Also, the 17^th Century Anthakakavi Veeraraghava Mudaliar, a blind and a great poet belongs to this place. 

The inscription along with a Man and a woman, the Donors, on the entrance mandapam records that Pattabi Ramar Koil Kaingaryam was done by Chakravarthiyasarirar.

On 24^th May 1900, Anur Kuppusamy Mudaliar’s son Thiruvenkatasamy Mudaliar was gifted something and the details are known.

On 23^rd March 1958, the Dwajasthambam was renovated by Anur Thiruvenkada Mudaliar, Venu Gopala Mudaliar, and Srinivasa Mudaliar.

The Bhaktha Anjaneyar Sannidhi was constructed by Sri Neeradi Ananthasiriya’s son K Srinivasa Raghavasari on 31^st January 1963.

On 24^th June 1984, Kalyana manimandapam construction was started in memory of P V Kalathur hereditary trustee Yagna Deekshithar’s son Narasimha Raghava Deekshithar’s 100^th year.

It is believed that the original temple may be 1000 years old and reconstructed, by Jeer of Ahobila Mutt and others.

On 09-10-1989, Utsava idols of Sita and Hanuman were burgled away by thieves, and the same was back. Since both were found in damaged condition new idols were made ( From Kumbakonam ) and installed back on 16^th March 2000, Samprokshanam was also carried out.

On 16^th March 2000, Samprokshanam, Dwajasthambam was repaired /renovated in memory of Urupattur Sri Srinivasachariyar, Uru. S Seshadri, Uru. S Kannan and Uru. Indra Sampath.

On 1^st May 2000, Chakkarathalwar sannidhi was constructed by Tirunelveli Perungulam Kaviraya Venkatachariyar’s grandson and Sri Krishna Ayyangar’s son Sriman Pe. Ki. Maya Kooththa Ayyangar’s family.

On 11^th September Palalayam was carried out for Dwajasthambam and a new one was replaced after 113 years on 22^nd November 2013. 12^th March 2014, Dwajasthamba prokshanam and Maha samprokshanam was carried out.

The annual income of the temple as per the records of HR&CE is: for Fasli 1402 - Rs.10, 442/-, for Fasli 1403 - Rs.11, 917/- and for Fasli 1404-Rs.17, 993/-. A Board of Trustees manages it. The temple is under the control of the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Sri Nikamantha Mahadesikan stayed one night in this Village along with his daily worshiping Vigraha, Hayagreevar. On that night the farmers found that a horse was grazing in the paddy field. When they chased the horse out of the paddy field, it ran into the house where Desikan stayed and disappeared. The next day when the farmers reported, Sri Desikan went along with the farmers, to asses the farmer's statement. At the paddy field, He and the farmers found that all the paddy beads had turned into golden beads. Sri Desikan concluded that the horse that grazed in the previous night was nothing but Hayagreevar. Hence this place was called Pon Vilaintha Kalathur ( Pon – Gold ).

SRI DARBA SAYANA PERUMAL TEMPLE.

Sri Darba Sayana Sethuramar temple is on the north side of Sri Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple with an interconnecting entrance through the Sri Pattabi (Kothanda) Ramar Temple. The temple faces North. Moolavar is in sayana kolam.

ARCHITECTURE

Since Moolavar Sri Darba Sayana Kolam ( Ramar is in Sayana kolam on Darba grass ) is similar to Thiruppullani near Rameswaram, the Sanctum sanctorum is rectangular in shape. Stucco bas-relief images of Sri Ramar with Sita and Lakshman, Ramar in Sayana kolam with Periya Thiruvadi Garudan and  Siriya Thiruvadi Anjaneyar are on mukha mandapam facia walls. 

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. A three-tier Stucco Vimanam is on the adhistana. The temple was constructed with stone from Upana to prastaram. The adhistanam is on an upana with lotus petals pedestal. The adhitana is a simple padabandha adhistana and the prastaram is with Valabi. Koshta niches are empty. Koshta makara toranas has the bas-relief images of Ramar in Sayana Kolan, Garudan, Ramar Pattabisheka Kolam, etc,. The two Komukhas / pranalas on the west side look cute. The temple was constructed in Vijayanagara style.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Sethuramar’s Utsava Vigraha was obtained from the well in front of the temple, about 60 years before. An inscription of “Danushkoti Ramar” was found on the greedam. This Darba Sayana Sethuramar Temple was constructed by C Vijayaraghavachariyar at a cost of Rs 50000.00. An additional amount of Rs 20000.00 was received from R T Parthasarathy and his Group and the Temple’s construction was completed. Maha Samprokshanam was done on 03^rd February 1977.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Rama Navami, Hanuman Jayanthi, and Bramotsavam in the month of May, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Pavithra Uthsavam, Navarathri, and Parivettai.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.30 hrs to 08.30 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Landline and mobile numbers +91 44 27441142 and Kasturi Rangan Bhattar +9194437 06842 may be contacted for further details.

Sri Rama Kaingarya Sabha +91 44 27441112 and mobile numbers +91 9445307531 and +919500386319 may be contacted for temple activities.

HOW TO REACH

This place Pon Vilaintha Kalathur is 10 KM from Chengalpattu, 44 KM from Tambaram, and 71 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thiruvalamudaiyar Temple / Sri Thiruvaleeswarar Temple, Thiruvanai Koil, Pudupakkam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Thiruvalamudaiyar Temple at Thiruvanai Koil near P.V. Kalathur in Chengalpattu District was a part of  Maha Vishnu and Shiva Temples visit at Singaperumalkoil, Kolathur ( Appur, Vembakkam ), Mettu Pudupakkam and Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, on 24^th October 2021.

Moolavar  : Sri Thiruvaleeswarar

Consort    : Sri Thiripurasundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Vinayagar, Nagar, and Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai are on the right side, before the entrance. Moolavar is Short and Swayambhu.  Balipeedam, Rishabam/Idabam, and Chandikeswarar are in the praharam.

In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Ambal and Utsavars are in the ardha mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is square in shape, on a lotus petals upa peedam and Adhistana is of Padabandha with Three patta Kumuda.  Bhitti starts from Vedhigai. Brahma kantha / square pilasters supports the Bhitti with malaithongal, thamaraikattu, kalasam, thadi, kudam, mandi, palakai, veerakandam and vettu pothigai.  Prastaram consists of Valabi, kapotam and Bhoomidesam. Vyalavari is in the Bhoomidesam.

An eka thala Stucco Gajabirushta Vimana is on the bhoomidesam. The Vimana is with 3 maha nasis and a lalada nasi. The Nasis and Greeva Kostas are empty. The 5 Kalasas are also in stucco (maybe once in metal).

The Koshta images Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu ( in Makara thorana Maha Vishnu is in Sayana Posture ),  Brahma, and Durgai look beautiful. The Makara thorana above the Koshtas also has the respective deities' images. The Bhitti Kanda pada portions have miniature sculptures of a King and Cow worshiping Lord Shiva, Gajasamharamurthy, Kannappa Nayanar, Chandeswara Nayana,r  and Markandeyar/Kala samhara murthy purana, A pregnant lady being assisted by other ladies, Elephants, Vali Sukreevan fight, etc,.  are beautifully carved.

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple was constructed during the Pallava period. Later the temple received contributions from Chozhas, Sambuvarayars, Pandyas, and  Vijayanagars.  As per the inscriptions, this place was called Jayangonda Chozha Mandalathu, Kalathur Kottathu Kalathur Nattu, Thiruvalakoyiludaya Nayanar, Thiruvalakoyiludayar, Thiruvalayappan, etc,.

The Chozha King Rajarajan-I’s period inscription records that Parasivan Thazhuvakuzhainthavan of Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu Venkundra Kottam established an endowment of burning a lamp to Alakoil Mahadevaar. The inscription also mentions the Kalamukha saints.  Also, another inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a merchant of Mylapore ( a part of Chennai ).

The Chozha King Vikrama Chozhas inscription records the gift of land at Sirathandalam of Chembur Kottam, by Palaravar  ( many people ). One of the people belongs to Chembur Kottathu Pattina Nattu Kovur and another person belongs to Pattinam.

The Chozha King Kulothunga Chozha’s period inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a person belonging to Arur of Utrukattu Kottam. The inscription also records the Kalamukha Munivars.

Sundara Panyan period inscription records a gift of lands to Kaikolar and Dancers in the village Viththoor, which was under Madurantaka Chaturvedi Mangalam.

Sundara Pandyan’s period inscription records that Narayanapuram  Ramarasaiyan’s son Thimmarayan gave a gift of land and a House to a Dancer to work in this Thiruvala Koil temple function.

Konerimai Kondan period inscription records the order of the King. In that, A land was gifted to Thondaiman of Nemeli. This place was referred to as Thiruneetru Chozha Nallur. This order was signed by Anabaya Chozha Mooventha Velan.

Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan-I's 3rd reign year ( 1340 CE ) inscription records the endowment of ½ Nandha Vilakku / perpetual lamp, by Kaikolar Ambalavar Venavudayar. For the same 15 Cows were received by Thiruvilakudi Mandradi Thaliayakon who agreed to supply one Azhakku ghee measured in “Rajakesari Nazhi”.

Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s 10^th reign year ( 1347 CE ) incomplete inscription records that land was gifted to Ambala Venavudayan Devandai Gangarayan of Kaikolar community, by the Kalathur Nattu people. It also mentions 13 pon / Gold which is incomplete.

Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s 12^th  reign year ( 1349 CE ) records the gift of lands as Sarvamaniyam (without any taxes) by the King for poojas without stop.

Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s 12^th  reign year ( 1349 CE wrongly mentioned as 1341 CE ) inscription records the  gift of 15 cows as surabi (..?)by Mallinathan Rajanarayanan Sambuvarayan and the same was handed over to Mallan’s son Ezhumbothakon.

The rest of Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s  11 inscriptions record the gift of land, collecting Taxes and giving to this temple, Cows, for conducting regular poojas and celebrations, burning perpetual lamps, houses for Dancers, appointment of doing jobs at the temple, also built a mandapa by Thimmarayan for the wellbeing of Malaiyappan.

Vijayanagara King Viruppanna Udayar period inscription records the gift of a village Uthama Chozha Vilakam, after rectifying the destroyed place. It also mentions the name of Pundarika Rajendra Chozhan.

விஜயநகர  அரசர் பொக்கண உடையார் ( பொயு 1404 ) காலத்தைச் சார்ந்த அர்த்தமண்டப தெற்கு சுவரில் உள்ள கல்வெட்டு, ஜயங்கொண்டசோழ மண்டலத்துக் களத்தூர் கோட்டத்துக் களத்தூர் ஊர் திருவாலக்கோயில் கைக்கோள முதலிகளில் திருச்சூலமுடையான வேணாவுடையான் என்பவன் புதுப்பாக்கத்தில் இருந்த குறிப்பிட்ட நிலத்தினை விலைக்கு வாங்கிக் கோயிலுக்குத் தானமளித்துள்ளான் என்ற செய்தியைப்பதிவு செய்கின்றது

Ref : 

தமிழ்நாட்டுக்கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி -IX, காஞ்சிபுரம் மாவட்டக் கல்வெட்டுக்கள் தொகுதி -5.

Vikrama Chozha's period inscription

Viruppanna Udayar's period Inscription

LEGENDS

Devotees pray to Lord Shiva and Tripura Sundari for marriage, Child boon, to get peace in life.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Oru kala Pooja, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 10. 00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Gurukkal Siva and Dhayalan are residing in front of the temple and they are reluctant to share their contact details.

HOW TO REACH

During the Pallava and Chozha periods, this place Thiruvanai Koil was a part of Kalathur ie Pon Vilaintha Kalathur.

The temple is now at Mettu Puthupakkam,  3 KM from Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, 8 KM from Chengalpattu, 43 KM from Tambaram, and 70 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Brahma

Chandikeswarar

Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai / Mootha Devi ( PC: From web ) 

Dakshinamurthy

Chandikeswarar Puranam

A King (..?) worshiping Lord Shiva

A pregnant lady being assisted for delivery

 Triprantakar

Markandeyar Puranam

Kannappar Puranam

Gajasamharamurthy

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---