Kaveripakkam Lake with 10 Sluice Gates and 2 overflow gutters, Kaveripakkam, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Kaveripakkam Lake at Kaveripakkam was a part of Shiva, Vishnu Temples and Heritage sites at Thirumalaicherry, Gudimallur and Kaveripakkam. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr Ramesh Krishnamurthy for taking me to all these places. 

The Kaveripakkam lake get its  inlet water from river Palar and overflow water flows as Kosathalai River, which splits at Kesavaram Dam on continued as Kosathalai River and joins with Bay of Bengal. The diverted water from Kesavaram flows as Cooum River. The Kaveripakkam lake was excavated during Nadhivarma Pallava-III in 8^th Century. The banks are raised and strengthened at various stages. It was told that the stones of the dilapidated Shiva and Vishnu temples of Kaveripakkam was used for strengthening the banks of this lake during British period.

Kaveripakkam Lake holds 1474 Million cubic feet of water. The height of the lake is 30.65 feet, the bank length of 8.35 KM and spreads an area of 6.2 square miles ( 3968 acre ). The lake water irrigates about 19500 acres of land. The lake has 10 slucies and 2 over flow structures. 14 Villages gets benefit out of this lake water. In addition to this, the over flow water feeds about 55 small lakes / eris. The overflow water is regulated through 58 big sluices. The 10 sluices which feeds water for irrigation are named like, Nari ( Fox ) sluice, Lion Sluice, Palla Sluice, Moola sluice etc. The common inscription of all sluices are as flows.

Built by the order of the

Board of Revenue 1837

C M Oglive Esqre Principal Collector

Liue – W.I.Bird wood Civil Engineer 2^nd Dn

Mt Geo. Oliver Surveyor

C. Appoo Moodelly Huzzoor Maistry

 

The sad part is this lake is, 50% is encroached, the capacity also shrinks due to poor maintenance of the lake and accumulation of vandal earth.

HOW TO REACH
This temple at Kaveripakkam is about a KM from Madras – Bombay trunk Road / Chennai to Vellore Road / Mumbai Hwy.
The temple is about 10 KM from Walaja Toll gate, 11.6 KM from Walajahpet, 15 KM from Sholinghur, 17.4 KM from Arcot, 17 KM from Ranipet,  38 KM from Vellore and 95 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Sholinghur

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Over flow shutters 

Sluice 

An encroached banana plantain farm, now submerged under water

Duragai Shrine near Loin Sluice

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sundara Varadar and Azhagiya Ramar Temple / சுந்தர வரதர் & அழகிய ராமர் கோயில், Kaveripakkam / காவேரிபாக்கம், Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Sundara Varadar and Azhagiya Ramar Temple at Kaveripakkam was a part of Shiva, Vishnu Temples and Heritage sites at Thirumalaicherry, Gudimallur and Kaveripakkam. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr Ramesh Krishnamurthy for taking me to all these places. This temple was inside the Kaveripakkam fort and about 300 meters from Sri Abhaya Varadharaja Perumal temple. This temple is also called as Sathya Varadha kshethram.

Moolavar  : Sri Sundara Varadar

Thayar     : Sri Sundaravalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Deepa Sthambam, Balipeedam, Kodimaram and Garudan are immediately after the Rajagopuram. Moolavar in the sanctum is about 6 feet tall with 4 hands. Holding Sangu / Conch and Chakra in the upper hands and Lower hands are in abhaya and resting on mace / gadhai. There is no murtis in Koshtam. Utsavars Sri Varadharaja Perumal and Sridevi and Bhudevi are in front of moolavar. Utsavars  are very old compared to Moolavar.

In Praharam, Thayar Sundaravalli, Sudarsana & Narasimhar Andal, Alwars, Nigamantha Maha Desigar, Ramar ( damaged ) in green Stone, unearthed from the temple tank, Nagas and Garuda and Azhagiya Ramar.

Thayar Sri Sundaravalli is in a separate sannidhi facing the same direction of perumal

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a three anga adhisthana. The hemakuta Vimana ( Nagara ) is over the sanctum sanctorum.

The Thayar sanctum is on a padabhanda adhisthana with jagathy, virutha kumuda, pattigai, on a lotus pedestal. The bhitti starts with vedhika. The brahma kantha pilasters are on the wall. The Koshtas are empty. The Kumudam and jagathy are in green stone. These stones are with Rajaraja-I period inscriptions brought from a dilapidated Temple and not belongs to this temple. The ardha mandapa pillars are also in different style. Thayar sannidhi is without vimanam.   

One of the specialties of the temple is Jala made out of green stone is installed on the south wall of ardha mandapam.

Moolavar Vimanam

Thayar Sannidhi

Pillars of different styles 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per Gurukkal Narasimhan, the temple was built about 800 years before. Most of the stones, Pillars with Chozha period inscriptions were brought from elsewhere and the temple was built. There is no relation to the inscriptions and this temple. Some of the inscriptions belongs to Chozha Period especially Rajaraja Chozha-I. Inscriptions from 10^th Century to 17^th century are found on the wall stone, floor stones and pillars.     

During Muslim rule, many of the temple’s idols were thrown in to the well or buried in the ground. The Azhakiya Ramar was unearthed from Kottai Perumal temple along with Thayar and Hanuman. Azhikia Ramar was brought to this temple and installed in a separate sannidhi. The Ramar in green stone and granite stone are unearthed from the well and installed in the praharam and ardha mandapam.

As per the History the war between Raja Sahib with 7000 soldiers and Robert Clive with 500 soldiers held at this place. Raja sahib was defeated and killed in the war. It is believed that his body was cut in to pieces and thrown on many places.

Mangalasasanam was done by Ahobila Madam 42^nd pattam Injimedu Sri Azhagiya Singar, 44 & 45^th Azhagiya Singars, Srirangam Periashram Srimad Andan Swami, Kanchi Kamakoti Chandrasekhara Saraswathi Swamigal. 

Compound wall was constructed during 2011. Sri Azhagiya Ramar temple, maha samprokshanam was conducted on 02^nd July 2009.

One of the inscription of this Sri Sundara Varadharaja Perumal temple  belongs to the Sundara Chozha's 6th reign year. This inscription records the donation of 90 Sheep / goat to the Kalapriya Devar  Temple by Chambakkan of Kumara Chetti's son. He owned a shop at Kalapriya Angadi in Paduvur Kottam Siruthimiri Nattu "Kirthi Marthandam" nagar. Based on this inscription some of the experts like S R Balasubramaniyam, the Kalapriya Marthandam temple might have existed in Kaveripakkam itself and might have been destroyed. But this was not accepted by K G Krishnan and C R Srinivasan. But this may belongs to Thirumalaicherry Shiva temple. 

Rajaraja Chozha's inscription belongs to some other temple

LEGENDS

It is believed that river Palar was flowing on the north side of Kanchipuram. The legend applied to Kanchi Athi VaradaRaja Perumal Temple, Palli Konda Perumal temple near Vellore is applied to this temple also, since all the three temples are on the banks of Palar River / Vegavathi river ( The legend goes like this.. When Brahma was doing a yagam with out Saraswati, she got angry and took the form of Vegavathi River and flowed with full flow to destroy yagam.  To the request of Brahma, Vishnu lay down and stopped the flow of Vegavathi river). This Temple is in the territory of the legend happened and this temple was once on the banks of River Palar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Panguni Uthiram, Avani Thiruvonam, Sri Rama Navami, Chithirai & Panguni Kalyana utsavam, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Margazhi, Purattasi Saturdays.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

R. Narasimhan, who knows the historical back ground of the Temple and Kaveripakkam, may be contacted on Land line and mobile numbers +91 4177 254522 and +91 9791687534 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This temple at Kaveripakkam is about a KM from Madras – Bombay trunk Road / Chennai to Vellore Road / Mumbai Hwy.

The temple is about 10 KM from Walaja Toll gate, 11.6 KM from Walajahpet, 15 KM from Sholinghur, 17.4 KM from Arcot, 17 KM from Ranipet,  38 KM from Vellore and 95 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Sholinghur

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Dwarapalakas

Both Ramars are recovered from Temple tank 

Azhagiya Ramar Temple

Thayar Sannidhi

Jala made out of green stone

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Abhaya Varadharaja Perumal Temple / Sri Abaya Varadharaja Perumal Temple / Kottai Perumal Kovil / கோட்டை பெருமாள் கோவில் / ஸ்ரீதேவி பூதேவி சமேத கோட்டை ஸ்ரீ அபயவரதராஜ பெருமாள் திருக்கோயில், காவேரிப்பாக்கம் / Kaveripakkam, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Abaya Varadharaja Perumal Temple at Kaveripakkam was a part of Shiva, Vishnu Temples and Heritage sites at Thirumalaicherry, Gudimallur and Kaveripakkam. I Extend my sincere thanks to Mr Ramesh Krishnamurthy for taking me to all these places. This Temple is also called as kottai Perumal temple, Since this was inside a fort and the street in front of the temple is also called as Kottai Perumal Koil Theru.

Moolavar  : Sri Abhaya Varadaraja Perumal

Consorts  : Sridevi and Bhudevi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. A 16 Pillar mandapam is on the left side of the Temple. Stone image of Ramar with stucco images of Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman are in a mandapam in front of the temple ( It was told that the Ramar idol was unearthed in 2012, during excavation for construction of Madapalli and Marriage Dining hall ). Garudan is in the Mukha mandapam. Paintings of Maha Vishnu as Lakshmi Narasimhar, Alwars, are on the Mukha mandapam walls. Thirupallithama platform is also in the Mandapam.

Stucco images of Sri Varadharaja Perumal  with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Maha Vishnu’s dasavatharam images are on the top of the Mukha mandapam. Moolavar Sri Abhaya Varadharaja Perumal is in standing posture with  4 hands. Upper hands are holding Conch and Chakra and lower hands are in Abhaya hastam and kadi hastam. Sridevi and Bhudevi are on both sides. Utsavars are in front of Moolavar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, Maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Pratibandha adhisthana with padma jagathy, Vrutha kumuda and Viyyalavari. The Bhitti starts with Vedhika. From adhisthana to prastaram constructed with stone. A stucco vimana is on the prastaram. The stucco images are in the greeva koshtam. The Sikaram is of Vesara style with 4 maha nasis and 4 alpha nasis.

The 16 Pillar mandapa was constructed during Vijayanagara period. The pillar images are in Vijayanagara style with images of Vishnu’s various avatars, Hanuman, flower motifs etc,.

The mukha Mandapam pillars are not uniform, some are square, octagonal and some are in vrutha style with pothyals are vettu and flower type. The inner prahara was constructed at a latter stage. In that a dismantled / dilapidated temple’s stones with inscriptions, Makara thorana etc,. Of which some of them are in green stone.

The Sthalapurana of Kanchipuram Sri Ekambareswarar Temple.

Since the praharam wall was constructed like a fort wall this temple might have obtained the name of Kottai perumal Koil ( Another version with Google map is given at the bottom )

These Sculptures might have been brought from some temple

16 Pillar mandapam

Thirupallithaama medai - திருபள்ளிதாம மேடை - இறைவனுக்கு சூட்டும் மாலை கட்டும் மேடை

A Green stone Jala -பச்சைக்கல் ஜன்னல்

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The present temple / structure belongs to 16th to 17th Century, may be reconstructed during Vijayanagara period. The original temple belongs to Pallava period. As per historians this place was called as Avani Chathurvedimangalam, Kavithapakkam etc,.

The Pallava King Nrupatungavarman inscription ( SII  Volume XII ) ( 894 CE ) records a transaction of the sabha of Kavidippakka[m] alias Avaninarayana-caturvédimangalam, in respect of some gold received from a donor obviously for a daily supply of one ulakku of oil to the Sattapperumakkal of a matha, with the stipulation that the administrator of the village (ur-dlvan) himself (shall be responsible for the) supply of oil as specified.

The Pallava King Nrupatungavarman inscription ( SII  Volume XII ) ( 879 -88  CE ) Mentions the sabha of Videélvidugu ..in Mangadunadu, a sub-division of Paduvar-kkottam.” (seems to record a gift by) Anganaccanyai Vasantayajiyar one of the alunganattar of Kavidippa{kkam] alias Avaninarayana-ccaturvedimangalam in the same kottam.

The Prahara wall was constructed with, a Makara thorana in which Ambal embrazing and worshiping a Shiva linga ( the sthala purana of Kanchipuram, Sri Ekambareswarar Temple ) bas-relief, Pilasters with inscriptions, Stones with 10th to 11th century inscriptions, Shiva temple sculptures like Bhuta Ganas, etc,. 

The Mukha mandapa was constructed with odd pillars and walls with Chozha period inscription stones. One of the inscription records this place as Kaviripakkam. This indicates that these stones and some of the pillars are sourced from a Shiva temple, from which Shiva temple is not known. Some of the experts are of the opinion that these Makara thorana, stones with Chozha period inscriptions may belongs to Sri Konganeeswarar Shiva Temple ( original temple belongs to Chozha period considering the Dwarapalakas and Maha Vishnu sculptures ), which was reconstructed during Vijayanagara period.

It is believed that the temple belongs lands on many places under various survey numbers in and around Kaveripakkam. The lands are gifted to this temple by various donors for prayers, worship,  naivedyam, nandavanam etc,. These lands are encroached by 94 Encroachers. Of that the,  lands under litigation was listed under the WP No 18627 of 2012, in Madras high Court

(https://www.casemine.com/judgement/in/6159342d9fca197b22b0250c ).

Maha samprokshanam was conducted in 2012 after carrying out some renovations.

The Kaveripakkam inscription

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Rama navami, Krishna Jayanthi, Kalyana Utsavam, Pavithrotsavam, Purattasi Saturday, on all days of Margazhi month  etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple has to be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 Hrs. But these timings are not adhered to. Instead The temple will be kept opened between 17.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs on Saturdays. 

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This temple at Kaveripakkam is about a KM from Madras – Bombay trunk Road / Chennai to Vellore Road / Mumbai Hwy.

The temple is about 10 KM from Walaja Toll gate, 11.6 KM from Walajahpet, 15 KM from Sholinghur, 17.4 KM from Arcot, 17 KM from Ranipet, 38 KM from Vellore and 95 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Sholinghur

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Ramar was unearthed during excavation inside the temple - the other sculptures are stucco

This panel is on the ceiling just above Garudan- As per the experts This may be a Vanika Kuzhu kalvettu (வணிகக் குழு) or a Hero Stone. 

Thanks to Saravanan Raja

Thanks to Saravanan Raja

The above map indicates that the road goes to Sholingur, rounds about this temple. Hence it may be presumed that a Fort might have been existed and the temple might have obtained the name as Kottai Perumal Koil. 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---