Sri Somanatheswarar Temple / காளப் பிரியதேவர் கோயில், Thirumalaicherry/ திருமலைச்சேரி / Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Somanatha Eswarar Temple at Thirumalaicherry was a part of Shiva, and Vishnu Temples and Heritage sites at Thirumalaicherry, Gudimallur, and Kaveripakkam. This is one of the surviving temples built by Rashtrakutas. My sincere thanks to Mr Ramesh Krishnamurthy for taking me to all these places. 

Moolavar  : Sri Somanatha Eswarar

Consort    : Sri Tripura Sundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a Balipeedam and Rishabam/idabam. A Vinayagar is in a mandapam on the left side of the Rishaba/ Idaba mandapam. The balipeedam base has the bas reliefs of Vinayagar, Bhairavar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, and Veerabhadra.  Moolavar is of swayambhu and short on a square avudayar. No images are found in the koshtam.

Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the entrance of the sanctum. A small balipeedam and a Rishabam / Idabam are on a pedestal to match the level of the sanctum sanctorum. Sanga Nidhi and Padmanidhi are on both sides of the entrance in place of dwarapalakas. Siddhar Theraiyar’s jeeva Samadhi is on the northwest corner of the praharam.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum is on a pedestal. The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam, mukha mandapam etc. The sanctum sanctorum is on a padabandha adhisthana with jagathy, virutha kumuda, and Pattigai. Bhitti is directly on the pattikai. Brahmakantha pilasters divide the salaipathi and karnapathi. The pilasters are with malaithongal, kalasam, kudam, thadi kudam, a plain mandi, veerakandam and Vettu / thanga pothyal.

The pillars in front of the sanctum sanctorumie in the ardha mandapam belong to the Rashtrakuta period. The pillars are with Thadi, Kalasam, malaikattu, manithongal. 

The prastaram is with valapi, kapotam, and viyyalavari. The vimana is of two thalas. The greeva koshtams and maha nasis have the images of Lord Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Ardhanareeswarar, and some other bas-reliefs. The sikaram is of vesara style. The total vimana from adhistanam to stupi is constructed with stone. Green stones are used in some places.

The lintel of the sanctum sanctorum entrance has the basrelief of Gajalakshmi. Also, a procession scene bas-relief is on the lintel. In that One person carries a Shiva Lingam on his head. A person is holding an umbrella to this person and another person is holding an umbrella to the Shiva Lingam. In the procession, some persons are playing various musical instruments.  The person who is holding the Shiva Linga may be the Rashtrakuta King Krishna-III.

 

Till recent years there was a 16-pillar mandapam existing on the right side of the Temple. The mandapam collapsed and only a few pillar stones are found at that place now.

The pillars in front of the sanctum sanctorum ie in the ardha mandapam belong to the Rashtrakuta period. The pillars are with Thadi, Kalasam, malaikattu, manithongal. 

Rashtrakuta Pillars

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

After the Thakkolam battle in the year 949 CE, the Chozhas were defeated by Kannaradevan and ruled till 967 CE. The original temple was built during the Kannaradevan period between 949 to 967 CE. During his period most of his inscriptions were inscribed in the local language ie Tamil. In Local language his inscription starts with his meikeerthi as … "கச்சியும் தஞ்சையும் கொண்ட கன்னாரத் தேவன்". On the contrary, some of the inscriptions are found in Hale Kannada also. In this temple, his inscription is inscribed in Hale Kannada, which is found in front of the temple.

Rajaraja Chozha-I’s inscription on the wall of sanctum sanctorum and above Hale Kanada inscriptions starts with his meikeerthi as.. . திருமகள் போல பெருநிலச்செல்வியும்…". Both inscriptions are on the front wall, which is hidden under a painting.

Kannaradevan’s inscription records his victories over “ஆபீர மாளவ ஸிம்ஹள த்வீபம் கச்ச த்வீபம்”. It further records that he constructed the temple for “Kalapriyar alias Keerthi Marthandar”, after destroying the Chozha Country and Chozha’s descendants.  The Inscription mentions that he was called Bhuvanaikaraman. From the inscription it was concluded that “Kachatheevu” – Island was conquered by him.

As per the book Tholliyal Sudarkal written by Dr Su Rajavelu... As per Karkat Cheppedu, this temple was identified as "Kalapiriyar Devar Temple - காளபிரியதேவர் கோயில்" and the same is called as Somanatha Eswarar. This place was called "Kandara Marthandam" during Rashtrakuta King Krishna-III. During the Rajaraja Chozha-I, period this place was called Ulogamahadevipuram. During Rajendra Chozha-I's period, this temple was called "Kandaramarthanda Kalapriya Devar". During the Vijayanagara Period, the same place was called Paende /Kanthapuram / Kanthapuri Pettai.

Rashtakuta King Krishna-III's inscription at this temple was the first Kannada inscription inscribed after conquering Chozhas in Takkolam war. This place was under the direct control of Rashtrakutas and a division called Thondaka Vishayam 48000 and taxes were collected.

The inscription at Kaveripakkam 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 Balasubramaniar, the Kalapriya Marthandam temple might have existed in Kaveripakkam itself and might have been destroyed. However, this was not accepted by KG Krishnan and C R Srinivasan.

 

It was told that the original Shiva Lingam was of Dhara Lingam with 16 flat surfaces and was stolen.  The same was recovered and once again stolen.

The temple was reconstructed in recent years by the Archaeological Department.

Rajaraja-I inscriptions

Hale Kannada inscriptions - Painting was done on the inscriptions

Inscriptions on the back

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri, Siddhar Theraiyar Guru poojas on Kettai Nakshatra day in the month Thai.  (Kettai Nakshatra days) and some important functions.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 08.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

To reach Thirumalaicherry, from Chennai  just before the Kaveripakkam Toll gate turn left and travel on Anaicut Road towards Palar Anaicut Walaja Entrance. 4.6 KM from Madras – Bombay Trunk Road / Chennai to Vellore Road / Mumbai Hwy.

The temple is about 8.9 km from Walajahpet, 10.3 km from Kaveripakkam, 12 km from Arcot, 12 km from Ranipet, 33 km from Vellore, and 104 km from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Walajah Road Junction

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---