Sri Sugar Narayana Perumal Kovil / Chozha Kerala Vinnagaram, Salukkai, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Sugar Narayana Perumal Temple at Salukkai was a part of Shiva and Vishnu Temples, Sculptures like Kotravai, Jyeshta Devi, Hero Stones, Buddha bas-reliefs at Kanchipuram, Purisai, Kilkolathur, Salukkai and Anumanthandalam on 2^nd January 2022. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Babu Mano, Mr. Manoj  L Chakravarthy, Mrs. Ruth, சுகுமார் அருள் and the members of “தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம்” for taking me to all these Temples and Heritage sites. 

Moolavar  : Sri Sugar Narayana Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Sugunthavalli Thayar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a Deepa sthambam (bas-reliefs of Anjaneyar and Garudan are at the base) and an entrance arch on the south side with Maha Vishnu’s dasavatar stucco images.  An Anjaneyar Sannidhi is facing the main temple. After a small entrance, balipeedam, Thulasi madam, kodimara base, and Garudan. Moolavar is believed to be of swayambhu. Moolavar is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. There are no images in the koshtam. Utsava murtis are in antarala. Thayar Sugunthavalli and Andal are in ardha mandapam.

In praharam Sri Varadaraja Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Alwars, Garudan, and Balipeedam. 

 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of a sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Pratibandha adhisthana with Vrutha kumuda.  Koshtas, Salaipathi, and Karnapathi are separated by Vishnu kantha pilasters. The pilasters are with Kalasam, kudam plain mandi, palakai, and vettu pothyal. Pancharas are in between Salaipathi and Karnapathi. Sala koshtas are protruding outside as padra sala. The mahara thoranas are plain and no images were found.

The Bhitti starts with vethigai. The prastaram is with valapi, Kapotham with nasi kudus, and Bhoomi desam. Vyalavari is missing may be missing during renovations. A  stucco vesara Vimana is over the Bhoomi desam.  The Vimanam does not have images except in the salas.

The Front Mandapam was built during the Vijayanagara period. The Temple was reconstructed during the Vijayanagara period. And their inscriptions are found in the adhistanam. 

   

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to the 1069 CE Chozha period.  Chozha Keralan was the Second son of Rajendra Chozha –I. His original name was called as Manukulakesari (from the inscriptions Manukulakari is available with Chozha Keralan. Manukulakesari means .. the descendent of Manuneethi Chozha and Kesari – like a Simham). In 1018 CE, he was appointed as ruler of Kerala, hence called Chozha Keralan. Chozha Keralan alias Jayamallan (a title, since he conquered Chalukya King Jayasimhan, in the 1021 CE war) died before 1033 CE, may be in a war after 1021 CE. As per Ila Thiyagarajan, The Jayamalleeswaram at Vashitapuram is a pallipadai temple of Chozha keralan.  Historians like V G Srinivasa Rao, V Rengachari and Kudanthai N Sethuraman, who was Chozha Keralan. As Per Ila Thyagarajan, the fragment inscription recorded from Vashistapuram and considering the period of Kalithindi war, Chozha Keralan was the Second Son of Rajendra Chozha-I and younger brother to Rajadhirajan – I and Veera Rajendran. 

This place was called different names such as Salukkai alias Chozhakeralapuram, a business Town, Salukki Kulakalapuram, and  Manukulakesarinallur,  in memory of Chozha Keralan.  The Maha Vishnu Temple was called Chozha Kerala Vinnagar.  This Maha Vishnu temple was constructed during “Veerarajendran” also called “Chozha Lingeswaran”,  the third brother of Chozha Keralan, in memory of his brother.

Krishnadeva Maharaya's saka year 1441, year inscription at Sri Manukulakesari Iswaram Udayar temple, records the remission of Tax of 20 pon as sarvamanya to the two temples ie. to this shiva Temple and The Chozha Kerala Vinnagaram Emperumanar of Salukkai alias Chozha Keralapuram, from the administrative control of Vandavasi Sirmai to Veerabhadraraya sirmai. for the expenses connected to offerings, worship, and festivals in these two temples.

The Pandya King Maravarman alias Thirubhuvana Chakravathi Kulasekara deva's 40th reign year inscription records the gift of lands as Tax-free in the Village as KudiningadaTiruvidayattam to the God Chozha Kerala Vinnagaram Emperuman by the residence of Salukkai alias Chozha Keralapuram.

The Pandya King Thiribhuvana Chakravarthi Konerimai Kondan's (13+1), 14th reign year inscription records endowment of naivedyam for Kothandaraman sandhi for the same in the 4 periphery limit of Veerambakkam village, lands which includes Nanjai and Punjai after exempting the taxes like Keetruvari, Ponvari, nattuvari, Thattarpattam, etc,.

The Thiribhuvana Chakravarthi Rajendra Chozha Deva's 8th reign year inscription records that the Pondai Matrupuli of Venkundra Kottam consecrated the images of Chozha Kerala Vinnagaram Emperuman of the Western temple, Manukula mahadeva Iswaram Udaiyar of Sri Kailayam ( Temple ), Veerakeralap Perumpalli ( Uttara Devi ) and Ambala Nangai as a protection for the City ( Salukkai ) and Made Provision for the worship, offering, Lamps, and nandavanam / flower Garden in the first two temples mentioned above and also made Gift of land to all the temples assigning the Villages of Erumbur, Kurumbur Veeraperumbakkam, and Illuppai. The servants required for these temples were also given house sites. 

One of the 16^th Century Vijayanagara Period inscriptions records the construction of Thirumandapam, Sobanam Thiruvasal / entrance. In that, Maha Vishnu’s name is clearly mentioned as Chozha Kerala Vinagaraperumal.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Suga Brahmarishi and Bharadwaja worshiped Sri Sugar Narayana Perumal of this temple.

Devotees worship Perumal and Thayar for child boon. And as a part of thanksgiving thulabharam is offered in this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Vaikasi, Purattasi Saturdays, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Pavithrotsavam in the month of Thai, etc,. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

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

CONTACT DETAILS

Srinivasa Bhattacharya may be contacted on his mobile numbers +91 9486369874, +91 9677084196, and +918610140553 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This place Salukkai is about 2 km off from Tiruvannamalai to Kanchipuram Main Road, 7.2 km from Vandavasi, 21 km from Cheyyar,  39 km from Kanchipuram,  57 km from Chengalpattu and 113 km from Chennai Central.

Nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Sri Varadaraja Perumal

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---