The
Heritage visit to this Sri Kazhmalaiamman Temple at Sirkazhi was a part of the “Mada Temples Heritage Walk in Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai Districts”,
organized by “Chozha Mandala Varalatru Thedal Kuzhu – GCHRG, on 05th
and 6th March 2022. Thanks
to V Ramachandran, Tahasildar of Nagapattinam, who took us to all these Temples.
The
place Sirkazhi was called by 12 different names, Brahmapuram, Venupuram,
Pukali, Venkudu, Thonipuram, Poonthurai, Sirapuram, SaNbai, Kazhumalam,
Kalipuram, Puravam, Kochaivayam, etc. The name of this place mentioned by
Thirugnanasambandar is as given below...
பிரமனூர் வேணுபுரம் புகலி வெங்குருப் பெருநீர்த்தோணி
புரமன்னு பூந்தராய் பொன்னுஞ்சிரபுரம் புறவஞ் சண்பை,
அரன்மன்னு தண்காழி கொச்சைவயம் உள்ளிட்டங் காதியாய
பரமனூர் பன்னிரண்டாய் நின்றதிருக் கழுமலம் நாம் பரவும் ஊரே
Main Deity :
Sri Kazhumalaiamman
Some of the salient features of this temple are...
The temple is facing north with an entrance arch. The stucco images
of Saptamatrikas are on the arch. Bhoot, balipeedam, and dwajasthambam are
under a mandapam in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Mahisashuramardini’s stucco
image is on the top of the entrance. An
Amman ( Vedalamman ) in a standing posture
is in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Bairavar, an Amman holding a lotus flower in
the right hand, A slab contains the image of Vinayagar and Jyeshta with Manthan
and Manthi.
In sanctum sanctorum, Saptamatrikas starts with
Veerabhadra on the east wall Saptamatrikas facing North, and Vinayagar on
the west wall.
ARCHITECTURE
The Temple complex consists of a sanctum sanctorum,
ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. To accommodate Saptamatrikas, the sanctum
sanctorum is in rectangular shape.
A
2-tier Salakara Vimanam with 7 Kalasams is on the sanctum sanctorum. The
adhistanam is of simple 3 anga Vimanam. From adhistanam to prastram was built
with Stone. The Superstructure of salakara Vimanam was built with bricks and
mortar.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It
is believed that the temple existed since the Chozha period, but the present
structure seems to be 200 to 300 years old. Kazhumlaiamman is the Kaval Deivam
of Sirkazhi and was called 12 different names of which one is Kazhumalam. Three
Specialities of this temple are...
1. this place is named Kazhumalam,
2. Theertham
as Kazhumalam ( one of the water channels that flows in the Sirkazhi City is called Kazhumalam ) and
3. Murti / Deity as Kazhumalaiamman. It is believed that
the original name of this place was Kazhumalai, which has been corrupted to
Kazhumalam.
During the Chozha Period, this place was under Rajaraja Thirukazhumala Nadu and Rajathiraja
Valanadu. This place was Kazhumala Nagar during the Sundarar Period and Brahmapuram
during the Thirugnanasambandar Period. The
Amman obtained the name of this place as Kazhumalaiamman.
LEGENDS
The
Locals call this temple as Pidari temple. As per hearsay, Pidari came to this
temple and drove away the Saptamatrikas. Since the Saptamatrikas couldn’t come
inside the Temple, they stayed in different places.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on annual function in the
month Panguni/ 10 days before Chithirai Amavasya ( new moon day ). Bali Soru offering
is an important event that will be held that night. 7 people used to go with various
weapons like Aruva, Trishul, Semangalam, Bell, Vedalakattai, and Melam. Soru mixed with the sacrificed calf’s blood
will be offered in 4 directions of this temple. It was told that during that
night the pregnant ladies would avoid staying in the territory of the temple.
The Annual function of Sri Sattainathar Temple will be conducted only after
this function.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
Since
oru kala pooja is conducted, the person who is conducting the poojas may be contacted to visit the temple.
CONTACT DETAILS
Mr. Dr. Saravanan may be contacted on his mobile at +919442275320 for darshan and
further details.
HOW TO REACH
This
Kazhumalaiamman temple is about a KM from Sri Sattainathar Temple.
The
temple is about 1.7 KM from Sirkazhi Railway Station, 7 KM from Vaitheeswaran
Kovil, 25 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 66 KM from Nagapattinam 239 KM from Chennai.
Nearest
Railway station is Sirkazhi Railway Station.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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