Asalathamman Temple / அசலாத்தம்மன் கோயில், உக்கல்/ Ukkal, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Asalathamman Temple at Ukkal was a part of the REACH Foundation’s Epigraphic field visit on 26^th February 2023. The Village Ukkal is on the banks of the river Cheyyar, a tributary river to the Palar. This place, Ukkal, is about 12 km from Magaral, a Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam. On the way to Sri Bhuvana Manicka Perumal temple, I happened to see the Pallava period Squatting Lion Pillars installed in front of the village deity Temple.

உக்கல் என்ற ஊர் திருவண்ணாமலை மாவட்டத்தில் பாலாற்றின் உப நதியான செய்யாற்றின் கரையிலும், பாடல் பெற்ற தலமான மாகரல் என்ற ஊரின் சிவன் கோயிலுக்கு 12 கிலோமீட்டர் தூரத்திலும் அமைந்துள்ளது. கிராம தேவதை அசலாத்தம்மனுக்காகக் கட்டப்பட்ட கோயில். பல்லவர்கால மணற் கற்களால் செய்யப்பட்ட சிம்மத்தூண்கள் கோயிலின் முன்பு காணப்படுகின்றன. இதை வைத்து இக்கோயில் பல்லவர் காலத்தில் கட்டப்பட்டு இருக்கலாம் என்று ஆய்வாளர்கள் கருதுகின்றனர்.

Moolavar: Sri Asalathamman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing west with a balipeedam. The top of the keerthi mukhas is installed under the Balipeedam, facing the Amman sanctum. A Vinayagar is on the right side of the entrance. The presiding deity, Sri Asalathamman, is in the sanctum Sanctorum in a sitting posture.

 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum and the ardha mandapam. The temple may have been reconstructed in recent years. The ardha mandapam is supported by 4 nos of vrutha pillars & vettu pothyal. Two vrudha pillars and two squatting lion pillars are installed in front of the temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Bhuvana Manicka Perumal temple, Rajakesarivarman’s period inscription, records the ancient name of Ukkal as “Siva Chudamani Mangalam”. Another name, “Aparajita Chaturvedi Mangalam”, is undoubtedly a Pallava name. Rajasimha bore the name “Sivachudamani”, and Aparajita was the last Pallava King. Hence, we may conclude that during the 7^th Century, this place was called Sivachudamani Chaturvedi Mangalam, in the name of Rajasimha, and the same was changed to “Aparajita Chaturvedi Mangalam” during the Aparajita Pallava period, and once again the same was changed to Sri “Vikrama Bharana Chaturvedi Mangalam” during the Chozha period. 

LEGENDS

It is believed that this Asalathamman is the village guarding deity of the village Ukkal. The villagers worship Asalathamman for Child boon and marriages.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

One kala pooja is conducted, and special poojas are conducted on Fridays. The annual festival will be conducted during the month of Adi.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

HOW TO REACH

This place Ukkal is Kanchipuram to Vandavasi road, 18 km south of Kanchipuram and 2.5 km from Koolamandal, 51 km from Chengalpattu, 66 km from Tambaram and 95 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---