Utilizing
the opportunity of participating in the Uzhavaram by Chennai Sevas had the darshan
of Sri Hridayaleeswarar and Eri Katha Ramar at Thiruninravur. This Shiva temple
is a few meters away from 58th Divyadesam, Sri Bhaktavatsala
Perumal temple at Thiruninravur. This post was separated from the combined post and updated with Legends, History, and Architecture. Please click the link to see the old post with Erikatha Ramar temple.
West side entrance
Moolavar
: Sri Hridayaleeswarar
Consort
: Sri Maragathambal
Some
of the important features of this temple are….
The
temple faces east with entrance arches on the east and west sides. On
the east side entrance Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam. Sri Vinayagar
and Balamurugan are at the entrance to the inner prakaram. The
sanctum sanctorum is of Gajabirushtam style with Pallava Architecture. In
Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Vishnu
Durgai. Moolavar is a little large on a square avudayar and Poosalar one of
the 63 Nayanmar is in the sanctum facing south.
In
the inner Prakaram sannadhi for Suryan Navagrahas, Pallava King Rajasimhan,
Ninravur Polla Pillayar, Nalvar, Sekkizhar, Naagars, Mahaganapathy, Urchava Murtis, Valli Devasena Subramaniar with Naagars, Chandikeswarar,
Palliyarai, Natarajar saba, Bhairavar and Chandran.
In
the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Nava kanniyar, Mandapam and office
Room. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing south.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam on an upanam. The sanctum sanctorum is of Gajaprishta shape from upanam to sigaram. The temple was constructed with stone from upanam to prastaram. A two-tier brick Vimanam is on the prastaram.
Gajaprishta Vimanam
Gajaprishta Vimanam
Moolavar Vimanam with Ambal sannadhi vimanam
Moolavar Vimanam with Ambal sannadhi vimanam
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
temple is about 1300 years old and some inscriptions are available on the
sanctum wall. It is believed that this temple was constructed during the Pallava
period. 9 – 10th-century inscriptions are found on the sanctum sanctorum wall.
The 20th-century inscription records that
in 1905 CE Devakottai Sita Achi had done thirupani to this temple.
LEGENDS
The
temple was constructed by Pallava king Rajasimhan for Poosalar. The
story goes like this… Poosalar who applied vibhuti all over his body wants to
construct a Shiva Temple sitting under the Iluppai tree. Even though
Poosalar couldn’t physically construct
the temple, constructed the Shiva Temple in his heart with a concentrated mind.
This was rightly written by Sekkizhar
Peruman in “Periya Puranam” as..
அடி முதல் உபானம் ஆதி
ஆகிய படிகள் எல்லாம்
வடிவறு தொழில்கள் முற்ற
மனதினால் வகுத்துமான
முடிவுறு சிகரம் தானும்
முன்னிய முழத்திற் கொண்டு
நெடிது நாள் கூடக் கோவில்
திறம்படி நினைவால் செய்தார்
Poosalar completed the temple in the heart and
fixed a date for consecration / Kumbhabhishekam. In the meantime, the Pallava king Rajasimhan
also constructed a temple for Shiva “Sri Kailasanathar Temple” at
Kanchipuram. Sekkizhar records the construction of the Kachi KaRRali ( Kailasanathar
temple ) with mudram, madam, etc, as KaRRali / stone temple and spending large
amount of money / perumchelvam.
"காடவர் கோமான் கச்சிக்
கற்றளி எடுத்து முற்ற
மாடெல்லாம் சிவனுக்காகப்
பெருஞ்செல்வம் வகுத்தல் செய்வான்
நாடமாலறியா தாரைத்
தாபிக்கும் அன்னாள் முன்னாள்
ஏடலார் கொன்றை வேய்ந்தார்
இரவிடை கனவில் எய்தி"
After the completion of the temple, the Pallava king
fixed a date after consulting the Vedic pundits and astrologers. Since the date
of consecration coincides with Poosalar’s temple date, Shiva asked the king to
postpone the date in his dream and said that he was going to attend the
consecration of the Temple constructed by his devotee Poosalar. The Pallava King
Rajasimhan wanted to see the temple and came to Thiruninravur and was able to find
Poosalar under the Iluppai tree with great difficulty.
Poosalar showed his chest where he built the temple. The king
appreciated Poosalar’s bhakti and constructed a temple as per Poosalar’s wish.
Sekkizhar finishes Poosalar Nayanar’s
Puranam with this poem as...
"நீண்ட சேஞ்சடையனார்க்கு
நினைப்பினால் கோயிலாக்கிப்
பூண்ட அன்பிடையறாத
பூசலார் பொற்றான் போற்றி"
The Pallava King Rajasimhan
Since
Poosalar was constructed in his heart ( mind ), it is believed that heart-related
ailments will be cured by worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS :
The
temple is kept open between 06.00 Hrs to 12.30 Hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 Hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS :
The
temple dharmakartha is Sri Jagan Somasundaram of Devakottai, a Nattukottai
Nagarathar, and the manager is Mr D Balakrishnan whose mobile number is
9444164108.
HOW
TO REACH :
The
temple is about 3 KM distance from Thiruninravur Railway station which is on
the way from Chennai Central to Tiruvallur- Arakkonam.
Town
buses are available from the Railway station’s south side, 54A to Poonamallee, and
M54 to T Nagar.
Share
autos are also available from Thiruninravur railway station.
East
Side entrance
Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam
View of the temple from the west side
Sapta matrikas with Veerabhadra and Vinayagar
A round stone, what for it is used?- Used for Grinding
of lime mortar during renovation
After the darshan of Sri Hridayaleeswarar, went to Sri Eri Katha Ramar temple. When I
reached, the temple was not opened. Went around the temple. Development work of
paving the floor around the sanctum was in progress. Laborers are busy unloading the granite slabs for the pavement. After 15 minutes the Bhatter
arrived and opened the temple for the darshan. Wow, it was a wonderful darshan
of Lord Sri Ramar and waiting has been rewarded.
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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