Friday, 30 June 2023

Sri Abathsagayeswarar Temple / Sivan Temple / ஸ்ரீ ஆபத்சகாயேஸ்வரர் கோயில், தண்ணீர்குளம் / Thaneerkulam, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to Sri Abathasahayeswarar Temple at Thaneekulam, near Tiruvallur, was a part of “The remains of Pallava reign inscriptions and Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit, in Tiruvallur District”, on 18th June 2023.
  

Moolavar  : Sri Abathsagayeswarar
Consort    : Sri Mangalambigai

Some of the Salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with an entrance from the south. Balipeedam and Rishabam are on the east side. Moolavar is on a square Avudayar. Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishu, Brahma, and Ashta bhuja Durgai. Sri Sugunthakusambigai, Sri Dhejaneeswarar, Natarajar with Sivakami, Manicka Vinayagar, Bala Subramaniar, Murugan, Nalvar, Sekkizhar, and Thirunalaipovar are in the ardha mandapam.

The stucco image of Natarajar is on the top of the south side entrance, and Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar are on the top of the east side entrance.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. Maha Lakshmi and Saraswati are in the koshtam.

In the outer praharam, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Nagars under the Peepal tree, and Bairavar.


Sri Sugunthakusambigai, Sri Dhejaneeswarar, and Natarajar with Sivakami
 Brahma (with beard) and Ashtabhuja Durgai

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The temple was constructed with brick and concrete. The sanctum sanctorum and the vimanam were built in the Gajaprishta vimana style. An eka tala vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum. Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam.



HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
This temple was built for a Shiva Lingam and a Rishabam, where they were unearthed. Do not know the antiquity and the details of the old temple. It was decided by the villagers to build a Gajaprishta Vimana Temple, believing that the Shiva lingam and Rishabam are more than 1000 years old and belong to the Pallava period. 

The new temple was built, and maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 11th July 2019.

An old photo of Shiva Lingam with Rishabam

LEGENDS
It is believed that Shiva will give strength to overcome the difficulties in life and also save in difficult situations. Hence, Shiva is called Abathsagayeswarar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham and Maha Shivaratri, etc.


THE TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 09.00 hrs,  and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH
The temple is about 2 km off from Tiruvallur – Keelanur Road, 9.6 km from Tiruvallur Railway Station, 3.7 km from Putlur Angala Parameswari Amman Temple, and 47 km from Chennai Central Station.
The nearest railway Station is Putlur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE


Navagrahas
Nagars



--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thursday, 29 June 2023

Sri Vaikunta Varadharaja Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ வைகுண்ட வரதராஜ பெருமாள் கோயில்/ Simhavarman’s Pallava Grantha Inscriptions, சிவன்வாயில் / Sivanvoyal, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to Sri Vaikunta Varadaraja Perumal Temple at Sivanvoyal, near  Tiruvallur, was a part of  “The remains of Pallava reign inscriptions and Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit, in Tiruvallur District”, on 18th June 2023.  

I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. S Rajagopal Subbaiah, Sir, for guiding me to this historically important place and the Pallava inscription details.



Moolavar: Sri Vaikunta Varadaraja Perumal

Some of the Salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with an old temple pillar as deepasthambam and a balipeedam. A stucco image of Sri Varadaraja Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi is on the top of the mukha mandapam. Moolavar Varadaraja Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. There are no images in the koshtams.

ARCHITECTURE
The whole temple was built with brick and concrete. The temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, an ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. There is no vimanam above the sanctum sanctorum. The original temple belongs to the Pallava period, and the Mandapa pillar with Grantha inscriptions is installed in front of the temple, of which one is a deepasthambam.




HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple belongs to the Pallava period. Except for the two Pallava Grantha inscription pillars, the present temple was constructed in recent years. 

The antiquity of this village goes back to Pallava Times; the village is mentioned under that name in the records of Pallava king Kampavarman (850 CE). The Name of the Sivan Vayil means the abode or entrance of Shiva, and the Sanskrit rendering of the name would be Shiva dvara. True to its import the village contains the remains of the old temple of Shiva when we approach the village from the North. The Shiva Linga is huge in size, with a Rishabam (now the temple was reconstructed). About 100 meters away from this Shiva Temple is the Maha Vishnu Temple, locally called Sri Vaikunta Varadharaja Perumal Temple. These inscriptions are on a granite stone pillar with a lotus medallion at the center, which was used as a stepping stone. 

The ornate Pallava Grantha Character inscriptions are found on three sides. These inscriptions closely resemble Tiruchirappalli Rock Cut Cave inscriptions. The beginning and end of the inscription were lost, and there is no continuity on the three side inscriptions. The first two side inscription contains the eulogy of King  Simhavarma,n who is stated to have been born in the Pallava Family as Visvaksena (Vishnu), in the Vrishni race, and to have performed the Dasasvamedha and Bahusuvarna sacrifices. He is styled Deva, i.e., Lord. The portion of the inscription on the third side is damaged, and it contains the details of the grant.

செங்கற்பட்டு ஜில்லாவிலுள்ள திருவெவள்ளூர் சிறந்த வைஷ்ணவ ஸ்தலம். அதற்கு ஒன்பது மைல் தூரத்தில் சிவன் வாயல் என்ற சிற்றூர் ஒன்று இருக்கிறது. அது மிகவும் பழமை வாய்ந்தது. பல்லவர் காலத்துக் கல்வெட்டுக்கள் அங்கே கிடைக்கின்றன. சாசனங்களில் அவ்வூர் சிவன்வாயில் என்று குறிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. அது சிவனை அடைவதற்கான வாசல் அல்லது மார்க்கம். அதாவது சிவனை அடைவதற்கான பெருவழியின் தலைவாசல் என்று பொருள்படும். சிவத்துவாரம் என்றும் ஆகும். அம்மாதிரியே வாயில் என்ற விகுதியோடு அண்ணல்வாயில், காஞ்சிவாயில் போன்ற ஊர்கள் தமிழ்நாட்டில் பல உண்டு. 

சிவன் வாயிலிலிருந்து பல்லவ அரசனான சிம்ஹவர்மன் என்பவனுடைய கல்வெட்டு ஒன்று சிதிலமாகக் கிடைத்துள்ளது. அடியும், நுனியும் சிதைந்து போன ஒரு தூணின் நடுப்பாகத்தில் மூன்று புறங்களில் கல்வெட்டு பொறிக்கப்பட்டுக் காணப்படுகிறது. அந்த மூன்று பகுதிகளும் ஆரம்பமோ, முடிவோ இல்லாமலும், ஒன்றிற்கொன்று தொடர்பு இல்லாமலும் தனித்தனியாகவே உள்ளன. எனினும் அந்த மூன்று பகுதிகளும் பொறிக்கப்பட்ட முறையைக் கொண்டும், உயோகித்த எழுத்துக்களைக் கொண்டும் அவை ஒரே சாசனத்தின் பகுதிகள் எனக் கொள்ளலாம். சாசனம் கி.பி. ஆறு - ஏழாம் நூற்றாண்டுகளில் வழக்கில் இருந்த பல்லவ கிரந்தம் எனப்படும் எழுத்தின் சித்திரவகையில், சம்ஸ்கிருத மொழியில் உள்ளது

TEXT
First side
. ताशेष प्रजा विपल्लवा [ ना* ] -
. म् पल्लवानाम् अन्वये विष्व
. क्सेन इव वृष्णीनाम...
. न्मानुग्रहमतिशय...

Second side
. [वि] जयस्यायमेव मह[हा] सैन्य-
. द्विपो दशाश्वमेघ बहुसुवर्ण
. ऋतुयाजी देव (*) श्री सिंह-
. वर्मा प्रताप इव मूर्तिम (न्)
१०. ......वन मण्ड

Third side
११. सुप्रणीत दण्डेन
१२. पुनरिदा द्विजन्मसुवि . .
१३. .. सर्व्वस्व प्रतिपि
१४. ....ली...... 

TEXT IN ENGLISH
First side
1 taisha-praja-vipal-lava[n]-
2 m Pallavinim-anvayê Vishva-
3 ksēna iva Vrishninām=a..
4 nm-Anugraham-atisay....

Second side
1 (vi) jayasy-avam-ēva maha[ba] sainya-
2 dvipó dalavamedha-bahusuvarna
3 kratu-yaji Deva[b] Sri-Simha
4 varmmā pratapa iva mürttim[än*]
5 …………
6 .......vana-manda-

Third side
1. supragita-dandina
2. punar-idha dvijanmasu vi..
3. sarvvasva pratipi
4……. li……

கல்வெட்டு வாசகத்தின் பொருள்…
சிம்ஹவர்மன் பல்லவர் குலத்தில் கடவுள் விஷ்வக்சேனராக விர்ஷ்னி வம்சத்தில் பிறந்தவர். அவர் 10 அஸ்வமேத  மற்றும் பிகுஸுவர்ன யாகங்களையும் செய்தவர். அவர் கடவுளின் பாணியில்….

The first two side inscription contains the eulogy of King  Simhavarman, who is stated to have been born in the Pallava family as Visvaksena (Vishnu), in the Vrishni race and to have performed the Dasasvamedha and Bahusuvarna sacrifices. He is styled Deva, i.e., Lord. The portion of the inscription on the third side is damaged, and it contains the details of the grant.

Ref: 
No 41 Sivanvayil Inscription of Simhavarman-I,  ARE 1944-45, No 11, Epigraphia Indica XXVII, 59-62 and Plate.









POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from oru kala pooja, no major celebrations are conducted.

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS
Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable. 
CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH
This temple is about 650 Meters from Puliyur Bus Stop in Sivanvoyal,  17 km from Tiruvallur Railway station, 10 km from Putlur Sri Angala Parameswari Amman Temple, 20 km from Periyapalayam,  23 km from Poonamallee, and 42 km from Chennai Central Station.
The nearest Railway Station is Putlur.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE


--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Wednesday, 28 June 2023

Sri Agatheeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Pakkam, Ramanathapuram, Kilkondaiyur, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at Ramanathapuram, near Kilkondaiyur and Tiruninravur, was a part of  “The remains of Pallava reign inscriptions and Gajaprishta Vimana Temples Visit, in Tiruvallur District”, on 18th June 2023.  


Moolavar  : Sri Agastheeswarar
Consort    : Sri Swarnambigai

Some of the Salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam. A metal image of Nandi worshipping Shiva is hung from the Dwajasthambam. The bas-relief of Agasthiyar worshipping Shiva of this temple is on the east side of the Dwajasthambam. Moolavar is on a square avudayar. Vinayagar and Bala Murugan are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Nalvar are in the mukha mandapam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the praharam, Agasthiyar, Chandikeswarar, Swarna Akarshana Bairavar, with his consort on his lap, Navagrahas, Bairavar, and Hanuman. Natarajar with Sivakami and Manickavasagar are in the mukha mandapam. Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.





ARCHITECTURE
The Temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. An open metacolour sheet mandapam is on the south side. The sanctum sanctorum and Vimanam are in the form of Gajaprishta Style. From adhistanam to prastaram, the temple was built with stone, and the superstructure was built with bricks. The Vimanam is of two talas. Stucco images of Ardhanareeswarar, Ambal embracing Shiva (The Sthala Purana of Kanchipuram), fusion of Anjaneyar and Vinayagar, Agasthiyar, Sankaranarayanar, Saraswati are in the first tala. In the Greevam Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma.
 





HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It was said that the moolavar with the square avudayar was in a bush on the east side of the pond. The Avudayar was found in a cracked condition. The people of this area were afraid of approaching this place due to the poisonous snakes and scorpions. Mr Gajendran took the initiative to rebuild this temple as a Gajaprishta Vimana Stone Temple.

The temple was rebuilt, and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in October 2020.


LEGENDS
Do not know the antiquity of the Shiva Linga.  Hence, Mr Gajendran had seen a Muruga Peruman Jeeva Nadi at Anthiyur in Erode District. As per the Muruga Peruman Nadi, this moolavar is more than 2000 years old, and the temple can be rebuilt as KaRRali / Kalkaram. Siddhars, which includes 18 siddars worships Shiva at this temple. The Moolavar was installed and worshipped by the sage Agasthiyar. Agasthiyar has got the darshan of Shiva and Parvati’s marriage / Kalyana kolam at this place. This temple was very much associated with Chozhas, Thillai / Chidambaram and Thirupattur. Shiva will cure many diseases, will give Mukti, and will change this world.
 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas will be conducted on pradosam, Maha Shivaratri, Arudra Darshan, etc.

 Utsavars
Swarna Akarshana Bairavar

POOJA TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 08.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
Mr Gajendram may be contacted on his mobile at +919789053053 for further details.

HOW TO REACH
This Temple is about 100 meters from Periyapalayam Road, Kilkondaiyur, 6 km from Tiruninravur Railway Station, 18 km from Tiruvallur, 19 km from Periyapalayam & Poonamallee and 39 km from Chennai Central.
The nearest railway station is Tiruninravur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE











Old Avudayar
Nalvar
Agasthiyar Shrine 
Agasthiyar worshipping Shiva relief on the kodimaram
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---