The Visit to this Pallava period Shri Subramanya
Swamy Temple at Mallam in Andhra Pradesh
and a Shiva Temple in Tiruvallur
District was a part of Shiva and Murugan temples visit on 16th
September 2023.
Moolavar : Shri Subramanya Swamy
Consort(S) :
Shri Valli & Devasena
Some
of the Salient features of this temple are….
The
temple is facing east with a rajagopuram base. The Temple tank with a neerazhi
mandapan is in front of the temple. Dwarapalakas are on both side of the entrance
of the Rajagopuram base. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and rishabam are in front of
the temple. Natarajar with Sivakami and Manickavasagar are at the south side of
the mandapam. Again Arumugar with Valli
devasena Utsava murtis are in the ardha mandapam. Moolavar Sri Subramaniar is
in the form of Brahma sastha ( The old Pallava period Moolavar was replaced bay
a new moolavar during recent years. It was told that the hands are broken and
kept in the sanctum itself – the old idol
was a Brahma sastha ). In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha
Vishnu, Brahma and Durga.
In
the inner praharam Sri Valli, Devasena, Chandikeswara. Chandran, Nagars and two
Devotees.
In
the outer praharam, Vahanas ( in glass enclosures ), Vinayagar, Navagrahas,
Bairavar, a Shiva Temple with Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam and Rishabam and Vasantha
mandapam with 64 pillars exquisitely carved.
18
numbers of hero stones are installed on both sides
of the Compound wall of the temple, of which one belongs to Pallava period and
the details will be posted separately.
Maha Vishnu - Dakshinamurthy - Brahma
Damaged Pallava Brahma Sastha
Damaged Pallava Brahma Sastha
Bairavar
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a maha
mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with Jagathy,
threepatta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with Vedikai. The Pilasters
of are Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, Lotus petals mandi, plakai
and vettu pothyal. Kumbha panjaras are between Deva Koshtas. The Kostas are
sala style. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam and Vyyalavari. A Dravida
vimanam is on the Bhumidesam, on a raised level. Shiva with Parvati,
Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the Greeva koshtam.
Praharam with Vrutha Pillars
The
vasantha mandapam, which contains 64 pillars ( May be built during 15th
to 16th Century Vijayanagara Period ) is on the south east corner of the temple
premises with shobana mandapam. This mandapam is used for important utsavams and
celebrations. The front sobhana mandapam was built like Chariot with two wheels and pulled by two horses. The
Pillars and the adhistanam base has the bas-reliefs of Shiva’s various forms,
scenes from Epic Ramayana, Dancers, Musicians / Musical instrument players,
Hindu deities, Saints, Maharishis, Paintings of Sthala purana of various
temples, and some erotic reliefs too. There
is an interesting story behind this mandapam.
Rama shoots ValiRama shoots Vali
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
This
Brahma sastha temple otherwise known as Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple belongs to
Pallava period ( 7th to 8th Century ) and the same was
constructed with stone during Chozha Period and reconstructed during
Vijayanagara period. Chozha and Vijayanagara period Inscriptions are found on
the adhistanam and walls. As per the inscriptions this place Mallam was called
as “Tiruvanmür”.
The
Inscriptions belongs to 11th to 12th century Chozha
period ( Some inscriptions starts with Thiribhuvana Chakravarthikal .. and
meikeerthi as ஸ்வத்திஸ்ரீ
திரிபுவன சக்ரவர்த்திகள் மதுரையும்… ) and
16th – 17th Century Vijayanagara period. Most of the
inscription records the endowment established for prayer / service, burning
lamps and the donations made to this temple.
LEGENDS
As per the legend Sri Subramanya Killed a demon
called Malla at this same place. The demon Malla prayed
Subramanya, that this place to be called
in his name, hence this place is being called as Mallam.
The Legends behind the construction of temple is
painted on the antarala and ardha mandapam walls. As per the legend, Kulothunga
Pandya Bhupathi ( ..? is there any body ), who ruled this area came to this
place for hunting, happened to see bamboos grown on an ant hill. The ant hill
was grown over Sri Subramanya Swamy, who was doing penance. Without knowing
this the king ordered to cut the bamboos for making a palanquin. While Cutting the bamboos the knife / sword
cuts the hands of Sri Subramanya Swamy. Blood was oozing out from the ant hill.
That night Sri Subramanya Swamy, came in the king’s dream and advised the king
to construct a temple to get rid of sin
caused for cutting his hand. The King constructed this temple and consecrated.
There
is a local interesting legend behind the 64 pillar Vasantha mandapam. The sculptor
who constructed the mandapa had a son who was also a great sculptor. He has the
great skill of giving life of the sculptures. After the Horse and the wheels
are sculpted for the sobana mandapa, the Sculptor’s son wishes to go and see
his lover with the Chariot mandapa. When the sculptor’s son, was about to take
off the chariot with stone horses after giving life to them, the Sculptor broke
the legs of the horse and the Chariot didn’t moved further. With anger the
Sculptor killed his son and killed himself too.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from 4 kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Tuesdays, Kiruthigai
Panguni Uthiram, Kandar Sashti etc,.
Horse Vahana
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept opened between 05.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to
20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The temple Web site :
The
mobile number of the temple +91 98499 05718 may be contacted for further
details.
HOW TO REACH
The
temple at Mallam is about 28 KM from Naidupet, 85 KM from Nellore and 131 KM
from Chennai.
Nearest
railway Station is Naidupet.
Every
half an hour, APSRTC Buses are available from Naidupet bus Stand
Temple back side lake
Shiva Temple Pillar reliefs
Pillar reliefsPillar reliefs Vasantha mandapa
Entrance Dwarapalakas
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
