After
the visit to Sri Mahakaleshwarar temple at Palayanoor, our next destination was the Shiva temple at Madurantakam. Unfortunately, this temple is under
palalayam and preparing for the Kumbhabhishekam. The temple and sanctum
sanctorum structure was completely sandblasted, and most of the Chozha period
inscriptions were lost. Hope this temple also lost its antiquity status.
Moolavar : Sri Arulaleeswarar
Consort : Sri Elavar Kuzhali
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple faces east, with an entrance arch. Stucco images of Shiva & Parvati,
Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the entrance arch. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in
front of the temple. Stucco Dwarapalakas are in front of the sanctum sanctorum.
Sanctum sanctorum is on an elevated level. Moolavar in the sanctum is on a round
avudayar. Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai are in the
koshtam.
In
the inner praharam, Nalvar, Vinayagar,
Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Natarajar, Vairavar, Vara Siddhi Vinayagar Lakshmi Vinayagar, and Nagars are in the outer
praharam. Ambal Sri Elavar Kuzhali is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal
is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.
Stucco Dwarapalakas
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and mukha
mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with three patta
kumudam. The Bhitti starts with vedika. The pilasters are Brahma kantha
pilasters with kalasam, kudam, mandi palakai, and Vettu pothyal. The koshtas are
of the Sala style. A two-tier vesara vimanam is on the prastaram. Stucco images of
Shiva Dakshinamurthy and Maha Vishnu are on the vimana tier and the greeva koshtams.
The inner praharam level is raised, and a moat is formed around the sanctum
sanctorum.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As
per the inscriptions, this place was called Madurantaka Chaturvedi Mangalam. Kulothunga
Chozha-II and Vikrama Chozha period inscriptions are found on the adhistanam. Inscriptions record this temple as Agalangeswaram, also called Arulaleswaram. Another name of Vikrama Chozhaa is Akgalangan (ARE 1896 No 126, 262, 263 and 1922... nos 391- 392).
Vikrama Chola’s (1118-1135 CE)
dated 1124 CE, 6th reign year inscription records the sale of land
in Madhuranthaka Chaturvedimangalam in Kalattur Kottam for building a temple
called Arulakara Isvaram with mandapams, praharams, and other structures by the
maha-sabha of Madurantaka
Chaturvedimangalam. The inscription records the periphery limits of the land
and the location of the land from Madurantaka Pereri and Peruvazhi. 20 kasu was
received towards the cost of land.
Kulottunga Chola II (1133-1150 CE)
dated 1137 CE, 4th reign year inscription records a resolution of
the maha-sabha of Madhurantaka Chaturvedimangalam, to grant of land to the
temple of Akalankishwaramudaiya Mahadevar.
Another Chola period inscription
records the donation of land for temple worship.
The Vijayanagara period
inscriptions are found on the outer wall (misplaced during renovations)
The
temple is preparing for Maha Kumbhabhishekam on 17th September 2023.
Ref:
1. Tholliyal Nokkil Kanchipuram Mavattam, by Sa Krishnamurthy.
2. South Indian Inscriptions Volume - V
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri days. 6 Abhishekam per year will be conducted to Natarajar. Kandar Sashasti, Amman's procession on Aadi Pooram day,
Devotees worship Shiva and Ambal to flourish in business, for a child boon, to remove obstacles in marriage, etc.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30
Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The
mobile number +9199401 91414 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
This
Temple is on the side of the GST Road, from Chennai to Trichy.
The
temple is about 800 meters from Madurantakam Bus Stand, 1.7 km from Madurantakam
Railway Station, 26 km from Chengalpattu, and 87 km from Chennai Central.
The nearest
Railway Station is Maduranthakam.
Now
Then
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
No comments:
Post a Comment