VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : October 2023

Tuesday, 31 October 2023

Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple / Sri Kasi Viswanathar Aalayam / ஸ்ரீ காசி விஸ்வநாதர் ஆலயம் / Walajapet, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple at Walajapet was a part of Gajaprishta / Gajabrushta Vimana Shiva Temple and Kanchanagiri Temples Visit around Walajapet, on 15^th October 2023. Thanks to Ramesh Krishnamurthy, who took me to these Temples. This Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple is on the main road in Walajapet, which is easily accessible from bus stand.

Moolavar : Sri Kasi Viswanathar

Consort : Sri Visalakshi

Some of the Salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Entrance to the temple is on the South side after the Rajagopuram. Stucco image of Shiva & Parvati as rishabaroodar, Vinayagar and Murugan are on the south side entrance to the ardha mandapam. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, Rishabam, Vinayagar and Pazhani Andavar are on the east side entrance. Dwarapalakas, Rishabam and balipeedam are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is little tall on a round avudayar. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the inner praharam, Vinayagar, Nayanmars, Nalvar, Chandran, Suriyan, Bairavar, Navagrahas, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Shiva Lingam and Parvathavardhini

In the outer praharam, Utsava Mandapam ( Navaratri Kozhu function was in progress during our Visit ), Ardhanareeswarar and Nagars.

Ambal Visalakshi is in the ardha mandapam facing east with dwarapalakis. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. A 3 tier Stucco vesara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum.

The Rajagopuram was built completely from base with brick and lime mortar. It has some rare stucco images of Bhairava, Veerabhadra with Daksha, Nandhi, Maha Vishnu’s various avatars on the east and west sides ), Ravana Anugraha moorthy, Dakshinamurthy, etc,.

Bairavar with Nandi

Veerabhadra with Dakshan

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple may belongs to 15^th to 16^th Century and the sanctum sanctorum might have been reconstructed during 19^th to 20^th Century. No old inscriptions are found to prove its antiquity.

As per one of the small inscription tablet installed at the entrance of Rajagopuram, the Temple is being maintained by Ayira Vaisya ( Beri Chettiars ) Community of Walajapet, for the past 300 years. But when the temple was constructed is not known. During 1936 CE Mr M Manickam Chettiar was the managing Trustee of this temple.

Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 02^nd September 1949, 09^rd September 1979, 17^th April 2005 and 30^th August 2018.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Sankatahara Chaturthi, Kiruthigai, Pournami, Somavaram, Sukravaram, Theipirai Ashtami, Pradosham, 1^st day of the month, Navaratri, Aippasi month Annabhishekam, Maha Shivaratri, Arudra Darshan, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 09.00 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Trustees may be contacted on the following mobile numbers +919894756747, +919751196675 and +9194435422956 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This Temple is on the Madras- Bombay Trunk Road.

The Temple is about 4 KM from Ranipet Railway Station, 5 KM from Chennasamudram Toll Plaza, 5.7 KM from Arcot, 5.6 KM from Ranipet, 29 KM from Vellore and 109 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Ranipet.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Utsava mandapam / Vasantha mandapam / Kozhu mandapam
Nagars with Vinayagar and Murugan

South Side entrance
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Monday, 30 October 2023

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple / KSAT04-Sree Agatheeswarar 4th Shadaranya temple / KSAT04-ஸ்ரீஅகத்தீசுவரர் 4வது ஷடாரண்யத் தலம்/ வன்னிமேடு/ Vannivedu, Walajah, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at Vannivedu, Walaja was a part of Gajaprishta / Gajabrushta Vimana Shiva Temple and Kanchanagiri Temples Visit, on 15^th October 2023. Thanks to Ramesh Krishnamurthy, who took me to these places.

Devotees worshipping Vinayagar

It is believed that this is one of the Thevara vaippu sthalam and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Shiva of Agastheeswarar, in General.

நாடகமா டிடநந்தி கேச்சுரமா காளேச்

சுரநாகேச் சுரநாக ளேச்சுரநன் கான

கோடீச் சுரங் கொண்டீச் சுரந்திண் டீச் சுரங்

குக்குடேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரங்கூறுங்கால்

ஆடகேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரமய னீச்சுர

மத்தீக்சுரஞ் சித்தீக்சுர மந்தண் கானல்

ஈடுதிரை யிராமேசசுர மென்றென் றேத்தி

யிறைவனுறை சுரம்பலவு மியம்பு வோமே.

….. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் ( 6-71-8 )

Moolavar : Sri Agastheeswarar

Consort : Sri Bhuvaneswari

Some of the Salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram ( Yet to be completed ) and an entrance from West side. Stucco image of Shiva and Parvati is on the top of the west side entrance. A Vinayagar sannidhi is on the west side entrance. Entrance to the ardha mandapam is from South side with a mandapam. Bas-reliefs of devotees ( Husband & wife ) worshipping Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the ardha mandapam entrance. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are on east side after the rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar in the sanctum is small on a round avudayar. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the inner paraharam Sarabeswarar, Suryan, Manickavasagar, Moovar, Nayanmars, Vinayagar, Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, and Natarajar.

Ambal is in a separate temple like sannidhi facing east on the left side of the moolavar. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. Simham and balipeedam are in-front of Amman sannidhi.

In the outer praharam Vinayagar Chandikeswarar, Akarshana Bairavar, Bairavar, a Memorial Stone ( may be donors ), Vinayagar, Veerabhadra, Saniswaran, Navagrahas, Stucco Image of Shiva and Annapoorani, Ayyappan, Anjaneyar, Varahi, Saraswati, Nagars under vanni Tree and Ashtadikpalakas.

Devotees worshipping Murugan as Arumugar

Hayagreevar

Sarabeswarar

Veerabhadra with Vinayagar

Swarna akarshana Bairavar

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam and pattika. The bhitti starts with vedika. Brahmakantha pilasters are shown on the Bhitti. The prastaram consists of Valapi & kapotam. Lotus petals are shown in the valapi. A two tier stucco vesara Sigara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtas. Stucco images of Agasthiyar, Bairavar, Natarajar and various deities are on the Vimanam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The present structure may belongs to 16^th to 17^th Century CE and the Ambal’s shrine was constructed little latter. No inscriptions was found to prove its antiquity.

The temple is under the administrative control of Tamil Nadu HR & CE Department.

LEGENDS

This temple is considered on of the Shadaranya Kshetras ( Sameevanam ) with Vanni Tree as sthala vruksham around Arcot, worshipped by Agasthiyar. The other kshetras are Gudimallur worshipped by Athri Maharishi, Avarakarai, worshipped by Kasibar, Karai worshipped by Gowthamar, Veppur, worshipped by Vasishta Maharishi, MelVisharam worshipped by Valmiki Maharishi and Padi alias Pudupadi worshipped by Bhardwaj maharishi. It is believed that worshipping all the seven temples on Maha Shivaratri days will be equivalent to worshipping of Kailasanathar of mount Kailash.

On 19^th August 2015, evening, Durgai came down in the form of light from the koshta and walked towards Sri Bhuvaneswari Ambals’ Sannidhi and dispappeared. It was witnessed by Chamraj Lakshmi Ammal, Srimati Gangai Ammal and Palani Gurukkal, through the Ambal’s Pada / foot prints on the floor. The foot prints are preserved for Devotee’s darshan with kavasam. Special poojas are offered to these foot prints on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Durga's Padas

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular Poojas, Special poojas are conducted on Pournami, Sankatahara Chaturthi, Thaipoosam, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Sarabeswarar Pooja on Sundays ( 16.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs ), Varahi Poojas, Theipirai Ashtami, Nayanmar’s Guru Poojas, etc,.

This temple is believed to be a parihara sthalam for Rahu and Ketu. Special poojas are done of Rahu and ketu peyarchi days.

Symbolic representation of Lunar and solar eclipse - as temple a Rahu and Ketu

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 08.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Gurukkal May be contacted on his mobile +919629372155 for Poojas, Mrs T Chamrajya Lakshmi Ammal my be contacted on her mobile number +9442227867, +919443227864 and +919943314410 for the Sarabeswarar Poojas.

HOW TO REACH

This Temple is on the Madras- Bombay Trunk Road, in Vannivedu a part of Walajah.

The Temple is about 5.6 KM from Ranipet Railway Station, 8.7 KM from Chennasamudram Toll Plaza, 5.0 KM from Arcot, 6.5 KM from Ranipet, 29 KM from Vellore and 109 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Ranipet.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Stucco images of Shiva and Annapoorani

West side entrance with Vinayagar Sannidhi

An ant hill on west side entrance

A Memorial stones - may be Chieftain with his wife or may be donars

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sunday, 29 October 2023

Athangudi Palace / Letchmi Vilas / Athangudi Palace, Athangudi, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

A Brief History of Sri Letchmi Vilas

( This article is from the athangudi palace website : https://www.athangudipalace.com/about )

CHETTIARS, a small sect of merchant community that originated from Naganadu (presently part of Andhra Pradesh), also called Nagarathars, were trading precious stones, spices, and rice from Kancheepuram, migrated to Kaveripoompattinam, a port town in East Coast in Tamilnadu. They continued their trading practices and expanded their business with East Asian countries from the Port of Nagapattinam, during the peak of Chozha Dynasty. On the invitation of Pandya King - Sundara Pandiyan in AD 15^th Century, to develop the economic activity in the region ruled by the Pandya King, the Chettiars had settled in the villages allotted by the King encompassing areas in present Sivagangai and Pudukottai district in TamilNadu.

Shri N. Arunachalam Chettiar

Shri N. Arunachalam Chettiar from Muthupatinam – Athangudi village was also in the business of trading with South Asian Countries and stabilized his business in Burma Myanmar and ventured into financing activities. In association with Shri. CV. CT. Venkatachalam Chettiar of Kanadukathan, a nearby village at a distance of 8 K.Ms. Shri. N. Arunachalam Chettiar, the man of simplicity always commuting between these two villages by foot, linked the need for finance from growing countries with the countries with excess liquidity through Arbitraging, where no modern communication facility was present. They established the business with Trust and Acumen. Shri. N. AR. Nachiappa Chettiar is the only son of Shri. N. Arunachalam Chettiar.

Business and War

Shri. N. Arunachalam Chettiar continued financing activities in Myanmar and in farming activities around farming land irrigated by the River Irawathy. With business acumen, trust, passion and hard work, Shri. N.AR.Nachiappa Chettiar, grew business to multifold with principles of social capitalism. He desired to invest the annual surplus from all businesses into building a house at hometown. And this simple idea turned into what we now recognize as Athangudi Palace. Later, when war broke out, all businesses were shut and he returned to hometown.

Iconic and Unique

In 1929, Shri. N. AR. Nachiappa Chettiar, commenced construction of the house measuring 1.08 Acres, engaging 150 workers, masons, painters, blacksmiths, artists, and carpenters largely sourced from Tirunelveli, Nagercoil regions. Completed in 1932, with Hard-earned Money saved from abroad businesses, Materials sourced from across the globe, transported through innovative ways, and passionate Workforce, which made the difference for bringing out a structure with 100% perfection without support of electricity, cement, and modern tools. The loyalty and passionate workers were materialized by Shrimathi. Meyyammai Achi, wife of Shri. N. AR. Nachiappa Chettiar. She played major role throughout the construction and won the hearts of the workers through her concern for them.

The house is named “SRI LETCHMI VILAS” (“Letchmi”, the name of Shri N. AR. Nachiappa chettiar’s beloved mother and daughter). Because of the house’s sheer size, called as ‘Periya Veedu’ means Big House, is now globally known as “ATHANGUDI PALACE”

"SRI LETCHMI VILAS” a pinnacle of Chettinad Heritage. It is a standing testimony to our prominent place in global trade, efficient global communications, affluent economic status of our country, tradition of Tamil Nadu, and culture of people who believed in hard work, honesty, workers contribution, and power of women, to take pride by each one of us.