Wednesday, 1 November 2023

Sri Thrikaleshwarar Temple / த்ரிகாலேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில், Ozhugur, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu

The Visit to this Sri Thrikaleshwarar Temple at Ozhugur was a part of the Gajaprishta / Gajabrushta Vimana Shiva Temple and Kanchanagiri Temples Visit around Walajapet, on 15th October 2023. Thanks to Ramesh Krishnamurthy, who took me to these Temples.

PC - Website and thanks to the unknown photographer

Moolavar  : Sri Thrikaleshwarar
Consort    : Sri Tripurasundari

Some of the Salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with a two-tier mini Rajagopuram on the north side. A Vinayagar bas relief is after the entrance of Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are on the east side of the temple. Moolavar which (seems to be swayambhu) is in the sanctum on a square avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing South. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

In praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, and Chandikeswarar, loose sculptures of Saptamatrikas with Shiva/Veerabhadra and a Shiva Linga with Nagars under Sthala Vruksham bilva tree.


A Greenstone Dakshinamurthy

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum was built in Gajaprishta / Gajabrushta style with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with Vedika. The pillasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with lotus petals, kapotam with nasi kudus, and viyyalavari. The nasikudus are with floral designs and bhuta gana’s head images. An Eka tala Gajaprishta/Gajabrushta Vimanam is on the Sanctum sanctorum & antarala. Dakshinamurthy, Narasimhar, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam. Three stucco kalasas are on the Vimanam. 













The modified ardha mandapa combining Mukha mandapam and ardha mandapam ( above )  - the old picture with mukha mandapam is given below
 The modified mukha mandapa - above and the old picture of the temple with the mukha mandapam on the south side are given below
PC - Website and thanks to the unknown photographer 
PC - Website and thanks to the unknown photographer 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the original temple was built during the 7th to 8th Century Pallava period as Gajaprishta Vimana temple. The Ambal sannidhi might have been added during the 10th to 11th century.  Since the Ground level was raised above Kumudam ( partially visible ), we do not know whether there are any inscriptions to prove its antiquity.

Originally the temple had with closed ardha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam on the south side. During a recent renovation, the ardha mandapam and the open mukha mandapams were pulled down and a new ardha mandapam was built with granite stone and stone pillars with small entrances on the east and south sides. The main sanctum sanctorum and vimanam were not touched. The open space was also paved with granite slabs.

Renovation works are started in 2021-22 and the temple is expecting maha kumbhabhishekam, maybe in 2024.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Since the temple is under palalayam, no regular and special poojas are conducted.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
Usually, the temple will be kept open during the morning hours after Kumbhabhishekam and the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

HOW TO REACH
The temple is on the southwest corner of the Village of Ozhugur. The temple is about 8.5 km through Dhanvantari temple ( Walajapet ), 13 km from Ranipet ( District Headquarters), 13 km from Chennasamudram Toll gate, 14.7 km from Arcot, 38 km from Vellore and 109 km from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Ranipet. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

PC - Website and thanks to the unknown photographer
PC - Website and thanks to the unknown photographer



 Vaishnavi
Chamundi
Kaumari
 Varahi
 Brahmi
 Veerabhadra

Land donation stone to the Shiva temple in the midst of thorny bush
Land donation stone to the Shiva temple 
 The author along with the Villagers, shows both Athikosa Kalvettu and this Land donation stone to the Shiva temple 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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