The Visit to this Sri Virudhachaleshwarar Temple at
Venganoor, in Perambalur District was a part of the “Perambalur & Ariyalur
Districts Heritage Walk” organized by Aatrupadai - ஆற்றுப்படை – A Tours and Heritage group on 4th and 5th, November 2023. We extend our
sincere thanks to Dr. Mahatma Selvapandian for guiding us to this beautiful Shiva
temple.
This temple is on the banks of the Swetha River. This
place Venganoor is also called Vengaimanagar. The 17th Century ThuRaimangalam
Sivaprakasa Swamigal has sung Thiruvengai Kalambagam, Thiruvengai Kovai,
Thiruvengaiula and Thiruvengai Alangaram in praise of Shiva of this temple. He records
this place as Thiruvengai / Vengaimanagar and Shiva as Pazhamalai Nathar.
பொன்னுலவும் வெங்கை புனிதற் கடியேனும்
உன்னுங் கலம்பகப்பாட் டோதுகேன் - தன்னைநிகர்
முத்திதரு மன்னோன் முழுதருளி னாற்பூத்த
அத்திதனைக் கண்டவத னால்.
எழிலிகண் படுக்கும் பொழில்புடை சூழ்ந்த
வெங்கையம் பதிவா ழெங்க ணாயக
பழமலை நாதநிற் பரவுவன் விசும்பின்
அரையனுக் கரைய னாகுமந் நிலையும்
நினைகிலன் றமியே னின்னடி யவர்கட்
கென்று மடியவ னாகும்
ஒன்றொரு வரமு முதவுதி யெனவே.
Moolavar :
Sri Viruthagiriswarar / Virudhachaleshwarar
Sri Pazhamalai Nathar
Consort :
Sri Balambigai / Periyammai Nachiyar
Some of the salient features of this Temple are...
Mottai Gopuram is on the east side of the temple
with stucco images of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar, Sri Valli
Devasena Subramaniar on the Peacock vahana, Mahalakshmi. Vahana mandapa is on the left side of the
temple. Pathala Ganapathi (about 15 feet depth) sannidhi with a Vimanam on the
ground level and Vasantha mandapam on the right side. Brahma, Maha Vishnu (sitting under Adiseshan’s hood, Shiva, Vipad Siddhu Munivar and Valampuri
Vinayagar are under the Sthala vruksham vanni tree in front of Rajagopuram. The
Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers.
Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of ardha mandapam.
Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is
on a round avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma
and Durgai.
Ambal is in a separate sannidhi with Dwarapalakis
on both sides of the entrance. Ambal is in standing posture facing east with abhaya
varada hastam.
In praharam 63var with paintings of their stories above
the images, Visalakshi, Viswanathar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Natarajar,
Navagrahas, Bairavar, Saniswaran, Chandran and Suriyan.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala,
ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The Vimanam or the sanctum sanctorum is of
suddha vesara style, ie round in shape. The Adhistanam is of padma bandha
adhistanam with padma jagathy, vrutha kumudam, and pattika. The Bhitti starts
vedika. Additional Kostas are provided in between the Deva Kostas, which are
empty now. Kumbha panjaras are between Deva Kostas. These Kumbha panjaras are
intricately carved. The Panjaras have sculptures of animals, warriors
fighting, elephants, Soldiers killing a tiger, etc,. The Vimanam above the
prastaram is not visible since the prahara was completely covered.
The Vasantha mandapam ceilings have paintings of
Navagrahas, Krishna Leela, Dancing Ladies, 12 Rasis, etc on the ceiling.
Nayanmars and their History - Paintings
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
This temple was built during the Vijayanagara King Venkatapathy Devamaharayar period. This place was called Magathamandalathu Kanni Valanattu Vannadu alias VeNbar
nattu VeNkanoor – வெண்கனூர் during Vijayanagara period, which has got corrupted
to the present name of Venganur – வெங்கனூர். Also, Shiva was called Pazhamalai Nathar, also
changed to Virudhagireeswarar ( A Sanskrit form ).
As
per the inscriptions, the complete temple with Sanctum Sanctorum for
Pazhamalainathar and Periammai Nachiyar, Ardha mandapam, Maha Mandapam, nritha
mandapam, inner praharam, 2nd praharam, Gopuram are built by
Thuraiyur Palaiyakarar Erama Reddiyar’s son Linga Reddiyar. He also arranged
for the Brahmins to do Poojas and officials for the administration of
Porpandaram and Maligai.
During the Venkatapathi Thevar Maharayar period, this place was under Venkappa Nayaka of
Gingee. Linga Reddiar as a Palayakarar ruled this area under Venkappa Nayaka as
Naattadimai. Linga Reddiar was born in Panda kula, son of Vallakol
Eramureddiyar. The word Vallakol in Kannada means Belagola – Shravanabelagola.
From this, it is understood that Thuraiyur Palaiyakara Reddiars came from
Karnataka.
Ref:
A Handbook issued during the Heritage walk
LEGENDS
Some of the specialties of this temple are…
The temple is famous for three.. ie Murti, Thalam, and Theertham. The saying of “Venganur Velaiyazhagu – வெங்கனூர் வேலையழகு” – is for the Temple constructed like “ஓம்” with beautiful with intricately carved sculpture workmanship, The
temple is constructed with two praharas, Siva Prakasar Paadal Petra sthalam, The Pathala/aazhaththu Vinayagar, Shiva bless the Devotees with all wealth & Children,
since the marriages are conducted with parihara poojas, all monthly celebrations are conducted
in grand manner, especially the 3
Somavara pooja in Karthigai month.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are
conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Masi maham, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Karthigai
Month Somavara poojas, etc,.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to
12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.
HOW TO
REACH
This Place Venganoor is on Perambalur to Attur main
road. ,
The temple is about 23 km from Perambalur, 55 km from Ariyalur, 87 km from Trichy, 96 km from Thanjavur, and 283 km from Chennai.
The nearest railway station is Ariyalur.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Some more architectural features
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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