Monday, 6 May 2024

Sri Panduranga Swamy Temple / தென்னாங்கூர் பாண்டுரங்கன் கோயில், Thennangur, Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Panduranga Swamy Temple at Thennangur was a part of “Narasimha Temples Visit” in Kanchipuram and Tiruvannamalai Districts, on 24th March 2024, ie Panguni Uthiram day conducted by Bhakthi Ula, Pattabhi of Ashok Medicals Velachery, Chennai. Apart from Narasimhar Temples, Vallakottai Sri Subramaniar Temple, Thennangur Pandurangan Temple and Perunagar Jyeshta Devi are also Covered in this visit.


Moolavar  : Sri Krishna as Panduranga Swamy
Thayar     : Sri Rukmani / Raghumayee

Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Nagars are on before the Rajagopuram. The other three direction Rajagopuras are of 3 tiers. The Sthala vruksham ( Thamala Vruksham ), Balipeedam, and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are in metal / Panchaloka on both sides of the ardha mandapam. Moolavar Pandurangan is about 7 feet tall and they are in Rajasthani style Raja and Rani Alangaram ( during our Visit ). The Idols worshipped by Sri Haridhos Giri Swamigal. And Utsavars are in front of moolavar.


 Dwarapalakas
ARCHITECTUTE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The total temple was built with cement concrete. The temple was built similar to Puri Jagannath Temple ie North Indian style. But the 4 entrance Rajagopurams are built in south Indian style at a latter date.

Krishna leela and Krishna related drawing panels are in the ardha mandapam maha mandapam adorn the walls and ceilings.





HISTORY  AND INSCRIPTIONS
The end of 20th Century temple was built by Sri Haridhos Giri Swamigal, the disciple of Sri Gnananda Swamigal. The temple is at present administered by Namanandagiri Swamigal.

LEGENDS
Pundalik was the son of Janudeva and Satyavati. After his marriage, as advised by his wife, he started ill-treat his parents. To escape from ill-treatment, Janudeva and Satyavati decided to go on pilgrimage to Kashi. On hearing this Pundalik wife also wanted to go Kashi with the same group. While Paundalik and his wife are travelling on horse, his Father and mother by walk.

On the way they reached Kukkutswamy ashram. When everybody was in sleep, Pundalik happened see some ladies with dirty clothes. After cleaning ashram and floor they left with clean dress and beauty. On the second day also Pundalik happened to see the same. He was surprised and wanted to know, who they are and what they are doing in the ashram. They replied that they are the holy river Ganga, Yamuna, etc. The also told that they came to the ashram to clean, themselves, after they were absorbing the sin of the Devotees, those took bath. This changed the mind of Pundalik and started serve his father and mother, to get rid of his sin.

Shri Krishna wanted to show the love and affection of Puntalik, toward his Parents to Rukmaye, they came to Puntalik’s place. Since it was raining at that time, Pundalik without giving respect first to God, threw a brick and asked to stand on the brick and went to attend his parents. After attending Pundalik came out and begged to pardon him to make them wait. Krishna told that he is very happy to see his devotion and love towards his parents. Since Krishna was standing on the brick, asked Pundalik to worship as Vithoba, which has got corrupted to Vitthala. Krishna asked to construct a temple for him at this place. Vithoba also known as Panduranga, Pandhari or Vitthala

It is believed that the Namasankirtan ie. Bhajan ie praising God in the form of music, is the only way to reach Maha Vishnu. Srimad Bhagavatham says “Kalau Sankirtaya Kesavam”, while Purandaradasa sang “Kaliyugadalli Harinamava Nenedarey Kula Kodigalu Utharisuvavu”.  Adi Sankara Bhagwadpada taught “Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam – Govindam Bhaja Moodamathae”, while Sri Bodhendra Saraswathi Swamigal, a descendent in the lineage of Adi Sankara emphasised, “Namasankirtan alone is the salvation in this Kali Yuga”. Azhwars and Nayanmars sang the praise of the Lord throughout their lives in order to attain moksha (liberation).

Many saints born in Maharashtra sang Abhangs (devotional songs  in Marathi language) in praise of Sri Krishna, who is popularly known as Vitthal. The Maha Vishnu is also hailed as Panduranga and his consort is Rakhumayi Devi.




POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Sri Pandurangan and Raghumayee are decorated with different alangaras / costumes every day. On Sundays decorated like Rajasthan King and Queen. Wearing Rajastani Turban, holding sword in hands. Panduranga will be decorated like Giridhari holding Govardhana Hill, As Geethacharya, Parthasarathy, Radhakrishna etc,.

Some of the festivals celebrated in this temple are, Tamil New Year’s day, Gokulashtami with Muthangi Seva, etc, are celebrated in a grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs. to 12.00 hrs. and 16.00 hrs. to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The land line and mobile numbers of the +91-9176967153, +91-9444310136 and +91-44- 24952498 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH
Thennangur Village is about a KM from Thennangur Bus Stop on Tiruvannamalai to Kanchipuram Road, 7 KM from Vandavasi, 37 KM from Kanchipuram, 39 KM from Melmaruvathur, 43 KM from Tindivanam and 125 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE






The Sthala vruksham ( Thamala Vruksham )
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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