This
Sri Bhoomi Neela Samedha
Aadhimoola Perumal Temple also called Gajendra
Varadar Temple at Athalanallur is on the banks of Holy River Thamirabarani, about
2.5 km from Thiruppudaimarudur, a popularly known temple for the Vijayanagara
Nayakas period paintings.
Moolavar : Sri Adhimoola Perumal,
Utsavar : Sri
Gajendra Varadar
Thayar : Sri Bhudevi and Neeladevi
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. A Mandapam is in front of
Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudan are after the rajagopuram.
Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of ardha mandapam. Andal and Viswaksenar sannidhias
are in the ardha mandapam. Moolavar Sri Adhimoola Perumal is with Sridevi and
Bhudevi, Markandeya, and Bhrigu Maharishi. Utsavar Sri Gajendra varadar is with
Sridevi and Bhudevi are in-front of the Moolavar.
In
praharam Dasavatar sannidhi (images of Maha Vishnu’s 10 Avatars), Venugopalan
with Bama and Rukmani, Paramapathanathar, Therku Nachiar (Maha Lakshmi),
Vadakku Nachiar (Bhudevi), Chakkarathalwar, Hanuman, Alwars and Stucco image
of Gajendra Varadar.
Andal
Gopalakrishna with Bama Rukmani
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple was built like a mada temple on a raised level. Steps are provided to
climb the mukha mandapam. The temple consists sanctum sanctorum, antarala,
ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum
is on an upanam with kapotam. The adhistanam above the upanam is with Padma
jagathy, kadaka kumudam, kapotam, and prativari. The Bhitti starts with Vedikai.
The pilasters are Vishnukantha pilasters with square bases, Kalasam, kudam,
lotus petals mandi, palakai, and pushpa pothyal. The Kumbha panjaras are between
kostapathi and karnapathi. The prastaram consists of Valapi in the form of
Kodungai, kapotam with nasikudus, and viyyalavari. The temple was constructed
from Upanam to prastaram with stone and the Vimanam was built with bricks. The
brick Vimanam is with one tala, greevam, and sigaram. The sigaram is of Vesara
style. Maha Vishnu’s various forms and Brahma are in the tala and greeva
koshtams.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
It
is believed that the original temple belongs to the medieval period Pandyas and
later received contributions from Chozha and Vijayanagara Nayakas. The
Temple was reconstructed during Vijayanagara Nayakas.
As per the inscriptions Perumal was called Moyamam Poombolil Alwar and his Consort was called Ulagam
Muzhuthumudaiyal
Kulothunga Chozha-I period inscription (
1100 CE ) inscription records a portion of the field of Athalanallur was
separated and granted a tax-free Devadhana land
Jatavarman Srivallabha Pandya period
inscription records the gift of land to conduct worship on Puratadhi day.
Maravarman period inscription records the 5
times offering, organised by the assembly of Cheranmahadevi.
One of the inscriptions records that the
land gifted to this temple lying idle due to petty quarrels.
One of the inscriptions records the
endowment of offering / naivedyam and the same to be distributed to servants
and worshippers as prasada. For the same one achu was gifted to this temple by
Emperumanar Ammai.
An inscription records the grant of
prasada to a certain Ramanuja Jeeyar for a quarter annai achchu and the
Vaishnavas received the same.
Vira Pandyadeva Pandya’s period inscription records the
gift of tax-free land for a flower garden called Tambikku Nallan Thiru Nandavanam.
Jatavarma Pandya’s period inscription on the north wall
of the temple records the gift of land to the temple by a big army with 10
commands for maintaining the garden. There is also a record of a sale of garden
lands.
Kulasekara Pandya’s period inscription records the gift
of prasada to two gardeners for rearing the flower garden. There was a gift of
prasada to two gardeners for rearing the flower garden called Ramanuja Thiru
Nandavanam. They were exempted from tax and they were to grow flowers, pick
them, and string them together into garlands. There was a gift of Kadamai on
certain lands by the temple for providing maintenance of gardeners of the
Iladaraiyan flower gardens.
There was also a gift of one kalam of food by the temple
for feeding the men in charge of the Ramanuja flower garden.
Ref
1. Annual
Report on Epigraphy ARE 1927 - 28
LEGENDS
The Gajendra moksha is a popular
legend associated with Maha Vishnu and the King Indradhyumna as Gajendra /
Elephant. This region was ruled by the King Indradhyumna. The King didn’t
notice Agasthiyar’s presence when he entered the Royal Court. Agasthiyar took
this incident, as the King didn’t give proper respect and got angry. So he
cursed the king to be born as an Elephant, in the next birth, and will get relieved
from the curse through Maha Vishnu.
While the Sage was taking a bath in the river, by
mistake a Gandharva, got hold of his legs. Without knowing the actual fact, the
sage Kapila cursed Gandharva to be born as a Crocodile, at the next birth and attain
moksha through Maha Vishnu.
In the next birth, Gajendra used to worship Maha
Vishnu with lotus flowers, plucked from a pond. It didn’t notice Gandharva in
the form of a Crocodile in the same pond. One day Gajendra was plucking the Lotus
flowers when the Gandharva caught hold of Gajendra’s Leg. With great pain,
Gajendra sought Maha Vishnu’s help and cried “Adi Moolame”. Immediately Maha
Vishnu appeared and threw the Chakra on the Crocodile, which was killed by cutting
its head. Thus Maha Vishnu gave moksha to the Crocodile and relived Indradhayumna
and Gandharva’s curses.
It is believed that
Maha Vishnu gave darshan to both Bhrigu Maharishi and Markandeyar at this
place.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are
conducted on Garuda Seva on Vaikasi uthradam, Aani Swati, Puratasi thiruvonam, and Thaipoosam. Muthangi seva on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Chandra Prabhai, and Sesaha
vahana, and all important Vaishnavte functions.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 19.30
hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
Raman Bhattar’s landline number is +914634 287295
and his mobile number is +9199659 20369 may be contacted for further details.
HOW
TO REACH
This
place Athalanallur is close to Thiruppudaimarudur. The temple is 6 km from
Veeravanallur, 11 km from Cheranmahadevi, 14 km from Ambasamudram, 28 km from
Tirunelveli, and 43 km from Tenkasi.
The nearest railway Station is Veeravanallur.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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