The
Visit to this Sri Sakkarayi Amman Temple at Darasuram, near Kumbakonam was a
part of the “Shiva, Vishnu and Amman Temples Visit, in and around Kumbakonam”,
on 13th July 2024.
The
Sakkarayi Amman, worship is similar to Lajja Gauri worship in Upper Karnataka
and Madhya Pradesh areas. The Main deity is unique and hope only one such deity
is under worship in Tamil Nadu.
Moolavar
: Sri Sakkarayi Amman
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple faces North with a Balipeedam on top of a Chozha period Stone Pillar
part – Kudam. Stucco Dwarapalakis are Pachchai Kali (Painted in green colour)
and Pavala Kali (Painted in Red color) at the entrance of the Sanctum Sanctorum.
In addition, two stucco images of Dwarapalakis are in the mukha mandapam. The Main Deity Sakkarayi Amman is in the form
of a bas-relief on a flat stone. Amman is without a head (maybe a lotus flower
instead of a head) and hands are seen in raised position near the head side. It
was told that Amman would be in a squatting position with legs apart. No Dress
is shown. A Head of the Amman has been installed in recent years. No images are
in the kostam.
In
ardha mandapam Narthana Vinayagar, Bairavar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahalakshmi, Maha
Vishnu Pada, Maruthuva Mariamman, Trishul, Mariamman, Vinayagar, Ayyanar, Sri
Nardana Kali, Veerabhadra, and Sri Vinayagar. Nagaras are under a Neem Tree.
Sakkarayi Amman
Jyeshta Devi
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and open mukha
mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is square in shape and built-in Gramiya style.
The Adhistanam was built with Stone and above was built with Bricks. A two-tier
Salakara Vimanam is on the Sanctum Sanctorum. Amman’s various forms are on the
tala and greeva kostams. The Mukha mandapam was built in recent years with
cement concrete.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
Main Deity and the temple belong to the 11th to 12th
Century Chozha Period. It was said that the Main Deity image was brought as a
war trophy by the Chozhas, from North part of India.
A
19th to 20th Century inscription on a slab stone is
installed on the left side entrance of the temple. The inscription is not legible
but records some Gifts given to this temple.
Balipeedam is installed over a Chozha period mandapa pillar part- kudam-
LEGENDS
As
per the legend, the Amman was a female Demon, who was killed by Kali. The head
was thrown into the nearby temple tank. The head was taken out and installed in
front of the Demon and the female Demon is worshipped as Sakkarayi Amman.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas, Special poojas are conducted on Fridays, Tuesdays, and Amavasya
Days. Annual 10 days Utsavam is conducted in the month of Vaikasi, from the 3rd
day after Amavasya.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 08.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00
hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The
Priest Ravi May be contacted on his mobile number +919150831842 for further
details.
HOW
TO REACH
This
Sri Sakkarayi Amman Temple is about a KM distance from the popular Dharasuram
Airavatesvara Temple near Kumbakonam, 4.6 KM from Kumbakonam Railway Station,
36 KM from Thanjavur, and 40 KM from Mayiladuthurai.
Nearest
Railway Station is Kumbakonam.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
No comments:
Post a Comment