VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : November 2024

Friday 1 November 2024

Sri Krupa Samudhra Permual Temple / Sri Arumakadalamudhan Temple / சிறுபுலியூர் ஶ்ரீ கிருபா சமுத்திர பெருமாள் கோயில், Sirupuliyur, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Krupa Samudhra Perumal Temple also known as Sri Arumakadalamudhan Temple at Sirupuliyur was a part of Rajendra Chozha War Trophy Trail, a Heritage walk organised by the Kumbakonam Vattara Varalatru Aayvu Sangam - கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் on 28^th and 29^th September 2024.

This place was called as Bala Vyagrapuram and Salasyanam, since Pulikal Munivar also known as Vyagrapada worshipped Maha Vishnu of this Temple. Vyagrapada worshipped temples / place names ends with Puliyur. ( Examples are PerumpaRRapuliyur, Pathiripuliyur, Erukathampulur, Omampuliyur etc.). Also Maha Vishnu gave darshan in Syanam Kolam, in a place, surrounded with abundant water fields, hence called as Salasayanam / Jalasayanam.

This is 11th Divya Desam of 108 Divyadesams and mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Alwar in Periya Thirumozhi, Ezhampaththu, 9^th Thirumozhi.

கள்ளம்மனம்விள்ளும்வகை கருதிக்கழல்தொழுவீர்

வெள்ளம்முதுபரவைத் திரைவிரிய கரையெங்கும்

தெள்ளும்மணிதிகழும் சிறுபுலியூர்ச்சலசயனத்

துள்ளும் எனதுள்ளத்துளும் உறைவாரையுள்ளீரே. 1628

…… திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார், பெரிய திருமொழி, ஏழாம்பத்து, ஒன்பதாம் திருமொழி.

Moolavar : Sri Arulmakadalamuthan,

Utsavar : Sri Krupa Samudra Perumal

Thayar : Thirumamakal

Thayar Utsavar: Sri Dhayanayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces South ( Similar to Srirangam) with a 5-tier 75 feet tall Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram. The second level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers, 25 feet tall. The Moolavar is in Sayana posture facing South with Sri Devi and Bhudevi are near the leg. (The Sayanam is called Bhujanga Sayanam / Bala sayanam). Brahma is on lotus, and the stem emanates from Maha Vishnu’s naval. At the feet of Maha Vishnu, Pulikal Munivar, and Kanvamunivar are also in a sitting posture. Maha Vishnu's 10 avatar murtis, and Perumal's Pada are in the inner praharam. Maha Vishnu’s various postures and Vishnu Durgai are in the koshtam. Perumal’s pada is in the inner praharam. Vishwaksenar and Palliayarai are in the maha mandapam. Maha Vishnu’s Dasavatar paintings are on the Vavvaknethi mandapam ceiling.

In outer Praharam Thiruvaimozhi Mandapam, Vahanas, Chokkattan Mandapam, Rajagopala Swamy, Thayar Dhayanayaki, 12 Alwars, Anjaneyar, Andal, and Palliyarai. Ananthalwar is on the banks of the temple tank.

Thayar is in a separate temple facing east. Thayar is in a sitting posture with abhaya varada hastam. Utsava murti is in front of Thayar.

Manavala Mamunigal is in a separate temple faces west, in front of the Main Temple Rajagopuram. The temple was built with a 3 tier Rajagopuram, Sanctum Sanctorum, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Manavala Mamunigal in the sanctum is under a snake umbrella.

Perumal pada

Manavala Mamunigal

ARCHITECTURE

The temple spreads 142 feet East-West and 255 feet South- North. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The Sanctum sanctorum is rectangular in shape to accommodate Moolavar’s Sayana posture facing South. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on an upanam, and simple pada bandha adhistanam with Jagathy, Threepatta kumudam, and Pattikai. The Bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha plasters with kalasam, kudam, mandi palakai and poomottu. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. The superstructure Vimanam is of one tala with stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s various avatars/forms. The Vimanam is of Salakara style. Vimanam is called Nandhiyavartha Vimanam ( Since the Vimanam looks like Nanthyavartha flower ).

The temple was built with stone from Adhistanam to prastaram. And above that was built with bricks. The mandapas are vavvalnethi style built during Nayakas / Marathas.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original Temple belongs to the Chozha period and the same was reconstructed during the Vijayanagaras / Maratas period. During Semangudi Subbaraya, Trustee's period Maha Samprokshanam was conducted on 30th April 1896.

Manavala Mamunigal Sannidhi, Circumambulatory mandapam, madapalli, and maha mandapam flooring and Jeernodharanam was done by Chennai Ra. Soodamma Estate Trustees, and Thiruvenkadamudaiyan yayatha Ranganayaki Amma, at a cost of Rs 5000, under the direction of High Court Order. The Thirupani was completed on Kali 5036, Chithirai 1st, ie 30th June 1936.

After thirupani to Moolavar Vimanam and Thayar Temple Vimanam, Maha samprokshanam was conducted on 17th May 1936.

Mercury Lamp was installed on the Rajagopuram on 06th December 1954.

Jeernodharana maha samprokshanam was conducted on 14^th September 1973.

As per the Sthala Purana booklet released in 1954, the temple had 42 veli Najai Land and given on lease. The annual income will be around 30 thousand Rupess and Rs 275-2-8, will be received from government as a Mohini amount. The Jewels worth of Rs.1500. The temple was taken over by the HR & CE Department since 30th May 1946.

LEGENDS

Suriyan, Anandhan, Dhurvasar, Vyagrapada Muni, Kanvamunivar, Manavala Mamunigal, Pillai Perumal, and Thirumangai Alwar, worshipped Jalasayana Perumal of this temple.

Garuda and Adiseshan also called as Anandhan had a dispute with each other, which ends in a fight. Fearing Garuda, Anandhan came to Sirupuliyur and did penance on Maha Vishnu. Satisfied his penance, Maha Vishnu gave darshan on Masi Month valarpirai Ekadasi day. Also Maha Vishnu, kept him for his Sayana kolam. Adiseshan also become bhujanga Sayanam for maha Vishnu and gave up the fear of Garudan. After searching Adiseshan on many places, came to Sirupuliyur and found Adiseshan was under Maha Vishnu. Adiseshan asked Garuda, How are you..?. Garudan relied that, it will be safe when any body under the care of Maha Vishnu. Since Adiseshan had become the bed for Maha Vishnu, this temple has become a naga dosha parihara sthalam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, New Year Days, Hanuman Jayanthi, Navaratri, etc.