The
visit to these Saluppai Sri Thuravumel Alaghar and Mahishamardhini as Kali temples was a part of the Rajendra Chozha War Trophy Trail, a Heritage walk organized by the
Kumbakonam Vattara Varalatru Aayvu Sangam -
கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம்
on
28th and 29th September 2024.
It
is believed that Rajendra-I, while ruling from Gangaikonda Chozhapuram, defeated the Chalukyas at this place. Hence, this place was called Chalukya
Kulanasini, which has been corrupted to the present name of Saluppai.
THURAVUMEL
AZHAGAR TEMPLE
This temple faces east with a sanctum
sanctorum, Ardha mandapam, maha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. Stucco images of
Vinayagar, Thuravumel Azhagar, and Murugan are on the top of the mukha
mandapam. The main deity, Thuravumel Azhagar, is in the form of peedam covered with silver kavasam, and
garlands are placed for Thiruvasi.
Uchista Ganapati and Ganapati Shrines are on
both sides of the sanctum sanctorum.
The temple complex consists of a Mahishamardhini / Kali Temple (Mahishamardhini is believed to be a war Trophy brought
by the Chozha king Rajendra-I, from the Chalukya Country), Veeran Temple (Stucco images of Veeran with
his Consorts and some female images), Stucco Horses, and a Mandapam.
LEGENDS
As per the legend, Brahmins lived in this
Village with a common well at the center. One day, a Yogi came to this Village
and started meditation sitting on the well. While taking water from the well of
two Brahmin ladies, the water was sprinkled on the Yogi, and his meditation was
disturbed. Angered, Yogi cursed both ladies to become invisible and jumped into
the well and closed it. Since then, the Yogi has been believed to be the Thuravumel
Azhagar (the well is also called Thuravu in Tamil literature). Since the two
ladies disturbed his meditation, Ladies are not allowed
beyond the Mukha mandapam.
It is also believed that this Yogi was none
other than Karur Siddhar, who was the spiritual Guru of the Chozha Kings
Rajaraja-I and Rajendra-I, who attained Jeeva Samadhi at this place.
MAHISHAMARDHINI
/ KALI
This Mahishamardhini Temple
faces north. This Mahishamardhini is believed to be a war Trophy brought by the
Chozha king Rajendra-I, from the Chalukya country. She is worshipped as Kali and
one of the Kali idols installed on the north boundary of Gangaikonda
Chozhapuram. Here, Mahishamardhi is killing the Mahishan with a human body and a buffalo's head, which is a specialty of Chalukya Sculptures. Mahishamardhini
is with 8 hands holding various weapons. Vinayagar, Ayyanar, and some deity
images are in the sanctum sanctorum.
This Kali / Mahishamardhini is believed to be a war Trophy brought by the Chozha king Rajendra-I. (PC: Late Durai Sundaram)
ELEPHANT
இளையபெருமாள் நல்லூரில் (சலுப்பை) என்ற கிராமத்தில் உள்ளது
இந்த சுண்ணாம்பு (சுதை) மற்றும் செங்கல் கொண்டு கட்டப்பட்ட யானையின் சிற்பம். பொயு 16-17 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு நாயக்கர் கால கலைப்பாணியுடன் கூடிய இப்பெரிய
யானைச் சிற்பம் சுமார் 8.50 மீட்டர் உயரம் கொண்டுள்ளது. கழுத்து மற்றும் உடலின் மேற்பகுதிகளில் மணிகள்
அலங்கரிக்கப்பட்டு காட்சியளிக்கிறது. கீழே கால்களுக்கு இடையில் இரண்டு
புறங்களிலும் இசைக்கருவிகளில் தாளம் போடும் நிலையிலுள்ள மனித உருவில் நான்கு
கரங்களுடன் சிற்பங்கள் உள்ளன. யானையின் முன்புறம் வீரன் (கள்வன்) ஒருவன் நிற்பதும்
அவனது தலையில் யானை தனது தும்பிக்கையை வைத்திருப்பதாகவும் உள்ளது. யானையின் முன்
கால்களை செடி கொடிகள் படர்ந்து இருப்பதைப் போன்று அமைக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது. காதுகள் விரிந்த நிலையில் கம்பீரமாக காட்சியளிக்கிறது. யானையின்
இடது முன் காலின் அருகே ஒரு பெண் சிற்பமும் காணப்படுகின்றது. இந்த யானைச் சிற்பம் தமிழ்நாடு அரசு தொல்லியல் துறையால்
பாதுகாக்கப்பட்டும், பராமரிக்கப்பட்டும் வருகிறது.
This elephant sculpture at Elayaperumal Nallur is a giant
elephant sculpture made up of bricks and lime mortar during the 16th – 17th century Nayaka period. 3 Musical instrument players are on
both sides, with 4 hands holding various weapons, are shown. A Hero (Thief) with
a smiling face is shown at the front, and the elephant keeps its trunk on his
head. The plants and creepers are shown on the front legs' side. A woman is
standing behind the Hero. Bells and chains are shown around the neck of the
elephant. The tusk is long, and the ears are big and spread sideways. The
sculpture has been preserved and protected with lime mortar (Stucco/Suthai)
during recent years. The elephant is about 8.50 meters tall. This
elephant monument is being maintained by the Tamil Nadu State Archaeology
Department.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Sundays and festival days.
The Locals offer prayers before starting any auspicious functions in their
family.
HOW
TO REACH
The place Saluppai is about 6 km from Gangaikonda Chozhapuram Shiva Temple, 9 km from Meensurutty, 40 km from Kumbakonam, 43 km from Mayiladuthurai, and 76 km from Thanjavur.
The nearest
Railway Station is Kumbakonam.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
No comments:
Post a Comment