Saturday, 9 November 2024

Saluppai Thuravumel Alaghar Temple/ Stucco Elephant / Mahishamardhini / Kali, Saluppai, Ilayaperumal Nallur, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

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 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 centre. 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 (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 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 human body and buffalo's head, which is a speciality 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 உள்ளதுகாதுகள் விரிந்த நிலையில் கம்பீரமாக காட்சியளிக்கிறது. யானையின் இடது முன் காலின் அருகே ஒரு பெண் சிற்பமும் காணப்படுகின்றதுஇந்த யானைச் சிற்பம் தமிழ்நாடு அரசு தொல்லியல் துறையால் பாதுகாக்கப்பட்டும்பராமரிக்கப்பட்டும் 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 spreads side wards. The sculpture has been preserved and protected with lime mortar (Stucco /sudhai) 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 6KM from Gangaikonda Chozhapuram Shiva Temple, 9 KM from Meensurutty, 40 KM from Kumbakonam, 43 KM from Mayiladuthurai, and 76 KM from Thanjavur.
Nearest railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE









--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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