Sri Hara Saabha Vimocchana Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ ஹர சாப விமோசனப் பெருமாள் கோயில், திருக்கண்டியூர் / Thirukandiyur / Kandiyur, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

This Sri  Hara Saabha Vimocchana Perumal Temple, at Kandiyur is the 8th Divya Desam of 108 Divya Desams and 07^th Divya Desam of Chozha Nadu. ( As per the name board this is the 15^th Divya Desam ). This is also called as Pancha kamala kshetram. 

Mangalasasanam of this temple was done by Thirumangai Alwar, in Nalayira Divya Prabandham  ( 2050 ). 

2050

பிண்டியார் மண்டை ஏந்திப் பிறர்மனை திரிதந் துண்ணும்,

உண்டியான் சாபம் தீர்த்த ஒருவனூர், உலக மேத்தும்

கண்டியூர் அரங்கம் மெய்யம் கச்சிபேர் மல்லை என்று

மண்டினார், உய்யல் அல்லால் மற்றையார்க் குய்ய லாமே?

…. திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்

Moolavar  : Sri Hara Saaba Vimochana Perumal

Utsavar    : Sri Kamalanathar

Thayar     : Sri Kamalavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are ….

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, dwajasthambam and Gardudan are under the newly constructed mandapam.  Stucco images Maha Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Shankha and Chakra are at the top of the entrance to the Maha mandapam.  Moolavar is called different names like Palinathan, Brughunathan, Hara Saba Vimochana Perumal.

Moolavar is in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Moolavar is with 4 hands, while shankha and chakra are in the upper hands and lower right hand is in abhaya hastam and left hand is in kadi hastam. Utsavar murtis Maha Vishnu, Sridevi, Bhudevi and Kothai Nachiyar / Andal, are in-front of moolavar.

Kamalavalli Thayar is in a separate sannidhi facing east. Dwarapalakis are on both sides of the sannidhi. Thayar is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

In praharam sannidhis for Narasimhar, Garudan, Andal and Vedanta Desika.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. A two tier Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. The Vimanam above the sanctum sanctorum is built with bricks and do not have images. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi are in the greeva koshtam. The sigaram is of vesara style. The Vimana is called as Kamalakirthi Vimanam. 

Pallava period squatting lion pillars

Pallava period squatting lion pillars

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to 07^th to 9^th Century, Pallava Period and the same was reconstructed during Chozha period and received contributions from Vijayanagaras / Thanjavur Nayakas and Marathas. The Vavval nethi mandapas are built during Maratha period.

Maha samprokshanam thirupani was started on 05^th June 1981. Jeernodhara maha samprokshanam was conducted on 01^st July 1984, at an estimated cost of Rs 2 lakhs.

Maha samprokshanam was performed was performed on 11^th June 2003 in presence of Srirangam, Srimad Andavan ( SriMushnam ) Sri Rangaramanuja Desikan. The thirupani was started on 01^st November 2000. Rajagopuram, Moolavar and Thayar sannidhi Vimanas thirupani was sponsored by Sriman S Badri Narayanan, Ravi Narayanan and Poondi Rukmani.

Thayar sannidhi maha mandapam was constructed and handed over on 11^th June 2003.

The Kannadi Room was sponsored by Sampath and Usha Sampath in memory of their son S Sathyanarayanan on 11^th June 2003.

The Paramapada vayil wooden door was sponsored by Srimushnam Srimad Andavan Srimad Ranga Ramanuja Mahadesikan,  on 28^th March 2007.

The zinc sheet mandapam in front of Kamalavalli Thayar Sannidhi was sponsored by Kandiyur Kidambi Srimathi Rajalakshmi Sriraman, of Nanganallur, Chennai on 06^th July 2014.  

LEGENDS

As in Tirukkarambanur  ( Uthamar Koil ) the legend is that the fifth head of Brahma plucked out by Shiva got stuck to his hands. What ever the food offered to Shiva the Brahma’s 5^th head consumed everything. When Parvati prayed to maha Vishnu, Maha Lakshmi advised to offer food on the floor. The fifth head detached from Shiva’s hand and started consuming the food on the floor. Immediately Shiva took bath in the temple tank and got relieved from the Brahma’s 5^th head.  Hence Maha Vishnu of this temple is called as Sri Hara Saba Vimochana Perumal

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta ekadasi, Brahmotsavam in the month Panguni, Pavithra Utsavam in the month Aippasi, and Karthigai Deepam. Ratha saptami utsavam will be celebrated in the month February ( Procession will be done in 7 vahanas, like Surya Prabhai, Hamsa Vahana, Simha vahana, Garuda vahana, Elephant Vahana, Horse Vahana and Chandra Prabhai ).  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

Poojas timings are kalaisandhi / morning 08.00 hrs, Uchi kala pooja 12.00, Sayaratchai 18.00 hrs, and artha jama pooja 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number +919344608150 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This place Kandiyur in on the Thiruvaiyaru to Thanjavur Main Road, 2.7 KM from Thiruvaiyaru.

This place is about 11 KM from Thanjavur, 35 KM from Kumbakonam.

Nearest railway station is Thanjavur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

May be a donor of Rajagopuram

The Visit to this temple was a part of Divya Desam Temples Visit, near Thanjavur and Kumbakonam, organized by Culture Cuircuit.  Thanks to Mr Balakumaran. 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Jakath Rakshaka Perumal / Sri Jagathrakshaka Perumal Temple, அருள்மிகு வையம் காத்த பெருமாள் திருக்கோவில், திருக்கூடலூர் / Thirukoodaloor / Thirukoodalur, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

This Jagathrakshaka Perumal Temple at Thirukoodalur in Thanjavur is one of the 108 Diva Desams and 08^th Divya Desam of Chozha Nadu. This temple is also called as Aduthurai Perumal Temple.  This place Thirukoodalur is on the north banks of river Kaveri and in between the rivers Kaveri and Kollidam.

Mangalasasanam of this temple was done by Thirumangai Alwar, in Nalayira Divya Prabandham ( 1358 – 67 ).

1358

தாம்தம் பெருமை யறியார், தூது

வேந்தர்க் காய வேந்த ரூர்போல்,

காந்தள் விரல்மென் கலைநன் மடவார்,

கூந்தல் கமழும் கூட லூரே

1367

காவிப் பெருநீர் வண்ணன், கண்ணன்

மேவித் திகழும் கூட லூர்மேல்,

கோவைத் தமிழால் கலியன் சொன்ன,

பாவைப் பாடப் பாவம் போமே 

….. திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்

Moolavar  : Sri Jagathrakshaka Perumal

                 / Sri Vaiyam Katha Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Padmasani / Sri Pushpavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are ….

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, a small dwajasthambam and Garudan are after the rajagopuram. Stucco images of Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Garuda and Anjaneya are on the top of the entrance to the mandapam. Stucco dwarapalakas are on the both sides of sanctum sanctorum.  Moolavar is in standing posture along with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Moolavar is with 4 hands. While the upper hands are holding shankha and Chakra, the lower right hand is in abhaya hastam. Utsavars are in-front of Moolavar.

Thayar Sri Padmasani / Sri Pushpavalli, is in a separate sannidhi facing East. Stucco dwarapalakis are on both sides of sanctum sanctorum. Thayar is in sitting posture with abhaya varada hastam.

In the maha mandapam, Ramar with Sita and Lakshmana, Chakkarathalwar / Yoga Narasimhar,

In praharam, Thayar Sri Pushpavalli, Andal, Bhoovarahar, Vishwaksena, Varadaraja Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi, and Alwars Pillai Lokacharya, Alavandar, Manavala Mamunigal, Ramanujar, Thirumangai Alwar . 

Varadaraja Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi

The Jack fruit tree in the praharam has a special attraction. The two branches forms a shankha image is believed to be a miracle and mystery. This was formed during regrowth  after one branch was dead.

shankha image

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and Maha mandapam. The mandapas are of vavvalnethi mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam and Pattika. The bhitti starts with Vedika. The pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, and pushpa pothys. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasikudus and viyyalavari. The eka tala Vimanam above the prastaram is of bricks with vesara sigaram. The Vimanam is Sutha satva Vimanam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple may belongs to 07^th to 09^th Century and latter received contributions from Chozhas and Vijayanagaras, Madurai Nayakas and Marathas. 10^th Century Chozha period fragment inscriptions are found on the Rajagopuram wall. The Inscriptions are kept upside down during renovations. Vijayanagara period fragment Tamil and Telugu inscriptions are found on the adhistanam and walls. 

The present temple was believed to be built, by Rani Mangammal ( 1689 – 1704 CE ) and her bas relief is on one of the pillars.

Moolavar and Thayar sannidhis are renovated and Maha samprokshanam was performed on on 11^th June 2003. This was sponsored by N C Sridhar, an auditor and the Managing Trustee of Sri Thirumangai Alwar Seva trust.

 May be one of the donor

Rani Mangammal

A Chozha period fragment inscription stone - placed upside down during renovation

A Chozha period fragment inscription stone

Telugu Inscription

 17th to 18th Century inscriptions

LEGENDS

As per the sthala purana, the asura Hiranyaksha took this earth and split in to two kept in patala loka. Maha Vishnu took the form of Varaha and brought back the earth ( this sthala purana is also applicable to Srimushnam, one of the Maha Vishnu Temple  ). Hence Maha Vishnu is being called as Jagathrakshaka Perumal and Sri Vaiyam Kaatha Perumal ( வைய்யம் காத்த பெருமாள் ). This was mentioned by Thirumangai Alwar in his pasuram as .. “புகுந்தான் ஊர்”. It is believed that the gap near the moolavar in the sanctum sanctorum is the centre point of the earth where Maha Vishnu emerged.

1366

பெருகு காத லடியேன் உள்ளம்,

உருகப் புகுந்த வொருவ ரூர்போல்,

அருகு கைதை மலர, கெண்டை

குருகென் றஞ்சும் கூட லூரே

All he Devas and sages assembled / gathered here, including Nandaka, to worship Sri Jagathrakshaka Perumal of this temple, after emerged from patala loka. Hence this place was called as Thirukoodalur ( assemble / gather in Tamil – கூடல் ).

It is believed that Perumal gave darshan to Sage Nandaka and the king Ambarisha. As per the legend, the King Ambrisha was an ardent devotee of Maha Vishnu of this temple. One the way to this temple, he didn’t notice the sage Durvasa on the way. Durvasa got angry and cursed the king. The king Ambarisha, prayed to Sri Jagathrakshakan Perumal to save him. Maha Vishnu sent his Chakra to chase away the sage. Hence moolavar is also called as Amrisha Varadar.  

It is believed that the original images / idols are washed away due to flood in the Kollidam river, the same was recovered back by Rani Mangammal.  Her, bas relief can be seen on the mandapa pillars.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on annual brahmotsavam in the month Vaikasi, Vaikunda ekadasi in the month of Margazhi

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number of KasturiRangan +919659880628, may be contacted for further details. 

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on the northern side banks of river Kaveri. The temple is on the bus route between Kumbakonam to Thiruvaiyaru.

The temple is about, 6 KM from Ayyampet, 12 KM from Papanasam, 24 KM from Kumbakonam, 12 KM from Thiruvaiyaru, and 22 KM from Thanjavur.

Nearest railway station ( big ) is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Thayar Sannidhi

Andal sannidhi

Alwars sannidhi

The Visit to this temple was a part of Divya Desam Temples Visit, near Thanjavur and Kumbakonam, organized by Culture Cuircuit.  Thanks to Mr Balakumaran. 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---