Chinna Ongali Amman Temple / Ongali Amman Temple / சின்ன ஓங்காளியம்மன் திருக்கோயில், Tiruchengode, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Chinna Ongali Amman Temple, at Tiruchengode was a part of Namakkal District Temples and Heritage sites Visit on 24^th February 2024. This Amman Temple is in the midst of the Tiruchengode Town and very close to Sri Kailasanathar Temple. Visited the temple a day after the Annual Kundam Thiruvizha / Theemithi Thiruviszha..

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Moolavar  : Sri Ongaliamman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing north  with a Trishul and an almost 60 feet long Kundam. Balipeedam and a Simham is in the mandapam. Amman is in sitting posture keeping left leg on a demon and holding a trishul in the right hand, pointing towards the demon.

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ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum was built in grama style with a salakara Vimanam of two tiers. Stucco images of Amman’s various forms are on the Vimanam.

Stucco images of Amman’s various forms are on the top of the mandapam three side.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This grama thevathai temple is believed to be more than 200 years old and the present structure was built during recent years.

Jeernodharana ashta bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 12^th December 2018.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Amman will destroy the evil sprits, will remove marriage obstacles and grant child boon. After the wishes are fulfilled, the Devotees participates, in fire walk, some carries fire pot, etc.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, 15 days Masi month thiruvizha will be celebrated in a grand manner. Theertham will be brought from malaiyadi kuttai and abhishekam will be done. The devotees carry out the agni chatti / fire pot, 60 feet kundam / fire walk, alaku piercing, mulaipari as a nerthi kadan for their wishes are fulfilled. The conch / shankha abhishekam will be performed after kundam fire walk and Amman will be taken in procession in the evening.

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TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs. to 12.00 hrs. and 17.00 hrs. to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Hereditary Dharmakartha Shanthi Muthukumar.

Face book : https://www.facebook.com/p/Tiruchengode-ongaliamman-100067780148440/

HOW TO REACH

This temple is about  a KM from Central bus stand, 24 KM from Erode Junction, 10 KM from Sankaridurg railway Station and 46 KM from Salem.

Nearest Railway station is Sankaridurg.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Rock Horse / Stone Horse / Kalkuthirai / கல் குதிரை, Chellandi Amman Temple / Sellandi Amman Temple, Pachal, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Sellandi Amman and the Stone Horse  at Pachal Village, was a part of Namakkal District Temples and Heritage sites Visit on 23^rd February 2024. Thanks to Mrs Sakthiprakash who accompanied with me to this Visit. 

This Sellandi Amman temple on the banks of Pachal lake facing North. Dwarapalaka and Dwarapalaki are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum.

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. A salakara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. The temple belongs to 11^th to 12^th Century Chozha period and the same was reconstructed during Vijayanagara period. Some of the inscription stones are misplaced.

STONE HORSE / ROCK HORSE

The Horses was sculpted out of a single stone, in standing posture facing east. The rock horse looks similar to the real horse. The horse head with protruding tongue, the teeths, the nose holes, Small bells on the neck, the simha medallion on the neck, mala with human faces is around the neck. The saddle with step & Kunjaras, the centre supporting pillar reliefs, its tail, the pedestal dwarf are beautifully carved out of a single stone.    

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on the south banks of Pachal eri about a KM from the Village. The Village Pachal is about 2 KM off from Salem - Namakkal- Thuraiyur road, 8.7 KM from Rasipuram, 24 KM from Namakkal, 35 KM from Tiruchengode and Salem.

Nearest Railway station is Rasipuram. 

LOCATION OF THE ROCK HORSE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Sellandi Amman Temple / ஸ்ரீ செல்லாண்டி அம்மன் கோயில், Mallasamudram, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Sellandi Amman Temple at Mallasamudram was a part of Namakkal District Temples and Heritage sites Visit on 23^rd February 2024. Thanks to Mrs Sakthiprakash who accompanied with me to this Visit. The special features of this temple are the presence of a Pulikuthi Hero stone and a Kulla Deivam for Vellalar, ( one sub sect ) Community.

Moolavar  : Sri Sellandiamman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing North with a Deepa sthambam in front of a 5 tier Rajagopuram. An oonjal mandapam is immediately after the Rajagopuram.  A small dwajasthamabam, balipeedam and Simhavahana are under the open mukha mandapam, in front of sanctum sanctorum. Dwarapalakis are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Selliamman in sitting posture with 8 hands holding a soolam, accamala, kamandalam, bowl, knife, damaru, and a severe head.

In praharam, Nagars, Hero Stones, Pulikuthi Hero Stone,  Amman may be Kali amman with Simha vahana.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and open mukha mandapam. The total temple was built with cement concrete. A 3 tier salakara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple may be of 500 years old and the same was reconstructed during recent years. The temple belongs to Vizhiyan kula Kongu Vellala Nattu Gounders.

PULIKUTHI HERO STONE

In this Pulikuthi hero stone the hero is killing a tiger with a sword. The hero is wearing a half dress below his waist. He is shown with big mustache and the tuft is straight on his head.

This hero stone may belongs to 16^th to 17^th century.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Fridays, amavasya days, Adi month Fridays, Pradosham, Theipirai ashtami, Sankadahara chaturthi, Pournami, Kruthigai,  and annual festival in the month Aadi.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs. to 17.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on the bus route Thiruchengode to Salem via Attayampatti,  about 20 km from Thiruchengode & Sankari, 25 KM from Salem.

Nearest Railway Station is Sankari Durg.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Kailasanathar Temple / Ammangudi Durga Devi Temple / அம்மன்குடி துர்காதேவி திருக்கோயில், Ammangudi, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Kailasanathar Temple at Ammankudi, was a Part of “Kumbakonam Temples Visit” - on 09^th March 2024. Since I couldn't join the Thukkachi Kumbhabhishekam & Heritage walk organized by கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம், 2^nd and 3^rd September 2023, visited this temple, previous day of the Saptha Mangai Temples Visit, on 10th March 2024. 

Even-though the temple is dedicated to Shiva, Durga has become famous and called as Durga Temple. Important festivals are celebrated related to Durga. 

Moolavar  : Sri Kailasanathar Temple

Consort    : Sri Parvati

Some of the salient features of this temple are…..

The temple facing east with balipeedam and rishabam. There is an entrance arch on the south side also. Yoga Sarasvati and sthala Shiva Lingam are on both side entrance of ardha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are on both sides of antarala. Moolavar is on a square avudayar. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. In ardha mandapam, Bairavar, Shani and Suriyan.

Ambal Sri Parvati is in a separate sannidhi facing South. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

Durga Amman sannidhi is also in the ardha mandapam. Durga is with 8 hands / ashtabhuja, holding various weapons. Mahisan’s image is at her feet. A Simha vahanam is in front of sannidhi. Stucco image of Durga is on the compound wall. 

In praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, A Shiva Linga banam with Rishabam, Chandikeswarar and Sthala vruksham.

 Maha Vishnu and Brahma

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam, adhistanam with jagathy, vrudha kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedika. Vurudha pilasters are on the bhitti with kalasam, kudam, palakai and tharanaga pothyal. The deva koshtas  are padra Kostas. The prastaram consists of valapi with bhuta ganas, kapotam with nasi kudus and viyyalavari. The Vimanam above bhumidesam was built with bricks, Consist of a tala, greevam and sigaram. The sigaram is of vesara style. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma are on the tala and greeva kostams. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to Chozha period and received contributions from Vijayanagaras, Thanjavur Nayakas and Maratas. 10^th to 11^th Century Chozha period inscriptions are found on the adhistanam and pillars. The temple authorities claims that the temple was built during 944 CE and the temple was also called as Rajarajeswaram. It was the birth place of Rajaraja Chozha’s Chieftain Krishnan Raman, Brahmarayan ( who constructed the outer praharam of Thanjavur Rajarajecharam. 

In general the inscription mainly records the endowments created for burning the lamps and donations made to the temple.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, after Mahishasura was killed by Durga, the Shiva Lingam from Mahishan’s neck was brought and installed at this temple by Durga. To get rid of Brahmahathi dosha, Durga did a penance and worshipped Shiva of this temple. Hence this place is being called as Ammankudi, since Durga did a penance, this place was called as Devi Thabovanam. The temple tank is on the north side of the temple, where Durga washed the blood of Mahisan and took bath. Since Durga acted as a head of all Grahas, there is no separate sannidhi for navagrahas.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shiva Ratri days, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Theipirai Tuesdays, Valarpirai ashtami, Chaturthi which follows Tuesdays, Amavasya, Pournami, etc,.

Rahu and Sukran dosha parihara poojas are conducted in this temple. Devotees worships Durgai Amman to get rid of all doshas and child boon.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs. to 11.00 hrs. and 17.00 hrs. to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This place Ammangudi is on the Thiruneelakudi road, between Thiruneelakudi and River Arasalaru.

The temple is about 4 KM from Thiruneelakudi, 18 KM from Kumbakonam and 60 KM from Thanjavur.

Nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

A Shiva Linga Banam

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---