Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai Sculptures / ஜேஷ்டா தேவி / தவ்வைத்தாய் of Perum Pazhuvur, Melapazhuvur, Thirupazhuvur in Ariyalur District and Valikandapuram in Perambalur Districts, Tamil Nadu.

The Jyeshta Devi sculptures are parivara Devathai shrines of main temples in Ariyalur and Perambalur Districts was a part of “Perambalur & Ariyalur Districts Heritage Walk” organised by Aatrupadai - ஆற்றுப்படை – A Tours and Heritage group on 4^th and 5^th , November 2023.

These Jyeshta Devi sculptures are in the Pazhuvettarayar period temples, which indicates that Jyeshta Devi worship might be very much popular during their period. Almost all the sculptures are with similar iconography, but with slight variations. All Jyeshta Devi’s are slim, elegant and beautiful, compared to Thondai mandalam Jyeshta Devi sculptures.

Jyeshta Devi at Valeeswarar Temple, at Valikandapuram, Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu.

In this Jyeshta Devi sculpture looks very beautiful. She is in sitting posture along with Manthan and Manthi. She is shown with karanda makudam, ornaments around the neck, in elongated earlobes and sannaveeram. Crow flag is shown on the right side of her back. The right hand is in abhaya hastam and left hand is resting on the seat. This Jyeshta Devi is under worship in the praharam on the back side of the main temple. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Jyeshta Devi at Twin Temples, Keezhaiyur, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

In this Jyeshta Devi sculpture, Jyeshta Devi is in sitting posture along with Manthan and Manthi. She is shown with karanda makudam, ornaments around the neck, in elongated earlobes and sannaveeram. The surface seems to be unfinished behind, hence the crow flag and broom stick couldn’t identified. She is holding a flower in the right hand. This Jyeshta Devi is not under worship.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Jyeshta Devi at Sri Sundareswarar Temple, Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Melapalur, Ariyalur District, Tamil nadu.

In this Jyeshta Devi looks very beautiful, is in sitting posture along with Manthan and Manthi. She is shown with karanda makudam, ornaments around the neck &  in elongated earlobes and sannaveeram. A crow flag is shown on her left side. She is holding a flower in the right hand. This Jyeshta Devi is under worship in a separate sannidhi on the back side of the main temple.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 

Jyeshta Devi at Maravaneeswarar Mahadevar Temple, Keezha Pazhuvur, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

In this Jyeshta Devi sculpture, She looks very beautiful, in sitting posture along with Manthan and Manthi. She is shown with karanda makudam, ornaments around the neck & in elongated earlobes and sannaveeram. Crow flag and broom stick are not shown. She is holding a flower in the right hand and the left hand is on her thigh like ooru hastam. This Jyeshta Devi is under worship in a separate sannidhi on the back side of the main temple. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Ganga Jadadisvarar Temple / Shri Gangajatatheeswarar Temple / Sri Vijayanathar Temple / அருள்மிகு கங்காஜடாதீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில் / கோவிந்தபுத்தூர் கங்காஜடேஸ்வரர் கோயில் / Govindaputhur, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Ganga Jadadisvarar temple at Govindaputhur, in Ariyalur District was a part of “Perambalur & Ariyalur Districts Heritage Walk” organised by Aatrupadai - ஆற்றுப்படை – A Tours and Heritage group on 4^th and 5^th , November 2023.  

This temple is on the north banks of river Kollidam and the place is called as Govindaputhur, is considered as 121^st Thevara Vaippu Sthalam sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal. But most of the Sivanadiars considers Sri Vijayanatheswarar of Thiruvijayamangai, which is on the south side of the river Kollidam is the 101^st Thevaram Paadal petra Shiva Sthalam and 47^th Sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu, sung by Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal.

In another version, some of the experts, this temple is the Paadal Petra Sthalam. This temple is called as Vijayamangai and the place is called as Govindaputhur / Govanthaputhur and Gokaranthaputhur - கோ+ கரந்தபுத்தூர் - Go+Karanthaputhur. This was mentioned in Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal Thevaram as.. கொள்ளிடக்கரைக் கோவந்தபுத்தூரில் வெள்ளிடைக் கருள் செய்விசயமங்கை.

In PeriyaPuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirupugalur.

அந்தணர்விசய மங்கையினில் அங்கணர்

    தம்தனி ஆலயம் சூழ்ந்து தாழ்ந்துமுன்

வந்தனை செய்து கோதனத்தை மன்னிய

    செந்தமிழ் மாலையில் சிறப்பித்து ஏத்தினார்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and Ramalinga Adigalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

மருவமர் குழலுமை பங்கர் வார்சடை

    அரவமர் கொள்கையெம் அடிகள் கோயிலாம்

குரவமர் சுரபுன்னை கோங்கு வேங்கைகள்

    விரவிய பொழிலணி விசய மங்கையே

தோடமர் காதினன் துதைந்த நீற்றினன்

    ஏடமர் கோதையோ டினித மர்விடம்

காடமர் மாகரி கதறப்போர்த்ததோர்

    வேடம துடையணல் விசய மங்கையே.

....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

பாண்டு வின் மகன் பார்த்தன் பணிசெய்து

    வேண்டு நல் வரங்கொள் விசய மங்கை

ஆண்டவன் அடியே நினைந்து ஆசையால்

    காண்டலே கருத்தாகி இருப்பனே

வந்து கேண்மின் மயல்தீர் மனிதர்காள்

    வெந்த நீற்றன் விசயமங் கைப்பிரான்

சிந்தை யால்நினை வார்களைச் சிக்கெனப்

    பந்து வாக்கி உய்யக்கொளுங் காண்மினே.

........ திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

                                                    ---“மாற்கருவின்

கண்விசைய மங்கைக் கனிபோற் பெறத் தொண்டர்

எண்விசைய மங்கையில் வாழ் என்குருவே

--- திருஅருட்பா  வள்ளலார்

Moolavar  : Sri Ganga Jadadisvarar / Vijayanathar

Consort    : Sri Mangalambigai / Mangai Nayaki

Some of the salient features of this Temple are...

The temple is facing east with a mottai Gopuram. Balipeedam and Rishabam are after the mottai gopuram. Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Kala samhara moorthy, Ashtabhuja Durgai and Pichadanar.

In praharam, Ambal, Vishnu Durgai, Rajaraja Chozha, Raja Pathni, Maha Vishnu, Maheswarar, Saptamatrikas, Shiva Lingam, Mothaga Ganapathy, Srusti Ganapathy, Maha Lingam,  Vinayagar, Murugan, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Gajalakshmi, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar and Suriyan.

Saptamatrikas

Saptamatrikas

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The Sanctum sanctorum is on a kapota bandha adhistanam with padma jagathy, Vrutha kumudam and Kapotam with nasikudus. The Prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus and Viyyalavari. An ekatala stucco vesara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva Kostas.  

Photo in day light 

Photo in night

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7^th Century. The sanctum sanctorum was reconstructed during Rajaraja –I’s period with stone and the rest are in brick structure.  

The inscriptions recorded from this temple belongs to Madurai Konda Koparakesarivarmar, Parakesari Uttama Chozha, Rajendra Chozha-I, Kulothunga Chozha-I and III, Tribhuvana Chakravarthi Rajarajan ( may be III ). As per the inscriptions, this place Vijayamangai was in Vadakarai Rajendra Singavalanattu Periya Vanavan Mahadevi Chathurvedi mangalathu Vijayamangai ( Rajendra Chozha –I period ) and Vikrama Chozha Valanattu Innambar Nattu Vijayamangai ( during Kulothunga Chozha –III ), Periyasrivanavan Madeechaturvedimangalam. Lord Shiva was called as Vijayamangalamudaya Mahadevar, Vijayamangalathu Mahadevar, Vijayamangalamudaya Paramasamy.

Rajaraja-I’s 3^rd year reign inscription records the construction of the moolavar vimana with stone by Udayar Mummudi Chozhan Thevar Peruntharaththu Kuvalaalamudayar Ambalavan, Pazhuvur Nakan alias Vikrama Chozha maharajan ( Perumtharathu – a Noble man / a regional King – Kurunila mannan ). 

விசயமங்கலமுடைய பரமசாமிக்கு ஸ்ரீ விமானத்தைக் கல்லால்

எழுந்தருளுவித்தவன் உடையார் மும்முடிச்சோழதேவர் பெருந்தரத்து

குவளாலமுடையான் அம்பலவன் பழுவூர் நக்கனான

விக்கிரமசோழ மகாராஜன் ஆவன். ( SII Volume XIII )

One of the 3^rd reign year inscription was inscribed as per the agreement reached.

One of the inscription records the endowment of naivedyam and service  by Madhana Kameecharipurathu Kadan of this Brahmadeya Chaturvedimangalam. For the same land was gifted to this temple.

Another inscription records the endowment of 4 kala poojas, with Naivedyam, as rice, Porikayamuthu, Puzhukkayamuthu, Kariyamuthu, Neiamuthu ( ghee rice ), Thayiramuthu ( Curd rice ), Adaikkai Amuthu ( beetle nut and leaf ), Verungai / vegetables, and the pooja materials like Sandal, Sandal paste, Camphor,  Milk, vasthiram ( dress cloths ), 5 Perpetual lamps, 4 lamps for morning, Uchikalam 8 and night 14 sandhi lamps for which, a land was donated to this temple, by Ambalavan Pazhuvur Nakkan alias Rajaraja Pallavaraiyan.

Uthama Chozha’s period inscription Kuvalamudaiyan Ambalavan Pazhuvuran Sri Vikramachozhamarayar, rebuilt the temple as stone temple. Hence During Parantaka period this temple might have been a brick temple. Kuvalamudaiyan Ambalavan Pazhuvuran Sri Vikramachozhamarayar’s wife gave 96 sheeps / Goats for burning  a perpetual lamp. ( Kuvalapuram – Kolar in Karnataka state ).

Kuvalamudaiyan Ambalavan Pazhuvuran Sri Vikramachozhamarayar gave 1 ¼ ma land to the temple and received 200 kalanju gold. The Village sabha agreed to pay the taxes like Vasalil pontha Kudimai, Ooridu varipadu, Irai Echchoru, Chenneervetti etc. Also they assured that if Thevarkanmis and Brahmins and Karnathar levy taxes, they will be punished to pay 50 kasus as penalty.   

This inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Adigal Pazhuvettaraiyar Maravan Kandan’s official Kundra kootrathu ARani Nallur Manaperumai Swamy alias Kundra Nattu KaNdap Perunthinai. For the same 90 sheeps was gifted to this temple.

Rajarajan-I’s 7^th  reign year inscription records that Ambalavan Pazhuvur Nakkan alias Rajarajara Pallavaraiyan established the Natarajar  with Umapatalaki ( Sivakami ) and donated ornaments.

The Sanctum sanctorum South side adhistanam inscription records the name of this place as Rajendra Singavalanattu Brahmadeya SriParantaka Chaturvedi Mangalam, which was earlier called as Periya Sri Vanavanmadevi Chathurvedi mangalaam. The sabha of this Village assembled at Sri Parantakapereri’s bank and established an endowment of burning lamp, naivedyam, reciting thirupathigam, services, celebration of Rajaraja-I’s birth day on Panguni sathaya nakshatra day at Sri Adita Eswaramudayar Temple. For the same land was gifted to the temple. Also the gave a gift of lands for establishing flowering garden and supply 100 sengazhuneer flowers at Thuraiyur alias Sri Vanavan Madevi Nallur. This decision was endorsed by the Villagers keralanthagacheri, Rajarajacheri, Sundarachozhacheri, Mumudichozhacheri, Niththavinothacheri representatives.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 14^th& 15^th reign years inscription records that Madathipathi Pazhuvur Andan, who took care of this temple, had done malpractices like, Cutting and selling of 32600 betel nut trees,  30400 kasu, which was collected as taxes, holds personal without depositing in the Pandaram / treasury. This leads to the loss to the temple. When the Kings official and the Village Sabha tried to enquire, he escaped from the house through back doors. The House was broke opened and found 40 kalam paddy and some materials belongs to the temple. His house was demolished and a Vinayagar temple was constructed on that place and a land was purchased from the kasu recovered.

Rajathi Rajan’s 7^th reign year inscription records that the beetle nut trees in the temple devadana lands @140 trees  in one ma land was given to Pazhayanur Udaiyar Pallavarayar. At the end of this inscription Rajaraja Chozha-III’s 32^nd reign year inscription also inscribed.    

Rajaraja-I’s 32^nd year reign inscription records that there was a mutt / math called Thiruthondar Thokaiyan Thirumadam existed during his period.

One of the inscription records that there was a sabha functioned in the Village and used to assemble at Vinaiyabarana Vinakara Perumanadigal ( a Perumal Temple ). Before the sabha assemble, the same will be announced to the villagers through beating of drum and blowing of Kalam ( a type of air instrument ).

Rajendra Chozha-III’s inscription on the outer side wall of the praharam records the Thirugnanasambandar’s Thevara pathigam as...

வாழ்க அந்தணர்

  வானவர் ஆனினம்

வீழ்க தண்புனல்

  வேந்தனும் ஓங்குக

ஆழ்க தீயதெல்

  லாம்அரன் நாமமே

சூழ்க வையக

  முந்துயர் தீர்கவே.    

Thevara Inscription 

Uthama Chozha’s 948 CE inscription records that thevaram was recited in this temple. Another Rajendra Chozha-I’s inscription records that paddy was given for reciting Thevaram pathigam in the temple.

Ref:

1. Varalaru.com, issue 46.

2. A Guide book issue during the Heritage walk

LEGENDS

The epic Mahabharat’s character Pandu’s son Arjuna Worshipped Shiva of this temple and obtained many boons. This was mentioned in the hymns sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal.

பாண்டு வின்மகன் பார்த்தன் பணிசெய்து

    வேண்டும் நல்வரம் கொள்விச யமங்கை

ஆண்டவன் அடியே நினைந்து ஆசையால்

    காண்ட லேகருத் தாகி யிருப்பனே

This place was also called as Go +Karantha + puthur, which means that Cow worshiped Shiva with the milk. This legend is in the form of Stucco image and a kanda pada bas relief in the temple.

In another legend Like Shiva, Brahma also had 5 heads. Due to this Brahma behaves like Shiva, thinking that he is equal powerful like Shiva. So Shiva sent Bairava to pluck the 5^th head.  This legend along with blessing Vijayan, was mentioned by thirunavukkarasu Swamigal in his hymns. Since Shiva blessed Vijayan, this place is being called as Vijayamangai.

கொள்ளிடக்கரைக் கோவந்தபுத்தூரில்

    வெள்ளிடைக் கருள் செய்விசயமங்கை,

உள்ளிடத்து உறைகின்ற உருத்திரன்

    கிள்ளிடத் தலையற்றது அயனுக்கே

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Sankatahara Chaturthi, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

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

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on the Ariyalur- Muttuvancheri – Govindaputhur Road. 

The temple is about 32 KM from Ariyalur, 34 KM from Keezhapalur, 66 KM from Thanjavur, 48 KM from Perambalur,  100 KM from Trichy and 290 KM from Chennai.

Nearest railway station is Ariyalur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

Maha Vishnu - Pichadanar

Rishi Pathnis

Ashta bhuja Durgai - Kalasmharar

Chandikeswarar - Dakshinamurthy

Maha Vishnu - Brahma

Durgai

Durgai

Shiva

Murugan

Bairavar

A Mandapa with squatting lion ( square ) pillars 

Sthala Purana

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Karkodeswarar Temple / Shri Karkodeswarar / Soundareswarar Temple, Kamarasavalli, ஶ்ரீ கார்கோடேஸ்வரர் ஆலயம், காமரசவல்லி / Kamarasavalli, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Karkodeswarar Temple at Kamarasavalli, in Ariyalur District was a part of “Perambalur & Ariyalur Districts Heritage Walk” organised by Aatrupadai - ஆற்றுப்படை – A Tours and Heritage group on 4^th and 5^th , November 2023. This Place is  on the north banks of river Kollidam and was called as Thirunallur during Chozha period.

Moolavar  : Sri Karkodeswarar, Sri Soundareswarar

Consort    : Sri Balambigai

Some of the salient features of this Temple are...

The temple is facing east with a mottai Gopuram. Balipeedam, Rishabam are after the entrance. The second level entrance is with 3 tier Rajagopuram. Vinayagar and BalaMurugan are on both sides of the entrance to ardha mandapam. Loose sculptures of Amman, Murugan, saptamatrikas, Vinayagar, Nagars, etc, are in the mukha mandapam. In kostam Vinayagar, Pichadanar, Gangalar, Dakshinamurthy, Rishabanthigar, Kala samhara moorthy and Vishnu Durgai ( Three ). A Panel contains 3 kings ( may be sponsors ) in anjali hastam and Karkodagan worshipping a Shiva Lingam is on the left side of the ardha mandapam entrance. Dwarapalakas are on both side of the entrance to sanctum sanctorum.

In praharam Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Karkodakan, Birungi Maharishi, Rathi, Vinayagar, Bairavar, Shiva Lingas, Chandran, Suryan, Saptamatrikas and Navagrahas.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

Bhrigu Maharishi

Rishabanthanthigar

Gangalar

Ashtabhuja Durgai

 Durgai

Balamurugan

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The Vimanam is of three tiers on Upanam and pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattika. The Bhitti starts with Vedika. Vishnu kantha pilasters are on the sanctum sanctorum walls and Brahma kantha pilasters are on the antarala and mandapam walls. The Pilasters are with square base, kalasam, kudam, plain mandi, palakai, veera kandam and Tharanga pothyal. The Kostas are padra salas. The prastaram consists of valapi with bhuta ganas, kapotam with nasikudus and Viyyala vari. The Vimanam above the Bhumi Desam was constructed with bricks. The two Kostas are sala style in between karna kudus. The Tala images Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in between two sala Kostas. The Sigaram is of vesara style with maha Nasis on the cordinal directions and alpha nasis are between them.

Dancing Nandi image is on the pillar of Rishaba mandapam. Miniature sculptures like, kiratha Arjuna, Pichadanar, Gangalar, Moovar, Gaja samhara moorthy, Natarajar, Kala samhara moorthy, Kalinga Narthanar, Durgai, Chandesa Anugrah moorthy, Chandikeswarar’s purana, Thirupurantakar, Hanuman / Vali / Sugreeva worshipping Shiva  with Brahma, are on the kandapatham.

Miniature Sculptures

Nandi's dance

Kiratha Arjuna

Gajasamharamurthy 

Nataraja

Kala samhara moorthy

Kalinga Narthanar

 Durga

Chandesa Anugraha Moorthy 

Chandikeswarar Purana

Hanuman worships Shiva and Brahma

Pichadanar

Tripurantaka

Tripurantaka

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that this temple belongs to 09^th to 10^th century, Chozha period. About 41 inscriptions are recorded from this temple. As per the inscriptions, this place was called as Kamarasavalli Chathurvedi mangalam and Thirunallur during Chozha Period. This Shiva temple was called as Thirunallur Srikoil and Shiva was called as Thirunallur Srikoil Mahadevar.

Sundara Chozha’s period inscription records the endowment of showing Chithar pugai / smoke / fumes during pooja similar to recent periods Sambrani pugai, by Innambar Nattu Thevadhana Brahmadeya Village Aathanoor Balasiriyan Battan Sivan koothan. For the same one ma land was purchased for 12 kasus from two persons ( ½ ma land from each ) Rishikesava Gramavithan of Kamaravalli Chaturvedi mangalam and Kadavur Kamuthuvan Narayanan Kumaaran and gifted to this temple as irayili. The land was irrigated through Kothandarama Vaikkal. This was announced by blowing two conch / shanka from the temple Mandapam. It was agreed that the Taxes levied on the gifted land will be paid by the Village Sabha. This document was written by Madhyastan Arangan Thirumaliruncholaiyan.

Another inscription records the endowment of  offering naivedyam of  akkaravadisal / akkaradalai..?, on the Margazhi Thiruvathirai day after abhishekam by an official, Kamarasavalli Chaturvedi mangalathu madyasthan Narayanan nanootruvan alias Sriraghava Perungavithi. For the same a land measuring 1 ma ½ kani, was purchased from the Village Sabha and handed over the person who was doing Srikariyam in the temple as a gift to this temple. For preparing Akkaradalai, one Kuruni Pazhavarisi one kuruni Paruppu / dhal, one pathakku milk, one uri ghee, 20 palam sugar, 20 bananas, for adakkai amuthu 10 beetle nuts & leaves was also supplied by him. The periphery limit of the land was mentioned as Ramathevavathi, Sridevi vaikkal and Rajakesari vaikkal.

Another inscription records the endowment of supplying Chengazhuneer flower as an offering on daily basis and Utsava days, by the Rajendra Singavalanattu Mirai Kootrathu, Sri Kamarasavalli Chaturvedi mangalathu Mahasabha. For the same the this Village and the all the kulam and odai / water passage / vaikal are gifted to this temple. This decision was announced at Thirunallur Mahadevar Thirumandapam. This decision was ordered to document in the Ozhukil by Chozhamadevicheri, Avanikantharvacheri, Rajakesaricheri and Kamarasavallicheri representatives. The same documented by Madhyasthan Dharmapriyan.

Another inscription records the enodowment of applying sandle paste to Shiva of Rajendrasinga valanttu Miraikootram sri Kamarasavalli Chaturvedi mangalathu Thirukarkodaga  Eswaramudaiya Thirunallur Mahadevar, by Rajakesaricheri Priyatheeramangalathu Athrayan Moothanakkan Somasivaduga Somaayagiyaar, a Brahmin. He bought the 4 ma land from the sabha and gave to the temple. The land periphery limits mentioned are Ramthevavathi and Rajakesari Vaikal.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 8^th reign year inscription records the victory, which includes Shanthi island. And also it records that the sabha of Kamarasavalli Chaturvedimangalathu Perunguri perumakkal assembled at Sri Kailasamudaiyar Temple ( not exists now ), gave lands to this temple and Sri Kunthavai Vinnakarathevar, a Maha Vishnu Temple. The lands are below the Narathonga Pereri. Chozhamadevicheri, Avanikantharvacheri, Rajakesaricheri and Kamarasavallicheri representatives also participated. The pereri is now called as Sukran Eri and Narathungan was the the title of Chozha king.

Another inscription records the Vaikasi month thiruvathirai 3 days celebration and the performance of Chakkai Koothu at Thirukarkodeeswaramudaiyar Temple, by Chakkai Marayan Vikrama Chozhan. For the same the 3 ma land was gifted to him as irayili, by the Kamarasavalli Chaturvedi mangalam Sabha, in presence of Chozhamadevicheri, Avanikantharvacheri, Rajakesaricheri and Kamarasavallicheri representatives. ( This Sakkai Koothu origion was Chera Country. Since Pazhuvettaraiyars belongs to Chera Country, performance of sakkai koothu was brought from Chera Country ). 

Sakkai Koothu 

On the north side of Vinayagar Temple, there is a Hoysala King Veerasomeswarar’s inscription in north Indian / Devanagari language. This inscription records the Victory of Vanakovaraiyar’s Magatha Rajya, Pandya Kings and maintain the Chozha rule. The inscription further records that when the Kings was stationed here he gave an order in a land dispute case. The dispute of land at Madurantaga Nallur was between the Koil Dhanathar and Thasuvayil Udaiyan Andan. In the process it was found that and Thasuvayil Udaiyan Andan don’t have successor and the land was with the temple. Since the land was already with the temple, The king ordered that the same to be continued  to the temple’s possession. 

Ref : A Hand book issued during Heritage walk

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Pandavar’s decendent Pareesithu Maharaja was died due to the snake bite. So His son Janamejayan did a Kala Sarpa yagna, and killed all the snakes on this earth, made them to fell in the yagna kund. The King of snakes Karkodaga complained to Maha Vishnu. Maha Vishnu in turn advised Karkodan, to go the Karkodageswarar Temple and pray to Shiva. Satisfied with Karkodagan’s prayer, Shiva gave a boon, after getting an assurance from Karkodagan, that whoever comes to this temple and worships him, should not die due to snake bite and should not to be affected by the sarpa dosha.  This was happened on a Kadaka rasi & Kadaka lakna day. From then onwards Shiva Soundareswarar was called as Karkodakeswarar.

Rathi

In another legend, when the people started in search of SiRRinbam, the Devas and Munis complained to Shiva, in turn Shiva burned Kama to ash with his third eye. Rathi after her husband’s death, did a penance on Shiva to get back her husband alive. Satisfied with her penance Shiva gave back her mangalya picksha. Hence this place was called as Rathivarapuram also Kamarasavalli. This legend is celebrated every year on Masi month Pournami day as Kaman function. On that day a gingelly plant will cut in to two pieces and planted on the ground. To a miracle both pieces will start to grow within 8 days.

Three kings on the left and Karkodagan worshipping Shiva

 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on pradosham, maha Shivaratri, Masi month pournami day –as Kaman function, etc.

This is a parihara sthalam for Kadaka rasi and kadaka laknam.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.30 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

HOW TO REACH

This temple is 10 KM off from the Ariyalur – Muttuvancheri- Govindaputhur Road.

The temple is about 18 KM from Govindaputhur, 25.6 KM from Keezhapalur, 37 KM from Ariyalur, 34 KM from Thanjavur, 65 KM from Perambalur, 86.3 KM from Trichy and 338 KM from Chennai.

Nearest railway station is Ariyalur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

Damaged Kosta images - Natarajar and Pichadanar

Loose Sculptures Ambal & Murugan

Loose Sculptures Saptamatrikas

Loose Sculptures Vinayagar with ?

Loose Sculptures Saptamatrikas with Shiva 

Bairavar

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---