The Visit to this Twin temples at Keezhaiyur, in
Ariyalur District was a part of “Perambalur & Ariyalur Districts Heritage
Walk” organised by Aatrupadai - ஆற்றுப்படை – A Tours and Heritage group on 4th
and 5th ,
November 2023.
This west facing temple complex is called as Avanikantharva
Eswaram consists of two shiva Temples. The North side temple called as
Vadavaayil Srikoil or Chozheecharam, a smaller one and the south side temple is
big called Thenvaayil Srikoil or Agastheeswaram. A 3 tier Rajagopuram on the west side with Dwarapalakas
on both side of the Rajagopuram entrance.
In Praharam Vinayagar, Ambal, Jyeshta Devi,
Saptamatrikas, Vinayagar and Murugan ( in sitting posture ).
VADAVAYIL SRIKOIL or CHOZHEECHARAM
This temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum,
antarala, ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a prati bandha adhistanam
with padma jagathy, vrutha kumudam and viyyalavari. In bhitti the pilasters are
of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, veerakandam and tharanga
pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with bhutaganas, kapotam with nasi
kudus, Chandra mandalam and viyyalavari. The actions of Bhuta ganas are worth
to see. One Bhuta gana inserts a lizards tail in its nose. The Vimanam above
the prastaram is of Vesara style built with stone. The Chandramandalam are in
oshtam. Brahma, Murugan and
Dakshinamurthy are in adi tala, first tala and greevam.
One Bhuta gana inserts a lizards tail in its nose.
THENVAAYIL SRIKOIL or AGASTHEESWARAM
This temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam. The
sanctum sanctorum is on a prati bandha adhistanam with padma jagathy, vrutha
kumudam and viyyalavari. On bhitti the pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam,
kudam, palakai, veerakandam and tharanga pothyal. The mahara thorana above has
the reliefs of Gajasamharamurthy, Ashta bhuja dancing Shiva, The prastaram
consists of valapi with bhutaganas, kapotam with nasi kudus and viyyalavari. The Vimanam above the prastaram is of nagara
style built with stone. The 1st tala prastram valapi has the birds
sculptures.
Some of the mandapa pillars are of squatting lion
pillars and rest are vrutha pillars.
In Koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Murugan and Brahma. In
Tala koshtas, Various forms of Shiva, Murugan, Indra, Veenadahara, etc,. One of
the pilasters has the bas relief of Mahishamardini.
This sculpture “Parasivan” is on the tala kosta on
the Vimanam North side is an unique one. Thirumoolar mentions that Shiva
himself lifting.
பாரசிவன்
“தன்மேனி தற்சிவ லிங்கமாய் நின்றிடும்,
தன்மேனி தானும் சதாசிவமாய் நிற்கும்,
தன்மேனி தற்சிவன் தற்சிவ ஆனந்தமாம்,
தன்மேனி தானாகும் தற்பரன் தானே”
–திருமூலர் மேலப்பழுவூர்
Makara thorana - Ashtabhuja Shiva's- Dance Makara thorana - Gaja samhara moorthy and a miniature sculpture on the top Mahishasura mardini
Makarathundam
Bull headed Bhut gana
Kapotam with kodipalai & Chandra mandalam - keerthi mukha Nasi Kudus
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Both the temple are built in 9th Century
CE, early Chozha period architecture by Pazhuvettaraiyars, the regional Kings, Kumaran Kandan and Kumaran
Maravan, ruled under Chozhas.
As per the inscriptions this place was called as
Manni Perum Pazhuvur and Avani Kantharvapuram, in Kundra Kootrathu Avani
Kantharvapuram. Avani Kantharvapuram was established for Merchants. The temple
complex was called as Avanikantharva Eswaram, in the name of a Pazhuvettaraiyar
with the title of Avani Kantharvan. He also holds the titles of
Gangamarthandan, Kaliyuga Nirmoolan, Maravan Malathalan, Araiyarkal Araivuli
etc,.
The inscriptions records the Chozha Kings names as,
Parantaka Chozha-I, Kandradita Chozha, Sundara Chozha, Utama Chozha, Rajaraja
Chozha-I and Rajendra Chozha-I. The Pazhuvettaraiyar Kings Maharishi
descendents Kshatriyan Pothugan Peruman Pazhuvettarayan Kumaran Maravan, Poigai
Kuruvitathu Vettagudi Vadukan Madhavan Pazhuvettaraiyan Kumaran maravan,
Adigal Pazhuvettaraiyan Kandan Maravan,
Adigal Pazhuvettaraiyan Maravan kandan,
Adigal Pazhuvettaraiyan Kandan Sundara
Chozhan, Adigal PazhuvettaraiyanKaikola
madevan, Ranamukha Raman, Rajaraja Chozha’s Queen Panchavan Mahadevi.
Adita Chozha –I’s period inscription records the
endowment of burning two perpetual lamps by Nakkanbhoothi one of the
Thevaradiyar for the same 8 ma land was gifted to this temple as devadhanam.
The land was converted in to two bhoga cultivated land before gifting to this
temple. The land was received by the temple administration consists of 7 people
and promised to burn both temple Pakaividai Eswaram ( present Sundareswarar
Temple ) and Avanikantharva Eswaram.
Rajaraja Chozha-I’s period inscription records the
endowment of burning lamp by Avani Sundarapurathu Veera Chozha anukkan Kunavan
Thaani Vallan. For the same 10 kalanju gold was gifted to to this temple. The
gold was received by the temple administration consists of 7 people and
promised to burn lamp at this temple Avanikantharva Eswaram.
Rajaraja Chozha-I’s another inscription records the
endowment of naivedyam in both temple
Shiva’s on Sankaranthi days, by
Thevaradiyal Nakkan Periya Arangapiran’s daughter Nakkaan Kumarakkan. For the
same land at Urakangudi Village was gifted to this temple. In Addition to this
to conduct celebrations in Chithirai and Aippasi months, naivedyam to Vinayagar on
Uttarayana and Dakshinayana days, one ma land was gifted to this temple. The
above endowments are done in presence of Kandan maravan’s official Koyil
Konadigal.
Rajaraja Chozha-I’s period inscription records that
the Queen and Thevaradiyar Nakkan Panchavan Mahadevi, requested the King to
give Paddy 297 kalam 1 pathakku 5 Nazhi ( உடையார் ஸ்ரீராஜராஜதேவர் கொண்டருளும் நெல்லு
தொளாயிரத்து இருபத்து ஏழு கலனே பதக்கு அஞ்ஞாழியும் ) to this temple, which was received as tax from
the Rajendra Singavalanattu Poigai Nattu Uragangudi, a Brahmadeya Village. The
King accepted the request and issued an order. This inscription mentions as உலகளந்து ஏறின நிலத்தால் -records that the lands are measured during Rajaraja
Chozha-I’s period.
In another inscription, Soman Bhuvani was stabbed
to death by Arangan Bhattan. The Pazhuvur Nagarathar tried to catch him but
couldn’t do so. So the Pazhuvur Nagarathar established an endowment of burning
a perpetual lamp at Pakaividai Eswarathu mahadevar Temple ( the present
Sundareswarar temple ). For the same, the temple authorities, 4 Siva brahmins received
Gold from the Pazhuvur Nagarathar. This Gold was used to rectify the breach of
Pakaividai Chaturvedi mangalam eri / Kulam. The burning of lamps will be
maintained through the 30 kalam paddy yield from lands below the breach.
Another inscription records that Sankarapadiyan
alias Kumizimanappan, an oil merchant was killed by the Kaanakkol, thrown by an
unknown person. Valanchiyars, a Merchant group gave 50 kalanju Gold to burn a Lamp at
Avanikantharva Eswarathu Mahadevar Temple, for Kumizimanappan’s death. The
temple administration received that Gold and used to rectify the breach in the
Kandan Kulam / eri ( present Thavuthaikulam Gramam ) alias Theethakulam. To
maintain the lamps, the Paddy received from the lower lands of the breach was
used. Also some lands are gifted to the Kumizhimanappan’s legal successors, as irayili.
The Dwajasthambam with peetam was installed by
Ranamukha Raman Pazhuvettaraiyar.
Ref : A Hand book issued during Heritage walk
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Orukala Poojas is conducted.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
Since Oru kala pooja is conducted opening and
closing of sanctum sanctorum is unpredictable. A Meikavalar posted by Tamil
Nadu Archaeological Department, will help to see out side the temple
HOW TO REACH
This temple is on the Trichy Main Road, Melapalur.
The temple is about 7 KM from Keezhapalur, 13 KM
from Ariyalur, 40 KM from Thanjavur, 48 KM from Perambalur, 61 KM from Trichy and 320 KM from Chennai.
Nearest railway station is Ariyalur.
Murugan
Shiva
MuruganBrahma
Jyshta Devi - Thavvai
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
