Showing posts with label Coimbatore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coimbatore. Show all posts
Sunday, 16 January 2022
Wednesday, 6 November 2019
Sri Karivaradharaja Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ கரிவரதராஜ பெருமாள், அன்னூர் / Annur, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.
13th
October 2019.
The visit to this Sri
Karivaradharaja Perumal Temple, at Annur, was not a part of the Kongu Heritage Walk
scheduled on 12th and 13th October 2019. But after Sri Manneeswarar Darshan had been to this temple, since the temple is on the
other side of the road. In the Kongu region, most of the Vishnu temples, the moolavar
or the presiding deity, is called Karivaradharaja, and this is also one of the temples. The place Annur was
called Anniyur (அந்நியூர்) before the 12th century.
Moolavar : Sri Karivaradharaja Perumal.
Thayar : Sridevi and Bhudevi.
Some of the important
details are as follows…
The temple faces east with Deepasthambham / Garuda Toon, balipeedam, and Garudalwar. A 3-tier Rajagopuram
is on the north side, and the same is kept
locked (maybe Sorgavasal, which may be opened on Vaikunta Ekadasi Day). Molavar is in a standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. There are no images in the koshtam/ niches. In the praharam are Chakkarathalwar, Ramanujar, Andal, and Anjaneyar.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple complex consists of the sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and an open mukha mandapam. A 2-tier vimana is over the sanctum sanctorum.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It was claimed that the temple has existed since the Chozha period, and there is no proof for the same. Nayak period 4 short pillars are installed in front of the 3-tier Rajagopuram, from this, the temple might have existed before the 16th to 17th century Vijayanagara Nayaka period. The temple was renovated in recent years, and the maha samprokshanam was performed.
Vijayanagara Period Pillar reliefs- donors
TEMPLE
TIMINGS:
The temple will be open from 06.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs and from 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs. The
closing and opening times will change on Saturdays and special days.
HOW
TO REACH:
Annur is on the bus
route from Avinashi to Mettupalayam. Frequent buses are available from
Avinashi, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and Sathyamangalam.
The place Annur is about
23 km from Avinashi, 36 km from Coimbatore, and 32 km from the District headquarters, Tiruppur.
The nearest Railway
Station is Tiruppur.
Tuesday, 5 November 2019
Arulmigu Azhagu Nachiamman Temple / ஸ்ரீ அழகுநாச்சியம்மன் கோயில், Vellalore / Vellalur, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.
12th
October 2019
The visit
to this 11th to 12th-century Arulmigu Azhagu Nachi Amman Temple at Vellalore was a part of the Kongu Heritage Walk scheduled on the 12th and 13th of
October 2019. After the Darshan of Sri Karivaradharaja Perumal, we went to
this temple, which is about 500 meters away from the Perumal Temple. Vellalore = Velir + Oor, which
means this place belongs to Velir, who engaged in agriculture and
cattle/animal husbandry. This Amman temple is right on the banks of the Noyyal River, also
called Kanchima River (காஞ்சிமாநதி).
The Place Vellalore has existed since ancient times. Megalithic period burial grounds have been excavated in
the place Vellalore. The Rajakesari
Peruvazhi / Trade Route from the west seaside Chera ports to Chozha Nadu Poompuhar
passed through this place. It was a Trade city, and more
than 500 Roman coins were unearthed on the banks of the Noyyal River. Out of the
Roman Coins found in India, 70% are from the Kongu region.
Presiding Deity: Arulmigu Azhagu NachiAmman
Some of the important details are…
The temple faces North on the banks of the river Noyyal. Entrances are
from the North and South sides. At the north side entrance, Vinayagar and Nagars are under a Peepal Tree. On the South side entrance, Spatha Kannis are under a Peepal
tree.
The deepa sthambam, Soolam, and Simha vahana are in front. Two female
bootha ganas with big bellies in a sitting posture are in front of the artha / mukha
mandapam grill gate. Since the temple was found closed during our visit, we
could not see the presiding deity. As per the front arch stucco image iconography, the presiding deity must be A Kali or Amman with 8 hands.
ARCHITECTURE
The sanctum sanctorum consists of the Sanctum sanctorum and the artha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is rectangular in shape, and it seems this temple may be the saptamatrikas. (The
temple was found closed during our visit.) The adhisthana is of pathabhantha. The
sanctum sanctorum does not have any koshta or niches. A rectangular Vimana with 3 kalasas is in the
sanctum sanctorum. Saptamatrikas stucco images are on the Vimana. On top of
the artha mandapam, the stucco arch has the image of Amman with 8 hands, probably Kali / Mahisha Mardhini (Mahishasura was not found
below). On both sides, Murugan and Vinayagar.
Dwarapalaki
HISTORY
It was said that the temple in Amman is a kaval Deivam of the village of Vellalore and was constructed during the Vijayanagara period. But the inscriptions on
the walls seem to be much older and may belong to the 11th to 12th
centuries. Ashta Bandhana Maha
Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 2011.
11th to 12th Century inscription
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.
HOW TO REACH:
Vellalore/ Vellalur
is about 6 km from Podanur / Pothanur, 16 km from Ukkadam Bus Stand, and 12.6 km from Coimbatore Railway Station.
Town buses are
available from Ukkadam and Gandhipuram City Bus Terminus.
The nearest Railway station is Coimbatore Junction.
Sapthakanniyars
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
Monday, 4 November 2019
Sri Karivaradharaja Perumal Temple / Karivaradharajar Temple, Vellalore / Vellalur, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.
12th October
2019.
The visit
to this Sri Karivaradharaja Perumal Temple at Vellalore was a part
of the Kongu Heritage Walk scheduled on the 12th and 13th of October 2019. Vellalore =
Velir + Oor, which means this place belongs to Velir, who engaged in
agriculture and cattle husbandry. This Vishnu temple is on the banks of the river
Noyyal, also called the Kanchima River (காஞ்சிமாநதி). Many Vishnu
Temples in Kongunadu are named Karivaradharaja Perumal Temple, and this is also
one.
Vellalore has existed since ancient times. Megalithic period burial grounds are excavated in
the place Vellalore. The Rajakesari Peruvazhi / Trade Route from the West Sea
side Chera ports to Chozha Nadu Poompuhar passed through this place. It was a
Trade city, and more than 500 Roman coins were unearthed on the
banks of the Noyyal River. Out of the Roman Coins found in India,
70% are from the Kongu region.
Moolavar :
Sri Karivaradharajar
Thayar :
Sri Bhoomi Neela Nayagi
Some of the important
features of this temple are…
The temple faces east with a balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Garudan. In the sanctum, Moolavar, Sri
Karivaradharaja, is on an ant hill with Sridevi and
Bhudevi. Utsavars and Alwars are in the artha mandapam.
In the praharam are Sri
Varadharaja Perumal, Kalinga Narthanar, Nagars & Vinayagar are under a
peepal tree; Thayar Bhoomi Neela Nayagi, Andal, Veera Anjaneyar, Chakrathalwar, and Yoga Narasimhar.
It was said that
during the 8th century, the archival Ulagalantha Perumal was
taken to the Singanallur Perumal Temple when the Noyyal River was
flooded. (The Singanallur lake is between Singanallur and Vellalore). The
same was not returned, and there is no Moolavar at the Singanallur Temple.
The stucco image of Ulagalantha Perumal is on the north side of the Vimana.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple complex
consists of a sanctum sanctorum, an artha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam (built
in recent years). The Sanctum Sanctorum is on a pada bhandha adhisthana
with Yazhivari. The Yazhi varies along with dancing girls' bas-reliefs; Sri
Vishnu’s Sayana kola bas-relief is also there. Special poojas are offered to
this Sayana Perumal. Since our outside floor level is increased, it forms a moat
around the sanctum sanctorum, from upana. The prastaram is of the kapota style
with nasikud. The sanctum sanctorum walls are very simple, without koshta or
niches. The two-tier vimana is over the sanctum sanctorum. The vimana is built
with brick and stucco images of Sri Vishnu’s avatars on all four sides.
Adhisthana
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTION
The temple has existed since the 8th century and is believed to have been constructed during the Kalapirar period (mentions about Kalvaraiyin KaLvan – maybe Kalapirars). The temple
was affected many times due to floods in the Noyyal River. The Bhattacharyya
said that an Agraharam existed in front of the temple. The temple was
reconstructed during the Nayak’s period. As per the inscription, this place was
called Veerakerala Chaturvedi Mangalam.
Most of the
inscriptions were lost during reconstruction. The existing inscriptions belong
to Vikrama Chozha and Veera Rajendran. The inscriptions mainly speak about the donation of lands, Gold, etc., for conducting regular poojas and Naivedyam.
In the recent
period, Mahasamproshanam was performed after maintenance.
Inscriptions on the adhisthana
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be
kept open from 06.30 hrs to 10.30 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs, and the
time will be extended on Saturdays and on special occasions.
HOW TO REACH:
Vellalore/ Vellalur
is about 6 km from Podanur / Pothanur, 16 km from Ukkadam Bus Stand, and 12.6 km from Coimbatore Railway Station.
Town buses are
available from Ukkadam and Gandhipuram City bus terminus.
The nearest Railway
Station is Coimbatore Junction.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Ramar is being highlighted by the evening sun
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
Sunday, 3 November 2019
Rajakesari Peruvazhi / ராஜகேசரி பெருவழி – The ancient Trade Route at Katradum Parai ( காற்றாடும் பாறை ) near Madukkarai Forest Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.
12th October 2019.
During the ancient period, Kongu Nadu had 20 trade
routes that connected important trade cities of ancient Chozha Nadu, Pandiya
Nadu, and Thondai Nadu with foreign merchants like Greeks and Romans. These
trade routes connected the West side seashore Chera port Cities with the East side Chozha and Pandya Trade cities through Palghat Pass. This trade route
splits into three after the Palghat Pass.
Poongundran Sir leads us on the Rajakesari Peruvazhi
TRADE ROUTES (PERUVAZHI)
The First route to Thondai Nadu passed
through Coimbatore, Avinashi, Vijayamangalam, Erode, Salem, Eththapur,
Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Tindivanam, via Oymanattu Kindangil, and reached
Mahabalipuram.
The second route, also called Rajakesari Peruvazhi, to Chozha
Nadu through Perur, Vellalore, Sulur, Palladam, Kangayam, Karur, and Uraiyur, reached
Poompuhar.
The third trade route, also called Veeranarayana Peruvazhi to
Pandya Nadu through Anaimalai, Vadabhuthi Natham, Si. Kalayamuthur, Palani, Dindigul, Madurai,
Thiruthangal, and reached Arugankulam.
In addition to this, the route originating
from Karur was called Raja Mahendra Peruvazhi, and from Kozhumam, it was
called Chozha Madevi Peruvazhi. There were Asura malai Peruvazhi, Adhiyaman
Peruvazhi, Ayirai Peruvazhi, and Pidari Koil Peruvazhi, which also existed in Kongu Nadu.
An American called “Bardon Stene” mentions Kongu Nadu as "Peruvazhi Nadu".
THE ANCIENT KONGUNADU
The Kongu Nadu comes
under mullai region (முல்லை
- காடும் காடு சார்ந்த இடமும்) one
of 5 natural regions (குறிஞ்சி,
முல்லை, மருதம், பாலை, நெய்தல்), mentioned in ancient literatures, where Kongu Velirs transformed the forest in to
farm lands and grazing lands. Apart from agriculture, the Velirs engaged in
cattle husbandry. In the 9th century, a King called
Kongu Vel ruled this region. In the Kongu region, the people faced the threat of wild animals, especially the Tigers. To prove this, the Kongu region has the maximum
number of Puli Kuthi memorial stones, or Pulikuthi Nadukarkal. The Cattle herd, which walks while grazing, forms a path that was later used by human beings to
commute between the Villages and transport goods and materials. Kongu Nadu was also
famous for its Gems and Stones. The Greek and Roman coins were unearthed in
Kongu Trade cities like Perur, Vellalore (Velir + oor), Kodumanal, and Gems & stone ornaments were exported from Kongu Nadu. At
Anaimalai, 1st-century Daibrees kings' silver coins; at Vadabuthi
Natham, 1500 silver coins. At Kalayamuthur, 400 Roman coins and at Vellalore, more
than 500 Roman coins have been found. Out of the Roman Coins found in India, 70% are from the Kongu region.
It is believed that these Trade Routes / Peruvazhis have been used since the 4th century. A Mention in Kautilya’s Arthashastra
and the Daksha Seelam excavation reveals that, from the 5th Century BC to the 3rd
Century CE, Kongu Nadu was wealthier and famous for trading. The cattle paths became the Peru Vazhi, and paths
were re-laid to suit trade activities.
Shelters (தாவளம்) for the traders & Merchants with water sources
were created along the trade Route.
RAJAKESARI PERUVAZHI WITH INSCRIPTION.
After the victory over Kongu Nadu in the 10th
Century, the Chozhas named this Peruvazhi Rajakesari Peruvazhi to show their authority and domination. There is an inscription in Vattezhuthu found
on a boulder called Katradum Parai (காற்றாடும் பாறை) on this Rajakesari Peruvazhi in the midst of the forest, about 2 km from
Arivoli Nagar near Madukkarai. Even though the Chozhas followed the Tamil letters
for their inscriptions in Chozha Nadu, this inscription is in the form of Vattezhuthu.
This shows that Kongu Nadu also followed Vattezhuthu for inscriptions like the Pandyas of the same period. (During our previous temple visit near this place, we came across Vattezhuthu inscriptions in two temples.)
The inscription is in
the form of a Tamil poem called Venba. The name of the Peruvazhi is mentioned as
Rajakesari Peruvazhi, and the King’s Name is Kokandan. The difference of opinion
among the historians about the Name of King Kokandan as Aditya Chozha-I (870 – 907 CE) was confirmed by the Thillaisthana inscription, in which Aditya
Chozha was also mentioned as Kokandan. The Vattezhuthu Venba inscription
praises the King’s deployment of the soldiers mingled as shadows (shadow army) with the merchants and General Public to safeguard them from thieves/ burglars. The
inscription is in two parts. The first part is in the form of a Venba poem in Vattezhuthu, and the second part is the name of the trade route in Tamil letters. The
inscription is as follows….
Vattezhuthu Inscription
1. ஸ்வத்ஸ்ரீ கோஇராசகேசரிப்
2. பெருவழி திருநிழலு மன்னு
3. யிருஞ் சிறந்த
4. மைப்ப ஒருநிழல்வெண்டிங்
5. கள் போலோங்கி ஒருநிழல்போ
6. ல் வாழியர் கோச்சோழன்வளங்
7. காவிரி நாடன் கோழியர் கோக்கண்ட
8. ன்குலவு.
Tamil Inscription
1.
ஸ்வத்ஸ்ரீ
கோஇரா
2.
சகேசரிப்
3.
பெருவழி
The inscription on the boulder
The experts re-write the first Vattezhu portion in
Venba form as given below.
திருநிழலு மன்னுயிருஞ் சிறந்தமைப்ப
ஒரு நிழல் வெண்டிங்கள் போலோங்கி
- ஒருநிழல்போல்
வாழியர் கோச்சோழன் வளங்காவிரி
நாடன்
கோழியர் கோக்கண்டன் குலவு.
The word Nizhal (நிழல்) came in three places. The actual meaning
of the words Nizhal and the word Kulavu (குழவு) could be arrived at immediately. After many attempts and referring to Kerala’s copper plates, it was found that the word Nizhal means a “shadow army”, which was
deployed by the King to protect the Merchants and the General Public. The Kulavu
means “புகழ் - Pugazh” – praise. This was
explained by Mr Poongundran, the retired Director of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological
Department, who led the Heritage Walk and also identified this inscription along
with Thiru Pulavar Se Rasu, of Thanjavur Tamil University.
But as per Dr Ramachandran this is a Nerisai venba - நேரிசை வெண்பா- The word "சிறந்தமைப்ப" to be read as "சீருந்தழைப்ப" என்பது தேமா புளிமா. இறுதியில் குலவுக்கு பதில் குலம் என்பதே மலர் என்ற வாய்பாடு.
திருநிழலு மன்னுயிருஞ் சீருந்தழைப்ப
ஒரு நிழல் வெண்டிங்கள் போலோங்கி - ஒருநிழல்போல்
வாழியர் கோச்சோழன் வளங்காவிரி நாடன்
கோழியர் கோக்கண்டன் குலம்.
The Inscription - PC - Mr Durai Sundaram
Tamil Nadu Govt forest officials came along with us to show this
inscription. It was a thrilling experience, since a few hours before, an elephant with
its calf had crossed that path. The fresh footprints were shown to us. They also
showed the water source point with a grinding pit and a stone structure (Sumai Thangi). It was said that these structures existed since the Sangam period, used by the
Traders and the General Public.
Ref:
1. An interview video with Mr Poongundran, who identified the inscription
in the Kadikai YouTube Channel.
2. Kovai Mavatta kalvettukal, published by the Tamil Nadu Archaeological
Department.
LOCATION: GPS Co ordinates 10deg 54’11.2” N and 76 deg 54’10.4” E
The forest guard leads us
Senganthal flower - Tamil Nadu State flower
A Grinding pit believed to be used on the Peruvazhi
A pond on the Rajakesari Peruvazhi
A Sumaithangi - a dilapidated head load platform
Elephant dung
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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