The Visit to this Sri Thrikaleshwarar Temple at
Ozhugur was a part of Gajaprishta / Gajabrushta Vimana Shiva Temple and
Kanchanagiri Temples Visit around Walajapet, on 15th October 2023.
Thanks to Ramesh Krishnamurthy, who took me to these Temples.
PC - Website and thanks to the unknown photographer
Moolavar : Sri
Thrikaleshwarar
Consort :
Sri Tripurasundari
Some of the Salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a two tier mini Rajagopuram
on the north side. A Vinayagar bas relief is after the entrance of Rajagopuram.
Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are on the east side of the temple.
Moolavar ( seems to be swayambhu ) is in the sanctum on a square avudayar. In
koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.
Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing South. Ambal
is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.
In praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena
Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, loose sculptures of Saptamatrikas with Shiva /
Veerabhadra and a Shiva Linga with Nagars under Sthala Vruksham bilva tree.
A Green stone Dakshinamurthy
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala
and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum was built in Gajaprishta /
Gajabrushta style with jagathy, three patta kumudam and Pattikai. The Bhitti
starts with Vedika. The pillaters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam,
kudam, palakai and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with lotus
petals, kapotam with nasi kudus and viyyalavari. The nasikudus are with floral
design and bhuta gana’s head images. An
Eka tala Gajaprishta / Gajabrushta Vimanam is on the Sanctum sanctorum &
antarala. Dakshinamurthy, Narasimhar and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam. Three
stucco kalasas are on the Vimanam.
The modified ardha mandapa combining Mukha mandapam and ardha mandapam ( above ) - the old picture with mukha mandapam is given below
The modified mukha mandapa - above and the old picture of the temple with mukha mandapam on the south side is given below
PC - Website and thanks to the unknown photographer
PC - Website and thanks to the unknown photographer
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the original temple was built
during 7th to 8th Century Pallava period as Gajaprishta
Vimana temple. The Ambal sannidhi might have been added during 10th
to 11th century. Since the
Ground level was raised above Kumudam ( partially visible ), we do not know
weather there is any inscriptions to prove its antiquity.
Originally the temple was with closed ardha mandapam
and open mukha mandapam on the south side. During recent renovation the ardha mandapam
and the open mukha mandapams are pulled down and a new ardha mandapam was built
with granite stone and stone pillars with small entrances on east and south
side. The main sanctum sanctorum and vimanam was not touched. The open space
was also paved with granite slabs.
Renovation works are started in 2021-22 and the
temple is expecting maha kumbhabhishekam, may be in 2024.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Since the temple is under palalayam, no regular and
special poojas are conducted.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
Usually the temple will be kept opened during
morning hours after Kumbhabhishekam and the opening and closing times are unpredictable.
HOW TO
REACH
The temple is on the south west corner of the
Village Ozhugur. The temple is about 8.5 KM through Dhanvantari temple (
Walajapet ), 13 KM from Ranipet ( District Head quarters ), 13 KM from Chennasamudram
Toll gate, 14.7 KM from Arcot, 38 KM from Vellore and 109 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Ranipet.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
PC - Website and thanks to the unknown photographer
PC - Website and thanks to the unknown photographer
Vaishnavi
Chamundi
Kaumari
Varahi
Brahmi
Veerabhadra
Land donation stone to the Shiva temple in the midst of throney bush
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
