The
visit to this 16th to 17th century Vijayanagara period Nadavavi
at Ayyangarkulam was a part of the visit to the Temples and heritage sites around
Kanchipuram, scheduled on 10th July 2021. This Visit was combined
with the Ayyangarkulam Sanjeevirayar Temple, Thirupanangadu Sri
Thalapureeswarar Temple, and Sri Swarna Kala Bhairavar Temple at Azhividaithangi.
The
huge Sri Sanjeevirayar Temple (Hanuman temple) complex was constructed by one
“Sri Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan”, “Ettur
Lakshmikumara Thathacharya”, who was the minister in the Vijayanagara
Dynasty from 1585 to 1614 CE. Sri Thatha Desikan was a philanthropist and
conducted many marriages for the poor, hence had the title of “Koti Kanniyadhana
Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan”. He holds as Minister and Rajaguru for the
Vijayanagara Kings Venkatapathy Rayas I and II, also called Sriranga Rayas.
He was made in charge of the Divya Desams at Kanchipuram, Sriperumbudur, and
Kumbakonam. He
also excavated a huge tank called “Thathasamudram”, which is located on the
northern side of the Temple.
As
per the legend, once Thatha Desikan and his disciples were traveling with wealth earned/ Gifts received from the
King to offer to Sri Varadharaja Perumal of Kanchipuram. It was dusk when they
reached this place and decided to stay that night. When they were in deep
sleep, some thieves took off all their wealth and tried to run. Suddenly, some
monkeys came and fought with the thieves and chased them away. This was known
to Thatha Desikan in his dream. When he woke in the morning, and found all his
wealth guarded by the head of the monkeys. Thatha Desikan felt that the
monkey was none other than Anjaneyar or Hanuman. As a part of Thanksgiving, Thatha
Desikan built this beautiful temple for Anjaneyar. He also composed a song
called “Srimad Hanumath Vimsathi”. The same is inscribed boldly on the back wall of the sanctum sanctorum. In addition to this, he also built 3 wells around the
“Thatha Samudram”. Of the three wells, one is no more, the second one is in dilapidated condition, and the Third one is maintained by the Tamil Nadu
Archaeological Department
SECOND
NADAVAVI OF AYYANGARKULAM
This
is a smaller well compared to the third one. The construction is very similar
to the third one, with an entrance arch, steps, and a well. The front arch top
has the image of Gajalakshmi, and the Pillars have the Yazhi riders. The sculptures
are in good shape. On the back of the well, provision has been made for lifting
water from the well. Now the well is in a dilapidated condition and hides in the
shrubs and bushes. Trees were grown inside and outside the well.
There is an inscription reads as
"னெல்லுக்கார தெரு செங்கல்வராயரு தருமம்"..
LOCATION OF
SECOND NADAVAVI: 12.788, 79.667 - CLICK HERE
(Cleared the shrubs around the arch - Photo as of 1st May 2024 )
THIRD NADAVAVI
OF AYYANGARKULAM
This
Third Nadavavi is much bigger than the
second one. The entrance arch has the relief of Gajalakshmi on the top. The arch-supporting pillars have the bas-reliefs of Yazhi riders. On the vertical
face of the Pillars are the dancers, and Kodipens may be Ganga and Yamuna. There are 27 steps to reach the underground hall. The underground hall has 16 Pillars with a Cloistered
verandah. Provision has been given to
lift water from the well through Yetram. The Pillars and the canals still
exist now. Nowadays, this Yetram is not used for lifting water; instead, a diesel
engine-driven pump is used. Since it is very close to the Thatha Samudram, it
never dried up, and the water level is always maintained in this well.
Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal used to travel to many places throughout the year to give
darshan to Devotees. This is one of the places where Urchavar Varadharajar will be brought
to this Nadavavi on Chitra Pournami day (Full moon day). After Thirumanjanam and Alangaram, Sri
Varadharajar will give darshan to the Devotees and stay the night. During this time, Ayyangarkulam Sri Sanjeevi Rayar (Hanuman) will come to this well along
with Ramar, Sita, and Lakshmana.
HOW TO REACH
This
Nadavavi is 9 km from Kanchipuram, 25 km from Cheyyar, 35 km from
Vandavasi, 45 km from Chengalpattu, and
85 km from Chennai.
The nearest
Railway station is Kanchipuram
After the Chitra Pournami festival, I went to Ayyangarkulam, Nadaivavi on 1st May 2024. The photos taken inside the mandapam are uploaded.
A three-headed Narasimhar
Hanuman
Hanuman
Ramanujar
A Devotee
Kinnarar
The Herdsman sculpture- the iconic sculpture of Vijayanagara
The erotic sculptureThe erotic sculpture The erotic sculpture
--- OM SHIVAYA
NAMA ---
