Sri Kazhumalaiamman Temple / Shri Kalumalai Amman Temple / ஶ்ரீ கழுமலை அம்மன் கோயில்/ Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

The Heritage visit to this Sri Kazhumalaiamman Temple at Sirkazhi was a part of the “Mada Temples Heritage Walk in Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai Districts”, organized by “Chozha Mandala Varalatru Thedal Kuzhu – GCHRG, on 05^th and 6^th March 2022.   Thanks to V Ramachandran, Tahasildar of Nagapattinam, who took us to all these Temples.

The place Sirkazhi was called by 12 different names: Brahmapuram, Venupuram, Pukali, Venkudu, Thonipuram, Poonthurai, Sirapuram, SaNbai, Kazhumalam, Kalipuram, Puravam, Kochaivayam, etc. The name of this place mentioned by Thirugnanasambandar is as given below...

பிரமனூர் வேணுபுரம் புகலி வெங்குருப் பெருநீர்த்தோணி

புரமன்னு பூந்தராய் பொன்னுஞ்சிரபுரம் புறவஞ் சண்பை,

அரன்மன்னு தண்காழி கொச்சைவயம் உள்ளிட்டங் காதியாய

பரமனூர் பன்னிரண்டாய் நின்றதிருக் கழுமலம் நாம் பரவும் ஊரே

Main Deity: Sri Kazhumalaiamman

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

The temple is facing  north with an entrance arch. The stucco images of Saptamatrikas are on the arch. Bhoot, balipeedam, and dwajasthambam are under a mandapam in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Mahisashuramardini’s stucco image is on the top of the entrance.  An Amman (Vedalamman)  in a standing posture is in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Bairavar, an Amman holding a lotus flower in the right hand, A slab contains the image of Vinayagar and Jyeshta with Manthan and Manthi.

In the sanctum sanctorum, Saptamatrikas starts with Veerabhadra on the east wall, Saptamatrikas facing North, and Vinayagar on the west wall.

Vinayagar with Jyeshta Devi

Bairava

Saptamatraikas

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple complex consists of a sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. To accommodate Saptamatrikas, the sanctum sanctorum is in a rectangular shape.   

A 2-tier Salakara Vimanam with 7 Kalasams is in the sanctum sanctorum. The adhistanam is of a simple 3 anga vimanam. From adhistanam to prastram was built with Stone. The Superstructure of salakara Vimanam was built with bricks and mortar.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the temple has existed since the Chozha period, but the present structure seems to be 200 to 300 years old. Kazhumlaiamman is the Kaval Deivam of Sirkazhi and was called 12 different names of which one is Kazhumalam. Three Specialities of this temple are...

1. This place is named Kazhumalam, 

2. Theertham as Kazhumalam (one of the water channels that flows in the Sirkazhi City is called Kazhumalam) and 

3. Murti / Deity as Kazhumalaiamman. It is believed that the original name of this place was Kazhumalai, which has been corrupted to Kazhumalam. 

During the Chozha Period, this place was under Rajaraja Thirukazhumala Nadu and Rajathiraja Valanadu. This place was Kazhumala Nagar during the Sundarar Period and Brahmapuram during the Thirugnanasambandar Period.  The Amman obtained the name of this place as Kazhumalaiamman.

LEGENDS

The Locals call this temple as Pidari temple. As per hearsay, Pidari came to this temple and drove away the Saptamatrikas. Since the Saptamatrikas couldn’t come inside the Temple, they stayed in different places.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on annual function in the month Panguni/ 10 days before Chithirai Amavasya (new moon day). Bali Soru offering is an important event that will be held that night. 7 people used to go with various weapons like Aruva, Trishul, Semangalam, Bell, Vedalakattai, and Melam.  Soru mixed with the sacrificed calf’s blood will be offered in 4 directions of this temple. It was told that during that night the pregnant ladies would avoid staying in the territory of the temple. The Annual function of Sri Sattainathar Temple will be conducted only after this function.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the person who is conducting the poojas may be contacted to visit the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr. Dr. Saravanan may be contacted on his mobile at +919442275320 for darshan and further details.

HOW TO REACH

This Kazhumalaiamman temple is about a km from the Sri Sattainathar Temple.

The temple is about 1.7 km from Sirkazhi Railway Station, 7 km from Vaitheeswaran Kovil, 25 km from Mayiladuthurai, 66 km from Nagapattinam, and 239 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Sirkazhi Railway Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Nanmadhia Perumal Temple / ஶ்ரீ நான்மதிய பெருமாள் கோயில், Thalachangadu, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

The Heritage visit to this Sri Nanmathiya Perumal Temple at Thalachangadu was a part of the “Mada Temples Heritage Walk in Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai Districts”, organized by “Chozha Mandala Varalatru Thedal Kuzhu – GCHRG, on 05^th and 6^th March 2022. Thanks to V Ramachandran, Tahasildar of Nagapattinam, who took us to all these Temples. This place was called Thali Sanga Nanmadhiyam, which was corrupted to the present name of Thalachangadu.

This is one of the 108 Divya desam, and mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Alwar in his periya thirumozhi.

கண்ணார் கண்ணபுரம் கடிகை கடிகமழும்

தன்னார் தாமரைசூழ் தலைச்சங்க மேல் திசையுள்

விண்ணோர் நான்மதியை விரிகின்ற வெஞ்சுடரை

கண்ணாடரக் கண்டு கொண்டு களிக்கின்றதின்

கென்று கொலோ... ( 1736 பெரியதிருமொழி 8-9-9 )

மன்னுமணிமாடக்கோயில் மணாளனை

நல்நீர்த் தலைச்சங்கநான்மதியை.. ( பெரிய திருமடல் 132 )

.... திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்

Thirugnanasamandar also mentions this place, Thalaisangai, in his hymns on the Thalachangadu Shiva temple.

நலச்சங்க வெண் குழையும் தோடும் பெய்தோர் நால்வேதம்

சொலச்சங்கை இல்லாதீர் சுடுகாடு அல்லால் கருதாதீர்

குலைச் செங்காய்ப் பைங் கமுகின் குளிர்கொள் சோலைக்குயிலாலும்

தலைச்சங்கைக் கோயிலே கோயிலாகத்தாழ்ந்தீர்.

.... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

Moolavar  : Sri Nanmathiya Perumal

Utsavar    : Sri Vensudar Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Thalai Sanga Nachiyar / Chengamalavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are …..

The Temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are on the top of the arch. Periya Thiruvadi and Siriya Thiruvadi with poorna kumbha are below that.  Moolavar in the sanctum is in a standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Utsavar, with his consorts, is in front of moolavar.    

Lakshmi and Narashimahar are in the mandapam facing North. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s dasavatar images are inside the Vavval nethi mandapam. In the praharam Thayar Thalai Sanga Nachirar, Hanuman, Garudalwar, Andal, and Senai Mudhalvar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The mukha mandapam centre portion is of vavval vethi/ Vandikoodu mandapam may have been constructed during the Maratha period.

The mukha mandapam can be accessed from both sides with 7 steps. The sanctum sanctorum is on the lower level. Since the Lover level is not visible (filled with construction), the upper-level  Jagathi is only visible. The upper level is on a prati bandha adhistanam with padma jagathy, vrutha kumudam, and viyyalavari. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The bhitti and vimanam above the vedikai were constructed with brick.  

Eka tala vesara vmanam is called "Chandra Vimanam". The koshtams on the bhitti are empty. The greeva koshtams are like salai extended up to sigaram. Nasis is between greeva koshtams. Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam, along with Periya Thiruvadi.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since the Mangalasasanam of this temple was done by the 8th-century Thirumangai Alwar, the original temple might have existed before the 8^th Century. Also, it is believed that the original temple was constructed by Ko Chengat Chozha.

Later, the temple received contributions from the Chozhas and Marathas. Chozha period inscriptions are found on the adhistanam kumudam and padma jagathy.  

Maha Samprokshanam was conducted on 13^th June 2002 and again on 11^th September 2014.

Solar Lights are installed by Jaisai Solar Solutions from Trichy and Erode, who are blessed by the Ahobila mutt 45^th and 46^th pattam Azhagiya Singar, at Rs. 184150.00 in 2019.

LEGENDS

It is believed that this place might have obtained its name from the flower called Sangu, which was grown in this area during ancient times. Sri Nanmadhiya Perumal gave darshan to Chandran, Devaprunthagar, Devas, and Nithyasuris.

As per the legend, Chandra was the brother of Maha Lakshmi and was considered powerful next to the Sun. Chandra conducted a Rajasurayagna where he was attracted by Dhara, the wife of Guru. Dhara and Chandra had a son called Budhan through an illicit affair. Guru complained to Maha Vishnu and was cursed to be affected by leprosy. Chandra worshiped Maha Vishnu to get rid of the curse.

As per the legend, Chandra married 27 daughters of Daksha, but he was more affectionate with Rohini. So the others complained to their father, Daksha, who cursed Chandra to lose his power. To get relieved from the Curse, Chandran came to this place, created a theertham, and worshiped Sri Nanmadhiya Perumal. Perumal relieved Chandran from the curse. Hence, this temple’s vimanam is called "Chandra Vimanam", and theertham is called "Chandra Pushkarani".   

In another legend, while Vinayagar was returning from a feast with Kubera, a snake crossed their way. The vahana Moonchuru got frightened and started running amok. Due to this, Vinayagar had fallen down and vomited up what he had eaten. Seeing this, Chandra laughed. angered Vinayagar and cursed Chandra for losing his power.  The two legends are also connected with Lord Shiva, who will lose his power for 15 days due to a curse and regain the power for 15 days as a boon from Lord Shiva, in this case, from Maha Vishnu.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on all Vaishnavite important days, like Pavithrotsavam in the month of Purattasi, Rama Navami, Krishna Jayanthi, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Navaratri, New Year Days, etc.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 09.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs, and 15.00 to 17.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number of Varadharajan Bhattar, who comes from Mayiladuthurai, +91 99652 73712,  may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The Temple is about a km from Thalachangadu, 18.6 km from Sirkazhi, 23 km from Mayiladuthurai, 30 km from Karaikal, 50 km from Nagapattinam, and 255 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway station is Sirkazhi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Mayiladuthurai District Temples

PLACE	DESCRIPTION
Akkur	Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple
Anandathandavapuram	Sri Panchavateeswarar Temple
Anniyur	Agnipureeswarar Temple
Eluppaipattu / Iluppaipattu	Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple
Ethirkolpadi	Sri Iyravatheswarar Temple
Kalikkamoor/ Annappanpettai	Sri Sundareswarar Temple
Kazheesirama Vinnagaram	Thirivikrama Perumal Temple
Keelaperumpallam	Sri Naganatha Swamy Temple
Keezhachalai	Sri Madhava Perumal Temple
Keezhperumpallam	Sri Naganatha Swamy Temple
Konerirajapuram	Sri Uma Maheswarar Temple
Korukkai	Veeratteswarar Temple
Kozhikuthi	Vanamutti Perumal / Srinivasa Perumal
Kurumanakkudi	Sri Kannayiram Udayar Temple
Kuthalam/ Thiruthuruthi	Sri Ukthavedeeswarar temple
Mangaimadam	Sri Veera Narasimha Perumal Temple
Mannipallam	Sri Adhi Vaidyanathar Temple
Mayiladuthurai	Sri Mayuranathar Temple
Nidur	Somanathaswami Temple
Pallavanecharam-Poombuhar	Sri Pattinathar Temple
Parthanpalli	Sri Aranya Sundareswarar Temple
Peruncheri	Sri Vakiswarar Temple
Ponsei / Thirunanipalli	Sri Natrunaiappar Temple
Poompuhar	Sri Pallavaneswarar Temple
Porayar	Bethlehem Church
Sayavanam/ Chayavanam	Sri Chayavaneswarar Temple
Sembanarkoil	Sri Swarnapureeswarar temple
Sirkazhi	Sattainathar Temple
Sirkazhi	Sri Kazhumalaiamman Temple
Sirkazhi	Sri Sattainathar Temple
Sirkazhi (Raghu Sthalam )	Sri Nageswaram Udayar Temple
Sitharkadu (Sitharkkadu )	Chitrambala Nadigal Jeeva Samadhi
Thalachangadu	Sri Nanmadhiya Perumal Temple
Thalachangadu	Sri Sangaranyeswarar Temple
Thalainayar	Kutram Porutha Nathar Temple
Tharangambadi	Holy Rosary Church
Tharangambadi	Zion Church
Tharangampadi	Jerusalem Church
Then Thirumullaivasal	Mullaivananathar Temple
Therazhundur	Sri Devaadhiraja Temple
Therazhundur	Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple
Thillaiyadi	Sri Saarnthaarai Kaatha Shiva Temple
Thillaiyadi	Sri Saarntharai Kaatha Eswaran Temple
Thiru Vaigal	Sri Vaikalnathar Temple
Thiru Vilanagar	Sri Thurai Kattum Vallal Temple
Thiruindalur	Parimala Ranganatha Perumal Temple
Thirukadaiyur	Sri Amirthakadeswarar Temple
Thirukadaiyur	Sri Amirthakadeswarar Temple
Thirukadaiyur	Sri Amirthanarayana Perumal Temple
Thirukadaiyur	Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple
Thirukadaiyur, T Manalmedu	Sri Markandeyar Temple (Sri Mirugandeswarar Temple)
Thirukadaiyur, T Manalmedu	Sri Markandeyar Temple (Sri Mirugandeswarar Temple)
Thirukadaiyur, Thirumeignanam	Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple
Thirukkurukavur	Sri Velvidainathar Temple
Thirukolakka	Sapthapureeswarar Temple
Thirukolakka	Sapthapureeswarar Temple
Thirukolakka	Sri Sapthapureeswarar Temple
Thirukozhambam	Sri Kokileswarar Temple
Thirukuraiyalur	Sri Ugra Narasimha Temple
Thirukurakkuka	Sri Kundaleswarar Temple
Thirumanancheri	Shri Uthvaganathasamy Temple
Thirumeignanam	Sri Gnanaparameswarar Temple
Thirunagari	Vedarajan Temple / Kalyana Ranganathar
Thirunangur	Sri Kudamaadu Koothan Perumal Temple
Thirunangur	Sri Vaikunta Perumal Temple
Thirunangur	Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple
Thirunangur	Thiruvanpurushothamam Temple
Thirunangur, Manimadakkovil	Sri Narayana Perumal Temple
Thirunangur, Parthanpalli	Sri Thamaraiyal Kelvan Perumal Temple
Thirunangur, Thiruchemponsei	Sri Sempon Arangar Temple
Thirunangur, Thirukkavalambadi	Sri Gopala Krishna Perumal Temple
Thirunangur, ThiruthetraiAmbalam	Sri Senganmal Ranganathar Temple
Thirunangur, Thiruvellakulam	Chozha period Ayyanar
Thirunanriyur	Sri Mahalakshmeeswarar Temple
Thiruneelakkudi	Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple
Thiruninriyur	Sri Mahalakshmeeswarar Temple
Thirupariyalur	Sri Veeratteswarar Temple
Thiruppungur	Sri Sivalokanathar Temple
Thirupungur	Sri Sivaloganatha Swamy Temple
Thiruvaduthurai	Sri Masilamaniswarar Temple
Thiruvalampuram	Sri Valampuranathar Temple
Thiruvalangadu	Sri Vadaranyeswarar Temple
Thiruvali	Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar / Azhagiyasingar
Thiruvellakulam	Sri Annan Perumal Temple
Thiruvellakulam	Sri Annan Perumal Temple
Thiruvellakulam/ Annankoil	Sri Annan Perumal Temple
Thiruvelvikudi	Kalyanasundareswarar Temple
Thiruvengadu	Sri Swetharanyeswarar Temple
Thiruvengadu	Sri Swetharanyeswarar Temple
Thiruvidaikazhi	Sri Balasubramaniar Temple
Thiruvidaikazhi	Sri Balasubramaniyar Temple
ThiruvidaiKazhi	Sri Subramaniyar Temple
Tiruvalaputhur	Manickavannar Temple
Vaitheeswaran Koil	Sri Adhi Vaitheeswarar Temple
Vaitheeswaran Koil	Sri Vaidyanathar Temple
Vazhuvur	Sri Gajasamkaramurthy Temple
Vazhuvur	Sri Veeratteswarar Temple