Sri Narasimha Swamy Temple - A Rock Cut Cave temple, at Namakkal, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

27^th July 2017.

After dharshan of Sri Anjaneyar, Mr Srinivasan joined with us at Sri Narasimhaswamy temple, We went round the temple observing various sculptures and reliefs.

( Photos from Web site Thanks to the unknown photographer )

Moolavar : Sri Narasimhaswamy

Thayar    : Sri Namagiri Thayar

Some of the important details of this temple are…

The  temple is facing west on the west side of the hill with semi finished Rajagopuram with arch. Sannadhi for Nammalvar, Ramar, Udayavar, Lakshmi Narasimhar. There is no vimana over the sanctum since this sanctum is a rock cut cave. The sanctum has three cells with 5 panels of Vishnu’s various avatars.

The first panel on the left is the Vaikuntha Narayana Perumal where Vishnu  as Vaikuntha seated on five hooded Ananta or Adisesha with one leg folded and the other leg raised. Discus and conch are on the upper hand. Bala Narasimha reveals to the gods, that he will destroy Asura King Hiranyakashipu ( who was a Dwarapalaka in his previous birth to Vishnu ) in the form of man- Lion.

( Photos from Web site Thanks to the unknown photographer )

In the left of centre panel the Ugra Narasimha in which Narasimhar tears Hiranyakasipu with his nails,  keeping him on his lap and mouth wide open. The Upper hand holds the Chakra, Conch, Sword and bow. This is as per the boon obtained from Brahma, that he should not be killed by a man or animal, inside or out side, Day or night with out any weapon.

( Photos from Web site Thanks to the unknown photographer )

In the centre panel the seated Narasimha is the principle deity of this cave who is under worship. Shiva ( Rudra ) on his right and Brahma on his left. Near the head are Sun ( Surya ), Chandra ( Moon ), Sanaka and Sanandana in flying posture. Lakshmi is not shown in this Panel instead the Bhattar shows the Lakshmi in the ornament which Narasimhar is wearing.

To the right of the principle deity, the  panel is the Varaha or Boar avatar of Vishnu, rescued Mother earth  from the demon Hiranyaksha. This theme is being followed by Gupta, Chalukya, Pallava and other early dynasties. There is a separate rock cut cave at Mahabalipuram exclusively for Varaha. The Disciples of Lord Dakshinamurthy  Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanathanar and Sanathkumara also mentioned here as they sang hymns in praise of Vishnu.

( Photos from Web site Thanks to the unknown photographer )

On the right side is the Thiruvikrama panel in which Vamana ( dwarf ) avatar of Vishnu describes the event of King Mahabali gifting 3 foot land to Vamana without listening to his guru Shukracharya. His right leg is up showing the sky as the second step and Bali’s head as third step.

( Photos from Web site Thanks to the unknown photographer ) 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Though this cave temple resemble the architectural style of Pallava dynasty, but belongs to 8th Century Adiyaman rulers of Kongu region. As per the inscriptions found on the walls  describes this Ranganatha temple as “Atiyanaatha Vishnu graham”, a shrine built by the Atiya King Gunasila.

Another inscription refers to the Adityendra Vishnu graham and to the Atiya Kula.

Narasinga Perumal Cave Temple Inscriptions. These inscriptions are recorded in “Salem – Namakkal mavatta KalvettukkaL”.

கொங்கு மண்டலப் பகுதியில் உள்ள கம்மியர், சிங்கப்பெருமாள் மற்றும் பள்ளிகொண்டப் பெருமான் கோவில்களின் திருப்பணிக்காகக் ( ஜீர்னோதாரனம் ) குடிக்கொரு பணமும் ஒரு மிடா தானியமும் கொடுத்த உடன்பாட்டு ஆவணம். இந்த உடன்பாட்டைச் செய்தவர்கள் குடாக ஊரவர்கள்.  

This is an agreement given by the kammiyar of Kudaka Villagers to Singa Perumal and Pallikonda Perumal temples Thirupani ( Jeernodharana ). Collecting one panam and one mida ( moda  - a pot full of ) Thanyam ( Thanyam means rice or millets etc ) per family.  

வாயிலின் இடப்புறசுவரில் உள்ள 17 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு கல்வெட்டு சுவாமி நாயக்கர் அரையன் கருவூலத்துக்குக் கோவில் தானிகர், மணியக்காரர், கணக்குப்பிள்ளை, பாளையக்காரர் ஆகியோர் அளித்த மரியாதை முறி ஆவணம். இக்கோவிலில் மடப்பள்ளி உக்கிராணத்தில் இறைவனுக்குப் பூசை செய்யாத ( சோபச் சக்கரம் ) சர்க்கரைப் பொங்கலை அமுது எனப் பாராமல் யாரேனும் பெற்றாலும், திருடினாலும் பாவம் அடைவர் என்பதைப் பதிவு செய்கின்றது.

The 17^th Century inscription on the left side entrance of the shrine records that a document given by the Swami nayakkar, Araiyan of Treasury, Maniaykarar, Accountant and palayakarar. This document records that it is a sin, if any body takes or steal the naivedyam before offer to God from the Thirumadaipalli / Kitchen.

இக் கல்வெட்டுப் பல துண்டுகளாக ஆங்காங்குப் பதிக்கப்பெற்றுள்ளது. 11 கல்வெட்டு செய்திகளாக பதிவு செய்யப்பட்டு உள்ளது.  மூன்றாம் இராசராசனைன் காலத்தைச் ( 1228 CE ) சார்ந்ததாக எடுத்துக் கொள்ளப்பட்டு உள்ளது. ஒரு கல்துண்டு இராசராசசோழனின் 9ஆம் ஆட்சியாண்டைக் குறிப்புகிறது. கோவில் பணிக்காக நிலம் கொடையாக அளித்தசெய்தி குறிப்பிடப் பெற்றுள்ளது. மற்றொரு துண்டுக்கல்லில் விடுகாதநாகிய வத்தராமன் என்பவர் குறிப்பிடப்பெற்றுள்ளார். நாட்டவரில் பலருடைய பெயர்கள் இடம்பெற்றுள்ளன. மூன்றாவது துண்டுக்கல் இறைவன் எம்பெருமான் சிங்கப்பெருமாளுக்கு நிலத்தைக் கொடையாகக் காசியப்பன் செந்தாமரைக் கண்ணன் என்பார் அளித்த செய்தியைக் குறிப்பிடுகிறது, மற்றொரு துண்டுக்கல் அரசன் பெயர் அறிய இயலாத இண்டாம் ஆட்சியாண்டைக் குறிப்பிடுகிறது. கோவிலுக்குத் திருவிடையாட்டமாக இறையிலி நிலம் அளித்த செய்தியைக் குறிப்பிடுகிறது. கல்வெட்டுப் பகுதி சிதைந்துள்ளது.

This inscription  contains the 11 fragment inscriptions on the centre wall of the shrine. These inscriptions records Rajaraja-III’s 9^th reign year, mentions a person’s name Vidukatha nakiya Vaththaraman, many persons name, A land was gifted to Singa Perumal by Kasiappan Senthamarai Kannan, another one gift of land as Thiruvidayattam etc,. 

But most of the people including Bhattar tells us that the caves were excavated during Pallava Period.  The front mandapas are extended during Vijayanagara Period at a latter periods.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.30 Hrs to 13.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Official web site :

http://www.namakkalanjaneyartemple.tnhrce.in/ & http://namakkalnarasimhaswamyanjaneyartemple.org/history.html

Contact land line and mobile numbers are +914286 233999 and +91 0443826099.

HOW TO REACH:

Bus facilities are available from major cities of Tamil Nadu.

The temple is about a km distance from Bus stand and lot of share autos are available from arch.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

 Front mandapam has the relief of cow milking on Shiva lingam in a Vishnu Temple

 The temple  mandapam might have been constructed by these husband and wife 

 What is this emblem ?

 What is this emblem ?

 The Chariot under renovation 

 The Chariot under renovation 

The Chariot under renovation

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---  

Namakkal Fort / நாமக்கல் கோட்டை, Namakkal, namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

27^th July 2017.

After our darshan of Sri Narasimha Swamy, Mrs Sakthi Prakash and Srinivasan started climbing up to the fort. The hill is of single rock with out any trees. There are many stories connected to this hill with Sri Anjaneyar. The Kamalalayam tank with mandapam is at the foot hills. It was little difficult to climb up under the scorching sun. Hand rails are provided by ASI for easy climbing of 300 and odd steps. The hill is about 75 meters ( 246 feet ) high.

The fort is built on the top of the  hill with a single entrance faces east on the south side. The fort was built by Senthamangalam Palayakarar Ramachandra Nayakar, a Vijayanagara chieftain who ruled Namakkal during 17^th century. It is believed that Tippu sultan was holding the fort for some period and hid in this fort, to escape from British. Latter the Fort came under the control of British.

The entrance was constructed in such a way that the enemy cannot have direct access from the south. A continuous wall is constructed around the top of the hill  with granite stones and the top arches are built with brick and mortar. Holes are provided on the arches to shoot the enemies from top. There are provisions made to keep the cannons at the entrance. Artificial ponds were created to store water. In the fort, the structures remaining are, an east facing 13th century Sundarapandian Period Narasimha temple ( inscriptions speaks about the land donation ) with a Deepasthambham, ammunition go-down guarded by the boulders kept of east side, a mosque and two nos of dilapidated brick masonry buildings ( grain storage go-downs). The Narasimha temple without Vimana is still in worship with oru kala pooja. The donation of land inscription is found on the Narasimhar temple base.

LOCATION OF THE FORT :CLICK HERE

The  Perumal Temple History and Inscription

These inscriptions are records in Salem – Namakkal Mavatta kalvettukkal.

இரண்டாம் சடையவர்மன் சுந்தர பாண்டியனின்   கி.பி. 1279 கல்வெட்டு திருவாரைக்கல் மலைமேல் உள்ள அருளாள விண்ணகரான ஏதிரிலிப்பெருமாளுக்குப் பதினோரு காணி நிலம் இறையிலியாக ஏழூர் நாட்டு சபையோரும் நாட்டோரும் முதலீடாக  / உடலாக, திருவமுதுக்கும் திருவிளக்குக்கும் விடப்பெற்றமையைப் பதிவு செய்கின்றது. .

Sadayavarman Sundara Pandian-II’s 1279 inscription records the gift of 11 Kani land as a cpital for Naivedyam and burning a lamp to Arulala Vinnakarar alias Ethirili Perumal by the ezhur Nattu sabha and Nattar.   

கோயிலின் வாயிற் சுவற்றில் உள்ள 17 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு தமிழ் மற்றும் கன்னட மொழிகல்வெட்டு, ஒரே செய்தியை இருமொழிகளிலும் எழுதப்பட்டு உள்ளது. கசபதி திப்ரச உடையார் குமாரன் லக்ஷ்மிகாந்த அரசர் என்று பதிவு செய்கின்றது.

The 17^th Century Tamil and Kannada Inscription records the same message. The Inscription records as  Kasapathi Thiprasa Udaiyar’s son Lakshmikantha Arasar.

   

The inscription on the Narasimha Swamy’s Temple base speaks about the land donation

 ammunition go-down 

 ammunition go-down guarded by the boulders kept of east side

 dilapidated brick masonry buildings

Holes are provided on the arches to shoot the enemies from top.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Anjaneyar Temple / நாமக்கல் ஆஞ்சநேயர் கோயில், நாமக்கல் / Namakkal, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

27^th July 2017.

It was planned to visit Namakkal after attending Sri Veeramathi Amman’s annual festival at Talkuni, Kolappalur on 27^th July 2017. Self and Mrs Sakthi Prakash started from Erode by bus around 08.00 hrs.  It was about 2 hours journey from Erode via Tiruchengode. Upon reaching Namakkal, we preferred to walk to Sri Anjaneyar Temple from bus stand, which is about a km.  First we, had the darshan of Sri Anjaneyar.

This temple is just opposite to Sri Narasimha Swamy cave temple. Moolavar Sri Anjaneyar with a sword on his waist and holding saligrama mala. Anjaneyar is made from a monolithic stone of 18 feet high facing east under open sky. There are 4 four pillars standing near Sri Anjaneyar. On the wall of prakaram drawings of Anjaneya's various legends.   It  is believed that the temple was built during 5^th century AD,  but no evidence is found.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be opened between 06.30 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Official web site : http://www.namakkalanjaneyartemple.tnhrce.in/ & http://namakkalnarasimhaswamyanjaneyartemple.org/history.html

Contact land line and mobile numbers are +914286 233999 and +91 0443826099.

HOW TO REACH:

Bus facilities are available from major cities of Tamil Nadu.

The temple is about a km distance from Bus stand and lot of share autos are available from arch.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 --OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Ardhanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu - In Search of History – Kongu Nadu – A Heritage Walk.

 13^th November 2016.

We, six history enthusiasts M/s Srinivasan. Raja, Nandhakumar, Santhosh and Vijay trekked the Tiruchengode hill through steps, in which the 7^th century poet and one of the Nayanmar Thirugnanasambandar trekked the hill to have the darshan of Sri Ardhanareeswarar. Even though the hill temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Chengottu Velavar, Sri Subramanya Swamy is given more importance.

  

The Tiruchengode hill was called as Kodimadachengundram during 7^th century and Nayanmars also mentioned in their hymns. Even though I had been to Sri Ardhanareeswarar temple number of times, this time we had seen the temple and the hill in  a different perspective. From start  of the steps to the Sanctum we had seen Chozha, Kongu Chozha,  Pandya, Vijayanagars, Kettimudali, Udayars, Nayaks and Britishers contributions. Yes Britishers too contributed to this temple.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS:
We have inscriptions  from 10^th century on the hill by the side of the steps. The Kings and individuals who contributed to this temple are  Chozha King 1^st Rajendran ( 1032 CE),  Chozha King Rajakesari Varman ( 10^th century), Chozha King ( Kongu - 13^th Century), Chozha King 3^rd Rajendran ( may be Kongu Chozha )( 13^th century ),  Pandya king 2^nd Sadaiyavarma Sundaran ( 13^th century),  Kongu Chozhan Veera Rajendran ( 13^th century ), Vijayanagar ( 16^th century), Veerapradhaba Krishnaraya Maharayar,  Krishnadeva Maharayar, Sadasiva Maharayar, Nallathambi Kangeyan, Athappa Nallathambi Kangeyan, Athappa Irumudi Nallathambi Kangeyan ( 17^th century ) Kumaraswamy kangeyan, Nayakkar  Viswanatha Chokkalingan, Vijayanagara ( 17^th century )  Nayakar Chokkanathan, Narashima Udayar, Nayakkar Boththu 9 18^th Century ). Of the above Chozha King 3^rd Rajendran has the maximum number of contributions.  ( for the copy of the inscriptions …. Please CLICK HERE ).

The inscriptions mainly speaks about gold, land, coins, mandapas, ponds to store water donated to Lord Shiva for the naivedyam, poojas, Thirumanjanam, Annathanam, Burning of perpetual lamp, celebrating functions and chanting of Vedas & hymns.  Now it is very sad to note these inscriptions are being destroyed by cutting of snake reliefs in the name of pariharam.

 Inscriptions - Near the Nagar Temple 

 Inscriptions - Near the Nagar Temple 

 Inscriptions - Near the Nagar Temple 

 Inscriptions between 325 to 365 steps 

 Inscriptions between 325 to 365 steps - see how do the people destroyed the inscriptions by cutting Nagars  

 Inscriptions between 325 to 365 steps - see how do the people destroyed the inscriptions by cutting Nagars 

 Inscriptions near 60 steps 

 Inscriptions near 60 steps 

There is no separate inscription of the Britishers. Davis W D ( 19^th century ) an acting collector of Salem renovated the Vigneswarar Mandapam and his relief is on one of the pillar and also on the rock near the Sanctum. ( He also constructed a mandapam and a marriage hall for Sri Sukavaneswarar temple in Salem Town ).

 DAVIS, W D ( 19th century )The Salem collector since 1923 to 1926. He constructed the Vigneswarar sannadhi mandapam, whose relief is also on one of the pillar  

LOCATION :CLICK HERE

FOR MORE PHOTOS AND INSCRIPTIONS ON GOOGLE :CLICK HERE 

 Cutting the nose of the defeated kings soldiers – a relief  - Mainly available in Salem dist temples 

 The person killing the tiger and his dog also biting the tiger.

 Jeyshta Devi- or the Thavvai Thai still in worship

  Ayyanar 

 Bell structure was donated by the Britishers and the supporting rail was imported from UK during 1910

 Bell structure was donated by the Britishers and the supporting rail was imported from UK during 1910

Old bell  donated by and individual of course not used now 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---