Showing posts with label Temples & Sculptures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Temples & Sculptures. Show all posts

Thursday 28 March 2024

Sri Meenakshi Sameda Sri Sundareswarar Temple / ஶ்ரீ மீனாட்சி சமேத ஶ்ரீசுந்தரேஸ்வரர் ஆலயம், 66 Kothangudi, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple at Kothangudi was a Part of “Kumbakonam Temples Visit” - on 09th March 2024. Since I couldn't join the Thukkachi Kumbhabhishekam & Heritage walk organized by கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம்2nd and 3rd September 2023, visited this temple, previous day of the Saptha Mangai Temples Visit, on 10th March 2024. 


This temple is also called as Bemeswaram. This is also one of the Devara vaippu sthalam, sung by Thirugnanasambandar in Kshetra kovai Pathigam, as “Kuthangudi Vedikudi Punalsoozh Kurundankudi...” and thevaram goes as…  

குத்தங்குடி வேதிகுடி புனல்சூழ்
    குருந்தங்குடி தேவன்குடி மருவும்
அத்தங்குடி தண்டிருவன் குடியும்
    அலம் புஞ்சலந்தன் சடை வைத்துகந்த
நித்தன் நிமலன் உமையோடுங்கூட
    நெடுங்காலம் உறைவிடம் என்று சொல்லாப்
புத்தர் புறங்கூறிய புன் சமணர்
    நெடும் பொய்களை விட்டு நினைந்துய்ம்மினே.
… Thirumurai 2-175-10

Moolavar          : Sri Sundareswarar / Santhana Sundareswarar
Consort            : Sri Meenakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…
A Temple arch is on the Road, constructed in 2018. The Entrance arch is with stucco image of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar. The temple is facing east  with a balipeedam and rishabam. Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a square avudayar, in little slanting position ( to hear the prayers of Devotees ). The Lingam is in the rare Chaturasra Vrutham shape. In koshtam, vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Maha Lakshmi, Chandikeswarar, Nalvar, Suriyan, Chandran, Bairavar, Navagrahas, Ayyappan and Adi Sankarar.

Old Chandikeswarar, Murugan / Maha Vishnu and Ambal idols are installed on a platform.


Rudraksha canopy

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a open mukha mandapam. The Ambal sannidhi is facing South in the ardha mandapam.

The temple was reconstructed during recent years without following any temple architecture. An Eka tala Dravida Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum.



HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple was reconstructed by the Srimathi Mahalakshmi Subramaniam in memory of Ve Krishnamurthi Ayyar, on behalf of Mahalakshmi Charitable trust and the public participation. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 10th April 2017. 

Thorana vayil was constructed on the road side and opened on 17th November 2018.




LEGENDS
This is one of the puthra bakya sthalam. – கொஞ்சி விளையாட கொத்தங்குடி நாதா குழந்தை வரம் தருவாய்..is usual phrase of the devotees. After the Child was born, devotees kept their child in the cradle kept at the temple. Two parihara poojas are to be done, one before the pregnancy keeping the Santhana Sundareswarar in the cradle and after delivery, the Child in the Cradle.


It is believed that Surya worshiped Shiva of this temple. The sun Rays falls on Moolavar on 4 days from Panguni month full moon day.

It is believed that the Beema, of Pancha Pandavas and one of the Characters of epic Mahabharata, worshipped Shiva of this temple. Hence this place is called as Beemeswaram. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, maha Shivaratri etc.




Anjaneyar
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
Parihara poojas will be done between 07.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 18.30 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
Bhattacharya Venkatraman may be contacted on his mobile +918056220511 for further details.

HOW TO REACH
The temple is about a km off from Mathur to Nannilam Road, On Kumbakonam to Thiruvarur, turn left towards Nannilam after Nachiyarkoil.
The temple is about 13.2 KM from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 30 KM from Thiruvarur, 54 KM from Thanjavur,
Nearest Railway station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE











Thorana vayil on Road side
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Tuesday 19 March 2024

Abhi Mukheswarar Temple / அபி முகேஸ்வரர் சிவாலயம், Kumbakonam. Kumbakonam District, ( Thanjavur District ), Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Abhi Mukheswarar Temple, close to Mahamaham Tank, at Kumbakonam was a part of Divya Desams around Kumbakonam and Thanjavur Visit on 10th and 11th February 2024, organized by Culture Circuit. This is also one of the 12 temples, that participates in Mahamaham festival, which celebrates once in 12 years.


Moolavar  :  Sri Abhi Mukheswarar
Consort    :  Sri Amirthavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing west with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are in front of sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Ardhanareeswarar, Brahma and Durgai.

In praharam, Chandikeswarar, Nagars, Bairavar ( two, Swarna Bairavar ), Adipooramman and Shiva Lingas.

Ardhanareeswarar
Brahma

Bairava

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattika. The Bhitti starts with vedika and the Pilasters are of brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, and kapotam with nasi kudus. The one tala bricks vesara Vimanam is on the prastaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma are on tala and greeva koshtams. Ashtadikpalakas are also on the tala and greevam. The Sigaram is of vesara style.




HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple belongs to 09th to 10th century Chozha Period. Latter reconstructed by the Thanjavur Nayakas and Marathas period.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 26th October 2015.

LEGENDS
It is believed that Shri Shiva gave darshan to all the sacred nine rivers also called as Nava kannis ( Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswati, Kaveri, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Krishna and Sarayu ), and took them to cleanse their Sin after taking bath in the Mahamaham Tank on masi Maham Day. Hence Shiva is called as Abhimukeshwarar

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Masi Magha nakshatra day, Mahamaham theerthavari, etc,.

This is one of the 12 Shiva Temples, that participates in Mahamaham Theerthavari festival, which occurs once in 12 Years. The list of 12 Shiva temples and 5 Vaishnava temples of Kumbakonam used to join  and celebrate this Mahamaha festival are given below.

Shiva Temples are…
1.          Kasi Viswanathar Temple,
2.          Adi Kumbeswarar Temple,
3.          Someswarar Temple,
4.          Nageswaraswamy Temple,
5.          Kalahasteeswarar Temple,
6.          Gauthameswarar Temple,
7.          Kodeeswarar Temple,
8.          Amirthakadeswarar Temple,
9.          Banapuriswarar Temple,

11.      Kambatta Viswanathar Temple and

12.      EkambareswararTemple.

The Maha Vishnu Temples are…
1.          Sarangapani Temple,
2.          Chakrapani Temple, 
3.          Ramaswamy Temple,
4.          Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and
5.          Varaha Perumal Temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The land line number 0435 – 2420276, may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH
The temple is 1 KM from Kumbakonam Railway Station and Kumbakonam Bus Stand.
The temple is about 36 KM from Thiruvaiyaru, 44 KM from Thanjavur, 47 KM from Thiruvarur and 282 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE





This lady sculpture is installed along with Nagars. May be a naga kanni or hero stone. Since turmeric is applied, couldn't be identified 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Monday 18 March 2024

Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple / அருள்மிகு காசி விசுவநாதர் திருக்கோவில், Kumbakonam, Kumbakonam District ( Thanjavur District ), Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple, close to Mahamaham Tank, at Kumbakonam was a part of Divya Desams around Kumbakonam and Thanjavur Visit on 10th and 11th February 2024, organized by Culture Circuit. This is also one of the 12 temples, that participates in Mahamaham festival, which celebrates once in 12 years.


Moolavar  : Sri Kasi Viswanathar
Consort    : Sri Visalakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing west with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Dwarapalakas on flat stone slabs are after the Rajagopuram. Moolavar is on a square avudayar. In koshtam. Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. Nalvars are in the ardha Mandapam

In praharam Vinayagar, Bairavar, Suryan, Saniswaran, Chandran, Saptamatrikas,  Anjaneyar and Mahishamardini ( on pillars ), Somaskandar, Nava kannis, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswati, Kaveri, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Krishna, Sarayu, Natarajar, and Navagrahas.

Nava kannis - Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswati, Kaveri, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Krishna and Sarayu.

Saptamatrikas


ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and Adhistanam. The adhistanam is on the padma peetam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam and pattika. The Bhitti starts with vedika. The Pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with square base, kalasam, kudam, mandi, palakai and poo mottu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasikudu.

A tala bricks vesara Vimanam is on the prastaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma are on the Tala, Greeva koshtas. Ashtadikpalakas are also on the greeva koshtams.




HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple belongs to early Chozha’s period ie 09th to 10th century and latter reconstructed by Vijayanagaras and Thanjavur Nayaks.

An inscriptions records that this temple participated in 1992 and 2004 Mahamaham Theerthavari.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 07th July 1985,  09th February 2014.




LEGENDS
It is believed that Shri Shiva  used to lead all the sacred nine rivers also called as Nava kannis ( Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswati, Kaveri, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Krishna and Sarayu ), to cleanse their Sin through taking bath in the Mahamaham Tank on Masi Magam Day. This is depicted in the form of stucco images on the arch in front of the Temple Rajagopuram.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Masi Magam nakshatra day, Mahamaham theerthavari, etc,.

One of the speciality of this temple is, for any celebrations in temples in Kumbakonam, putru man / anthill mud will be taken from this temple except Nageswara Swamy temple,

This is one of the 12 Shiva Temple, that participates in Mahamaham Theerthavari festival, which occurs once in 12 Years. The 12 Shiva temples and 5 Vaishnava temples of Kumbakonam used to join  and celebrate this Mahamaha festival.

Shiva Temples are…
1.          Kasi Viswanathar Temple,
2.          Adi Kumbeswarar Temple,
3.          Someswarar Temple,
4.          Nageswaraswamy Temple,
5.          Kalahasteeswarar Temple,
6.          Gauthameswarar Temple,
7.          Kodeeswarar Temple,
8.          Amirthakadeswarar Temple,
9.          Banapuriswarar Temple,
10.      Abhi Mukheswarar Temple,

11.      Kambatta Viswanathar Temple and

12.      EkambareswararTemple.
The Maha Vishnu Temples are…
1.          Sarangapani Temple,
2.          Chakrapani Temple, 
3.          Ramaswamy Temple,
4.          Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and
5.          Varaha Perumal Temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The land line number +91435 2400658, may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH
The temple is 1 KM from Kumbakonam Railway Station and Kumbakonam Bus Stand.
The temple is about 36 KM from Thiruvaiyaru, 44 KM from Thanjavur, 47 KM from Thiruvarur and 282 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE







--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---