Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai Sculptures / ஜேஷ்டா தேவி / தவ்வைத்தாய் of Perum Pazhuvur, Melapazhuvur, Thirupazhuvur in Ariyalur District and Valikandapuram in Perambalur Districts, Tamil Nadu.

The Jyeshta Devi sculptures are parivara Devathai shrines of main temples in Ariyalur and Perambalur Districts was a part of “Perambalur & Ariyalur Districts Heritage Walk” organised by Aatrupadai - ஆற்றுப்படை – A Tours and Heritage group on 4^th and 5^th , November 2023.

These Jyeshta Devi sculptures are in the Pazhuvettarayar period temples, which indicates that Jyeshta Devi worship might be very much popular during their period. Almost all the sculptures are with similar iconography, but with slight variations. All Jyeshta Devi’s are slim, elegant and beautiful, compared to Thondai mandalam Jyeshta Devi sculptures.

Jyeshta Devi at Valeeswarar Temple, at Valikandapuram, Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu.

In this Jyeshta Devi sculpture looks very beautiful. She is in sitting posture along with Manthan and Manthi. She is shown with karanda makudam, ornaments around the neck, in elongated earlobes and sannaveeram. Crow flag is shown on the right side of her back. The right hand is in abhaya hastam and left hand is resting on the seat. This Jyeshta Devi is under worship in the praharam on the back side of the main temple. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Jyeshta Devi at Twin Temples, Keezhaiyur, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

In this Jyeshta Devi sculpture, Jyeshta Devi is in sitting posture along with Manthan and Manthi. She is shown with karanda makudam, ornaments around the neck, in elongated earlobes and sannaveeram. The surface seems to be unfinished behind, hence the crow flag and broom stick couldn’t identified. She is holding a flower in the right hand. This Jyeshta Devi is not under worship.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Jyeshta Devi at Sri Sundareswarar Temple, Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Melapalur, Ariyalur District, Tamil nadu.

In this Jyeshta Devi looks very beautiful, is in sitting posture along with Manthan and Manthi. She is shown with karanda makudam, ornaments around the neck &  in elongated earlobes and sannaveeram. A crow flag is shown on her left side. She is holding a flower in the right hand. This Jyeshta Devi is under worship in a separate sannidhi on the back side of the main temple.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 

Jyeshta Devi at Maravaneeswarar Mahadevar Temple, Keezha Pazhuvur, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

In this Jyeshta Devi sculpture, She looks very beautiful, in sitting posture along with Manthan and Manthi. She is shown with karanda makudam, ornaments around the neck & in elongated earlobes and sannaveeram. Crow flag and broom stick are not shown. She is holding a flower in the right hand and the left hand is on her thigh like ooru hastam. This Jyeshta Devi is under worship in a separate sannidhi on the back side of the main temple. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Kailasanathar Temple with Jyeshta Devi / ஸ்ரீ கைலாசநாதர் கோயில், ஜேஷ்டாதேவி / தவ்வைத்தாய், Kalianur / Kaliyanoor, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Kailasanathar Temple at Kalianur, was a Part of “Shiva & Vishnu Temples and Hero Stones of Tiruvallur District Visit” on 21^st October 2023.

 

While searching for some Unique sculptures of Tiruvallur District on the google map, found this temple’s Thavvai / Jyeshta Devi. Decided to cover this temple also along with other temples and Hero stones. This temple is on the banks of Holy river Kosasthalaiyar.

Moolavar  : Sri Kailasanathar

Consort    : Sri Ganathkanaga Thadanga

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with an entrance from south side. Balipeedam and rishabam are on the east side of the temple. Stucco images of Shiva. Parvati, Vinayagar and Murugan are on the top of the east side wall. Stucco Ambal is on the top of the entrance to the ardha mandapam and Dwajarapalakas on both sides. Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is little large on a round avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi in the ardha mandapam with dwarapalakis are on both side of the entrance. Ambal is facing South in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

In praharam Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Surian and Hanuman. 

 Chandikeswarar

THAVVAI / JYESHTA DEVI.

This sannidhi is just north compound wall of the temple. Jyeshta Devi is installed along with a nagar. Jyeshta Devi is with big face. Manthan and manthi are shown on both sides. The Crow flag is also shown separately. Jyeshta is not shown with big belly, breast and thigh. Her left hand is on a dwarf and right hand is in abhaya hastam.

This Thavvai / Jyeshta Devi may belongs to 9^th to 10^th Century.

 

ARCHITECTURE

The complete temple was constructed with brick and cement. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The temple was built not confirming to any of the architectural Style. There is no Vimana on both Moolavar and Ambal shrine.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to Pallava period and may be reconstructed during Vijayanagara period. Further reconstructed during 2022-23. No inscription was found to prove its antiquity.

LEGENDS

The temple is located, on the banks of rive Kosasthalaiyar, where it changes its course from west to east to South to North. So this temple is believed to an auspicious one. Also it is believed that worshiping Shiva of this temple is equivalent to worshipping Shiva of Mount Kailash. Hence it is considered as a Parihara sthalam for Navagraha doshas.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The place Kalianur / Kaliyanoor is about 4 KM from Manavur, 8 KM from Thiruvalangadu, one of the Thevara Paadal petra sthalam, 20 KM from Tiruvallur, 23 KM from Arakkonam and 66 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Manavur ( on Chennai to Arakkonam Train Route ). 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Jyeshta Devi / ஜேஸ்டாதேவி / Thavvai / தவ்வை, Karambur / Karunilam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Pallava period Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai at Karunilam / Karambur was a part of “Shiva & Vishnu Temples, Hero Stones and Heritage Sites Visit”, from Ponmar to Karunilam, near Guduvanchery, in Chengalpattu District on 24^th October 2023. 

As per Kariyamanicka Perumal temple’s 10^th Century inscription this place was called Karamur and the same was got corrupted to the present name of Karambur.

This Jyeshta Devi is also in the midst of paddy fields( kazhani – கழனி ) a few fields in front of Sri Agastheeswarar Temple on the banks of a man made eri. The temple is under construction.

In the Jyeshta devi Sculpture Manthan is not shown. Manthi along with two attendees are shown.  This Jyeshta devi is with big belly, breasts and thigh. She is wearing ornaments on the neck and elongated earlobes. No broom stick or crow flag are shown.

LOCATION OF JYESHTA DEVI       : CLICK HERE

GPS : 12.766524, 80.062075

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Jyeshta Devi temple/ Thavvai / ஜேஷ்டாதேவி கோயில், வீராபுரம் / Veerapuram, Chengal pattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Jyeshta Devi Temple at Veerapuram near Thirukalukundram was a part of Heritage Visit to Veerapuram in Chengalpattu District on 16^th April 2023.  In fact Veerapuram Village has a rich history of more than 1300 years, since Pallava period. Some of the Heritage structures and temples in the Village includes Koochileeswarar temple / Sri Veera mangala nathar Temple, Jyeshta Devi with Manthan / Kulikan and Manthi,  Oyyalamman Temple, Solaivazhi Amman Temple ( a saptamatrikas Temple ) and Sengazhani Amman Temple.

 

Moolavar         : Sri Jyeshta Devi with Manthan / Kulikan and Manthi.

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east  with  a Tortoise ( stucco ) pond & Trishul.  Muneeswaran and Karuppanna Swamy are on both side of the entrance of the temple and sanganidhi and Padma nidhi are at the entrance of Sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Iravatham, Kamadhenu, Bala Thiripurasundari, Panchakalyani, Ayyanar with his consorts, Yoga Prthiyangara, Yoga Varahi, Narasimhi and their Vahanas are in the open mukha mandapam.

In Sanctum Jyeshta is with Manthan / Kulikan and Mandhi on a flat stone. In addition to that Manthan / Kulikan and Mandhi are  separate individual sculptures are also installed.

ARCHITECTURE

The Jyeshta Devi Temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum and a mukha mandapam.  The sanctum sanctorum is rectangular in shape with an eka tala salakara Vimanam. The temple was constructed with bricks in Gramiya style.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

These Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai, Manthan / Kulikan, Mandhi sculptures are unearthed during the renovation of the Shiva temple. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted after installation of Jyeshta Devi on 11^th September 2019. Latter the stucco images are added in the mukha mandapam and again kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 23^rd June 2021.

LEGENDS

During the process of churning thiruparkadal to get amith, Jyeshta Devi came first. Kamadhenu, Iravatam, Asvam, Karpaga Vruksham and Panchasanyam came latter. Maha Lakshmi came after and married to Maha Vishnu as per the purana. Jyeshta Devi married to Sanieeswaran and had a son and daughter called Manthan / Kulkan and Mandhi.

This temple is unique in nature since, Manthan / Kulikan  and Manthi are as individual idols, apart from combined sculpture of Jyeshta Devi with Manthan and Manthi.

It is believed that by worshiping Jyeshta Devi can be get rid of Marriage and Child birth obstacles, Eval, Billi Sunyam / Black magic, business obstacles, etc,.  It was learnt from Thiru Ramachandra Reddiar, who is also known as ChandraHasan, that after construction of this temple more than 200 devotees has got benefited.

 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Sunday’s Rahu kala time ( 16.30 to 18.00 hrs ). One of the speciality is that, the Devotees will do the abhishekam through their own hands. Lot of Rush will be there on Sunday Evenings.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened during Morning Pooja Hours ie 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr Chandra Hasan ( usually available on Sundays ) +91 98403 46076 and Suresh +919626297282 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

Veerapuram is about 7.6 KM from Anupuram Bus stop, 09.00 KM from Thirukalukundram, 21 KM from Chengalpattu Railway Station, 19 KM from Mamallapuram and 74 KM from Chennai Central Station.

Nearest Railway station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Vaidhyanatha Swamy Temple / ஸ்ரீ வைத்தியநாத சுவாமி கோயில், உக்கல் / Ukkal, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Vaidhyanatha Swamy Temple at Ukkal, was a part of REACH Foundation’s Epigraphic field visit on 26^th February 2023. The Village Ukkal is on the banks of river Cheyyar a tributary river to Palar. This place Ukkal is about 12 KM from Magaral, a Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam. 

உக்கல் என்ற ஊர் திருவண்ணாமலை மாவட்டத்தில் பாலாற்றின் உப நதியான செய்யாற்றின் கரையிலும், பாடல்பெற்ற தளமான மாகரல் என்ற சிவன் கோயிலுக்கு 12 கிலோமீட்டர் தூரத்திலும் அமைந்துள்ளது. இக்கோயிலில் மஹாசிவராத்திரியும் தைபூசமும் சிறப்பாகக் கொண்டாடப்படுகின்றது. பல்லவ மன்னனின் வயிற்றுவலி தீர்த்தமையால் இக்கோயில் சிவன் வைத்தியநாத சுவாமி என அழைக்கப்படுவதாக இக்கோயில் தல வரலாறு கூறுகின்றது. இக்கோயில் சோழர்கள் காலத்தில் கட்டப்பட்டு இருக்கலாம் என்பதற்கு சாட்சியாக கோஷ்ட தெய்வங்களும், தவ்வைத் தாயுமே சான்று.

Moolavar  : Sri Vaidhyanatha Swamy

Consort    : Sri Maragathambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch / base of the Rajagopuram, on the south side. Stucco image of Shiva & Parvati as Rishabaroodar is on the top of the entrance arch. Balipeedaam, Dwajasthambam / Kodimaram and Rishabam are in front of Mukha mandapam. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of sanctum sanctorum. Vinayagar and Murugan are in front of sanctum sanctorum. The Moolavar is little tall on a square avudayar. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the mandapam, Utsava murtis, Vinayagar, an Ambigai as Vishnu durgai, Bairavar, Ayyanar and Elephant Vahana. 

In outer praharam, Navagrahas, Vahanas, Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar and Chandikeswarar and Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai.

Ambal is in as separate sannidhi facing south towards the entrance arch. Nagars are on the left side before the entrance of temple.

 

   

Ambal

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam.  The Sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathi, three patta kumudam and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with vedika. Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam kudam, mandi plain palaka and Vettu pothyal are on the bhitti. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasis and vyyalavari. An Ekatala vesara Vimanam is on the prastaram. Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva are on the greeva koshtam. Maha nasis are on the cordinal directions on the sigaram.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Bhuvana manicka Perumal Temple, Rajakesarivarman’s period inscription speaks about the ancient name of Ukkal as … “Sivachudamani Mangalam” . Another name “Aparajita chathurvedi mangalam”, which is undoubtedly Pallava names. Rajasimha bore the name as “Sivachudamani” and Aparajita was the last Pallava King. Hence we may conclude that during 7^th Century this place was called as Sivachudamani Chathurvedi mangalam, in the name of Rajasimha and the same was changed as “Aparajita chathurvedi mangalam”, during Aparajita Pallava period and once again the same was changed as Sri “Vikrama bharana chathurvedi mangalam”  during Chozha period.

It is believed that this temple was constructed during 6^th century Pallava period. But the structure and the sculptures seems to be of Chozha period, hence this Shiva temple might have been constructed during Chozha period, ie 10^th to 11^th Century.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 28^th April 1961.

LEGENDS

It is believed that this Shiva Temple was called as “Perumthiranar Koyil” and latter called as Vaidhyanatha Swamy Temple.

As per the legend, Narasimha Pallava –II, who constructed the Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar temple, Mahabalipuram Shore temples, was affected by severe stomach pain. One night Shiva came in the dream of this Pallava King and advised him to go to Ukkal Perumthiranar Temple and worship him. The Pallava King came to Ukkal and worshipped Shiva and got relieved from the stomach pain. Hence, Shiva was called as Vaidhyanatha Swamy.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pournami, Amavasya, Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Thaipoosa peruvizha, Arudra darshan, Karthigai, etc.

Thaipoosa Peruvizha will be conducted on the banks river Cheyyar. On that day 18 Village Utsava Murtis will participate along with this Sri Vaidhyanatha Swamy Temple’s Utsavar. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.0 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH

This place Ukkal is Kanchipuram to Vandavasi road, 18 KM south of Kanchipuram and 2.5 KM from Koolamandal,  51 KM from Chengalpattu, 66 KM from Tambaram and 95 KM from Chennai.

Nearest railway Station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

Nagars

KOSHTA MURTIS

Vinayagar & Dakshinamurthy

Mha Vishnu, Brahma and Durga

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---