Karuppa Samy Karadu Rock Arts, near Uppukottai and Gundalnayakanpatti, Theni District, Tamil Nadu.

This visit to the Karuppa Samy Karadu Rock Arts near Uppukottai and Gundalnayakanpatti, in Theni District, was a part of Varusanadu Payanam, a Heritage walk to the temples and Heritage sites, organised by Aatrupadai, on 20^th – 21^st September 2025. Thanks to திருச்சி பார்த்தி, Prabaharan, and Bala Bharathi.

 

This Karuppa Samy Karadu is near Gundalnayakanpatti and Uppukottai. A stucco image of Karuppa Samy and a dog is in front of the cave, along with sikles. They are worshipped by the locals.

This natural cave formed between boulders, one level below the top of the small hill, also called Karadu. The cave is very narrow, through which one person can go in a crawling position. On the west side of the boulder surface, Rock Arts are done in white ochre. The art contains human beings in line form. In addition to the humans, there is an art which depicts a man riding on a horse-like animal.

 

In addition to the rock arts, recent years drawings have been made outside the cave. This art contains a tiger, a dog, a Deer, a wolf, etc. A man riding on a horse, a man carrying a kavadi(?), and men playing drum, Nadaswaram, etc., (looks like celebrations). The recent period art shows the celebration continues from the time humans lived in the caves to the present time.

LOCATION OF THE ROCK ART SITE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Bodinayakanur Palace, போடிநாயக்கனூர் அரண்மனை, Theni District, Tamil Nadu.

This visit to the Bodinayakanur Palace, in Theni District, was a part of Varusanadu Payanam, a Heritage walk to the temples and Heritage Sites, organised by Aatrupadai, on 20^th – 21^st September 2025. Thanks to திருச்சி பார்த்தி, Prabaharan, and Bala Bharathi.

Ramar Pattabhishekam

BRIEF HISTORY OF BODINAYAKKANUR ZAMIN

Bodinayakkanur was named after the Zamindar, Bangaru Tirumalai Bodi Nayaka, whose ancestors moved to Tamil Nadu from the Telugu-speaking region during the 14th-century Muslim invasion. They belong to the Kambalathu Nayakas community.  Initially, their main job was rearing cattle; for this same, they moved to the south and settled in many places. It is said that Veera Pandya Kattabomman belongs to this community. The Zamindars ruled that region and lived like kings. They constructed their own palaces and decorated them with foreign articles and artefacts.

Bangaru Tirumalai Bodi Nayaka has become the Polygar or Zamindar of Bodinayakkanur (1849 – 1862 CE). After the Zamindar Bangaru Tirumalai Bodi Nayaka’s demise in 1862, his heir Tirumalai Bodi Kamaraja Pandya Nayaka was a minor, so the British first took over the administration of the Bodinayakkanur territory.

 

The portrait of Bangaru Tirumalai Bodi Nayaka

The Bodinayakkanur Zamin lost its fame due to various reasons like… abolition of the Zamindar system in India (1949 – 1951), no income, lack of male heir, legal battle among the heirs, etc. The Bodinayakkanur palace is in a neglected state without maintenance and looks in a bad state. The present descendants struggle to lead a normal life in the palace.    

LAKSHMI VILASAM

The palace is called Lakshmi Vilasam, constructed with three floors, with bedrooms, a visitor’s hall, a Darbar Hall, an open courtyard on the back side, horse stables, a granary, etc. The painting of  Vadamalai Nachiammannai, the family deity, is in the Pooja room, behind the darbar hall. The Darbar hall, walls, and ceiling have the paintings of the whole episodes of the Epic Ramayan. The details are written below each painting.

LOCATION OF THE PALACE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Arulmigu Sri Kalatheeswarar Temple/ ஶ்ரீ காளத்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Kottaimedu, Uthamapalayam, Theni District, Tamil Nadu.

This visit to the Shri Kalatheeswarar Temple at Kottaimedu, Uthamapalayam, in Theni District was a part of Varusanadu Payanam, a Heritage walk to the temples and Heritage Sites, organised by Aatrupadai, on 20^th – 21^st September 2025. Thanks to திருச்சி பார்த்தி, Prabaharan, and Bala Bharathi.

Moolavar  : Sri Kalatheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Gnanamman

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with an entrance arch. Stucco images of Shiva & Parvati, Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the arch. A 3-tier Rajagopuram is after the entrance arch. Bala Vinayagar, Bala Murugan sannidhis, and Rani Mangamal’s inscription are on both sides of the entrance to the Rajagopuram. Adhikara Nandhi and his consort are on the left side of the passage of Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are under a mandapam after the Rajagopuram. 12 Rasis and 28 Nakshatras, which include the Abajith as the 28^th Nakshatra panel, are on the ceiling of the mukha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, in koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar (with usual features, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on both sides), Brahma, and Durgai.

12 Rasis and 28 Nakshatras, which include the Abajith as the 28^th Nakshatra panel

In praharam 63 var, Saptamatrikas, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi. Meenakshi Amman and Chokkanathar, Sahasra Lingam, Parasakthi, Jwaradevar, Nagar, Saraswati, Sarabeswarar, Maha Lakshmi, Kuberar with Chitrekai, Ketu with Chitraleka Devi, Rahu Simshikaidevi, Bairavar, Saniswarar, Navagrahas, Suryan, Chandran, and Chandikeswarar.

Ambal is in a separate temple with salakara vimanam. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. Ambal temple has with sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. Ambal’s various forms are around the koshtam and Chandikeswari.

Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar is also in a separate sannidhi, in between Shiva and Ambal sannidhi as the Somaskandar form. Nava Veerars, Veerabahu, and Veera Mahendra are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. 

Lingothbavar (with usual features, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on both sides

Dakshinamurthy

63 var on the back and Saptamatrikas at the front

 Chandran with his consorts

Adhikara Nandhi and his consort

Jwaradevar

Sarabeswarar

Chandikeswarar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam and pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals, mandi, palakai, veera kandam, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasikudu, and vyyalavari. One tala brick vimanam with greevam and nagara sigaram is on the bhumi desam. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva and tala koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple belongs to the Sundara Pandyan period. Later, the temple received contributions from Vijayanagara & Madurai Nayakas, and Rani Mangammal.

Later period Pandyas' incomplete inscription on the ardha mandapam south side adhistanam kumudam records, a part of the money, equals a thiramam (Thiramam is a name of the Gold exchange used in business with the Tamils by the Yavanas) received as tax from the temple lands, handed over to Thennavan, alias Anjopathy, an official of the King.

A partially visible inscription on a pillar records the tax income from the Iraivari, Vettimudaiyal vari, the tax paid on engaging a labourer for any work, by Thandarayan. To whom the taxes are given is not known.

The inscription on the Ambal sannidhi ardha mandapa north side pillar records the gift of Rs 400 for erecting a pillar to the victory of a King.

An incomplete 10-line inscription on the Ambal sannidhi ardha mandapa north side pillar records the gift of an Ox herd to this temple. For what purpose the ox herd was gifted is not known.

An incomplete inscription on the Ambal sannidhi ardha mandapa north side pillar records only the ombadaikilavi type of inscription. The curse is that whoever stops or obstructs this endowment will get the sin equivalent to killing father, mother, and Karam Pasu/ Cow, on the banks of the Ganga River.

The 49-line inscription tablet installed on the left side of the Rajagopuram belongs to Rani Mangammal. This 1693 CE inscription records the gift of land to this temple by the Ramanayaka’s representatives, Thiruvenkatanatharaiyan with Vadamalaippillai, Ekanayagampillai, Venkatapathi Nayakar, Ramapathra Nayakar, given in the presence of the Maha Citizens of Thondai Mandalam Vellalar Gogula Vellalar, and Palani Nayagam.

Ref:

Theni Mavatta Kalvettukkal by Dr Si. Manickaraj, published by Pandyanadu Panpattu Maiyam.

South Indian inscriptions Volume XLI.

Annual report on South Indian Epigraphy Year 1905.  

Rani Mangammal inscriptions

 A Nayaka King / Chieftain, who contributed to this temple

LEGENDS

This is a Rahu, Ketu, and kala Sarba dosha parikara sthalam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Amavasya, Pournami, Maha Shivaratri, Rahu, Ketu peyarchi days, Rahu and Ketu dosha Pariharam, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The Kalatheeswarar Temple at Uthamapalayam is about 10 km from Cumbum, 30 km from Theni, and 106 km from Madurai.

The nearest Railway Station is Theni.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple /லக்ஷ்மி நாராயண பெருமாள் கோயில், Chinnamannur, Theni District, Tamil Nadu.

This visit to the Shri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple at Chinnamanur, in Theni District, was a part of Varusanadu Payanam, a Heritage walk to the temples and Heritage Sites, organised by Aatrupadai, on 20^th – 21^st September 2025. Thanks to திருச்சி பார்த்தி, Prabaharan, and Bala Bharathi.

Moolavar  : Sri Lakshmi Narayana

Thayar     : Sri Maha Lakshmi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with an entrance arch. Stucco image of Sri Lakshmi Narayana with Sridevi and Bhudevi is in the arch. Thiruman, shankha, and Chakra are on the compound wall of the temple entrance. Garudan faces moolavar in front of the mukha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Sri Lakshmi Narayana is in a standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Maha Lakshmi is on his chest. Shankha and Chakra are in the upper hand, and the lower left hand is in kadi hastam, and the right hand is tharai varkum – தாரை வார்க்கும், hastam. Anjaneyar is also in the sanctum sanctorum.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam and pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmakantha, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, veera kandam, and pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. One tala brick vimanam with greevam and vesara sigaram is on the bhumi desam. Maha Vishnu’s various forms are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

A new mandapam and the renovated mukha mandapam look like Kerala architecture.

PC - website

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple belongs to the 7^th century, the early Pandya period. The Chozha king Rajaraja and Kulothunga Chozha’s vattezhuthu inscriptions are found on the adhistanam. This place was called Arikesarinallur. Maha Vishnu was called as Vandyvarapathi Pillai, Thirunaduvur Devar, Naduvirkoyil Perumal, Thirunaduvu Bhadarar, etc.

Parakrama Pandya’s 15^th reign year 1315 CE, inscription on the south side of the sanctum sanctorum records the endowment of burning a lamp, by Thiruputhuvur (Cumbam) Kizhar’s son Mochcharayan Anantha Narayanan. For the same 120 Kasu was received by Periyazhvan, his brother Kari Manickam, and Narayanan Srililango.

The inscription above records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Thiruvathavur Pandanaichaththi’s wife Velanakkan’s mother.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 5^th reign year 1016 – 17 CE, inscription on the west wall of the sanctum sanctorum, records the gift of land and a Perpetual lamp to Sri Durga Parameswari Temple, by Perumangalathu Cholai Appi. The endowment of burning the perpetual lamp was arranged for selling a makani land for 15 kasus.

Sadaiyan Maran’s 46^th reign year inscription on the west wall of the sanctum sanctorum records that the Srikandan Chanel’s water is to be used for the temple lands. If anybody obstructs or uses the water unlawfully will be levied 10 kasu as a penalty.

Sadaiyan Maran’s 10^th reign (2+8) year inscription on the west wall of the sanctum sanctorum records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Avichanoor Kavisiyan Nakkan Thuvethi. For the same 10, Kalanju was gifted.  

Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan-I’s 9^th reign year 1277 CE inscription on the west wall of the sanctum sanctorum records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Thiruputhuvur (Cumbam), Arugan Aaramosilaiyavanthal’s daughter Nangai. For the same, 50 ewes are gifted to this temple.

Parakesari Varman Parantaka Chozha-I’s 36^th reign year 943 CE inscription on the north side of the sanctum sanctorum records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp, by Thiruchethi Rasadi, on behalf of his son Rasadi Cholai. For the same reason, Ghee was gifted to this temple.

The inscription on the north side wall of the sanctum sanctorum records a king’s 2^nd reign year inscription records the gift of land as thiruvidaiyattam to this temple by a person called Irandakattar.

Sadaiya Varman Kulasekara Pandya-I’s 4^th (3 +1) reign year 1194 CE inscription on the sanctum sanctorum north wall records some gift to the sabha for some expenses by Sivallavan Thiruneelakandan Thondaiman alias Nadalwan.

Kulasekara Pandya’s 11^th reign year 1279 CE inscription on the north side of the sanctum sanctorum records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Aniyan Appan.

Sadaiyan Maran (Since with the same name there is more than one Pandya King, and this 6-line inscription refers to which Pandya King is not known), 9^th (2+7) reign year inscription on the sanctum sanctorum north wall records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Nagan Vikramathichan. For the same 50 Saavaa moova, ewes are gifted to this temple.

Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya-I’s 9^th reign year 1277 CE inscription on the sanctum sanctorum north wall records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Athiraiyan  Nakkapiran  Udhayanan of Thiruputhuvur Vangimangalam. For the same, 50 ewes are gifted to this temple. 

Maravarman Sundara Pandyan-I’s 11^th reign year 1226- 27 CE damaged fragment inscription on the sanctum sanctorum north wall records some gift by Sivallavan Thiruneelakanda Thondaiman alias Nadalvan.

Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya-I’s 2^nd reign year 1191 CE damaged inscription on the sanctum sanctorum north wall starts with his meikeerthi. The inscription records the gift of land to the maha sabha by Sivallavan Thiruneelakandan for the cultivating people and those who guard those fields.

Sadayavarman Kulasekara Pandya-I’s 19^th (13 + 6) reign year 1208 – 09 CE damaged inscription on the sanctum sanctorum north wall starts with his meikeerthi. The inscription records the gift of land after exempting taxes to the Maha Sabha by Thiruneelakandan alias Thondaiman. The land was measured by a measurement scale called Pathinettadi.   

The Chozha king Rajendra Chozha-I’s 4^th reign year 1016 – 17 CE damaged inscription on the Madapalli wall records the gift for the temple expenses by the 3 sons of Thiruputhur Mangala Kizhan, Athiththirayan Sankaran,  Thirumalirunjolai Narayanan, and Narayanan Sankara Battar. This was handed over when the three sabhas, Arikesarinallur Sabha, Maandragaurava Mangala Sabha, and Arapathasekara Mangala Sabha assembled at Mukha mandapam of this temple.

The fragment vattezhuthu highly damaged inscription on the pillar, records the gift of this pillar by Arugan Bharatwaji Narayanan Nakkan. 

Ref:

Theni Mavatta kalvettukkal by Dr Si. Manickaraj, published by Pandyanadu Panpattu Maiyam.

South Indian inscriptions Volume XXIII, and XIV 

LEGENDS

Mahalakshmi sannidhi is not in this temple, but it is believed that Maha Lakshmi is in the chest of Maha Vishnu, hence Moolavar is called as Lakshmi Narayana Perumal.

 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Amavasya, Pournami, Anjaneyar Jayanthi, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The Lakshmi Narayana Temple at Chinnamanur is about 9 km from Uthamapalayam, 17 km from Cumbum, 23 km from Theni, and 102 km from Madurai.

The nearest Railway Station is Theni.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---