VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Thevara Sthalangal

Showing posts with label Thevara Sthalangal. Show all posts

Wednesday 9 December 2020

Sri Maragadachaleswarar Temple / மரகதாசலேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில் / ஈங்கோய்மலை / Thiru Engoyi Malai / Engoi malai, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 117^th Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalam and 63^rd & last Sthalam, on the northern side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This is the 52^nd, of the 64 Sakthi Peedams, of Sakthi. As per Thevara Hymnas this place was called as Engoi malai / Engoyi Malai and now called as Thiruvinganatha malai and Shiva Sakthi malai. This hill is about 4 km from Kulithalai Kaveri / Cauvery river bridge.

In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that, after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirupaingneeli, Thirugnanasambandar came to this Temple

செங்கண் குறவரைத் தேவர் போற்றும் திகழ்திரு ஈங்கோய் மலையில் மேவும்
கங்கைச் சடையார் கழல் பணிந்து கலந்த இசைப்பதிகம் புனைந்து
பொங்கர்ப் பொழில் சூழ் மலையும் மற்றும் புறத்துள்ள தானங்கள் எல்லாம் போற்றிக்
கொங்கின் குடபுலம் சென்று அணைந்தார் கோதுஇல் மெய்ஞ்ஞானக் கொழுந்து அணையார்
.......திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்
In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar mentions that, Sundarar came to this temple After worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirpainjeeli. Also the was mentioned in the legend also mentions that Sundarar has sung Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva, but couldn’t got the same.

பரவி அப்பதிகத் திருக்கடைக் காப்புச் சாத்திமுன் பணிந்து அருள்மெற்றுக்
கரவுஇல் அன்பர்கள்தம் கூட்டமும் தொழுது கலந்து இனிது இருந்து போந்தருளி
விரவிய ஈங்கோய்மலை முதலாக விமலர்தம் பதிபல வணங்கிக்
குரவுஅலர் சோலை அணி திருப்பாண்டிக் கொடுமுடி அணைந்தார் கொங்கில்
.......... சுந்தரர் புராணம்
Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Nakkeerar also sung the "Eengoi ezhupathu" on this temple.

வினையாயின தீர்த்து அருளே புரியும் வீகிர்தன் விரிகொன்றை
நனையார் முடிமேல் மதியம் சூடு நம்பான் நல மல்கு
தனையார் கமல மலர்மேல் உறைவான் தலையோடு அனல் ஏந்தும்
எனையாள் உடையான் உமையாளோடும் ஈங்கோய் மலையாரே
....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
                                                                                       --“ நீச்சறியா
தாங் கோய்மலைப் பிறவியார் கலிக்கோர் வார்கலமாம்
ஈங்கோய் மலைவாழ் இலஞ்சியமே
....... திரு அருட்பா
அடியும் முடியும் ஆரியும் அயனும்
படியும் விசும்பும் பாய்ந்துஏறி – நொடியுங்கால்
இன்னதுஎன அறியா ஈங்கோயே ஓங்காரம்
அன்னதென நின்றான் மலை
.......நக்கீரதேவ நாயனார்
Moolavar : Sri Maragathasaleswarar, Sri Maragatha nathar.
Consort    : Sri Maragathavalli.

Some of the important features of this temple are....
The temple is on a small hill with 500 and odd steep steps to reach the hill shrine. The steps are not uniform and many places they were deformed. The temple is on the top of the hill facing east with an entrance arch with stucco image of Lord Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar. Vinayagar and Lord Muruga with his consorts are on both sides. Stucco dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum and Stone Dwarapalakas are also at the entrance of the sanctum. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum ie at mukha mandapam and in artha mandapam also. Moolavar in the sanctum is of green stone shining like maragatham / Emerald. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In Prakaram, Chandikeswarar, Vallabha Vinayagar, Murugan as Dhandayuthapani, Maha Vishnu, Rishapanthikar, Bhairavar, Nagars, Pichadanar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar. There is also another Durgai apart from koshtam in peace mood with abhaya varada hastham. There is an image for Agasthiya Munivar also.

Ambal is in a separate temple, facing east, like moolavar. The temple is before the main temple entrance arch ie, one level below the Shiva temple.

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and Mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a padabhanda adhisthana with three patta kumuda. A 3 tier Nagara - Vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. There are different postures of Dakshinamurthy’s stucco images of which Veena Dakshinamurthy in standing posture, on the moolavar vimanam. After the Entrance arch there is a three tier Rajagopura. Dakshinamurthy’s stucco image is on the Rajagopuram.


HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7^th century. Latter the same was reconstructed with stone during Chozha’s period.

This place Thiru Engoi Malai came under vadakarai Rajarajavalanattu Thiruvali nattu thiruengoimalai. Lord Shiva was called as Thiruveengoi Udayar.

For worship and naivedyam of Aludaya Pillayar, Thirunavukkarasu thevar, Alala Sundara Peruman, Nakkeera Thevar, a land was donated by Vadakarai Rajaraja valanattu malai Sri Jayankonda Chozha Chaturvedi Mangalam maha sabahi.

One of the Krishnadevaraya period inscription records that a land was donated to Thirumazhapadi Sri Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple towards worship.

Understand that urchavars Sri Valli Devasena Arumuga Peruman was gifted by Thyagaraja Bhagavathar kept at the base temple for safety reasons.

LEGENDS
It is believed that Musukuntha Chakravarthi, Agasthiyar, in the form of bee worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Hence this place is called as Engoi Malai / Engoyi Malai. Bogar did penance and attained siddhi of making “Navapashanam“ in this hill temple, hence there is a Bogar Shrine at the foot hills.

In one of the legend, Adhiseshan and Vayu used to fight with each other, claiming each one as greatest and strongest. This time Adhiseshan, holds Meru hill. Vayu blow the hill but couldn’t do so. But few of the precious stones like, Emerald, saffire, diamond, etc, blown out of the hill and fallen down. The emerald ie the green stone had fallen on this hill and formed a Shiva Linga. In another version, Adhiseshan covered the meru hill. The Vayu went through the passage at a force and blown out some peaks. This is the place where on the peak had falled down and called as "Maragadachalam". The tamarind tree which is a incarnation / amsam of Adhiseshan was grown on the hill.

In one the legend, During Sundarar’s Visit Lord Shiva was hidden in the tamarind tree to make a delay for Sundarar’s darsham. Sundarar got disappointed and searched Lord Shiva on the hill. Lord Shiva to identify him self, threw a golden tamarind fruit on Sundarar. Sundarar found out that Lord Shiva was hiding in the Tamarind tree and cursed tree, since tamarind tree had given the place for Lord Shiva to hide, henceforth No tamarind tree should grow on the hill.

In this hill, Lord promised to give half of his body to Ambal. This is the 52^nd of 64 Sakthi Peetam of Ambal.

It is believed that it will be auspicious to worship Lord Shiva of Kadambar Koil in the morning, Thiruvatpokki in the afternoon and Thiru Engoi malai / Engoyi Malai in the evening in a single day. As per gurukal the hill shrine has the power of attracting good forces

It is believed that it will be auspicious to do abhishekam to Lord Shiva with honey. Since Agasthiyar in the form of bee worshiped Lord Shiva and done abhishekam with honey, hence this place is called as Thiru Engoyi Malai / Engoi Malai

The Sun rays falls on moolavar on 28^th to 30^th in the month Masi ( Feb – March ).

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on every month Pradosham and Pournami, Maha Shivaratri and Masi maham in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), Thai poosam in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ) and 11 days brahmotsavam in the month in the month Panguni ( March – April ).

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS :
The temple opens during 10.00 Hrs to 17.00 Hrs.   It is better to confirm before going to this temple. The regular Pooja is performed in the evening with Naivedyam.

CONTACT DETAILS :
The S Muthu Rathinam gurukal may be contacted over his mobile 9944120135. or 9443950031 or 04326 262744 for poojas.

HOW TO REACH :
Town buses are available from Musuri Kaveri river junction.
Salem Karur buses passes through this Village.
The temple is 4.7 KM from Periyar ie Kaveri river bridge, 5.6 KM from Musiri, 6.7 KM from Kulithalai, 13 KM from Iyermalai, 46 KM from Tiruchirappalli, 46 KM from Karur and 354 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Kulithalai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

A Hero Stone - Navakandam before the Rajagopuram
Iyyar Mala View
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thursday 28 January 2016

Sri Muventheeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ மூவேந்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில் & Sri Adi Narayana Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ ஆதி நாராயணப் பெருமாள் கோயில், நசியனூர், Nasiyanur, Erode district, Tamil Nadu.

28th January 2016.

In search of History – Nasiyanur in Kongu Nadu ( ERODE DISTRICT ). As per the inscription the Present Nasiyanur was called as Nasiyanur during 15th century. This place comes under Melkarai Poonthurai Nadu one of the 24 subdivisions of Kongu Nadu. Planned to Visit Sri Muventheeswaramudayar Shiva Temple, Sri Adi Narayana Perumal and Sri Muniayappan Temple. Could not visit Muniappan Temple, for want of time and location & guidance. Utilizing the opportunity of my official visit on 25th January 2016 and on the way to Chennai visited these two temples. Both temples are side by side on the Perundurai to Bhavani Main road. Hope both temples are very old, but only Shiva temple has the 15^th century inscriptions around athistanam and Pillar. Both the temple are managed by the HRCE Dept with Local Gounder caste peoples. Well maintained temples with recent renovations. The inscriptions are recorded by the Tamil Nadu Archeological Department and Prof Raju played a main role since he belongs to Erode area. Now these inscriptions are not in readable condition. I was lucky to have the darshan of Lord Shiva and Perumal in the evening hours ( Normally the temples will have one kala ppoja in the morning hours only ).

SRI MUVENTHEESWARAMUDAYAR TEMPLE, NASIYANUR IN KONGU NADU ( ERODE DISTRICT )

West side entrance

Moolavar : Sri Muventheeswaramudayar.

Consort : Sri Muthu Maragatha Valli.

Some of the important details are…...

The temple is facing west without Rajagopuram and Dwajasthambam. Rishabam is inside the mandapam. There is a Vilakku thoon or a Gauruda thoon. On the base there s relief of a deity with bow, which is strange. A peepal tree of very old is in front of the temple. Vinayagar and Nagars are at the base of the tree. The entrance to the temple is from the south with Koorai Kula vinayagar sannidhi facing east.

Both Moolavar and Ambal are facing west in a separate temple. Moolavar is small and beautiful in simple alangaram. In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Chandran, Idumbar, Balathandayuthapani, Arumuga Peruman, Kalabairavar, Navagrahas, Naanmugan, Saneeswarar, Kannimoola Ganapathi, Semba Kula Vinayagar, Eenja Kula Vinayagar, Sirai Kula Vinayagar, Pandiyan Kula Vinayagar ( the sub divisions of Gounder castes created these Vinayagar sannidhis at a latter stage).

Ambal Sri Muthu Maragatha Valli is facing west in a separate sannidhi and small in standing posture. The sannadhi has a mandapam and the pillar has the old inscription. Meta colour sheet shed is erected in front of the Ambal temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

These inscriptions belongs to Nanjaraya Udayar, Kumara Virupatchirayar, Kembayaudayar and veeranancharaya udayar periods. They all speaks about donations given to this temple for the Pooja, Land, construction of maha mandapam, imposing of tax for celebration. If one misuse it will get the sin equal to killing a cow on the banks of river Ganges and torturing the 7 brahmins. The inscriptions are during 15^th to 17^th century ( 1442 CE, 1464 CE, 1772 CE). As per the inscription the Present Nasiyanur was called as Nasiyanur during 15th century.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Mutrum othuthal is regularly conducted on the 3^rd week of every month. Apart from the important functions.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs. It will be better to confirm before going to the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Mr Sakthivel on his mobile 9443246871 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is on the main road from Perundurai to Bhavani.

Town bus nos 13 and 8 from Erode to Perundurai and Kanjikovil passes through Nasiyanur and about 500 meters from the bus stop.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

Rishabam relief on the vilakkuthoon base.

This relief is on one side of the vilakkuthoon base with bow – who is he ?, what a beautiful posture...!!!

It was told that this tree must be 500 years old

Vinayagar and Nagars under the age old Peepal tree

West side view of Temple complex with entrance arch

West side Mandapam view

Arumugar sannadhi with vimanam

Moolavar sanctum vimanam with Chandikeswarar sannadhi

Ambal sanctum vimanam

Nalvar

Ambal sannidhi meta colour sheet mandapam with flex banners

Gounder castes – Vinayagars ( caste also peeped in to religion and worship.

Moolavar sannadhi entrance mandapam on south side with flex banners

South side entrance Vinayagar temple for one sub section of Gounder caste

South side entrance

Abandoned Shiva Lingam avudayar with Rishabam

SRI ADI NARAYANA PERUMAL TEMPLE. NASIYANUR IN KONGU NADU ( ERODE DISTRICT )

East side entrance arch

Moolavar : Sri Adhi Narayanaperumal.

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a Vilakkuthoon at front. There is a small mandapam with arch at the front. Moolavar sannadhi with Garudan is at the front. Moolavar Adi Narayana Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. There is no separate thayar sannidhi.

Sri Anjaneyar sannidhi is at the north east corner of the temple. There are some statues / idols kept in front of Compound wall, the reason is not known.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Mandapam ceiling has the recent period inscription. These inscriptions belongs to 1827 AD speaks about the renovation of the stone mandpam which was in damaged condition. This on the ceiling of the front mandapam.