Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple, / Arulmigu Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Sholingur / Sholinghur in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

21^st July 2019.

This Yoga Narasimhar Temple also called as Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Sholingur in Vellore District. This temple was dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Yoga Narasimhar, who came from the pillar to save his Devotee Bhaktha Prahalada.   This is one of the 108 Diva Desam, mangalasasanam was done by  Peyazhwar, Thirumangai Alwar, Ramanujar, Nathamuni and Thirukachi Nambigal. 

 The 5 tier Rajagopuram

This place was called as Chozha Simhapuram which was corrupted to the present name of Sholingur. Peyazhwar mentions Vishnu as "Vaan Poonkadigai Ilankumaran".  In puranas and literature this place was called as “Thirukkadigai” – which means the Narasimhar who gives darshan for 24 minutes ( But in actual nowadays? ).

Moolavar  : Sri Yoga Narasimhar / Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy

Thayar     : Sri Amruthavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are…

This temple is located on a 230 meters high hill with 1300 and odd steps from the foot hills. The steps are neatly paved with granite stones and covered with metal sheets to protect the devotees from the scorching Sun. A Stucco image of Anjaneyar is on the side of the main road and a Yoga Anjaneyar is on the small hill facing Sri Yoga Narasimhar.

A 5 tier Rajagopuram is on the north side and sanctum sanctorum was built facing East. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are in front of the temple. Both are installed parallel to Moolavar due to space Limitation.

Thayar Sri Amruthavalli is in a separate temple like sannadhi on the right side of the Moolavar Sri Yoga Narasimhar. Thayar is in sitting posture with abhaya and vara hastham. Pillars and sanctum are completely covered with brass plates with deity images.

Moolavar is on a elevated level with 9 steps to climb. Sri Yoga narasimhar is in sitting posture with yogapatti. 

Sri Yoga Narasimhar bas-relief

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. The Arthamandapa walls and pillars are covered with brass plates. The plates has images of Vishnu’s dhasa avataras and Ashta Lakshmis. The sanctum do not have niches / Koshtas. The vimana over the sanctum is called as "Hemakoti Vimanam".

 Prakara Pillars with capital / pothyal

HISTORY AND  INSCRIPTIONS:

This temple was believed to be built between 6^th to 8^th Century, by Chozhas. ( Since the place was called as Chozha Simhapuram ) The sanctum sanctorum was built on a rock, no formal architectural elements like, upana, adhisthana etc, are not followed. On all the three sides, the projections of the mother rock can be see. The prakaram is empty. The pillars are cylindrical  supported by simple Pallava / Chozha period style capitals. Some capitals has the lotus medallion also.

The earliest inscriptions found in the temple belongs to 10^th Century Parantaka Chozha-I. The Karikal Chozha inscription mentions that this place Thirukkadigai or Sholingur comes under the region of Kadikai kottam.

14^th and 17^th Century Telugu inscriptions are found in this temple. Vijayanagara period Tamil inscriptions are also found on the east side prakaram wall. The Temple might have reconstructed during Vijayanagara period. An the Temple was renovated in 1588 CE by the ardent devotees Thakkan Reddy and Mudaliandan. The Dwajasthambam was installed on 27^th March 1985.

About 450 years back Doddacharya of Chozha Simhapuram, who does services to Sri Yoga Narasimhar. Sri Doddacharya was the descendant of Dasarathi ( who is from Chennai – Nazarathpettai which was originally called as Dasarathi Pettai ), nephew of Sri Ramanujar.

Last Kumbabishekam / consecration was performed in Sep 2010.

Vijayanagar Nayaka's period inscriptions

 Believed to be Maha Vishnu & Doddacharya

LEGENDS

It is believed that the people suffering from psychological problems will get cured after worship Lord Yoga Narasimha of this temple.

It is also believed that one will be liberated from the cycle of birth and death, if stayed in this place  for about 24 minutes. Hence this place is called as Kadikachalam.

It is believed that Sri Lakshmi, Brahma, Viswamitra, Budhan and Valmiki worshiped Yoga Narasimhar of this temple. Viswamitra worshiped Sri Narasimhar and obtained the title of Brammarishi.

 Ashtadikpalakas Rajagopuram entrance ceiling with solar and Lunar eclipse

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 08.30 hrs to 18.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The temple may be contacted on the landline 04172 262 225 for further details.

Temple website: http://www.sholinghurnarasimhar.tnhrce.in/

HOW TO REACH:

This hill is about a KM off from the Arakkonam to Vellore Main road.

All the buses used to stop at Sholingur temple stop.

Nearest Railway station is Arakkonam.

The Hill is about 65 KM from Kanchipuram, 52 KM from Vellore and 30 KM from Arakkonam.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Baktha Prakalath shrine at the base under peepal tree

 Hill steps entrance arch

  Temple View from distance

 A Foot print Mandapa

 Thayar Sannadhi reliefs with brass plate cover

 Sri Yoga Narasimhar's Sannadhi - Vishnus Dhasavathara reliefs

  Balipeedam & Dwajasthambam

 The dilapidated temple - Vijayanagara period

 The dilapidated temple - Vijayanagara period

 The dilapidated temple - Vijayanagara period

  The dilapidated temple - Vijayanagara period

 Dolly Service - Rs 2000 is charged and food expense extra

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Rajendra Iron Bridge, Thiruvalam, in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

10^th March 2019.

This bridge was constructed on the Neeva / Ponnai or  Bahuda river. This bridge is on the National Highway 40, from Chennai to Mumbai before Thiruvalam. The approximately 500 meter long iron bridge ends at Sri Vilvanatheswarar Temple one of the 276 Thevara Padal Petra Shiva Temples at Thiruvalam.

The Iron bridge construction was started in 1935 and completed in 1939, by a Company called J.H. Tarapore, Madras. The Iron bridge was built with 11 spans and tons and tons of iron channels are being used. The members are firmly joined with rivets ( a permanent fastener, since bolt and nuts are not popular in those days for constructing steel / Iron bridges ) and gives a long life compared to bolt & nut joints. Each joints are done at the spot. Most of the works are done through manual laborers employing around 1200.

The bridge was declared opened by the then Premier of Madras Presidency Shri C Rajagopalachari, an elected Premier from Indian National Congress Party. He  also held as the Last Governor General of India and First Chief Minister of Madras State.

J.H.TARAPORE

The late Mr. J.H Tarapore The founder of Tarapore & Co. was born in a humble Parsi family in July 1901 and graduated from Madras Christian College. His ancestors, who worships “FIRE” migrated to India from Iran during 8^th to 10^th Century. He had led his company to excel in the field of construction in almost every corner of the country in a career spanning more than half a century. Some of the major buildings in Madras now Chennai are built by the J.H.Tarapore & Co.

A born leader, ambitious, stern yet compassionate towards people. He was loved and respected by one and all. Children were his first love and thirst for knowledge created in him a desire to setup educational institutions. The Institutions spreads throughout the country especially at Jamshedpur and Chennai.

LOCATION:12.985574, 79.269201

PC: Google Web site

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Tirthankara, Three Tier Jain Beds and Tipu Sultan's Mosque, at Kurangu Malai, near Vellore, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

23^rd December 2018.

This visit to this Kurangu hill was a part of Vellore Heritage walk organized by the History of Vellore Facebook Group. Our last program of this heritage walk was to visit this hill. The bottom of the hill has the Jain Tirthankara and the unique three tier beds and the top of the hill has the Tippu Sultan Mosque.

TIRTHANKARA & THREE TIER JAIN BEDS.

This hill bottom has the naturally formed bubble like shelters. One of the local village boy has got a Neolithic tool in the hill area. This indicates that the natural caves has been used as a shelter during pre-historic period. The natural caves has the beds carved on the surfaces during Jains occupation. The Ground level has 7 beds, the second level has 2 beds and the top level has one bed. What was the method adopted to climb up is not known since there is no ladder or steps carved.

  

A head less Tirthankara statue is also found in front of the cave. The Tirthankara could not be identified for want of lanchanam. Samatharis / whisk bearer are faintly visible.  The beds and the Tirthankara indicates that a Jain school with a worshiping place / Jinalaya might have existed during Jain’s occupation.

HOW TO REACH:    

On the Vellore – Chennai, Mumbai National highway travel towards Melakuppam  from Puttuthakku Junction.  After 5 KM the hill at Sanarakuppam may be reached.  From the road one has to travel by foot for about a KM inside a private farm to reach the Jain Caves.

LOCATION: Lat 12 deg 55' 48.11" and Long 79 deg 13'26.33"

TIPPU SULTAN MOSQUE.

To climb up the hill there is no proper step or way. We have to  trek around the hill and one place stones are stacked to form a step.  On the top  there are two water ponds  along with a Mosque. The trace of the outer premises wall can be seen around the mosque.  Only the Mosque built with brick structure is standing without roof. The walls are not plastered.  There is a doubt that whether this Mosque was completed and used. Further research is required to find the answer.

The boy with the neolithic tool found near this Kurangu Hill

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Jain Beds with Tamizhi inscriptions, The remains of Jainism at Bhagavathy Hills.

23^rd December 2018.

The visit to this Jain beds is a part of Bagavathy Hills heritage trekking organized by the History of Vellore Facebook group. The Bhagavathy Hill is about 1100 feet with many Natural shelter. These caves are prehistoric habitation site and latter occupied by the Jains. It was told that Neolithic period ( 10000 BC )  tools are found from this shelters/ hill. From 2^nd Century these shelters are occupied by the Jains.

Above 800 feet there are no much trees or vegetation except lemon grass and shrubs. Steps are chiseled on the rocks to climb up for about 50 feet. On the top of the hill there are some cave shelters, an Amman Temple and remains of old temples.  One of the cave shelter has the 10^th century Rashtrakuta King Kannaradevan’s inscription and Kannada inscriptions. Just near to this Three Jain beds are chiseled in a shelter with Brahmi inscriptions. These inscriptions are heavily damaged and unreadable due to vandalism by the miscreants. Perhaps the inscriptions are the name of the persons responsible for creating the beds for Jain monks.

In addition to this there are two foot prints/ pathams carved on a rock near dilapidated temple structures on the top of the hill. It was told these pathams are related to Jainism. The padas are being worshiped by the locals who ventured to this hill to worship Sri Kalki Bhagavathy Amman. Looking at the carvings, in my opinion it may not be connected with Jainism. 

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Jain beds

 Tamizhi  inscriptions are faintly visible ( மாறன் மழவன் - திருச்சி பார்த்தியின் குழுவில் இருந்து )

Tamizhi inscriptions are faintly visible

Sripatham... ?

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Pannappeswarar Temple and Kalki Bhagavathy Temple on Bhagavathy Hills, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

23^rd December 2018.

This visit to this temple was a part of Vellore Heritage walk organized by the History Of Vellore. This is one of the Heritage  structures  / Temples  exists on the Bhagavathy Hills. The Hill is an abode for Jains and Hindus. The lesser known Kalki Bhagavathy Amman and Bhagavathy temple are on the top of the hill.  The Hill has natural cave / rock shelters which are once occupied by the prehistoric  human beings and latter by the Jains. The Rock shelters bears the inscriptions in Tamil and Kannada. Rashtrakuta king Kannaradevan’s ( Krishna-III )  period 10th Century Tamil inscription is inscribed on the back a rock  inside a shelter.  The 11 line inscription reads as..

1. ஸ்வஸ்தி ஸ்ரீகன்னரதெவற்கு யாண்டு இருபத்தாறாவது
2. படுவூர்க் கொட்டத்துப் பங்கள நாட்டு வடக்கில் வகைச்சூ
3. தாடு பாறை மெல்ப் பன்னப்பை எடுப்பித்த
4. பன்னப்பெஸ்வரத்துக்கு பொகமாக இந்நாட்டு வெலூ
5. ர்பாடி எந்மகன் நுளம்பன் வீரசோழர் பக்கல்
6. சூதாடுபாறைமலை அகப்பட தாரை அட்டுவித்துக் கொ
7. ண்டு சந்தராதித்தருள்ளவும் உதகபூர்வஞ் செய்
8. து குடுத்தென் நுளம்பன் திரிபுவனதீரனென்
9. இதந்மம் ரஷித்தாரடி என் முடிமெலன் ஸ்ரீபல்ல
10. வமுராரி இத்ந்மம் இறக்வான் கங்கை குமரியிடைசெ
11. ய்தார் செய்த பாவங்கொள்வான்.

As per the inscription this Pannapeswarar Temple was built by a small Chieftain Pannapai under the Rashtrakuta King Kannaradevan’s ( Krishna-III)  26^th year rule. This temple is on the “Soothadu paarai” at Bangala Nadu in Paduvur Kottam. The Village Velurpadi was gifted to this Temple. It was told that Present Vellore is that  one mentioned in the inscription. But Some experts of the opinion that the present Velapadi at the base of the Hill, may be mentioned as Velurpadi and not the present Vellore. 

PRESENT STATUS

Since this inscription is inscribed on the rock, it survived, but the fate of the temple is not known. Old structures of the temple like pillar and stone fragments are strewn around the top of the hill.  Whether these fragments belongs to the temple  is also not known. Near to the inscription there is a Temple called Sri Kalki Bhagavathy Temple. In front of Amman there is a Rishabam. The rishabam seems to be unique and beautiful. The Rishabam is like  molded from a metal. Looking at the design on the rishabam, it is awesome and may belongs to the old temple.  

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Beautiful rishabam

 Rashtrakuta king Kannaradevan's ( Krishna-III) 10th Century inscription

 Kalki Bhagavathy Sannadhi- Is this is the original Shiva Temple, where the rishabam in front

 A Vinayagar bas-relief on the left side of the inscription

 The pillar may belongs to old temple

Sri Kalki Bhagavathy temple in front is the rishabam ( This may be a Shiva Temple during Rashtrakuta period )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Bhagavathy Amman Temple and Cave Temple at Bhagavathy Hills, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu. E WALK.

23^rd December 2018.

The visit to this Sri Bhagavathy Amman Temple on the Bhagavathy  Hill was a part of Vellore heritage walk. After Amanan kuttai Sathukaramadam and Shiva temple visit, had been to this Hill. The Bhagavathy Hill was used from the ancient periods to till date. Evidences are there on the hill to prove the same. The hill has many natural caves and served as a shelter to the prehistoric human beings. Latter the same was used by the Jains, who are migrated from Shravanabelagola.  A 10^th Century a Shiva Temple with inscriptions  is also on the top of the hill. The hill is about 1100 feet high and trekking  was not so hard.

 

 Bhagavathy Amman Sculpture in a small cave.  

The Bhagavathy Amman temple is about half way to the top, ie about 500 feet from the base. This temple was built in the year 1979 and kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1981.  The temple is facing east with a balipeedam and simha vahanam.  Amman is in seated posture with four hands.

On the top of the hill there are Kalki Bhagavathy Temple, Kalki siddhar peedam and dilapidated  temple structures. The details will be posted separately.

  

 Kalki Siddhar Peedam 

When we descend  on the other side through narrow gap between the rocks ( rolling, climbing through iron ladder and side walk ) we could see a Bhagavathy Amman shrine in a small cave. It was told that the black magic is being done here.  Further descending  we had reached the open natural cave which can accommodate about 50 people. It was an awesome view of the green hills with Palamathi Murugan Temple.  

On the way to this Sri Bhagavathy Amman Temple from the foothills, there are two resting mandapas without roof of which one is constructed with brick in indo-saracenic  style and  the other with stone slabs.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Bhagavathy Amman Temple  

This is the way to descend for the cave Bhagavathy amman and the Shelter 

 A Natural cave  

 First Resting place 

Second Resting place 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---