Kotravai / Mahishasuramardini / Durgai Worship at Perangiyur, Jambai, T Orathur and Thoravi in Villupuram and kallakurichi Districts, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Kotravai / Mahishasuramardini / Durgai sculptures in temples of Villupuram was a part of Villupuram Heritage Walk organized by History Trails on 24^th and 25^th July 2021.

This Kotravai a mother goddess worship is being followed from ancient times. Kotravai is believed to be a goddess of fertility, agricultures and hunting. Old Kotravai Sculptures can be seen in which Kotavai hold “plough tool – ஏர், and Bow & arrow. Latter she had become the goddess to give victory in the wars. Soldiers sacrifice themselves by cutting and offering their heads to get victory in the war. Slowly Kotravai transforms to Mahishasuramardini, by the Vedas and puranas.  Once a main deity Kotravai, has become a Koshta deity called as Durga. 

Mahishasuramardini at Sri Jambunatheswarar Temple, Jambai.

This Mahishasuramardini is 8 hands ( Ashta bhujam ) holding various weapons live sword, Chakra, Cnch, Bow, arrow, shield, etc. Her left leg is resting on Mahisha, who is shown with buffaloe’s head. She Kills Mahisha with Trishul. She wears ornaments in ears, on neck and hands. She also wears a Yagnopaveetha. Her Vahana simha is shown on the back of her legs. This Mahishasura Mardini belongs to Rashtrakutas.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Perangiyur, Sri Chamundeshwari Amman Temple / Sri Samundeeswari Amman Temple, Villupuram District.

In the mukha mandapa of Sri Chamundeshwari Amman Temple, there are many sculptures which includes this Kotravai. This Kotravai with 8 hands ( Ashtabujam ), holding various weapons like Sword, Conh, Chakra, Shield, bow, arrow and a Chattai. Her lower left hand is in ooru hastam. She is Standing on a buffalo’s head.  She wears ornaments and yagnopaveetha. Kotravai structure is shown like skeleton. This is the transformation stage of Mahishasuramardini to Durgai. It was told that this Kotravai belongs to Pallava period (…?)

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

T. Orathur, Kotravai, Villupuram District.

This Kotravai is on the banks of an Eri at T. Orathur  in Villupuram District. The Kotravai is about 6 feet tall in the form of a bas-relief. Kotravai is with 8 hands, holds various weapons like sword, Shield, Conch, Chakra, etc,. Lower right is holding a flower and left hand is in kadi hastam. Wears ornaments in the ears and on the neck. Her Vahana Deer is shown on both sides, which is a unique feature of this Kotravai.

LOCATION  OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Kotravai / Mahishasuramardini / Durgai at Thoravi, Villupuram District. 

This temple is called locally as Pora Koil.  A Chozha period Kotravai is in front of sanctum sanctorum of Poraiyatha Temple. During our Visit comple decoration was done after abhishekam. The Kotravai is in standing posture with 8 hands holding various weapons.  Head is little turned towards left.

The Temple is dedicated for Saptamatrikas.  All the saptamatrikas are kept in a row along with Vinayagar and Veerabhadra.  The Saptamatrikas belongs to Chozha period.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Ayyanar / Sastha Worship in Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Ayyanar / Sastha  sculptures in temples of Villupuram was a part of Villupuram Heritage Walk organized by History Trails on 24^th and 25^th July 2021.

Like worshiping of Lord Shiva, Maha Vishnu worship Ayyanar worshiping cult exists from Ancient times ie from 3^rd Century. “Ayyan” ( Head of the family ) added with “ar” respectable suffix is given and called as Ayyanar. Ayyanar is believed to be the guarding deity and worshiped as Kula Deivam in many Villages. Usually Ayyanar will be with his wives Poorna and Pushkala. This Cult of worshiping Ayyanar was absorbed in Jainism and called Brahma Sastha.  The Old Ayyanar Cult in Tamil Nadu, with little modification called Ayyappan worship in Kerala. 

Perangiyur, Sri Chamundeshwari Amman Temple / Sri Samundeeswari Amman Temple / Shri Samundeeshwari Amman koil at Perangiyur, Villupuram District.

This headless Ayyanar is in the Mukha mandapam of Sri Chamundeshwari Amman Temple at Perangiyur. Ayyanar is in Rajaleelasana sitting posture, keeping the left leg down.  He wears Yagnopaveetha and Uthara Bandham. He is shown with an unidentified object on his right side hip.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Ayyanar Temple, Aviyur, Villupuram District.

This Ayyanar temple is on the left side of the Cuddalore to –Sankarapuram Main road at Aviyur. This Ayyanar is three pieces, buried up to hip level. Ayyanar is in sitting posture in Rajaleelasana (..? ). Ayyanar wears ornaments in the ears, neck  and utharabandaham. A Kattar is shown on the hip. Two devotees are shown on both sides of the Ayyanar of which one devotee is holding flower tray / basket. A Horse is shown on his right leg. A Horse stone sculpture is in front of this Ayyanar.  The Ayyanar may belongs to Pallava period.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai Worship at Perangiyur, Thimmachur, Jambai, Jambai Sri Jambunatheswarar Temple, Perani, Sendiyampakkam, Alagramam, Thiruvandarkoil and Melolakkur in Villupuram and Kallakurichi Districts, Tamil Nadu.

The worship of Jyeshta Devi started from 3^rd Century BCE and continued till 7^th to 8^th Century. She was called as Mootha Devi, moodevi, Thavvai, Settai, Kettai and Mamugadi. As per Sangam literatures She was worshiped as female deity after Kotravai and mentioned as Thavvai.   She holds the Crow flag and broom. She is shown with large pendulous breast, flabby belly, thick thighs. These are seen and considered as the good sign of wealthyness ( வளமையின் சின்னமாக பார்க்கப்பட்டது ) and fertility. During Pallava period, Thavvai was in separate temple and donations were made for worship.

By 7^th to 8^th Century  Aryans gains popularity and raised to the level of controlling temples. By quoting the Agamas and Puranas, that Jyeshta is the elder sister of Lakshmi who came first while churning the milk ocean by Devas and Asuras to get the amrith. She came first with Ugly face, flabby belly and Thick thigh, holds crow flag and broom. They changed the people’s minds as, that Thavvai is an  inauspicious goddess and those, who worship will be in poverty. 

By the 10^th century the worship of Thavvai slowed down and the Deities were moved out of the temples. Even though She is not worshiped popularly, her son Mandhan with bull ( some claims as buffaloe ) faced is worshiped to get relieved from the mandhi dosha. In this article we will see some of the Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai sculptures of Villupuram District. In that some are still in worship.

Perangiyur, Sri Thirumoolanathar Temple, Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai

Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai…  Thavvai is shown with flabby belly and thick thigh. Her crow flag and broom are shown on her back. She wears ornaments I the ears, neck and Yagnopaveetha. Her son Mandhan and daughter Mandhi are shown on both Sides. Thavvai is resting both hands on her two attendants. This Thavvai is in sitting posture, where as Mandhan and Mandhi are in standing posture.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Thimmachur, Jyeshta Devi

In this Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai statue,  Thavvai is in sitting posture on throne and resting her leg on the ground. She is not shown with flabby belly and thick thighs. Her right hand is abhaya hasta and left hand rests on her thigh. She wears ornaments in her ears, neck and Yagnopaveetha. Her crow flag is shown on her back. Her son Mandhan and Mandhi are also in sitting posture on her both sides.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Jambai, Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai

In this Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai statue, Thavvai is in sitting posture. She is not shown with flabby belly and thick thighs. Her right hand is holding a lotus flower and left hand rests on her thigh. She wears ornaments in her ears, neck and Yagnopaveetha. Her crow flag is shown on her back. Her son Mandhan and daughter Mandhi are in standing posture on her both sides.

This Thavvai, was worshiped in Allinathar Temple ( also called as Nagareecharathu alwar..? and the place was called as Valaiyur ) ( which was in dilapidated condition and now under reconstruction ) and now she is in the middle of the field.  There are two inscriptions inscribed on the rock / boulder near her. The inscription belongs to Kannaradevan's period, records to the donations made to this temple. This area comprises of Maladu Vanakopadi, Singapura nadu was ruled by the Vaithumba King, who helped Kannara Devan in Thakkolam war. 

 

The Kannaradevan's 18th reign year, the Vaithumba King had given a gift of 20 Kalanju gold to Thiruvaiyar SankaraPadiar to burn lamp at Nagareecharthu alwar. 

The inscription under the above belongs to Kannaradeva's 23rd reign 's year. One of the body guards of Vaithumba King who helped in Thakkolam War, who also belongs to Kaikolar sect Padai/ regiment called Anukkan Thoothuvan, establised an endowment of burning a lamp at Valaiyur Nagareecharathu Alwar Temple. A gift of 15 Kalanju gold gifted to the temple's valanchiyar. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Jambai, Sri Jambunathar temple, Jyeshta devi / Thavvai.

Ths Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai is in worship along with other deities. It was told that this Thavvai belongs to Rashtrakutas. In this Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai statue, Thavvai is in sitting posture on throne and resting her leg on the ground. She is not shown with flabby belly and thick thighs. She is holding a lotus flower in the right hand and left hand rests on her thigh. She wears ornaments in her ears and neck. Her crow flag is shown on her back. Her son Mandhan and Mandhi are also in sitting posture on her both sides.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Perani , Thavvai ( Jyeshta Devi with Manthan and Manthi )

This Thavvai belongs to pallava period and is not in worship, lying as a loose sculpture in the outer prakaram. Thavvai is shown with flabby belly and thick thigh. Her crow flag is shown on her back. She wears ornaments in the ears and neck. Her son Mandhan and daughter Mandhi are shown on both Sides. Thavvai’s right hand is holding a some thing or abhaya hastam and the left hand is holding a water pot. This Thavvai is in sitting posture, where as Mandhan and Mandhi are in standing posture. Sine Thavvai sculpture is in highly eroded condition, couldn’t obtain all the details.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Sendiyampakkam, Shiva Temple Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai.

This Thavvai belongs to pallava period and is in worship and installed in the prakaram along with Murugan, Maha Vishnu and Durga.  Thavvai is shown with flabby belly and thick thigh. Her crow flag is shown on her back. She wears ornaments in the ears, neck and Yagnopaveetha. Her son Mandhan and daughter Mandhi are shown on both Sides in sitting posture. Thavvai’s right hand is abhaya hastam and holding a water pot on the left hand.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Alagramam, Thavvai at Sri Chelliamman temple

This Thavvai is in sitting posture with with large pendulous breast, flabby belly, thick thighs. Her hands are hanging, whether they are resting on something is not known. She wears ornaments in the ears and neck. She is sitting alone without his son and daughter. This Thavvai was made like a statue.

LOCATIONS OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Thiruvandarkoil 

This Thavvai is in sitting Posture . Her Crow flag is shown on her back. Her Son Mandhan and daughter Mandhi are shown on her both sides. This Thavvai may belongs to Chozha period.

 

LOCATION : CLICK HERE  

 

 

Melolakkur, Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai 

The Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai Thai is with her daughter Manthi and  her son Mandhan. Local people calls this as Durgai Amman or a Ellai Amman  (  Amman at the Limit point  for the village ). Jyeshta Devi is in the form of bas-relief, which is not protruding much. She is in a sitting posture with legs folded. A Big belly is shown and ornaments are shown in the ears and on neck. Her crow flag and broom stick is shown on her back.  Mandhan is shown with human face instead of usual buffaloe’s head and holding a Dhandam in the right hand. This is very much similar to the relief found at Chunambedu. As per the historians both reliefs are of 6^th century Pallava period. 

LOCATION OF JYESHTA DEVI BAS-RELIEF :  CLICK HERE 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thondur Sayana Perumal / தொண்டூர் சயனப்பெருமாள், Thondur, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

This second visit to this Thondur Sayana Perumal carved on a boulder was a part of Villupuram Heritage Walk organized by History Trails on 24^th and 25^th July 2021. The first visit to this Anantha Sayana Perumal was organized by REACH foundation on 15^th Feb, 2015.

Anantha Sayana Perumal was chiselled on a huge rock in the midst of paddy fields. Perumal is in anantha sayanam on Adhiseshan ( 5 hood snake )  keeping head on the left side which is rare. In the neck throat is not visible instead the surface is smooth. The ‘Kireedam‘/ Crown is of Cambodian style, hence this was chiseled by Pallavas has the connection of Cambodia ( ?). This bas-relief was carved during the year 780 CE.

The inscription at the feet of Perumal belongs to Thandhi Varman's 6^th reign year. The inscription records the endowment of rice naivedyam to this Perumal ( mentioned as Badarar ) by Vinnakovarayar. For the same 16 Kalanju Gold was gifted. 

In front Perumal’s there is an inscription stone installed in the form of Tablet.The inscription is with bow & arrow. This inscription belongs to Chozha King Aditha Karikalan ( Pandian Thalai Konda ). The inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp to this Kidantha Perumal, by Singapura Nattu ( present Gingee area ) Keelvazhi Thondur  living Thirukannan's son Peru mandradi. For the same 10 Sava moova Peradu was gifted.

 

HOW TO REACH

Thondur Sayana Perumal is about 18 KM from Gingee, 57 KM from Villupuram, 58.6 KM from Thiruvannamalai, 70 KM from Thirukovilur and 155 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Junction is Villupuram. 

LOCATION OF THE PLACE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Parshvanath Tirthankara and 3 Jain beds in Jain Cave, Pasumalai Padukai, Thondur, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The second visit to this Tirthankara and jain beds at Pasumalai padikai / Thondur also called as “Panchanarpadi Cave” was a part of Villupuram Heritage Walk organized by History Trails on 24^th and 25^th July 2021. During our 2^nd Visit it was observed that ( first trip Organised by REACH Foundation on 15^th Feb 2015 ), steps were constructed up to steps chiseled on the rock to climb easily. This monument is with a Jain Tirthankara Parshvanath bas-relief and 3 beds.

 

Tirthankara…. Parshvanath is shown in sitting posture with a snake hood on the back of the head. Mukkudai is not shown. 3 Simha’s are shown at the base. Parshwanath Tirthankara’s face and body are reworked, which spoils the antiquity of the bas-relief. The old and new pictures are given below for comparison.

The Tamizhi /Brahmi inscriptions are not legible to read. From the document, the Jains beds are created by Mosi as per the instruction of Senkayan.  This brahmi / Tamizhi inscriptions belongs to 3^rd Century CE. 

ஸேங்காயிபன் ஏவ அகழ் ஊரறம்  மோசி செயித அதிட்டானம்

As per Senkayiban's instruction Mosi has done 3 samanar beds. Whether the 3 horizontal lines represents the 3 beds.. ?, is not known. As per the Jains web site, it was read as...  

( இ ) ளங்காயிபன் ஏவ அகழ்ஊரறம்  

மோசி செயித அதிடானம்..  

என்பது இதன் வாசகமாகும். தொடக்கத்தில் “இ” க்கான மூன்று புள்ளிகள் உள்ளது போல் தெரிகிறது. இறுதியில் மூன்று என்பது ஒன்றன்கீழ் ஒன்றான படுக்கைக் கோடுகளால் காட்டப்பட்டுள்ளது. இளங்காயிபன் பணித்தபடி (ஏவ ) அகழூரினர் இந்த அறத்தைச் செய்தனர்.  இந்த புனித இருக்கை ( அதிட்டானம் ) மோசியால் செய்யப்பட்டது என இரு செய்திகளாகப் பொருள்தருகிறது. இறுதியில் உள்ள மூன்று கோடுகள் அங்குள்ள படுக்கைகளில் மூன்று படுக்கைகளின் எண்ணிக்கையைக் குறிக்கிறதா என்பது தெரியவில்லை.

1 மற்றும் 12வது எழுத்துக்கள் நடன காசிநாதனால் “ஸ” என படிக்கப்பட்டன. 15வது எழுத்தான “ற” கல்வெட்டு  வெட்டியவரால் பிழையாக வலம் இடமாக வெட்டப்பட்டுள்ளது. மூன்றாவது எழுத்து “ங்” புள்ளியுடன் உள்ளது. அகழூர் என்பது அகழ் ஊர் என இக்கல்வெட்டில் உள்ளது. இன்று தொண்டூர் அருகில் அகலூர் என்றொரு ஊர் உள்ளது. அகழூரினர் ஒன்றாக இணைந்து இளங்காயிபன் என்பவர் பணிக்க அறம் செய்துள்ளனர் என்பது ஒரு நிறுவன அமைப்பினை உணர்த்தும். மோசி என்பது ஆட்பெயர். “திருந்து மொழி மோசிபாடிய ஆயும்  என்பது புறப்பாடல் வரி ( புறம் 158 ).

HOW TO REACH

Thondur / Pasumalaipadukai / Panchanarpadi cave is about 17.5 KM from Gingee, 57 KM from Villupuram, 58 KM from Thiruvannamalai, 69 KM from Thirukovilur and 155 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Junction is Villupuram. 

LOCATION OF THE CAVE  :  CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

HERO STONE / Sati Stone / Navakandam / Veerakallu / Nadukal of Sendiyampakkam and Jambai, Villupuram and Kallakurichi Districts, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Hero and Sati stones at Sendiyampakkam, was a part of Villupuram Heritage Walk organized by History Trails, on 24^th and 25^th July 2021.

Hero Stone at Sendiyampakkam ( Inside the Eri ), Villupuram District

This Hero stone is in side the eri / on the east banks and west of Shiva Temple where the Loose sculptures are there. This hero stone belongs to Pallava King Simhavishnu’s period ( 570 – 600 CE ). This hero stone was erected to a soldier  Karunandhi, the younger son of Chintriyambakkam Sothala parumakkal Nandi Kilan, who was killed, belongs to Amoor Kottam  meengundram ( in Jayangoda Chozha mandalam near Thirukazhukundram in Chengalpattu District ).

This Hero stone is being called as Thorattikal by the Local people. In the hero stone the hero is shown like marching on his left side. Holds a kattar in the right hand and a bow with three arrows are shown. The hero wears dress below his hip, the rope of the dress is shown between his legs. Also wears ornaments in his neck.

This inscription in Tamil vattezhuthu records as …

1. சிங்கவி
2. ண்ணபரு
3. மற்கு
4. செருசேவகரு
5. ஆமூருக்கோ
6. ட்டத்துமீ
7. ங்குன்றத்
8. துசொதல
9. ங்கிழபரும
10. க்கள் நந்தி
11. கிளனரு சின்
12. றியன் பாக்கம்
13. இளமகன்
14. கருநந்திகு
15. த்திப்பட்டாரு

SATI STONE, at Sendiyampakkam, Villupuram District.

This Sati stone is at the beginning of the Village. This sati Stone belongs to 6^th century CE, Pallava period.

In tha Sati Stone the hero is shown at the centre holding a sword ( Ganga Style ) in the right hand and a shield in the left hand. He wears dress below his hip and a kattar is shown on the right side of his hip. His wives those took sati after the Hero’s death, are shown both sides. The right side lady holds a toddy pot and the left side lady holds a flower. A lamp is also shown on the left side lady’s leg.

Dr Poongundran mentions two inscriptions in two different pages in his book of which one is wrong. The inscription on this Sati Stone reads as…

1. ய ஆமூர் அ
2. ரைசரு மக்கள்
3. ...ரும்மகாட்டி
4. அருகருபூச
5. ...பட்டா
6. (ருகல்)

 The other inscription reads as…

1. …. போத அ
2. ரைசரு மக்கள்
3. ட்குவ்வி
4. ஆருதரு பும
5. கண்ண….

LOCATION OF THE VILLAGE : CLICK HERE

Hero Stones – Navakandam / Arikandam at Sri Jambunatheswarar Temple, Jambai, Kallakurichi District.

The navakanda Nadukal erected for a Hero for successful completion of a mandapa at the temple. A land was gifted to his brother as Uthirapatti. The Hero is shown cutting his head, holding the sword in both hands, is a special feature of this Navakanda sculpture. Usually inscriptions will be inscribed on the hero Stone itself. But insthis case the inscription is inscrobed / recorded on the walls of Sri Jambunatheswarar Temple wall.

The details of the inscription are….

Koperunjingan’s 13th reign year inscription records that a tax free land of 150 Kuli by the Thanathar for this temple, according to the order of Gangayar to Annamalai, the younger brother of Atkondan, who cut of his head so that the nirutha ( Dancing Hall ) mandapa in the temple of Tirttantonri Aludaiya Nayanar (Thiri Thanthodonri Aludaiya Nayanar ) at Sambai / ( Jambai ) might be completed. Atkondan is stated to be the younger brother of Perralvi, devaradiyal ( temple maid servant ) residing in the Village. ( This inscription is for an instance of Voluntary sacrifice for the successful completion of a Mandapa )

LOCATION OF THE VILLAGE : CLICK HERE

HERO STONE at Mel Olakkur.

In this hero stone, Three warriors holding sword and shield.  This Hero stone was erected to the warriors who lost their lives in a war. While the two warriors pointing the sword down where as one warrior holds his sword up.

LOCATION OF THE VILLAGE : CLICK HERE  

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---