23, July 2013
I had
the opportunity of joining a tour organised by the R.E.A.C.H
Foundation on 21st July 2013 to Neyveli,
Thirupachur, Thiruvalangadu, Manavur, and Palayanur. It was a wonderful
experience. Learned a lot from Mr Vagula Varadharajan, the Historian.
SRI ADI AGNEESWARAR TEMPLE, NEYVELI
Initially, I thought
Neyveli was the place in the North Arcot district where Neyveli Lignite Corporation
is located. Then I understand that this Neyveli is near Poondi (Tiruvallur). On the way to Tiruvallur, Mr Chandrasekaran, PRO of the REACH
foundation, narrated the incidents that happened at the
Neyveli Shiva Temple. The
details are as follows. This part of this post was written as a separate post with updated details. Please click the Link to see the updated details.
The south side entrance arch and the Gajabirusta vimanam are on the left side
Consort :
Sri Lalithambigai
Sthala Vruksha:
Kallala Tree
Some of the important
features of this temple are...
The Rajagopuram is
yet to be constructed, and the entrance arch is on the south side.
The temple faces east.
In the outer praharam, Sannidhi for Radha with Krishnan, Ganapathy, Sri Valli Devasena Samedha
Subramaniar, Vana Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Naga Devar and Naga Devathai with a
Child (It was believed that if one worships naga Devathas, they will
be blessed with Children), and Sri Dakshinamurthy is under the Kallala
Tree facing south.
Ambal is facing south
in a standing posture with four hands. Lotus on two hands and the other two in abhaya
hastham and Vara hastham.
HISTORY
It was learned that the Neyveli Shiva Temple is being worshipped by Siddhars in Sookshama roopam. The incidents that happened are proof of the same. Many Miracles also happened through Lord Agneeswara Swamy of this temple. As per history, only the Shiva Linga’s head was visible through the Kallala tree trunk. When excavated, there was no damage, and the Lingam was found intact and shining. Kumbabishekam was conducted recently, and we went for the mandala pooja. The new temple was constructed in front of the original Shiva Lingam.
LEGEND
The Sthala Viruksha is a real Kallala Tree, and it is believed that the tree is more than 5000 years
old. Also, it is believed that Yakshinis are living in the tree, hence the tree itself is treated as
sacred. There are some Laterite stones seen between the
roots of the tree. These stones might have been used for the
original temple. A Siddhar in the form of a snake lives in the tree, and one or
two people had the darshan.
HOW TO REACH :
We, 15 members from the R.E.A.C.H foundation, went through a van from Chennai.
Neyveli is on the way
from Tiruvallur to Poondi. The temple is about a km off the main
road on the east side of the village in the midst of a paddy
field.
CONTACT DETAILS:
For pooja
and timings, please contact Ramamoorthy Gurukkal at 9843685562 and Pradeep at 9710709301.
Sthala Vruksha Kallala Tree
East side entrance arch
Naga Devar and Naga Devathai with a child
Sri Agneeswarar
Kallala Tree trunk
Sri Vana Durgai
Urchavar
Kallala maram fruits
After the darshan of Lord Agneeswarar, we proceeded to see the Poondi Archaeological Museum. On the way, we saw the place where the stone weapons were made during the Stone Age period. The site is now under the control of the Archaeological Department. Through Historian Mr. Vagula Varadharajan, it was learnt that the site might be 1 lakh years old. The stones we had seen very much looked like Stone Age weapons.
Since the museum
was closed, we returned to Thiruvallur for a second breakfast. At the temple, we
had Lord Shiva’s prasad as the first breakfast.
16. SRI
VASEESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUPACHUR
It
was 11.30 hrs when we proceeded to Thirupachur after breakfast at
Thiruvallur. We are lucky enough to enter the temple before closing
the temple after pooja. After darshan, our historian explained the details of
the temple. Since Ambal is on the right side of the moolavar, this
temple is important for marriages. To prove that there is a Kalyana
mandapam on the northeast corner of the temple complex, which is
now in a ruined condition.
This
is the 16th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam. Thondai Nadu Appar
and Thirugnanasambandar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
Moolavar : Sri Vaseeswarar, Sri Pachur Nathar
Consort : Sri Thangathali (Tham Kathali)
Sthala
vruksham : Bamboo
Some
of the special features of the temple are...
The
temple faces east with a 3 tier rajagopuram on the south side. The
moolavar was in a bamboo forest, when the bamboo was cut by the hunters, the vasi (axe-like tool to cut wood) hit the moolavar. Still, scars can be seen on the side
and top. Moolavar is of swayambhu theenda thirumeni on square
avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai. Durgai and Dwarapalakas are beautiful. (Pictures are uploaded.)
There
is no sannidhi in the outer praharam. In
the inner prakaram sannadhi for Selva Murugan, Navagrahas,
Somaskandar, Vinayagars (5 in number), Saptamatrikas, Naalvar.
Utsava murtis Chandrasekar, Sukravara Amman, Vinayagar, Shanmugar, Naalvar,
Pachur Amman, and Somaskandar.
CONTACT DETAILS
HOW TO REACH :
This
temple is on the Chennai to Tirupati bus route and is 3 km from Tiruvallur
town.
Town
buses are available from Tiruvallur since the temple is on the highway.
Autos
are available from Tiruvallur.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
East side entrance with dwajasthambam
Rajagopuram (South side), balipeedam with Simha vahanam of Ambal Temple
Ambal Sannidhi front view
3-tier Rajagopuram on the south side
Beautiful art in stone, see the Chuzhiyam on the forehead and Simham on the headgear of Dwarapalaka
Full view of Dwarapalaka
Saptamatrikas
Gajabirusta vimanam
Tamil inscription on the sanctum wall
Beautiful Brahma - See the hip belt with Simha's face
Vishnu Durgai - different from others. The chakra is round, only half is visible, and the other half is behind the stone. Please see the sari frills on both sides of the hips.
Sri Vadaranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalaangadu.
The details of the temple are recorded in one of my earlier posts. I had taken some photos this time, which are rare to
see. We tried to read some of the Tamil inscriptions, but could not do so, as they were damaged due
to sandblasting during renovation.
Many bas reliefs of the Vijayanagara period, Pig, sword, and half moon emblem- As per historians, Muslims hate pigs, so Muslims will not destroy the temple
Seppu and brass moortham of Kottaiyur Muthukaruppan Chettiar and Kamu Ammal - Might have done Thiruppani to this temple - Please see the turban of Chettiar looks beautiful and looks real.
a mural at the entrance of Moolavar Sannadhi
A statue is kept in a ventilator behind Saba Mandapam. Is it Karaikkal Ammayar?. May not be since the left leg is not folded
Temple view from outer praharam
SRI NANDEESWARAR TEMPLE. MANAVUR.
This part of the post was updated with Architecture, History, inscriptions, Legends, etc., after the visit on 10th July 2022. Please click the link to view the updated post.
Manavur
is very near to Thiruvalangadu, where we had the darshan of Thiru
Nandeeswarar. There was a story for the construction of Rajagopuram. When they
tried to construct the Rajagopuram and the Kumbabishekam, they faced a lot of
problems, and work was moving at a snail's pace. After prasannam, they came to
know that the delay was due to neglect of the Ganapathy temple in front of
Rajagopuram. After the kumbhabhishekam was performed by Rajaganapathy, they were
able to construct the Rajagopuram without any hurdles.
Moolavar :
Sri Nandeeswarar
Consort : Sri Anandavalli.
Some of
the details of this temple are...
The
temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy,
Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Vishnu Durgai.
In the
outer prakaram sannadhi for Mukkan Vinayagar, Brihadeeswarar and Nagars.
In the
inner praharam, Ambal, Vinayagar, Ashta Lakshmi, Chandikeswarar,
Sri Valli Devasena sametha Subramaniar, and Bhairavar. Ambal is in a separate
sannadhi facing south in a standing
posture.
There is
a Valampuri Vinayagar on the left side of the sanctum sanctorum. The Vinayagar
belongs to the Pallava period (Very similar to Pillayarpatti Vinayagar).
HISTORY
The
temple belongs to the 4th century. The village Manavur was once a
Manavur Kottam during the Chozha period.
LEGEND
Lord
Shiva gave Thirumana Kola darshan to Agasthiyar. Lord Shiva gave moksha to
Nandhi Bhagavan.
There is
a saying about this temple ie Aadiyathu Aalangattil, Amarnthathu Thiruvuralil
and Mananthathu Manavuril. ( ஆடியது ஆலங்காட்டில், அமர்ந்தது திருவூரலில், மணந்தது மணவூரில் )
Kumbabishekam
was performed on 25-03-2012.
HOW TO
REACH :
T2 bus is
available from Thiruvallur to Thiruvalangadu via Manavur (Daily two trips only)
Manavur railway
station is very near to the village on the Chennai to Arakkonam route.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The
temple is open from 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
For pooja details can be obtained from Mr Srinivasan at 8012247358 and 8098795873.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
The entrance of the Main shrine from the south side
Moolavar vimanam
The newly built 5-tier Rajagopuram
Temple view from the back side
Temple view from Dwajasthambam
SRI
KARKATTEESWARAR TEMPLE, MANAVUR
OLD SHIVA TEMPLE
This part of the post was updated with Architecture, legends, History, etc., after the second Visit on 10th July 2022. Please click the link to view the updated post.
After Lunch at the temple, we went to a ruined temple outside the village. Trees are found growing in the
temple. (Where will it get water during the non-rainy
season?) Vinayagar sannidhi is a little away from the main shrine.
Moolavar : Sri
Karkatteeswarar
Consort : Sri
Kamakshi
Some of the details
are...
Sannadhi for
Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar and Ambal. Kanchi Periyavar once
stayed in the temple when he was on tour. This temple is for
the Kataka rasi temple. They can perform the pariharam in this temple.
Iraivan gave Moksham
to Nandu (crab).
REQUEST
TO READERS.
Devotees are
requested for the reconstruction of this temple. Donations may please be sent
to Mr Srinivasan at 8012247358 and 8098795873 and get the blessings of Lord
Shiva Karkatteeswarar.
Temple from a distance - looks like the trees are not on the temple.
Closer look - yes, the trees are grown on the temple itself
Moolavar and inside are intact
See the roots of the banyan tree - goes up to the base.
Ambal - The inside looks fine, only the outer wall is damaged
Old damaged well - Abhishekam might have used this well water
Bas relief of Vinayagar
The damaged outer wall of the main shrine
The damaged outer wall of the main shrine - Bas-reliefs
Once again, we came to Manavur and went to the Kandaswamy temple. The
vahana of this temple is an elephant. The archakar said that the temple was
constructed before the Soora Samharam period. The peacock vahana has come after Soora Samharam. The moolavar is beautiful. This Kandhan is believed to give Gnanam. There is no sannadhi for Sri Valli and
Devasena. Old Tamil inscriptions are found on the base of the temple. As per
historians, the temple was built during the Pallava Period.
MANAVUR KANDASWAMY TEMPLE :
This part of the post was written as a separate post with Architecture, legends, History, etc. Please click the link to view the updated post.
Elephant as vahana
Urchavars
Also, we worshipped
Sri Veeraraghava Perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi on both sides. All are in a sitting posture. This temple was also an old one.
SRI KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE, PALAYANUR
On the way to Chennai
after Manavur, we decided to see the Shiva temples and the memorial of Vellalars
who ended their life for a Merchant by jumping into fire. First, we went to a
Shiva temple, which was a little away from the village in the midst of the field.
Moolavar : Sri
Kailasanathar
Consort :
Sri Parvathavarthini
Moolavar is of swayambhu.
Also, there is a Shiva Lingam in the artha mandapam. Sannadhi for Ganapathy and
Subramaniyar. Earlier period Tamil inscriptions are found at the base of the
temple. It was sad to see an inscription tablet being used for the
well water spout.
SRI
THAZHUVAKUZAINTHA ESWARAR, PALAYANUR
Inside
the village, there is another important ancient (belonging to the Pallava Period)
Shiva temple, which has its own history. It is believed that Lord Shiva called
Karaikkal Ammaiyar a Mother (Ammaye) and hugged her. Karaikkal
Ammaiyar went to the Shiva Temple of Thiruvalangadu through her hands from this
temple, since the pebble stones on the way resemble Shiva
Lingam. Also, another important feature of this temple is that Naalvar has sung hymns
on Thiruvalangadu Shiva from this temple without going there.
Moolavar :
Sri Thazhuvakuzhaindha Eswarar
Consort : Sri
Anantha Valli.
In
artha mandapam, Nalvar, Ganapathy, and urchava images are there. In the
outer praharam, Vijayaraghava
Perumal Subramaniar and Chandikeswarar. In koshtam Durgai, Brahma,
Vishnu, and Dakshinamurthy. The temple is facing west
without Rajagopuram.
Entrance to the main shrine - with a stucco image of Thiruvalangadu Nadanam 
Rishaba mandapam with balipeedam
Moolavar vimanam
Sri Saatchi Boodeshwarar Temple, Pazhayanur
This part of the post was updated with Architecture, legends, History, etc. Please click the link to view the updated post.
We
had also seen the memorial constructed for the 70 Vellaras who ended their life
by jumping into the fire. The story behind that was that the Vellalars promised in
front of Lord Shiva Sri Sakshi Bhutheswarar temple to
save the life of the merchant from Neeli, a ghost, but could not do so. The
Neeli killed the merchant. So they ended their life. It is believed that this incident
happened approximately 2500 years ago. Inside the pit, bas-reliefs are found around the wall.
Sthala varalaru
Sakshi Bhutheswarar temple
Bas reliefs around the inner wall
Bas-reliefs of Vellalar entering into the fire
A memorial mandapam for the 70 Vellalars jumped into the fire to end their life.
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---
