11 August 2013
During
my earlier visits to Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal, in and around
Kumbakonam, Shiva asked me to come once again for the darshan at
Thiruvisanallur, Chakkarapalli, and Neithanam (Thillai Sthanam) near
Thiruvaiyaru. There was a three-day continuous leave from Friday to
Sunday, ie, from 9th Aug to 11th Aug 2013.
Utilising this opportunity, I made this visit to Kumbakonam. This
time, I did not stay in a Lodge. Straightly went to my friend’s
brother, Mr. Ramanathan‘s house (Nattukottai Nagarathar), which
is in front of Thiruvisanallur Shiva Temple. He is also taking care of
the Shiva Temple’s activities.
97
/ 43. SRI SIVAYOGINATHAR TEMPLE. THIRUVISANALLUR
Now
this place is called Thiruvisanallur or Thiruvisanallur. This is the 97th Devaram
Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 43rd Shiva Sthalam on the north
side of the river Kaveri. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva
of this temple.
The 5-tier Rajagopuram - preparing for renovation
Moolavar : Sri Yoganandheeswarar, Sri Purathaneswarar,
Sri
Vivaranyeswarar
Consort : Sri Santhanayagi , Sri
Soundara Nayagi
Some
of the important details are…
The
temple faces east with a 5-tier
Rajagopuram. Rishabam and balipeedam are after the Rajagopuram. There is a second-level Rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of the sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam.
Chozha-period Tamil inscriptions are found on the adhisthana and walls. A Sundial is on the south side compound wall.
Sadayu
worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. This is the birthplace of Uyyavantha
Nayanar, who wrote the Thiruvunthiyar.
There
are 4 Bhairavars, namely, Gnana Kala Bhairavar, Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar,
Unmatha Bhairavar, and Yoga Bhairavar are in the northeast corner along with Bala
Saneeswarar. (Also, this place is a parikara sthalam for Shaniswarar). People worship Chathur (four) Kalabhairavas for Child boon, to
get rid of poverty, Navagraha dosha, to get back the lost property, to
get married, etc.
A
rare moortham of Sri Lakshmi Narayanan is in the outer prakaram. People worship
on Thiruvonam Nakshatra, Ekadasi tithi, and Saturdays. Anusha Panchami
festival is celebrated when Anusham Nakshatra joins with
Panchami tithi.
It
is believed that still, Agasthiyar came to this sthalam during Shivaratri day
to worship Shiva after having a bath in the Theerthams. This
sthalam is also a Guru and Rishaba Parihara sthalam.
HOW
TO REACH :
Minibus available from Kumbakonam bus stand to Veppathur, get down at the School stop, from there the temple is 1 km. (Karkadeswarar, another Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam, is just 2 km from here.)
King and his wife worship Lord Shiva
Tamil inscriptions on the Sanctum Sanctorum wall - maximum damaged
Moolavar vimanam with Dhakshinamoorthy sannadhi
Sri Lakshmi Narayanan
Chandikeswarar
Chatur kala Bhairavas
Ashta Lakshmi's old paintings on the Ambal Sannidhi mandapam walls
Ashta Lakshmi's old paintings on the Ambal Sannadhi mandapam walls
Ashta Lakshmi's old paintings on the Ambal Sannidhi mandapam walls
Ashta Lakshmi's old paintings on the Ambal Sannidhi mandapam walls
After Darshan at Thiruvisanallur, Mr Ramanathan has arranged an
Auto for my temple visit. First, we went to PAZHAYARAI. The
temple was kept open, and the renovation was in progress with earth
movers. Had the Dharshan. The sannadhi is of the Mada temple type. There
is a Rajagopuram on the second level, and the main Rajagopuram is still a
mottai gopuram, and renovation has to be started.
PAZHAYARAI - KEEZHIL THALI (பழையாரை கீழ்தளி)
This post was updated with Thevara hymns, Architecture, History, Inscriptions, legends, etc. For the details of the updated post, please click this link.
The 3-tier Rajagopuram after the main entrance
Moolavar : Sri Someshar
Consort : Sri Somakalambigai
Some
of the important features of this temple are:…
The
temple is facing east with a mottai gopuram. The second-level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. This is one of the
mad temples. The sanctum sanctorum consists of a sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma, and Durgai. The Adhisthana and the Prastaram have the kapotam. The Vimana is of two tiers.
Ambal is in a separate temple, like a sannadhi. The front mandapa is like a chariot pulled by the Horses. The Adhisthana has the story of Bhakta Prahalada in the form of bas-reliefs.
Garudan
and Adhiseshan worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Appar
made Shiva Lingam appear after he prayed on fast, which was hidden by the Jains (samanars). This is the birthplace of Mangaiyarkarasiyar and Amarneedhi Nayanar.
HISTORY
This
place was once called Arunmozhidevechuram. King Rajendran was brought up
under the care of Queen Kundavai in this place. Also, this place was once the capital of the Chozha King Manimudi Devar. He was instrumental in appearing the
Shiva Lingam to Appar. Chozhars had done renovations to this temple.
HOW
TO REACH :
This
temple is very near Patteeswaram, about 3 km.
A lot of Town buses are available up to Patteeswaram, from there auto facility is
available.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
The entrance to the main shrine is in a chariot-type
Moolavar vimanam
Arthanareeswarar in place of Lingothbavar- the Rishaba's direction is changed from the usual.
The Main shrine is a mada-type Koil
Vishnu''s Narasimha avatars are a relief in front of Ambal's sannadhi
Vishnu's Narasimha avatar is a relief in front of Ambal's sannadhi
Mottai Gopuram
Then we tested our luck for the darshan of Sri Vimalanayagi
samedha Sri Dharmapureeswarar of Muzhaiyur, Pazhayarai Vada Thali. To our bad luck, the temple was closed this time also, and when we
contacted the Archakar (Mobile number 9789610836), he said the temple would be
opened only after 17.00 Hrs. This temple is attached to the Swamimalai Murugan
temple.
Then we proceeded to Patteeswaram. Had the darshan of Sri
Ganambigai Samedha Sri Patteechurar. This is my second visit to this temple.
Since the day happened to be a Friday lot of people thronged for the
Darshan of Durgai Amman. The Durgai Amman is in a separate temple, and the
whole temple is called as Durgai Amman temple. The details of this temple
were already written in my earlier post. The Photos taken are uploaded in this
post.
PATTEESWARAM
West side 5-tier Rajagopuram with temple tank
The 7-tier Rajagopuram with Rishaba mandapam, balipeedam, and Dwajasthambam
A relief at the entrance of Southside Rajagopuram. The stone is not strong.
The south side of Rajagopuram
SRI AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE, DARASURAM
Then we went to Darasuram, Airavatesvara Temple. I came to this temple a few years ago, when the renovation was in progress. The temple is under the control of ASI and is protected by UNESCO. A recent thirupani was done by the present Prince of Maratha king, Babaji Rajah Bhonsle.
The temple is maintained neatly and clean with a landscape outside. A lot of foreign tourists visit this temple. ASI
allowed for the regular pooja to the moolavar. Photography was allowed in
this temple. A lot of relief on the walls, ceilings, and pillars is found.
In one pillar complete story of Lord Shiva’s marriage was chiseled on
all four sides of the pillar. The Shiva and Ambal images are very beautiful.
Different sounds are observed when tapped on various parts of the moortham of
Ambal. It was a wonderful experience to see the details of the statues made in stone. We have to appreciate to craftsman who had chiseled on the stone.
After clicking the minute details and the statues left for Swamimalai.
Arthanareeswarar - see the three heads like Brahma, an unusual sculpture.
Mandapam is like a chariot-type construction
Entrance
Annapoorani
Closer look, the face with a sharp nose, a masterpiece - Annapoorani
See the details of the hand, fingers, and nails - observed different sounds when tapped on the atchaya pathira, lotus flower, and the head. - Annapoorani
See the details of the right hand holding the lotus flower - Annapoorani
See the saree foldings and the design of wearing - Annapoorani
See the beautiful smile on the face of Annapoorani
Lord Shiva and Parvathi's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar.
Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar.- Ambal's Dhabas and below, worshiping Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar. - Lord Shiva came in the Rishaba Vahana
Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar.- See the Navagrahas attending the marriage with their vahanas.
Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar- Lord Shiva gives darshan after the marriage.
Lord Shiva as Gajasamhara Moorthy. - see the left leg's padam
Oorthava thandavam where Lord Shiva danced at Thiruvalangadu - a relief on the pillar.
Dancer - a relief on the pillar
One of the bas-reliefs on the base - dancing to drums - who damaged this sculpture?
Relief is also available in the ceiling also
Adhikara Nandhi is an amalgamation of Shiva on the left and Vishnu on the right. Adhikara Nandhi holding a sword
Lord Shiva is in a sitting posture, holding a Shield (Kedayam) and a sword in one pair of hands and a bow & arrow in a pair of hands.
Dakshinamoorthy
A closer look at Dhakshinamoorthy with the jadamudi curling and the padra Kundala on the left ear.
Right hand in Chin mudra and Rudraksha in the other hand
Lingothbavar - Vishnu and Brahma on both sides
Temple complex view.
Vishnu Durgai - in koshtam
See the smiling face of Abhaya Hastham
Temple complex view
Temple complex view
Moolavar Vimanam
Temple complex view
The King Raja Kambeera Mamannan Raja Raja II, 1146 CE in the gallery
Sandalwood paste-making stones - in the gallery
Sri Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar - in the gallery
Arthanareeswarar and an old painting - on the gallery wall
Old painting - maybe Thiagarajar - on the gallery wall
An old painting - on the gallery wall
Bairavar in koshtam - finished like metal
Rishaba mandapam
Tamil old inscriptions
Entrance view of the Darasuram temple with Rishaba mandapam
SWAMIMALAI
SRI MURUGAN TEMPLE:
It
was 13.30 hours when we left for Swamimalai and went to my friend Mr Raju’s home
at Melaveethi. After lunch had a small nap. Evening, around 18 hours, Self
and Mr. Raju went to Swamimalai Murugan temple. This temple is one of the
6 abodes of Lord Subramaniar/ Murugan. The temple was constructed on three levels. On the ground level, Vallabha Ganapati is at the east side
entrance. The moolavar faces east, and the main entrance with Rajagopuram is on
the north side. There is a Shiva and Ambal sannidhi at the ground level.
To reach the first level, we have to climb 30 steps and again 30 steps to the third
level. These 60 steps signify the Tamil years of 60. Every year special
pooja will be conducted for these steps. The dwajasthambam is covered with a gold plate donated by a devotee, glittering in light, and is protected in a glass enclosure.
Moolavar
is a little large in standing posture with a right hand in abhaya hastham. I was
fortunate to witness the h\aarathi taken to moolavar and have a peaceful
darshan. After darshan, I visited a Shiva temple on the east side of
the main temple.
Northside Rajagopuram view looking from first level
Top Moolavar vimanam
Model of the Swamimalai temple
North side Rajagopuram
North side entrance arch
While we were returning home after darshan, Mr Raju took me to a
vigraham mould shop and the craftsman explained how the vigraham
are made. Also, Mr. Raju took me to Poompuhar after crossing the Kaveri river bridge to see the statues and Vigrahas on display. Since
the day was a holiday (Ramzan), the showroom was closed. But we could
see a large-sized Natarajar and Ambal statue in front of the showroom. It was very
cute. It was amazing to see the details on the metal.
Lord Shiva as Natarajar and Ambal
See the clear face
The details of the nails
the details of snake and drum ( உடுக்கை )
Ambal statue - the folding of the stomach
After
breakfast on 10th Aug 2013, Mr Raju accompanied me to the Bus stand in
THIRUVALANJULI, which is about a km from his house, after crossing the rivers
Arasalaru and Kaveri. On the way, we saw a mandapam on the roadside, and the outer wall was in a collapsed condition, and the debris was dumped on the
opposite side of the road. The mandapam looks very old and might have been used
for the Swamy’s procession halting place once and later abandoned.
dilapidated condition of the mandapam on the way to Thiruvalanjuli from Swamimalai
Thiruvalanchuzhi is also a Paadal Petra Shiva
Sthalam, which I visited during my earlier yatra, and the details with
photographs are uploaded in the earlier post. I am uploading the photos taken
on this trip also in this post.
Today’s plan was to visit Chakkarapalli and Neithanam (both second time), peep inside the THIRUVALAMCHUZHI temple, and pray to Valamchuzhi Vinayagar
to remove the obstacles for the darshan at the above places.
THIRUVALANJULI
See the beauty of the jolly work in front of Vellai Pillayar - The craftsman would have spent his precious time with patience to chisel this work.
The kodungai - similar to Avudayar Koil
Beautifully carved pillars
Entrance to the main shrine
Also, we had the Darshan of the Bairavar temple in the outer praharam. The temple must be very old, and a lot of Tamil inscriptions were found around the sanctum sanctorum wall. It was sad to see that the front portion was removed. (might have fallen down due to age .)
old Tamil inscription on the Bairavar Sannadhi Sanctum Wall
old Tamil inscription on the Bairavar Sannathi Sanctum wall
Bairavar Sannadhi
134/
17. SRI CHAKARAVAGESWARAR TEMPLE,
CHAKKARAPALLI.
CHAKKARAPALLI.
This
is the 134th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 17th Shiva Sthalam on the south side of the river Kaveri.
Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This
temple is under the control of Swamimalai.
Main shrine entrance
Moolavar : Sri Chakravageswarar.
Consort : Sri Devanayagi
The
important features of this temple are ….
The
temple faces east with an entrance arch. In the arch stucco image of Shiva and Parvati are in Rishaba vahana. Rishabam and Balipeedam are in front, and Dwajasthambam was removed (maybe damaged). In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai. The Sanctum Sanctorum is about 3 feet from the temple and is below the outside ground level.
In
the inner praharam, Naalvar, Chandran, Suryan, Bhairavar, and a Bana lingam are
in Mandapam. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Ganapathy, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, and Chandikeswarar. Ambal is in a separate temple facing
south.
HISTORY:
Old
Tamil inscriptions are found on the Sanctum Sanctorum wall and are not readable.
(It belongs to Kulothunga Chozhan ‘s 12th year, and the same
was about the eligibility and period of the member of the village Saba – 40
years of age, and the period is 10 years)
Thirumal
worshiped Lord Shiva and got the Charayutham. Also, the Chakkavaka bird worshiped Lord Shiva.
Old Tamil inscriptions - see the condition - nothing is readable
HOW
TO REACH :
The
Ayyampettai is on the way from Kumbakonam to Tanjore bus route.
The
temple at Chakkarapalli is about 1 KM from the Ayyampettai bus stop.
IMPORTANT NOTE.
As
per Gurukkal, the renovation will start for Kumbhabhishekam soon.
CONTACT
DETAILS :
Ganesan Gurukkal may be contacted for the details of donation/contribution –
mobile numbers 9791482102 and 8056853485.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
Entrance arch
Dwajasthambam is missing with balipeedam and Rishaba mandapam.
Ambal sannadhi
Moolavar Vimanam
The king worshipping Lord Shiva
The temple base is about 3 feet below the ground level. The ground level has been raised.
Mr. Ganesha Gurukkal dropped me at a minibus stand to catch the bus
KANDIYUR. My next proposed visit was to NEITHANAM. This place is
presently called Thillaisthanam. Boarded a minibus to Kandiyur and
Thillai Sthanam is about 3 km from Thiruvaiyaru. The bus traveled through
Thiru Pullamangai, a Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam (since I had visited
earlier through AUTO, skipped this time), and
Veerasingam Pettai. (Covered both places in my earlier post). This
time, I was lucky enough to enter the temple before the
Archakar closed the doors. This time, I had a peaceful darshan and went around
the inner praharam. (This was closed during my earlier visit.)
106/52 – SRI NEIYYADIAPPAR TEMPLE. THILLAISTHANAM - THIRUNEITHANAM.
Now
the place is called Thillaisthanam
Moolavar Vimanam - built with stone
Moolavar : Sri Neiyadiappar, Sri Kiruthapureeswarar
Consort : Sri Balambigai.
Some
of the important features of this temple are :
The
temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. In
koshtam Dakshinamoorthy and Lingothbavar, there are two Dakshinamoorthy. One Murti is standing, another is in a sitting posture, one behind the other
in the same niche. The adhistana is a simple pada bandha adhisthana. The
prastaram is of kapotha. The eka thala vimana is of stone up to greevam, and the sigaram is of stucco.
In
the inner prakaram Kannivinayakar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar,
Saneeswarar, Nagakannis, Saraswati, Mahalakshmi, Chandikeswarar, and
Durgai. Navagrahas are in the mandapam.
Kamadhenu
and Saraswati worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple. There
is no sannadhi in the outer prakaram. Ambal Sannathi faces south with
shankha (Conch) and chakkaram.
This
is one of the Sapthasthana sthalam, linked to Thiruvaiyaru.
Thiruvaiyaru Sri Ayyanarappan will pass through this temple before
conducting the marriage to Sri Nandhiam Peruman at Thirumazhapadi.
Tamil
inscriptions are found around the Sanctum, and that too in the window.
Lots of Tamil inscriptions on the windows too.
Tamil inscription on the base of the karuvarai
LEGEND:
Since
the Milk milked by Kamathenu turned into gee, hence moolavar is called Neiyadiappar.
HOW
TO REACH :
Town
buses are available from Kandiyur. The route numbers are 23, 13, and 5.
CONTACT
DETAILS :
The
Gurukkal Sankar can be contacted on the Land Line 04362 – 260553
THE
TEMPLE TIMINGS :
The
temple timings are 10.30 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
Dhakshinamoorthy - one image is standing, and the other is in a sitting posture
Entrance to the main shrine
5-tier Rajagopuram
River Cauvery view from padithurai at Thillai Sthanam
After darshan reached Thanjavur, to catch the bus to Chennai. SETC
people advised me to go to Kumbakonam to get a bus to Chennai. When I reached
the other bus stand, there was an empty bus to Chennai. Only two people purchased
tickets to Chennai. At Kumbakonam, the conductor transferred us to the other bus, which started earlier. At 21.30 Hours reached the Perungalathur bus stop and
from there reached home around 22.30 hours safely.
---- OM
SIVAYA NAMA:----
