Virupaksha Temple, Hampi Ruins, Hampi, Karnataka.

 19^th June 2017.

In April 2017, while we (Mr. Gireesh, Mr. VijayaKumar, and Coimbatore friends) undertook the trekking to Velliangiri hills Mr Gireesh told us that he would arrange a Heritage Visit to Hampi before leaving Bellary official assignment.  Really I was waiting for a chance to see the Hampi ruins. So decided to join him for this heritage visit. Travel arrangements were made well in advance for this Hampi heritage visit scheduled between 16^th June to 18^th June 2017. We took the Habbali express train for the onward journey from Chennai on the 15^th afternoon and returned through the NKSRTC bus. When we told our plan some of our friends threatened that the temperature would be high during June. Against the threat of high temperature and the climate was not too hot as expected and the second day we got wet by rain for about an hour.

Flawless Travel, Stay at Padma Guest House near Virupaksha Temple, food arrangements, and pick up from Railway station and drop at Bus stand were made by Mr Gireesh under the leadership of Mr Rajasekar Pandurangan and his madam Vitya was excellent. My sincere thanks to the organizing team and to my Co-participants.

The first day of our visit was to Virupaksha temple, which is one of the living temples in Hampi. The temple is on the southern bank of the river Tungabhadra.

Moolavar    : Sri Virupaksha

Consort      : Sri Pampadevi

Some of the important details are as follows...

The temple faces east on the southern banks of river Tungabhadra with a 9-tier Rajagopuram called Bishtappayya gopura measuring 52.6 meters high.  There is also a 2^nd level 3 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Rishaba mandapam, and dwajasthambam are after the 2^nd level Rajagopuram.

The praharam sannidhi for  Bhuvaneshwari and Pamapadevi was built during the 11^th century CE. The pillars of Ambal mandapams are made of soap stones exquisitely carved. There is a 5-tier Rajagopuram which leads to the temple tank called Kanakagiri gopuram built by the chief of that place. The outer praharam was built with pillared cloisters used for stores and Sub-Sannadhis.

Mukha mandapam

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, antarala, sabha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam built like a mada temple (elevated level). The sanctum's outer walls have reliefs connected to Periyapuram and Lord Shiva’s various forms and kumbha panjaras. The vimanam has stucco images of Saivaite deities. The vimanam was built in Dravidian style with sala, Kuta, and stupi with kalasa.

The mukha mandapa arch has stucco images of Shiva & Parvati marriage, Shiva as Kalahari Murthy, Anantasayana, and Mahishamardini.

The ceiling was plastered with lime mortar and paintings of Shiva’s marriage with Ambal, Manmatha Vijaya, Tripurantaka, and saint Vidyaranya processions,  etc were drawn. The pillars have the reliefs of various savaite deities and mythological images. The approach from the east side of the mukha mandapam has been closed, which will be used during important occasions and the devotees are allowed from the north side entrance.

Deepasthambam, balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam mandapam

An old picture of J Greenlaw -1856

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built during the Hoysala & Chalukya period and various structures were added between the 7^th century to 15^th century by the Vijayanagara dynasty. The Mukha mandapa was built with 38 pillars and the same was added in 1510 CE by King Krishnadevaraya. The temple of Shiva is under worshiped from the 7^th century till date without break ( break may be during the Bamini and Nayaks wars ).

  

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 13.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The landline telephone number is +91-80-22352828

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is very close to Hampi Bus stand and 12 km from Hospet. Nearest Railway station is Hospet.

Buses are available from Hospet and Bellary.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Carving on a pillar inside the Rajagopuram entrance

A mandapa on the left side of the corridor

Rajagopuram inside view 

reliefs on the sanctum wall ( the story of Kannappa Nayanar )

Pichadanar -  a bas relief 

 The relief on a Pillar is it Krishnadevaraya ( Those who can read Telugu please tell me what is written ) 

exquisite  carving on the soapstone pillars inside the Ambal sannadhi

exquisite  carving on the soapstone pillars inside the Ambal sannadhi  

exquisite  carving on the soapstone pillars inside the Ambal sannadhi  

exquisite  carving on the soapstone pillars inside the Ambal sannadhi  

Tungabhadra river banks reliefs on the rocks

Tungabhadra river banks reliefs on the rocks

The emblem of the Vijayanagara dynasty

Introduction meeting of the members of the group  participated in the Hampi Heritage Visit on the banks of Tungabhadra river 

..... to be continued Sri Vittala temple

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ கல்யாண வரதராஜபெருமாள் கோயில், Kaladipet, Thiruvotriyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

11^th June 2017.

It was a long-pending visit to this 18th-century British period Sri Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal temple at Kaladipet, a part of Thiruvotriyur (The place was named after the Governor of Madras, 1717 – 1720 CE Joseph Collett, as Collettpet and later changed to Kaladipet). After reading an article written by Dr. N. Sreedharan in The Hindu wished to visit this temple. In that article, he raised doubts about the necklace (Makara Kandigai) donated to Sri Varadharaja Perumal of Kanchipuram by the then-Governor Robert Clive. He suspects that it may be by the Governor of Madras, Joseph Collett, to this Kaladipet Sri Varadharaja Perumal. (The article in the JPG image is also uploaded.

காலடிபேட் ஸ்ரீ கல்யாண வரதராசப் பெருமாள் பற்றி முனைவர் என். ஸ்ரீதரன் எழுதிய கட்டுரையைப் படித்ததில் இருந்து அந்த கோவிலைக் காண வேண்டும் என்று இருந்தேன். அந்த கட்டுரையில் ராபர்ட் கிளைவ் மதராஸ் மாகானத்தின் ஆளுனராக இருந்த போது காஞ்சிபுரம் வரதராசப் பெருமாளுக்கு மகர கண்டிகை என்ற ஆபரணம் கொடுத்தது பற்றி சந்தேகம் எழுப்பி இருந்தார்.  அவருடைய ஆட்சி காலத்தைக் குறிப்பிட்டு ஜோசப் கல்லட் என்ற ஆளுனர் (பொயு 1717-1720) காலடிப்பேட்டையில் உள்ள வரதராச பெருமாளுக்கு கொடுக்கப்பட்டு இருக்கலாம் என்ற எழுதி இருந்தார். காலடிபேட்டை Joseph Collett நினைவாக கல்லட்பேட் என்று இருந்தது. பின்பு மறுவி தற்போது காலடிபேட் என்று அழக்கப் படுகின்றது.

இந்த கோவில் Joseph Collett ன் அலுவலகத்தில் பணி புரிந்த வீரராகவாச்சாரியாரால் பொயு 1717-1720 களில் கட்டப்பட்டது. இவர் காஞ்சி வரதராசப்பெருமாளை தரிசித்து விட்டு காலதாமதமாக வருவதைக் கண்ட ஆளுனர் இவருக்கு பணம் கொடுத்து காஞ்சியில் உள்ள மூலவரைப் போலவே செய்து ஒருகோவில் கட்ட ஏற்பாடு செய்தார் என்று கூறப்படுகின்றது. அதுவும்  வீரராகவாச்சாரியாருக்கு திருப்தி அளிக்காததால் ஆளுனரின் உத்தரவுப்படி காஞ்சி வரதராசப் பெருமாள் கோவில், மற்றும் காலடிபேட் வரதராசப் பெருமாள் கோவில் உற்சவர்கள் இரண்டையும் மாற்றி வைக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது என்று பட்டர் கூறினார் (உண்மையா என்று தெரியவில்லை. இது செவி வழி செய்தி மட்டுமே)

Moolavar : Sri Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal, Pavala Vanna Perumal

Thayar    : Sri Perundevi Thayar.

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The temple faces east, and the Rajagopuram is under construction with public participation (The new Rajagopuram is to replace the damaged Rajagopuram built by M/ Vasu Ayyar & Kuppammal through their own fund). Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, Deepasthambham, and Garudalwar Sannadhi are immediately after the Rajagopuram.

In the outer praharam sannadhi for Anjaneyar, Chakkarathalwar, Perundevi Thayar, Andal, Ramar, and Navagrahas. The temple tank is on the right side of the temple. There are 4 Pillar mandapam near Chakkarathalwar Sannadhi. Also, there is a 4-pillar mandapam in front of the Rajagopuram, which is encroached and used for parking vehicles.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the mukha mandapam, the ardha mandapam, and the sanctum. In the mukha mandapam, Manavala Mamunigal, Udayavar, and Alwars. In the sanctum, Moolavar is with Sridevi and Bhoodevi in a standing posture. It was said that the Moolavar is a replica of Kanchipuram Sri Varadaraja Perumal. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Urchava murti is kept in front (as per Battar, the Utsava Murtis of Kanchipuram and Kaladipet are interchanged for Veeragavachariyar by the Governor of Madras). The interesting story goes like this.

In 1717- 1720 CE, Joseph Collet was the Governor of Madras, and Veeragavachariyar was working under him. He used to report for duty after the darshan of Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal. Seeing Collet got angry and gave some money to construct a Temple for worship. As per Pattar, after some days, Veeragavachariyar started coming late to the office. When asked, he replied that he was satisfied only after seeing the urchavar Pavala Vanna Perumal of Kanchipuram. Then the Governor ordered the interchange of the Urchavars of Kaladipet Varadharaja Perumal and Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal (This has to be verified; this is only hearsay).

I could find 2 inscriptions belonging to 1924 CE, and there are no older inscriptions found. Both inscriptions are in Telugu. Probably one inscription speaks about donations made, and the other one is for the construction of Chakkarathalwar sannidhi. Those who know Telugu may clarify this.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Pattars Murali +919381204134 and Vedantham +919940173559 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

About 500 meters off the main road on Sannadhi Street at Raja Kadai, at Kaladipet. Sannathi Street is also known as Thiruvottiyur Market.

Town buses are available from various parts of the city to Thiruvotriyur and get down at Raja Kadai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, ஸ்ரீ அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Thiruvotriyur, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

 11^th June 2017

At the entrance of the Thiruvotriyur sannidhi street, I happened to see the Rajagopuram of this temple with a stucco Rishabam/idabam on both sides. Yes, it is my Lord Shiva’s temple, which I had not visited earlier. Had the darshan of Lord Shiva. This is one of the unique Shiva temples facing the north direction.

This temple is believed to be one of the Thevara vaippu sthalam sung by  Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal. It is believed that this is one of the 108 Shiva Lingas installed by  Sage Agasthiyar in Thondai Nadu and a Thevara Vaippu sthalam. Thirunavukkarau Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of Agatheechuram along with Nandhikechuram, Mahalaechuram, Nagechuram, Kodeechuram, Kondeechuram, Kukkudechuram, Akkeechuram, Adakechuram, Ayaneechuram, Aththeechuram, Siddheechuram, and Ramechuram.

நாடகமா டிடநந்தி கேச்சுரமா காளேச்

        சுரநாகேச் சுரநாக ளேச்சுரநன் கான

கோடீச் சுரங் கொண்டீச் சுரந்திண் டீச் சுரங்

        குக்குடேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரங்கூறுங்கால்

ஆடகேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரமய னீச்சுர

        மத்தீக்சுரஞ் சித்தீக்சுர மந்தண் கானல்

ஈடுதிரை யிராமேசசுர மென்றென் றேத்தி

        யிறைவனுறை சுரம்பலவு மியம்பு வோமே.

….. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் ( 6-71-8 )

Moolavar    : Sri Agastheeswarar

Consort      : Sri Akilandeswari

Some of the important features of this temple are….

This temple faces north with a five-tier Rajagopuram. A small Dwajasthambam and a balipeedam are in front of the sanctum.

Sannadhi for Naalvar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Vinayagar, and Agasthiyar are in the inner praharam.  In the outer praharam sannidhi for Navagrahas and Nagars.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was said that the temple seems to be very old, and there is no evidence to prove its antiquity. 

LEGENDS

Also, it was said that Shiva Linga was installed and worshiped by Sage Agathiyar.  This temple comes under the control of the Sri Thiagarajar & Vadivudai Ambal temple

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and from 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS:

Sivachariyar Ravichandra Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile at +919952065696 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is at the entrance of Thiruvotriyur Sri Vadivudai Amman temple, Sannidhi Street entrance.

All the town buses to Thiruvotriyur pass through this place.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Dakshinamurthy Temple / ஸ்ரீ தட்சிணாமூர்த்தி கோயில், Thiruvotriyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 11^th June 2017.

After the darshan of Sri Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal at Kaladipet, on 11^th June 2017, went to worship  Sri Dakshinamurthy at Thiruvotriyur. This temple is on the left of the Sri Thyagaraja temple, Rajagopuram.

Moolavar: Sri Dakshinamurthy.

There are a few temples dedicated to Sri Dakshinamurthy, and one such temple is at Thiruvotriyur. Sri Dakshinamurthy with four Maharshis – Sanaka, Sanatana, Sananda, and Sanat Kumara idols used to be installed in koshtam facing south of all Shiva Temples. Dakshinamurthy will be in a meditating posture. But in this temple, Dakshinamurthy is with 18 rishis facing the North Direction – Kubera direction - in the sanctum as Moolavar. At the entrance of the main sanctum on the left is Dakshinamurthy urchavar, and on the right Panchamukha Anjaneyar sitting on a lion. There is a Shivalinga in front of Sri Dakshinamurthy.

Vinayagar and Nagars are under the peepal tree on the back side of the sanctum sanctorum. It was said that the temple is more than 400 to 500 years old, and the Moolavar was installed by a Saint, who lived there and taught the Vedas to the students, but it looks like a modern concrete structure.

The devotees used to pray to Dakshinamurthy to get excellence in study and music, to buy land/ wealth (since the Lord is facing kubera Direction), to get land and remove obstacles in the marriage.  Devotees offer yellow vasthram,  chenna gram, garland, and Abhishek. Special prayers are offered on Sundays from 16.30 hrs to 18.00 hrs.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs. On Thursdays, the temple is open from 5.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs without a break.

CONTACT DETAILS:

For further details, the mobile number may be contacted at +9198407 97878.

HOW TO REACH :

About a KM from Thiruvotriyur / Tiruvottiyur Railway station.

All the buses to Thiruvotriyur pass through this temple and are about 300 meters from the bus stop.

Town buses are available from various parts of the city.

The temple on the left side of Sri Thyagaraja & Vadivudaiamman Temple, Rajagopuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

 Sri Dakshinamurthy milk abhishekam

 Sri Dakshinamurthy Urchavar 

 Panchamukha Vinayagar on Simha vahana

  The three-tier Vimana 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---