Sri Veeramathi Amman Temple / ஸ்ரீ வீரமாத்தி அம்மன் கோயில், தாழ்குணி, near Gobichettipalayam, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

14, May 2012

While preparing for the Kailash Yatra, as advised by my friends, I planned to get the Kula Deivam's blessings. It came to true on 12th and 13th May 2012.  After getting blessings from my mother, who is around 80 to 82 years old and still active in a remote village called Pappavalasu, near Kunnathur, Erode, I went to the Kula Deivam temples. It is an interesting story about our Kula Deivam, which goes like this.

SRI VEERAMATHI AMMAN TEMPLE

Our forefathers worshiped Sri Murugan (also known as Arul Malai Andava) as Kula Deivam, at Arul Malai near (2 km from the main road - Gobichettipalayam to Tiruppur) Getticheviyur, on the way to Gobichettipalayam from Tiruppur. Some of our people argued that a male god cannot be a Kula Deivam and that the Kula Deivam must be a female. They searched and found this Veeramathi Amman (Akkarapalayam - Talguni - 2 km from Kolappalur.

Understand from my brother that people used to walk   to reach this temple from Kolappalur.) This temple belongs to Vishwakarma, a sub-sect of Kurupa Nadu. Also known as Asari / Achari  / Kammalar, a backward community, in Tamil Nadu. We used to do carpentry work, and after the Industrial Revolution, only a few people were still doing it, and others migrated to other fields /jobs. Amman is so beautiful with a smile on her face, and it is very difficult to lift the eyes from Amman.

The Amman is in a sitting posture with one hand in abhaya hasta and the other in vara hasta.  The temple and Amman are facing north. Simha vahana is in front of  Amman.  After the decoration, two eyes may not be sufficient to look at her beauty. (காண கண் கோடி வேண்டும்). The blessing in this temple is a little different from other temples. There is a brass hand kept at the feet of Amman. The devotees are blessed by keeping the brass hand on their heads. The poojas are being performed by a Brahmin priest. (It is common practice that poojas are conducted by a Brahmin priest in our area, called Pandarams or Poojari in Erode and Coimbatore side Villages.)  

It was understood that the Amman was in a hut for some years in Thottam. When our cast people approached for the construction of a temple in that place, the land owner objected and wanted an important post in the temple committee. Our people decided and purchase new land and construct the present temple.

Devotees throng to this temple on no moon days and the Aadi  Tamil Month annual festival day (This year, 25th July 2012). Goats are sacrificed in this temple to Sri Karuppanna Swamy, and the same will be distributed to the devotees after cooking, for which a separate dining hall is also constructed. The temple is a little away from the village of Talguni, in the midst of the fields, on the Tartopped village road. There is a small shrine for Kaaval Theivam, Sri Karuppanna Swamy, who is about 2 feet tall, facing east. The temple has no Rajagopuram, and renovation works are in progress under a registered body. 

Facility to sit in front of the temple when the temple is closed. The priest resides nearby village, who can be contacted over his mobile, and the mobile number is also written on the compound wall. The mobile number is + 91 9944424438.

After posting on the website, two devotees contacted me on 18-05-2012 to get more information/clarifications.  I wish to go once again during the Aadi month or the Aavani Tamil month. During that time, I may get more information and post the details. I went to this temple along with my brother, who is a retired BSNL officer. Some miracles were also experienced by devotees after the darshan of Sri Veeramathi Amman. One of them may be that my brother and Anni were blessed with a male child about 8 months before, and my brother is 65 and Anni is 60 years old. They will be offering a goat and rice on the festival day.

HOW TO REACH :

On Gobichettipalayam to Tirupur, get down at Kolappalur. From there, 3 km on the Nambiyur route.

The place name is  Akkarapalayam - Talguni - 3 km from Kolappalur bus stop.

The town bus route No. 22 from Tiruppur to Nambiyur passes through the temple, and the frequency is limited.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The Poojari can be contacted over his mobile at + 91 9944424438.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE                          : CLICK HERE

BRIEF HISTORY OF OUR 

KULA DEIVAM SRI VEERAMATHI AMMAN     : CLICK HERE

Sri Veeramathi Amman Annual Festival 2013: CLICK HERE

Sri Veeramathi Amman Annual Festival 2014: CLICK HERE

Sri Veeramathi Amman Annual Festival 2015: CLICK HERE

Sri Veeramathi Amman Annual Festival 2016 : 

( Sri Veeramathi Amman in Santhana kaappu alangaran on 25th July 2012, annual festival day )

( Pongal preparation- By ladies )

( Vimanam ) 

( Vimanam )

( Digital banner for the Iruperum Vizha)

Sri Karuppanna Swamy

( Maavilakku procession  from Perumal temple to Sri Veeramathi Amman temple )

( Maavilakku procession  from Perumal temple to Sri Veeramathi Amman temple )

( Maavilakku procession  from Perumal temple to Sri Veeramathi Amman temple )

Temple Mukappu arch 

ARULMALAI SRI MURUGAN TEMPLE

Before going to Sri Veeramaathi Amman temple, I  went first to Arul Malai Sri Murugan temple, which is on the way to Kolappalur. The temple is on a small kundru with 25 and odd steps. 2 to 3 km from Ketticheviyur, not on the main road. Our forefathers had done many Thirupani /Kaingariams to this temple since they believed   Sri Murugan was their Kula Theivam. 

( Steps leading to the hill Temple )

At a young age, I used to go to this temple during the Thai Poosam festival, and the Chariot was pulled around the kundru. People also throng this temple during No Moon Day (Ammavasya). After a gap of 25 years (I am really ashamed of not going to this temple and leaving such a long gap),  I went to this temple and had the darshan of Sri Arulmalai Andavar.

( Moolavar vimanam ) 

--- OM SIVAYA NAMA ---

Velliangiri Andavar Temple / வெள்ளியங்கிரி ஆண்டவர் கோயில் / “THEN KAILAYAM” - Velliangiri Hills, Poondi, Sri Patteeswarar Temple, Perur and Sri Subramania Swamy Temple, Maruthamalai, Coimbatore, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.

30 December 2012 

MY  VELLIANGIRI YATRA ( THEN KAILAYAM )28-04-2012 - DAY 1

After the June 2011 Velliangiri Yatra, we want to do it again during the day to enjoy the beauty of  Velliangiri. So we planned the yatra on 28^th April 2012, a week before Chitra Pournami. Checked the availability of seats/ berths during Feb 2012, for Saturday and Sunday night travel Trains. 

Since the night trains are full, I decided to go through the Coimbatore intercity express, which starts at 14.30 hrs from Chennai Central.  Booked for Mr. Vau and Mr. Muthu  Arunachalam. In the meantime, after seeing my previous post, Mr Alex from Chennai (Actually from Kumbakonam) wished to join us. Last minute, Mr Muthu Arunachalam opted out, and Mr Alex joined us from Chennai, and his Friend (from Kumbakonam) joined from Coimbatore.

Stayed at our SPIC ABC Guest house and started our Yathra on the 28^th of April morning, after the darshan of Shiva at the base temple. We could not purchase the bamboo sticks due to their unavailability at that time. To our surprise, there was a heavy rush, and checking was conducted for plastic bags and matchboxes were checked by the forest officials. Provisions were made to drop the plastic bottles by the temple/forest authorities.

( Velliangiri Andavar Tempe at the base of the hill ) 

 

 ( Velliangiri base temple )

( Navagrahas ) 

At the halfway point of the first hill, we could not manage to climb without a stick. So we have managed to make the sticks from the bamboo plants. (How we made our sticks is a different story). After taking a rest at Vellai Pillayar, ie, the end of the first hill, I started climbing through a bamboo forest on the second hill. It will be difficult to pass through this forest alone, due to the sound of the insects. The steps in the first three hills are not uniform, and the stepping stones are missing in many places. After climbing 236 rock-cut steps, called Vazhukku Parai, and reached the third hill. High growth of grass is found on both sides of the third hill.

The fourth and fifth hills are not so difficult, with small ups and downs without any steps. There are small shops with some eatables,   set up only for the season. The temperature was so pleasant, and it was an awesome sight to see the beauty of the Western Ghats. It was a wonderful sight to watch the clouds moving through the hills below us. Slowly climbed to the 6^th hill top, and we could see the seventh hill below the Siruvani dam. It was another wonderful sight to watch the clouds/mist pass on the seventh hill,  which disappears and appears after the cloud passes.

 ( Clouds passing through hills and valleys)

 ( Clouds passing through hills and valleys)

 ( Clouds passing through hills and valleys)

After crossing the Aandi Sunai started climbing the seventh hill, which took us an hour with a steep path, which also has no steps.  It took us almost 6 hours to reach the top of the seventh hill from the base temple. During our journey, we spent some time taking photographs and resting. All our pain vanished through the worship of  Lord Shiva. Stayed there for an hour, practiced meditation, and recited Thiruvasakam.

     

 ( Sri Vinayagar Sannadhi at the entrance  )

( Moolavar natural cave )

Started climbing down and aimed to complete it within four hours. When we reached the 2^nd hill, it was very dark, and our speed slowed down due to the failure of the lights. Moonlight was not visible much due to the trees and clouds. Since Mr. Vasu’s torchlight was not working, one of torch torchlight found it difficult to climb down. Due to a mismatch in the speed, my thigh and cough muscles started to ache. Climbing down took us 5 hours to reach the base temple. Thank Lord Shiva for giving us the strength and courage to climb up and down, reach the Guest house around 23:00 hrs, and have a good sleep.

My sincere thanks to Mr. R Vasu, Mr. Alex, and Mr. Madhanagopal, who cooperated with me to make this yatra memorable and enjoyable.

Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2011: CLICK HERE

Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2013: CLICK HERE

Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2015: CLICK HERE

Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2016: CLICK HERE

Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2017: CLICK HERE

Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2018: CLICK HERE

Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2019: CLICK HERE

 ( Vasu Self and Alex )

 ( Vasu self and Madhan )

 (Alex and self )

( Alex, Madhan, and Vasu ) 

29-04-2012. - DAY -2

Left the guest house and reached the Perur Shiva temple. The temple is very old, and many Tamil inscriptions date back to the 10^th to 12^th century. Gana Bhairavar has a separate sannidhi without a dog.  The Sabha Mandapam (Kanaka Sabai) has beautiful statues chiseled on the pillars. They are Lord Shiva in Urdhva Thandavam, Kaali (Thiru Alangadu), Sri Arumuga Perumal, and Ganapathi, Veerabhadra, who are to be watched very carefully. Minute details are finely chiseled.

Boarded the minibus to Maruthamalai from Perur. I went to this temple when I was studying in Coimbatore about 40 years ago. Things have changed a lot. Went to the hilltop by Taxi and after Darshan returned by steps. Rajagopuram is under construction. Since the day happens to be Sunday, there are a lot of devotees thronging the hill shrine. We could not spend much time at the temple due to a lack of time to catch the Train. Returned to Chennai around 23.00 hours through the Kovai Express with a wonderful experience.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

PERUR SRI PATTEESWARAR TEMPLE

( Moolavar vimanam )

( Rajagopuram )

( A Shiva temple near Perur Shiva Temple with Rishabam in place of Rajagopuram )

MARUDHAMALAI SRI MURUGAN TEMPLE

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

( Moolavar vimanam )

 --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, India.

 9, April 2012

I had been to Srisailam on the 5th and 6th of November 2011. (CLICK HERE) After hearing about my experience, my friends (M/s Swaminathan, Srinivasamoorthy & Muthu  Arunachalam) also wanted to make a trip to Srisailam. This is my second trip to Srisailam on 7th and 8th April 2012. We had planned in advance and booked the train tickets up to Ongole. From there, we have decided to go by bus. The yatra went as per the schedule. Except for Andhra Pradesh's heat, I don’t find any difficulty. The Yathra trip worsened my health due to the food and the hot climate. Otherwise, it was a wonderful journey and experience. After landing at SriSailam around 11.30 Hrs,  left our bags at Pathaleswara Guest House ( Room rent Rs 800, which can be booked at Ganga Sadan near Temple ) and went to Pathala Ganga for a bath (Srisailam Dam). Down and up climbed by steps and our two friends came by rope car. After meals at the guest house restaurant, had taken a rest for 2 hours. Went for Deepa aarti darshan around 17.30 Hrs and had a good darshan of Lord Shiva Sri Mallikarjunaswamy.

 

East side 5 tier Rajagopuram 

After darshan came out of the temple around 19.00 Hrs and decided to go for the local temple visit. Went to Sakshi Ganapati temple, Sikaram ( Darshan of the main temple through the horns of Nandhi ), Kataheswaram, and Amman temple. Returned to room and taken rest up to 04.30 Hrs and assembled at Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple for abhishekam (Rs 1000 each). Around 7.00 Hrs allowed us to perform the abhishekam, which was a wonderful experience for me to touch and do the abhishekam. With a great and wonderful darshan, Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy left for a local temple visit once again. This time we went to Sankara Mutt (Very near to the main temple), Paladhara & Panchadhara (It is believed that Adi Sankara had composed the Soundarya Lahari and Sivantha Lakari at this place), Rudraksha mandapam, Mallamma Kanneeru. Since the time was up to come back to Chennai, we cut short our visit. Vacated the room and we started our return journey to Chennai around 11.30 Hrs, bus up to Ongole. Boarded the train around 20.00 Hrs at Ongole and reached Chennai early Monday morning at 04.00 Hrs.

It is observed that the construction of the temple and Rajagopurams are a mixture of South and North Indian architecture. The Rajagopuram is of South Indian ( Tamil Nadu ) type. But the Moolavar vimanam is of North Indian style. Instead of kalasam, we could notice a Trishul. There are two Dwajasthambas in front and back of the main shrine, this is to contain the power of the lord within the shrine (understood by the devotees ).

My dream of making this yatra once again in the daytime has come true. During this yatra, I took no Photographs through my Mobile X 10 mini, which are uploaded in this post.

HOW TO REACH : 

On the train route from Chennai to Kolkata, get down at Ongole and from there bus facility is available 

From major cities of Andhra Pradesh buses are available to SriSailam.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Temple web site http://srisailamonline.com/

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

DETAILS OF MY FIRST VISIT TO SRISAILAM: CLICK HERE

( Srisailam Dam )

 Dwarapalakas at the entrance of Temple Street)

  Dwarapalakas at the entrance of Temple Street)

From the Compound wall sculpture, we could able to relate the story of Thiruvanaikaval Temple, where the Elephant and spider (In the latter birth he was born as Chozha King, Chengat Chozhan and built may be maada Temples where elephant cannot enter into the Moolavar sanctum) worshiped Lord Shiva. 

This may be related to Srikalahasti also where Elephant and snakes worshiped Lord Shiva 

Gandaberunda,  Hoysala's symbol. This is not a man nor a bird

 ( West side rajagopuram )

( Muthu Arunachalam, Swamynathan, Srinivasamoorthy & Guide)

( Muthu Arunachalam, Self, Srinivasa Murthy, and the guide ) 

( Stucco Natarajar )

 ( Veena Dakshinamurthy with Sanatha Munivars which is rare )

 ( Somaskandar )

 --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---