The
visit to this Sri Thiruvalamudaiyar Temple at Thiruvanai Koil near P.V.
Kalathur in Chengalpattu District was a part of
Maha Vishnu and Shiva Temples visit at Singaperumalkoil, Kolathur (
Appur, Vembakkam ), Mettu Pudupakkam and
Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, on 24th October 2021.
Moolavar : Sri Thiruvaleeswarar
Consort : Sri Thiripurasundari
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Vinayagar, Nagar and Jyeshta Devi
/ Thavvai are on the right side, before the entrance. Moolavar is Short and Swayambhu. Balipeedam, Rishabam / Idabam and
Chandikeswarar are in the praharam.
In
Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Vinayagar,
Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Ambal and Utsavars are in the ardha mandapam.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The sanctum
sanctorum is square in shape, on a lotus petals upa peeda and Adhistana is of
Padabandha with Three patta Kumuda.
Bhitti starts from Vedhigai. Brahma kantha / square pilasters supports
the Bhitti with malaithongal, thamaraikattu, kalasam, thadi, kudam, mandi,
palakai, veerakandam and vettu pothigai.
Prastaram consists of Valabi, kapotam and Bhoomidesam. Vyalavari is in
the Bhoomidesam.
An
eka thala Stucco Gajabirushta Vimana is on the bhoomidesam. The Vimana is with
3 maha nasis and a lalada nasi. The nasis and greeva koshtas are empty. The 5
Kalasas are also in stucco ( may be once in metal ).
The
Koshta images Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu ( in makara thorana Maha
Vishnu is in Sayana Posture ), Brahma
and Durgai are looks beautiful. The Makara thorana above the Koshtas also has
the respective deities images. The Bhitti Kanda pada portions has the miniature sculptures of a King and
Cow worshiping Lord Shiva, Gajasamharamurthy, Kannappa Nayanar, Chandeswara
Nayanar and Markandeyar / Kala samhara
murthy purana, A pregnant lady being assisted by other ladies, Elephants, Vali
Sukreevan fight, etc,. are beautifully
carved.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
The
original temple was constructed during Pallava period. Lattwer the temple
received contributions from Chozhas, Sambuvarayars, Pandyas and Vijayanagars. As per the inscriptions this place was called
as Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu, Kalathur Kottathu Kalathur Nattu, Thiruvalakoyiludaya
Nayanar, Thiruvalakoyiludayar, Thiruvalayappan, etc,.
The
Chozha King Rajarajan-I’s period inscription records that Parasivan
Thazhuvakuzhainthavan of Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu Venkundra Kottam
established an endowment of burning a lamp
to Alakoil Mahadevaar. The inscription also mentions the Kalamukha
saints. Also another inscription records
the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a merchant of Mylapore ( a part of
Chennai ).
The
Chozha King Vikrama Chozhas inscription records the gift of land at
Sirathandalam of Chembur Kottam, by Palaravar
( many people ). One of the person belongs to Chembur kottathu Pattina
nattu Kovur and another person belongs to Pattinam.
The
Chozha King Kulothunga Chozha’s period inscription records the endowment of
burning a perpetual lamp by a person belongs to Arur of Utrukattu kottam. The
inscription also records the Kalamukha munivars.
Sundara
Panyan period inscription records that a gift of lands to Kaikolar and Dancers
in the village Viththoor, which was under Madurantaka Chathurvedi mangalam.
Sundara
Pandyan’s period inscription records that Narayanapuram Ramarasaiyan’s son Thimmarayan gave a gift of
landa and House to a Dancer to work in
this Thiruvala Koil temple functions.
Konerimai
Kondan period inscription records the order of the King. In that A land was gifted
to Thondaiman of Nemeli. This place was referred as Thiruneetru Chozha nallur.
This order was signed by Anabaya Chozha Mooventha Velan.
Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan-I's 3rd reign year ( 1340 CE ) inscription records the endowment of ½ Nandha vilakku / perpetual lamp, by Kaikolar Ambalavar Venavudayar. For the same 15 Cows was received by Thiruvilakudi Mandradi Thaliayakon and agreed to supply one Azhakku ghee measured in “Rajakesari Nazhi”.
Rajanarayana
Sambuvarayan –I’s 10th reign year ( 1347 CE ) incomplete inscription
records that a land was gifted to Ambala
Venavudayan Devandai Gangarayan of Kaikolar community, by the Kalathur Nattu
people. And it also mentions 13 pon / Gold which is incomplete.
Rajanarayana
Sambuvarayan –I’s 12th reign
year ( 1349 CE ) records the gift of lands as sarvamaniyam ( without any taxes
) by the King for poojas with out stop.
Rajanarayana
Sambuvarayan –I’s 12th reign
year ( 1349 CE wrongly mentioned as 1341 CE ) inscription records the gift of 15 cows as surabi (..?)by Mallinathan
Rajanarayanan Sambuvarayan and the same was handed over to Mallan’s son
Ezhumbothakon.
The
rest of Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s
11 inscriptions records the gift of land, collecting Taxes and given to
this temple, Cows, for conducting
regular poojas and celebrations, burning perpetual lamps, houses for Dancers, appointment of doing jobs at the
temple, also built a mandapa by Thimmarayan for the wellbeing of Malaiyappan.
Vijayanagara
King Viruppanna Udayar period inscription records the gift of a village Uthama
Chozha Vilakam, after rectifying the destroyed place. It also mentions the name
of Pundarika Rajendra Chozhan.
Vikrama Chozha's period inscription
Viruppanna Udayar's period Inscription
LEGENDS
Devotees
prays Lord Shiva and Tripura Sundari for marriage, Child boon, to get peace in
life.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from oru kala Pooja, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha
shivaratri.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10. 00 Hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The
Gurukkal Siva and Dhayalan are residing in front of the temple and they are
reluctant to share their contact
details.
HOW TO REACH
During
Pallava and Chozha period this place Thiruvanai Koil was a part of Kalathur ie
Pon Vilaintha kalathur.
The
temple is now at Mettu Puthupakkam, 3 KM
from Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, 8 KM from Chengalpattu, 43 KM from Tambaram and 70
KM from Chennai.
Nearest
Railway station is Chengalpattu.
Brahma
Chandikeswarar
Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai / Mootha Devi ( PC: From web )
Dakshinamurthy
Chandikeswarar Puranam
A King (..?) worshiping Lord Shiva
A pregnant lady being assisted for delivery
Triprantakar
Markandeyar Puranam
Kannappar Puranam
Gajasamharamurthy
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
