Chettinad Sri Sundareswarar Temple, Kailasanathar Temple and Ayyanar Temple, Chettinad aka Kanadukathan, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

1, May 2014.

Thanks to Lord Shiva  for given me the opportunity to meet my readers once again after a gap of 3 months. I am slowly  recovering  from the accident and even though, I was advised not to take long trips, I had taken this long trip by bus. Due to official compulsion, I was forced to take this trip to Chettinad.  Also my job was to inspect  a job carried out at Chettinad Shiva Temple.  All the temples I visited are about 2 to 3 KMs apart,  hired an auto to travel to these temples.

I extend my thanks to Mr Muthu Arunachalam of Kanadukathan for providing me the details of Sri Karaimel Azhagar Ayyanar Temple through a 1995 Kumbhabhishekam Malar. 

SHIVA TEMPLE AT CHETTINAD

Moolavar    : Sri Sundareswarar

Consort      : Sri Meenakshi

Some of important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram and there is Rajagopuram on the south side too. Moolavar is little taller. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing south. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In parakaram sannadhi for Chandikeswarar, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Saba mandapam, Bairavar, Navagrahas, Chandran and Suriyan. Temple pond is on the east side with unique construction. There is a separate temple for Sri Muthu Ganapathy on the left side of main temple facing east.

Inside  mandapam ceiling were with lot of paintings. On the south side Ambal’s  Nine avatars ( NAVRATRI FESTIVAL ). All the paintings were done with herbal paints. ( Moolikai  ).

 Sri Mahishasuramardhini

Shiva and Parvathi's marriage

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is at Kanadukathan also called as Chettinad. .5 KM away from the by pass road.

Buses are available from Karaikudi, Pudukottai, Trichy. From Kanadukathan bus-stand one can an auto to reach the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS :

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Sri Muthu Ganapathy Temple 

The temple Pond/ Thirukulam - An unique construction

Rajagopuram with newly installed lightning arrestor

Moolavar Vimanam after restoration 

 Mooligai painting of Gajalakshmi

 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar

 Sri Abirami Amman

 Sri Rajarajeswari

SHIVA TEMPLE – PERIYA KOIL ,  AT MELUR, KANADUKATHAN.

The three tier Rajagopuram 

Moolavar    :  Sri Kailasanathar.
Consort      :  Sri Soundarya Nayaki.

Some of the important features of this temple are ……

The temple was built by Nattukottai Nagarathars.  The statues of Nagalinga Chettiar, Annamalai Chettiar, Subramanian Chettiar, Manickam Chettiar, Perichiappa Chettiar, Muthappa Chettiar  are along with the mandapa pillars, who had contributed to this temple construction.

The temple is facing east with two 3 tier Rajagopurams, one is in front of moolavar and other in front of Ambal Sannadhi. Ambal is also facing east. The temple is of stone structure with vast parakarams with lot of minute carving pillars.  Dwarapalakas looks cute. A stone chain is hanging  from the entrance ceiling.

Moolavar is suyambu and short. In koshtam moortham of Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy,  Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. In the prakaram ( between Moolavar and Ambal sannadhi ) Somaskandar and Chandikeswarar. In prakaram,  sannidhi for Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Maha Lakshmi, Hanuman ( a relief on the pillar ), Palliyarai, Bairavar ( in a separate sannadhi ), Saneeswarar, Navagrahas, Chandran and Suriyan.

HOW TO REACH :

About a KM distance from Kanadukathan.

CONTACT DETAILS :

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

The Arch sudhai sirpangal between the two Rajagopurams

The Rajagopuram in front of moolavar sannadhi

The corridor - beautifully chiseled  stone Pillars

The entrance to moolavar sannadhi 

The stone chain is hanging from the ceiling 

Beautifully chiseled pillar pothiyals and above yazhi

Beautifully chiseled Pillar  for the Dakshinamurthy mandapam

KARAIMEL  AZHAGAR AYYANAR TEMPLE

( Some of the details given  below are taken from the Year 1995 Kumbhabhishekam  Malar – In that Sri Ayyanar was mentioned as Sri Poorna Pushkala Ambal Sametha  Hariharaputra Maha Sastha Sri Karaimel Azhagar Ayyanar ). It was believed that  Sri Ayyanar is the next incarnation of Lord Sri Ayyappa of Sabarimala. We can see a similarity  of Parivara theivangal, when compared with Sabarimala.

Stucco Horse with stucco images

Moolavar    : Sri Ayyanar

Consort      : Sri Poornakala, Sri Pushkala

Some of the important features of this temple are……

The temple is facing east with a temple tank on the south side. Moolavar is in sitting posture with a lotus on one hand. 

In parakaram  sannadhi for  Nondi Karuppar, Pechiamman, Paramanur Kali, Periya Karuppar, Chinna Karuppar, 18m padi Karuppan, Pechi Muthamman, Akora Veerapathirar, Saptamatrikas, Muneeswarar, Arasu Mukam, Sannasi ( Sanyasi or a munivar ) and Bairavar.

Balipeedam with vahanam Elephant are in the mandapam. Dwarapalakas are in sudhai installed at the entrance of the temple. Stucco Horse with sirpangal are at the left side of the main temple entrance.

The priests are  non Brahmins (Velalars - Kuyavars – mud pot manufacturers). Goats and Cocks are offered to Ayyanar ( Since Ayyanar is a Non Vegetarian God ).

Entrance to the main shrine with Dwarapalakas on both side 

LEGEND

There was a hear say that Kanadukathan, Sri Sathappa Chettiar’s  family members passed through this place with their daughter, the daughter went for outside and she did not turned up after a long time. When she was called a voice ( அசரீரி ) was heard as “ I had joined with Karuppar ( நான் கருப்பனுடன் கலந்து விட்டேன் )”.  After that Sri Ayyanar has become the Kula Deivam for these people. Annual festival are regularly conducted. Chettiars used tonsured heads of their first sons or daughters in this temple. 

Ayyanar is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Sri Ayyappan ( who was born to Lord Shiva and Sri Vishnu ) married Poornakala and Pushkala and stayed in this temple to bless the Nagarathars as Kaval deivam.

It is believed that this Ayyanar is also a Kula deivam for Kanadukathan Nattukottai Nagarathars and for Madurai Melur Navinipatti, Valladappatti, Kottakudi, Attadaippatti. ( once these people lived in Surakkudi  about 300 years before and moved to Melur – This was disclosed by Sri Ayyanar himself came on priests ( அருள் வாக்கு ) at the time of performing the Kumbhabhishekam. ) Madurai Melur  people also contributed for development of this temple.

Some of the miracles happened are, the thieves  who entered in to this has lost their eye sight.

HISTORY 

Sri Ayyanar was once in the midst of  thorny bush and a thatched shed was constructed by the 5 sons of Ayangudi Vellayan Chettiar. After 200 years a stone temple was re – constructed. Kanadukathan Sri Sathappa Chettiar’s statue is in mandapam, whose predecessors  had done the construction of this temple. 

Now the temple is under the control of a Trust headed by Sri Dr. AC Muthiah, a leading industrialist of South India.

HOW TO REACH :
About a KM from Kanadukathan

CONTACT DETAILS :
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Temple Tank with Temple complex

Moolavar Vimanam 

SRI KANMAI KARAI MEL AYYANAR THUTHI ( This was composed by கவிஞர்  அரு. சுப்ரமணியன்  ) Taken from 1995 Kumbhabhishekam malar.

அழகே  உருவான எம் ஐயனாரே 

அற்புதங்கள் நிகழ்த்திவரும் ஐயனாரே 

கரைமேல் அழகரான ஐயனாரே

காக்கவேணும் எம்குலமே ஐயனாரே

சிலையாக இருந்தாலும் ஐயனாரே

சிறப்பென்ன அறியாமோ ஐயனாரே

கருப்பனுடன் சேர்ந்திங்கு ஐயனாரே

காக்கவேணும் எம்குலமே ஐயனாரே

வளமான வாழ்வெல்லாம் ஐயனாரே (நீ )

வழங்கிய தோர் செல்வமன்றோ ஐயனாரே

நிலையான வாழ்வு தந்து ஐயனாரே

என்றும் வளமோடு காக்கவேணும் ஐயனாரே

பூரணமாய் புட்கலையாய் ஐயனாரே

புகழ்சேர்க்கும் இருமாதர் ஐயனாரே

வலம் இடமாய் காட்சிதந்தே ஐயனாரே

வந்து நலம் சேர்க்கவேணும் ஐயனாரே

பாடிஉனைப் பணிந்திடுவேன்  ஐயனாரே ( நீ )

பக்கபலம் தந்திடுவாய் ஐயனாரே

தேடிஉனைச் சரணடைதோம் ஐயனாரே

திவ்யமுடன் காக்கவேணும் ஐயனாரே

சார்ந்ததொரு கண்மாயும் ஐயனாரே

சாலையுடன்  சேர்ந்த கரை ஐயனாரே

பார்புகழும் உன்பெருமை ஐயனாரே

பாடிநிதம் தொழுதிடுவோம் ஐயனாரே

கேட்டவரம் தந்தருளும் ஐயனாரே - உடன் 

கேடு வினை தீர்த்தருளும் ஐயனாரே

பாட்டினிலே மனம் குளிர்ந்து ஐயனாரே - இந்தப் 

பக்தர் நலம் காத்திடுவாய் ஐயனாரே

--- ஓம் சிவாய நம ---

Sri Veeramathi Amman Temple / ஸ்ரீ வீரமாத்தி அம்மன் கோயில், a History, Talguni, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

14, March 2014.

After my darshan of Sri Veeramathi  Amman, our Kula Deivam at Talguni near Kolappalur, Gobichettipalayam, I indented to add the history of our Kula Deivam.  Till the end of 20^th century our village people believed that Sri Murugan  was our Kula Deivam and used to go to the temple near Getticheviyur ( Thoranavavi ) on Gobichettipalayam to Tiruப்pur bus route. Then  a section of our people argued that a male god cannot be our  Kula Deivam and must be a Female.  Some of our caste people traced and found out the present Sri Veeramathi Amman mentioned  above address.  After that our people started worshiping  Sri Veeramathi Amman, as Kula Deivam. When I inquired, our elders of  our community could not help to trace the history.  In the mean time many people inquired about Sri Veeramathi Amman and the history. This kindles me further to do a research on this subject.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FEMALE GODDESS

1. GODDESS BECOMES GODDESS

Normally we used to worship two types of female gods.  One type is the concerts of female gods, who came to earth to safe guard the human beings from evils. They are normally, Sri Kaliamman, Sri Mariamman, Sri Selliamman, Etc,.

2. HUMANS BECOMES GODDESS

The other type of female goddess are, the Females who lives in the earth & scarified themselves, through Sati and lives as goddess / Kula Deivam in the mind of their sons, grand sons, great grand sons, etc,.  This is being followed to generations. They  worship  them as goddess with regular poojas, annual festival., etc. Also any important functions in their family will be celebrated after worshiping their Kula Deivam. FEMALE GODDESS BECOMES AS KULA DEIVAM in three ways  and they are.

1. SATI.

The widow who lost her husband ends her life by jumping  in to her husband’s funeral pyre. ( Voluntarily  - But in many cases it is not so, they were forcibly to do SATI ).  This practice was adopted from the starting of the human civilization, may be from Vedha ugam. Latter it was modified in different ways. 

 THEEPANJAMMAN AT PUNNAMMAI

THEEPANJAMMAN TEMPLE NEAR CHEYYUR

2. BURIAL.

The widows creates fire separately and  jump in to the fire and scarifies their lives. In south India the dead husbands are  not cremated, instead they are buried. In this case the widows are also  buried along with their husbands with alive. Latter the same was modified. The widows are asked lay down along with their husbands and rituals are only conducted, without buried along with their husbands.

3. LIVES REST OF THE LIFE AS WIDOWS.

The widows will live through out their life  in single, even though they are very young. They are not permitted to join any of the functions, will not have the kumkums in their fore head, they wear white saris and they will not wear any jewels.  It is still believed that the purpose of travel will not be fruitful, if  widows with white saris either they cross their way or came in their front.

For the remembrance/ monuments of   the widows, who sacrificed their  lives the people followed different methods.

1. SATI KAL or NADU KAL.

A stone with inscriptions of the who had undergone the SATI is installed in a place where every body can be seen. Also they may be installed at the burial / cremation ground also.  In north India, palm prints of the widows  ( may be many numbers whose husbands are  killed in battles ) are chiseled on stones.  The SATI stones are also installed in a place where the three roads joins. In some places of Tamil Nadu, the stones with inscriptions of their names are  placed in a common place of the village and the villagers used to do poojas in a particular month like Aadi in Tamil Month.

2. SUMAITHANGI KAL

Sumaithangi Kal  was also installed in remembrance of the lady who died during delivery or during pregnancy. This was mainly installed near the village/ shops/ Madams/ Ponds/ to unload their head loads and take rest. After rest the head loads can be picked up by  them with out much effort and with out others help.  Since I was from a remote Village in Erode Dist of Tamil Nadu, still I remember my good old days.  During my younger days my mother and Villagers used to travel by walk for a distance of 4 KM  to Kunnathur to purchase weekly provisions and vegetables from the weekly market ( Sandhai ), which assembles on every Mondays. There was no bus at that time. There was a sumai thangi stone installed in my Village long back, which is not there now.

In north side of Tamil Nadu there are temples with goddess name with Theepanjamman. This temple was constructed  in remembrance of the widows.The Sati was abolished through Laws by Britishers  in India. Even though it is a punishable act, instances are happening in India here and there.

CONCLUSION OF OUR KULA DEIVAM SRI VEERAMATHI AMMAN’s HISTORY

Our Kula Deivam Sri Veeramathi Amman  also must be a brave mother who sacrificed  for our ancestral father.  Our fore fathers might have installed a NADUKAL. Latter our, latter ancestors might have given the shape of the present  Sri Veeramathi Amman.  But one thing is certain that the temple has been visited by our ancestors whose foot prints are lying in the temples and their souls must be circumambulate Sri Veeramathi Amman, to get blessings of Sri Veeramathi Amman and give blessings to us when we go to the temple. There are many Sri Veeramathi Amman Temples  in Coimbatore, Erode, Salem districts  of Kongu Nadu for different castes and sections of peoples.

  

ANNUAL FESTIVAL : CLICK HERE FOR ( 2012 ) , &  ( 2013 ) 

 SrI Veeramathi Amman - our Kula Deivam

2012 annual festival  - Santhana Kappu alankaram

To see the maavilakku procession please CLICK HERE

2013 - Annual festival Santhana kappu alangaram

The above contents of the above articles are subject to change depends on the facts whenever we receive from the readers.For Further Reading Please Click the following Links.

FOR NADU KAL PLEASE CLICK HERE

FOR SATI PLEASE CLICK HERE

For the details of the  Annual Festival ::CLICK HERE  

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

KuranganilMuttam - A Pallava period Rock Cut Cave temple.

 04, March, 2014.

After Darshan, ( on 15-02-2014, ) of  KuranganilMuttam Shiva, visited the  Pallava Period Rock cut Temple or kal mandapam. 

Some of the important features of this Rock cut temple/ kal mandapam are ......

The temple was scooped during Pallava king Mahendravarman - I. This site is very near to Kuranganilmuttam Shiva temple about 300 meters inside the village and is being maintained by ASI - Archaeological Survey of India.

This rock cut temple is a unfinished one with 3 sanctums for Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma. Dwarabalakar's reliefs also chiseled.

Murtis / Deities are not installed and provisions are made to install the same.

The pillars are 4 sides on top and bottom and 8 sided at the middle with pothiyal on the top. Pallava Period Tamil inscriptions are on the right side rock cut pillar.

There are also two niches on the left and right side, may be for installing the parivara moorthangal.

LOCATION OF THE CAVE : CLICK HERE

Pallava Period Rock cut temple / Kal mandapam 

Closer look of one of the sanctum with dwarapalakar reliefs

Pallava Period Tamil Inscriptions 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Ekambareswarar Temple / Sri Ekambaranathar Temple, Sri Kowsikeswarar Temple and Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - Paadal Petra Sthalangal of Thondai Nadu.

 4, March 2014.

After dharshan of Lord Shiva Sri Manikandeswarar, came to Bus stop and waited. It took 1 hour to get a bus, since I missed one bus, which left just 5 minutes before my arrival to the bus stop. Around 13.30 Hrs reached Kanchipuram.

After seeing the Rajagopuram of Sri Ekambareswarar temple got down near the temple. This Changed my idea of returning to Chennai, earlier. The temple was open only by 16.00 Hrs and spend around 2 hours in the temple. The temple authorities allowed to take photographs  by charging a fee of Rs 20 for still cameras and Rs 10 for mobile cameras.

01 – SRI EKAMBARESWARAR TEMPLE / SRI EKAMBARANATHAR TEMPLE, KANCHIPURAM/  THIRUKKACHI EKAMBAM 

( This post has been up dated with Thevara Hymns, Sthala purana, legends and History and Inscriptions. Please click this link for the updated post ) 

This place is now called as Kanchipuram and Iraivan is called as Sri Ekambareswarar. This is the 1^st Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Nalvar  ie, Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar, Thirunavukkarasar and Manickavasagar has sung hymns in praise of  Lord Shiva of this temple.

 16 Pillar mandapam 

Moolavar  : Sri Thiruvekambar, Sri Ekambaranathar,

                 Sri Ekambareswarar

Consort    : Sri Elavarkuzhali

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

The 16 pillar Mandapam at the beginning of the street is named after Viswabrahmana Ingol Che. Sangapathar. The relief of Vishnu, Vishnu in koorma avathar worshiping Lord Shiva, Lord Shiva & Parvati, Varahi are looks cute. There is a 4 Pillar mandapam in between 16 Pillar Mandapam and Rajagopuram.

The Rajagopuram is facing south and has 9 tiers. Except dwarapalakas there is no other stucco images The Rajagopuram is 192 feet tall. It was constructed by Sri Krishnadevaraya during 1509 AD.

The main temple has 5 Prakarams. In the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th prakaram Sivagangai Theertham with Neerazhi mandapam, Sudhai Rishabam in a mandapam, Valeeswarar sannadhi, Mayaneeswarar sannadhi with Koshta moorthangal, Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, again a Rishabam. The front mandapam pillars are with full of reliefs. We may not afford to miss to watch any one of them.

There is a second level Rajagopuram, through which we have enter to the sanctum sanctorum.

In the 2^nd prakaram sannadhi for Sri Pralayathamman, Kazharchinga Nayanar, Lingangal, Urchavar sannadhi, Five face Vinayagar, Maavadi ( It was believed that the Maa tree ( Mango tree ) is  of 3500 years old and the existing was replanted recently ), Sahasra Lingam worshiped by Ramar, Palliyarai, MaavadiKandar, Elavarkuzhali Amman, Navagrahas, Natarajar Saba with Ambal ( on the North side of the prakaram with mandapam and space for circumambulation.

In the 1^st parkaram sannadhi for, Balachandra Ganapathy, Spatika lingam, Pralaya lingam, Naalvar, 63var ( old mural paintings of 63var is also visible above moorthams on the wall– may be more than 200 to 300 hundred years old ), Sekkizhar, Santhana kuravargal, Kasi Viswanathar, Santhana Ganapathi,  Sowbhagya Ganapathy, Sakthi Ganapathy, 108 Lingams,  Naaga Lingam, Arumugam, 108 Lingam, Markandeswara, Mathala matheswarar, Kalla kambar, 63var ( impon idols ), Nilathunda Perumal ( Perumal has the  mangalasasanam by Thirumangai Azhlwar. This is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Perumal ).

In koshtam there is no moorthams and moolavar was made of sand by Sri Parvathi to get rid of sin, caused due to closing the eyes of Lord Shiva. She embraced Sand Shiva Linga when the river was flooded. Hence there is mark on moolavar Lingam. Moolavar will be always closed with kavasam and abhishekam will be done only for avudayar. On Mondays Gold kavasam /Cover will be kept on which Ambal relief embracing lord Shiva can be seen.

Sundarar has got back his left eye sight in this temple which he lost on the way to Kanchipuram via Thiruvenpakkam where he got oontrukol from Shiva.

It was believed that Kanchipuram has a history before Christ, 5^th century. With Kanchipuram as capital of Thondai Nadu was ruled between 3^rd and 9^th century by Pallavas. Chozhas and Vijayanagara kings also ruled Kanchi.

It was believed that Dharmabalar, Head of  Nalanda University, Professor Thinnanaakar and Bodhidharma who had written Buddhist philosophy belongs to this place.

Also Chanakya who wrote Arthashastra, Parimelazhagar who wrote the meanings for Thirukkural, Poigai Azhwar, Vedantha Desikar, Vannakazhangiyam Nagalinga Munivar and  Shyma Sasthirikal are belongs to this place.

TEMPLE TIMINGS.

The temple is kept open between 06.00 Hrs. to 12.30 Hrs and 16.00 Hrs. to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The land line number is 044 - 2722 2084.

HOW TO REACH :

Frequent buses are available from Chennai and buses also available from district capitals of Tamil Nadu. The temple is about 2 KM distance from Bus Stand.

Town bus facility is also available.

Train facility is available from Chengalpattu and Arakkonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 A relief of Sri Vishnu  in 16 Pillar mandapam 

 A relief of Shiva and Parvathi

 A relief  in 16 Pillar mandapam

 Relief of Sri Vishnu in Varaka Avathar worshiping Lord Shiva  in 16 Pillar mandapam 

Relief of  Varaki  in 16 Pillar mandapam 

 A relief in 16 Pillar mandapam- may be Donor

The 4 Pillar Mandapam 

 The Nine tier Rajagopuram on the south side 

 Sri Parvathi worshiping Lord Shiva Lingam made out of sand by her

 A relief in the  Front ( anbe sivam ) mandapam. 

  A relief in the  Front ( anbe sivam ) mandapam.

  A relief in the  Front ( அன்பே சிவம்  anbe sivam ) mandapam.

Front mandapam 

 Front Mandapam with 2nd stage Rajagopuram

 Front mandapam

 Stucco Rishabam with mandapam 

  Balipeedam Dwajasthambam and Rishaba mandapam 

 63var  - with mural old painting of 63var on the top

 Sri Pralayathamman sannadhi

Maavadi - Sthala Vruksham Mango tree

Rishaba mandapam in front of Maavadi

 A Bairavar relief in the front mandapam pillar

 A Shiva's relief in the front mandapam Pillar

 The beauty of the pillar in front of Sri Mayaneswarar Sannadhi

An Open mandapam where the functions are held

On the way to Sri Kamakshi Amman temple visited Sri Murugan Temple called Kumara kottam. The temple has a Rajagopuram on the west side and Sri Subramanyar is  also facing west.

KUMARAKOTTAM SRI SUBRAMANYA SWAMY TEMPLE

 WEST SIDE RAJAGOPURAM

Moolavar : Sri Subramanya Swamy

Some of the important features are ....

Here Sri Subramaniar is in Brahma sastha Kolam which he forcibly took over from Brahma, who do not know the meaning of pranava manthiram “AUM”. Kachiappa Sivachariyar has composed the Kandha Puranam in this temple, starting with “Thikada chakkaram”.

Kandha Puranam was composed and placed in front of Sri Subramaniar during 11^th century in a mandapam, is still in good condition. Arunagirinathar’s poem “arivilla pithar” was also composed in this temple only. Pamban Swamigal was guided to this temple by Lord Murugan in the form of a small boy.

BACK SIDE VIEW 

There is also a Shiva temple in front – South east corner - of Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple.  Lord Shiva of this temple is called as Sri Kowsikeswarar. It is a small temple. The temple is of complete stone structure constructed during 9^th century.

SRI KOWSIKESWARAR TEMPLE

A Separate post has been written with History, Architecture,  Inscriptions and Legends . Please click this link for the up dated post. 

SRI KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE.

There is no sannadhi for Ambal in any of the Shiva Temples in Kanchipuram. This Kamakshi Amman temple is about a KM from Bus stand and Sri Ekambareswarar Temple.

 Front Mandapam with Rajagopuram view 

The Main Deity : Sri Kamakshi Amman

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

The temple is facing south east direction with a 5 tier Rajagopuram with lot of stucco images. In addition to that there 3 more Rajagopuras on the other 3 sides. Dwajasthambam with Balipeedam are in front of Sanctum Sanctorum near Rajagopuram. Amman is in a 24 pillar mandapam, called Gayathiri mandapam. It was said that 24 acharam  is in the form of 24 pillars. There is also another Amman moortham in dhabas /  standing posture on one leg in the same mandapam. Amman Vimanam and Aadhi Sankarar  sannadhi vimanas are covered with golden plates.

Sannadhi for Gnana Saraswathi Lakshmi, Aruba Lakshmi, Shyamala Varahi, Annapoorani, Arthanari, Pilakaasam, Sri Chakkaram, Dhabas Kamakshi,  Bangaru Kamakshi.

Perumal in this temple is called as Kallvan, since he overhears the conversation of Sri Lakshmi and Sri Kamakshi Amman through hiding. This Perumal temple is also one of the 108 Divya Desam and mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Azhwar.

LEGEND

This is one of the 51 Sakthi Peetam.

It was believed that Pandasuran was killed by Sri Kamakshi as a 9 year old Child. After killing, her ugram ( anger ) was not reduced. She was pacified to Santham /normal by Sri Sankarachariyar through installation of Sri Chakkara.

It was also believed that Amman’s moola idol /moortham was installed by Rishi Durvasa.

It was also believed that  all the Navagrahas are under the feet of Sri Kamakshi Amman, hence devotees need not worry about  Navagrahas fear, when they worship Sri Kamakshi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 South east side Rajagopuram 

 Temple complex view - Aaadhi Shankarar's sannadhi  gopuram is gold plated

 The front mandapam

After darshan of Sri Kamakshi Amman, closed my week end’s Temples visit and proceeded to Bus stand to catch a bus to Chennai. As usual there was a lot of rush to Chennai. This time I was waiting near the entrance of the Bus stand  to get a seat.  I was able to get a seat in a bus which came from Cheyyar.  Reached home around 21.30 Hrs.   

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

PALLAVA PERIOD ROCK CUT TEMPLE AT KURANGANILMUTTAM IS CONTINUED IN THE THE NEXT POST ....