VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT

Friday 6 November 2015

Sri Pidari Chelliamman / Selliamman Temple at Dhandeeswaram, Velachery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

O6, November 2015.

Last Sunday on 1^st November 2015, I had a chance to worship Sri Pidari Chelliamman of the newly renovated temple at Dhandeeswaram, Velachery. Many occasions I tried worship, but could not do so due the closure of the temple. Even though this temple is dedicated to Saptamatrikas, generally called as Selliamman Temple.

Moolavar : Sri Selliamman

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

The temple is facing North with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. In the sanctum along with Sri Pidari Chelliamman, Vinayagar and Saptamatrikas are installed. Old Saptamatrikas or Saptha Kannis in the form of stone bricks are kept in the west wall and new navagraha shrine was added during renovation. Dakshinamurthy is in the niche behind the sanctum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to 10th Century Chozha period. The same Pidari Temple was renovated during recent years. The old inscription stones are kept on the east side wall. As per the leaflet issued by Dhandeeswarar Shiva temple, this temple was built before Paranthaka Chozhan and Dhandeeswarar Shiva temple was built before Sundara Chozhan.

As per the inscriptions ( தமிழ்நாடு கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி - IX, காஞ்சிபுரம் மாவட்டக் கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி - 5, 768 / 2017 ) This place was called as Puliyur Kottathu Velicheri ( வெளிச்சேரி ). The name Velicheri was changed to Velachery from 13th Century. During Kulohunga Chozha period Velachery was called as Thina Chinthamani Chathurvedi mangalam. The goddess was called as Kala Pidari.

The Chozha king Koparakesari's ( may be Uthama Chozha ) 4th reign year inscription records the endowment of buring 2 perpetual lamps and naivedyam by the Velicheri Village Sabha, for the same a land was gifted. The Periphery limits of the land was given, in the inscription mentions that the land was near the lands of Thirupalli Bhattan and Kulakiramavithan.

Ko Parthivendra varman's 10th reign year inscription records the endowment of naivedyam by Chozha nattu Mazha Nattu Thiruvetpurudayan Thevadigal Nambi, an official. For the same a land was purchased from a person and gifted to this Saptamatrikas after exempting the taxes.

Parantaka Chozha’s Tamil inscriptions

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple is kept open between 06.00 Hrs to 09.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The following landline or mobile numbers +91 44 22264337 and +91 98419 41819

HOW TO REACH :

All The Town buses to Velachery, Vijaya nagar Bus stand passes through this temple. Get down at Gandhi Road Bus stop or Dhandeeswaram bus stop.

From Velachery to Koyambedu D 70 and M 70 Passes through Dhandeeswaram.

Town buses are also available from T Nagar and Broad way bus stands.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Temple view from east side

The three tier Rajagopuram

Dwarapalaki

Front Mandapam

Rajagopuram entrance with thirisoolam

The east side view of Vimanam

The east side view with Navagraha Sannidhi

Vimanam view from west side

Dakshinamurthy

Dhandeeswarar temple Rajagopuram with newly constructed entrance arch

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA : ---

Sunday 18 October 2015

Sri Kothanda Ramar Temple / ஸ்ரீ கோதண்டராமர் கோயில், நந்தம்பாக்கம் / Nandambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. - Uzhavaram with Sevas.

18^th October 2015.

Joined the 159^th Uzhavaram of Sevas at Sri Kothanda ramar Temple, Nandambakkam on 18^th October 2015. Planned previously attend both Uzhavaram and Heritage Volunteers meet. Since the Volunteers time was preponed to 10.30 Hrs skipped the meet and joined with Sevas for the Uzhavaram. This uzhavaram main task was to cleaning of all the sannadhis. The tasks was over by 12.00 Hrs and had our lunch after announcement and Kootu prarthanai. It was told that 12 years before the first Uzhavaram of Sevas was started in this temple. It was a proud moment for the Sevas who are continuously associated.

SRI KOTHANDARAMAR TEMPLE, NANDAMBAKKAM.

Sri Alarmel mangai thayar sannidhi Vimanam –Moolavar Vimanam - Andal Sannadhi vimanam

The five tier Rajagopuram ( Constructed during the year 2002 to 2003)

Moolavar : Srinivasa Perumal.

Thayar : Sri Alarmelmangai Thayar.

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

The Temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Vilakkuthoon ( now adorned with electric bulb ), Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Garudalwar are at the entrance. Moolavar Sri Srinivasa Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Sanctum.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Astashara mandapam, Nammalwar, Anandha Anjaneyar, Nandhavana Kannan, Chakkarathalwar, Pavithra Urchava Mandapam, Maha urchava mandapam, Nandhavanam with Krishna.

In the mukha mandapam sannidhi for Thirukachi Nambigal, Sri Ramanujar, Manavala mamunigal and Kannadi arai.

In the inner mandapam sannadhi for Sri Anjaneyar, Sri Alarmel Mangai Thayar, Andal and Sri Ramar Pattabhishekam moortham ( facing south ).

The specialty of this temple is Sri Rama blesses us in pattabhisheka kolam with Seetha on his lap and Lakshman, Bharathan and Sathrukkan are witnessing.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was claimed that the temple was built by the prime minister Sanjeevi Rayar of Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara kingdom about 750 years before. There is no inscriptions available to prove the same.

As per the book Kanchipuram mavatta Varalaru,written by A Paa. Thirugnanasambandan, the temple was constructed by Thirukachi Nambigal in 1180 CE.

In 1890 CE, Nammalwar sannidhi was built by Muthaliappa mudali.

Before 65 years when Parthasarathy of Triplicane came to Ekkattuthangal, came here also.

Mukha mandapam.- Vijayanagara period Pillars and ceiling.

LEGENDS

This place was mentioned as Brindaranyam in Valmiki Ramayana and Nandhavanam in Kamba Ramayanam. The name latter changed to Nandambakkam. Also the names of adjacent Villages are associated with Ramayana like Ramapuram.

While Rama passes through this village in search of Seetha, he stayed here as per the request of Sri Bringi Muni ( Bringi Malai – St Thomas mount ), Ramar Stayed here.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open between 07.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.00 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Sri Balaji of the temple in-charge may be contacted over his mobile 9841195446

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about a km from Nandambakkam, Chennai Trade centre. Nandambakkam is on the way between Guindy to Porur all the buses leading to Porur, Poonamallee will stop at Chennai Trade centre.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE