VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT

Monday 1 February 2016

Sri Somanatheeswarar Temple / Somanatheswarar Temple at Somangalam near Chennai, Chandran Sthalam, one of the Navagraha sthalam around Chennai, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

1^st February 2016.

Participated with Sevas for the Uzhavaram at Sri Kamakshi Samedha Sri Somanatha Eeswarar temple at Somangalam. The works involves cleaning of the temple, clearing the bushes in side the temple premises, shifting Dakshinamurthy and Varahi Amman ( both damaged ) to the other moorthams kept adjacent to south side of compound wall. We also moved a epigraph tablet near the sthala Vruksham. It is one of the 108 Gajabirushta Vimana type temples constructed by Choozhas. This is the Chandran sthalam and one of the Navagraha sthalams in Thondai Nadu.

Moolavar : Sri Somanatheeswarar

Consort : Sri Kamakshi Amman.

Some of the important details of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with out Rajagopuram and Dwajasthambam. Only entrance arch on the south side. Sanctum is of Gajabirustam type. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Nandhi is facing east opposite to moolavar. The story behind this was, during construction of this temple, Rishabam was sent to fight with enemies of the Chozha King.

In the front mandapam sannidhi for Brahma in sitting posture., Bala Murugan, Mahavishnu and Balasubramaniar.

In the outer praharam moorthams are positioned on a pedestal (damaged) adjacent to Compound wall, Chandikeswarar, Subramaniyar, Ambal, Bhairavar, Navagrahas, Chandran and Suriyan.

LEGENDS

Chandran worshiped Lord Shiva to get rid of curse given by Dhakshan, hence this is one of the Navagraha sthalam in Thondai Nadu.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This Gajabirushta Vimana temple is believed to be built during 9^th to 10^th century Chozha period. As per the inscriptions this place was called as Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Sengattu Kottathu Somangalam alias Rajasikamani Chathurvedi Mangalam and Lord Shiva was called as Someswarar. The inscriptions belongs to Kulaothunga chozha-I ( 1070 – 1120 CE ), Rajaraja Chozha-II ( 1150 – 1163 CE ), Kulothunga Chozha –III with his meikeerthi மதிரையும் ஈழமும் கொண்டருளிய (1178 – 1216 CE ). During Rajaraja-II period this place Somangalam was under Puliyur Kottam, Kulothunga Chozhavalanattu, Kundrathur Nadu. Kulothunga Chozha-III inscription 1192 CE inscription records the ( Adyar ) damage caused due to ( Adyar ) river flood and the rectification of Eri ( reservoir ). The inscriptions mainly records the gifts of lands, Cow, money etc,. towards burning of perpetual and Sandhi lamps. As per the inscriptions this place was called as Rajasigamani Chathurvedimangalam under Puliyur Kottathu Kulothunga Chozhavalanattu Kundrathur nadu and latter changed as Panchanadhivan Chathurvedi mangalam.

Rajathiraja-II’s ( 1174 CE ) inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp by Ekkattu Kottathu Perumunaiyur Karanaththan Chandrasekaran. For which 2 cows were gifted to this temple.

Kulothunga Chozha-III ( 1190 CE ) Inscription records that the eri breached on seven places due to heavy rain. Thiruchurakannappan Thiruvekambamudaiyan alias Kaman Kanda Vanavan rectified the breaches. He also gave a gift of 40 pazhangasu to rectify incase it the eri breaches again. Again 1192 CE he rectified the eri bund which breached again.

A 1206 CE inscription records the endowment of burning a sandhi lamp by Athipattu merchant ChikkaNdi Chekkar. For which one pazhangasu was gifted to this temple. Another 1209 CE inscription records the gift of 2 Pazhangasu to burn a lamp at Somanathar shrine by Udaiya Pillai.

Another 1244 CE inscription records the cows are gifted to this temple for Naivedyam by Kulothunga Chozha Kannappan Adhi Nayakan Neelagangarayan and Ullarilnallan Kalingatharaiyan

Koperusinga-I’s 1257 CE inscription records the Gopuram was built.

An inscription tablet has been used as a stepping stone.

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple is kept open between 07.00 Hrs to 10.30 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 19.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Sivachariyar Suresh Gurukkal may be contacted for further details on his mobile +91 9962003496.

HOW TO REACH :

Town bus facility is available to Kundrathur from various parts of the city.

And Somangalam may be reached through Town bus nos M89 and 88 R from Kundrathur and 18S from Tambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Temple view with temple tank Vinaitheertha kulam/ Somanatha theertham

Rishabam / Idabam is also facing the same direction as Moolavar

Sri Kamakshi Amman sannidhi

Subramaniar Sannadhi

Bairavar sannidhi

Brahma (in sitting Posture), Subramaniyar and Maha Vishnu

Subramaniyar Sannadhi - in Mandapam

Chandran

Navagrahas

Sthala Vruksham Lingam and Nagar

Sthala puranam

Moorthams kept adjacent to Compound wall

Jyeshta Devi

Dakshinamurthy and Varahi damaged moorthams shifted near the other moorthams kept adjacent to Compound wall

Is it Kuberan ? –a relief on the pillar of the front mandapam half disappeared under the floor

SEVAS ON THE JOB

A Vinayagar temple at the entrance of the street

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA: ---

Thursday 28 January 2016

Sri Muventheeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ மூவேந்தீஸ்வரர் கோயில் & Sri Adi Narayana Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ ஆதி நாராயணப் பெருமாள் கோயில், நசியனூர், Nasiyanur, Erode district, Tamil Nadu.

28th January 2016.

In search of History – Nasiyanur in Kongu Nadu ( ERODE DISTRICT ). As per the inscription the Present Nasiyanur was called as Nasiyanur during 15th century. This place comes under Melkarai Poonthurai Nadu one of the 24 subdivisions of Kongu Nadu. Planned to Visit Sri Muventheeswaramudayar Shiva Temple, Sri Adi Narayana Perumal and Sri Muniayappan Temple. Could not visit Muniappan Temple, for want of time and location & guidance. Utilizing the opportunity of my official visit on 25th January 2016 and on the way to Chennai visited these two temples. Both temples are side by side on the Perundurai to Bhavani Main road. Hope both temples are very old, but only Shiva temple has the 15^th century inscriptions around athistanam and Pillar. Both the temple are managed by the HRCE Dept with Local Gounder caste peoples. Well maintained temples with recent renovations. The inscriptions are recorded by the Tamil Nadu Archeological Department and Prof Raju played a main role since he belongs to Erode area. Now these inscriptions are not in readable condition. I was lucky to have the darshan of Lord Shiva and Perumal in the evening hours ( Normally the temples will have one kala ppoja in the morning hours only ).

SRI MUVENTHEESWARAMUDAYAR TEMPLE, NASIYANUR IN KONGU NADU ( ERODE DISTRICT )

West side entrance

Moolavar : Sri Muventheeswaramudayar.

Consort : Sri Muthu Maragatha Valli.

Some of the important details are…...

The temple is facing west without Rajagopuram and Dwajasthambam. Rishabam is inside the mandapam. There is a Vilakku thoon or a Gauruda thoon. On the base there s relief of a deity with bow, which is strange. A peepal tree of very old is in front of the temple. Vinayagar and Nagars are at the base of the tree. The entrance to the temple is from the south with Koorai Kula vinayagar sannidhi facing east.

Both Moolavar and Ambal are facing west in a separate temple. Moolavar is small and beautiful in simple alangaram. In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Chandran, Idumbar, Balathandayuthapani, Arumuga Peruman, Kalabairavar, Navagrahas, Naanmugan, Saneeswarar, Kannimoola Ganapathi, Semba Kula Vinayagar, Eenja Kula Vinayagar, Sirai Kula Vinayagar, Pandiyan Kula Vinayagar ( the sub divisions of Gounder castes created these Vinayagar sannidhis at a latter stage).

Ambal Sri Muthu Maragatha Valli is facing west in a separate sannidhi and small in standing posture. The sannadhi has a mandapam and the pillar has the old inscription. Meta colour sheet shed is erected in front of the Ambal temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

These inscriptions belongs to Nanjaraya Udayar, Kumara Virupatchirayar, Kembayaudayar and veeranancharaya udayar periods. They all speaks about donations given to this temple for the Pooja, Land, construction of maha mandapam, imposing of tax for celebration. If one misuse it will get the sin equal to killing a cow on the banks of river Ganges and torturing the 7 brahmins. The inscriptions are during 15^th to 17^th century ( 1442 CE, 1464 CE, 1772 CE). As per the inscription the Present Nasiyanur was called as Nasiyanur during 15th century.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Mutrum othuthal is regularly conducted on the 3^rd week of every month. Apart from the important functions.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs. It will be better to confirm before going to the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Mr Sakthivel on his mobile 9443246871 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is on the main road from Perundurai to Bhavani.

Town bus nos 13 and 8 from Erode to Perundurai and Kanjikovil passes through Nasiyanur and about 500 meters from the bus stop.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

Rishabam relief on the vilakkuthoon base.

This relief is on one side of the vilakkuthoon base with bow – who is he ?, what a beautiful posture...!!!

It was told that this tree must be 500 years old

Vinayagar and Nagars under the age old Peepal tree

West side view of Temple complex with entrance arch

West side Mandapam view

Arumugar sannadhi with vimanam

Moolavar sanctum vimanam with Chandikeswarar sannadhi

Ambal sanctum vimanam

Nalvar

Ambal sannidhi meta colour sheet mandapam with flex banners

Gounder castes – Vinayagars ( caste also peeped in to religion and worship.

Moolavar sannadhi entrance mandapam on south side with flex banners

South side entrance Vinayagar temple for one sub section of Gounder caste

South side entrance

Abandoned Shiva Lingam avudayar with Rishabam

SRI ADI NARAYANA PERUMAL TEMPLE. NASIYANUR IN KONGU NADU ( ERODE DISTRICT )

East side entrance arch

Moolavar : Sri Adhi Narayanaperumal.

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a Vilakkuthoon at front. There is a small mandapam with arch at the front. Moolavar sannadhi with Garudan is at the front. Moolavar Adi Narayana Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. There is no separate thayar sannidhi.

Sri Anjaneyar sannidhi is at the north east corner of the temple. There are some statues / idols kept in front of Compound wall, the reason is not known.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Mandapam ceiling has the recent period inscription. These inscriptions belongs to 1827 AD speaks about the renovation of the stone mandpam which was in damaged condition. This on the ceiling of the front mandapam.