Sundareswarar Temple / சுந்தரேஸ்வரர் கோயில், MelaPalur / Pazhuvur, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

...a Continuation post. 

26^th September 2016.

After the Thirumalapadi Sri Vaidyanatha Swami’s darshan we left for Mela Palur ( Pazhuvur ) Shiva Temple. Once the temple was in ruined condition and the same was reconstructed.

The second visit to this temple was a part of Perambalur and Ariyalur Heritage walk organised by ஆற்றுப்படை - A Tours & Heritage Group on 4th and 5th of November 2023.  

Moolavar    : Sri Sundareswarar

Consort      : Sri Meenakshi

Some of the details of this temple are...

CE 880 Pazhuvettarayar  Kandan, Kumaran and Maravan  ruled this place. Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan a portion of the story revolves in this place..  The temple was renovated recently and is about 3 feet below the out side ground level.

The temple is facing east with 3 tier  a simple Rajagopuram without any stucco images. Un-identical Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the Rajagopuram entrance. Elephant ( Airavatham ), Dwajasthambam and balipeedam at after the Rajagopuram entrance. Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the ardha mandapam. In Koshtam Only Dakshinamurthy. 

In the outer prakaram  Jamathakni rishi, Agni, Suryan, Saptamatrikas, Agora Veerabhadra, Sri Nataraja, Devi Kottai Karumari Amman, Kadan Nivarthi Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Balathandayuthapani, Chandikeswarar, Gajalakshmi, Jyeshtha Devi, Navagrahas, Saneeswaran, Naagar, Uma Maheswarar, Rishabandikar, fosil Nagar, Mahavishnu and Bhairavar. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi with stone Vimanam.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing South in standing posture. Ambal is in abhaya varada hastam.

 

Agni

Rishabanthigar

Saniswarar...?

Chandikeswarar

Maha Vishnu

ARCHITECTURE

The temple has a mukha mandapam, artha mandapam and sanctum. The Sanctum was built with double wall makes the passage around inner sanctum. Nandhi is in the mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is ona pada bandha adhistanam. Jagathy and Kumudam are not visible since, the outer ground level was raised above the kumudam. The pilasters are of brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai and vettu pothyal. A 3 Two tier Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Shiva with Parvati, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the tala and Greeva kostas. The Sigaram is of nagara style. 

Ambal Temple

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the flex banner, the temple was built by Pazhuvetarayar during 7th Century ( may be 10th Century .. ). Kumbhabhishekam was performed on 09-09-2015 after 500 years with contribution of Nattukottai Nagarathar AR Ramanathan.

This Melapalur was called as Mannupperum Pazhuvur, under Kundra Kootram ( now called as Kunnam ). The temple was called as Pakaividai Eswara gruham and Shiva was called as Mahadevar, Pazhuvur Nakkar, Thiruthotramudaiya Mahadevar, Kulothunga Chozheeswaramudaiya Mahadevar, etc. 

An inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp by Nakkan Kidantha Perumal, one of the Thevaradiayar of this temple also called as Nakkan Thalikooththapillai. For the same 10 kalanju gold was gifted to this temple.

பராந்தகனின் (கிபி 909) காலத்தில் பட்டுடையார் என்பவர் அவனிகந்தர்வ ஈஸ்வரகிரகத்திலிருந்து கொடை அளித்துள்ளார். மேலும் இக்கோயிலில் தேவரடியாராக இருந்த நக்கன் கிடந்த பெருமாள் பத்து பொன் கொடையாக கொடுத்து விளக்கெரிக்க ஏற்பாடு செய்துள்ளார்.

Another inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Venni Kootram Poovanur, a Brahmadeya Village Aththiraiyan Sivadasan Chozhapiran alias Utama Chozha Brahmathirayar ( A high rank of official in Chozha’s reign ). For the same 96 Sheep / Goat and Lamp weighing 400 palam, measured in a scale called Thulakol Seruvidai was gifted to this temple. The Gift was given during his visit.

ஆதித்த கரிகாலனின் 4ம் ஆண்டில் பூவனூரை சேர்ந்த ஆத்திரயன் சிவதாசன் எனும் உத்தமசோழ பிரமாதிராயன் இகோயிலுக்கு விளக்கெரிக்க 96 ஆடுகள், 400 பலம் எடையுள்ள விளக்கும் கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Another incomplete inscription records a temple name as Srikanda Eswaram and the donation of land given to the temple. The Village name is not clear and Tax name is mentioned as SithayamPithaanazhi. ( which temple is referred is not known ). 

Uttama Chozha’s 16^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp by Pazhuvettaraiyar King Kandan Maravan and construction of this temple. He also appointed Kasiba Gothra Ilangothi Suriyan as a supervisor / Kankani to the temple. This was recommended by an inspector of the temple called Kousikan Nakkan Maran. This order of appointment was received when the Pazhuvettaraiyar King, stayed at Miladunattu Chenapuram.

உத்தமசோழனின் 16ம் ஆட்சியாண்டில் மன்னுபெரும் பழுவூரில் உள்ள திருத்தோற்றமுடையார் மஹாதேவர் கோயிலில் நொந்தா விளக்கெரிக்க 96 ஆடுகளை பழுவேட்டரையர் கண்டன் மறவன் எனும் சிற்றரசர் கொடுத்துள்ளார். விளக்கெரிக்கும் பொறுப்பை மறவனேரி ஊர் சபை ஏற்றுக்கொண்டுள்ளது. இந்த திருத்தோற்றமுடையார் எனும் பெயரே சுந்தரேஸ்வரர் என்றாயிற்று. செம்பியன் மாதேவியும் நிலம் அளித்துள்ளார்.

Vanakovaraiyar Suddhamallan Uttama Chozhan Ilangeswaran’s period inscription on Meenakshi Amman Sannidhi, records that Thiruthotramudaiya Mahadevar temple was constructed with bricks. The poojas are stopped, since the temple was in dilapidated condition. The same was reconstructed with stone by Vanakovaraiyar Suddhamallan Uttama Chozhan Ilangeswaran, after he prayed Uthama Chozhar Thirumeni to become as Kalyana Thirumeni. He also constructed Gopura, Praharas and Ashta parivara sannidhis and arranged for regular worship.  The year of inscription is not known. 

Kulothunga Chozha’s 15^th reign year inscription records that, Suddhamallan donated land to this temple. 30^th reign year inscription records that the temple was reconstructed as a KaRRali / stone temple for the wellbeing of Kulothunga Chozha. Also Shiva was called as Kulothunga Chozheeswaramudaiya Mahadevar.

முதலாம் குலோத்துங்கனின் ஆட்சியாண்டில் வாணகோவரையன் சுத்த மல்லன் இலங்கேஸ்வரன் செங்கல்லால் இருந்த திருத்தோற்றமுடையர் கோயில் சிதலமடைந்ததால் கருங்கல்லால் கட்டி கோபுரம், பிரகாரம் மற்றும் அஷ்ட பரிவார ஆலயம் எடுப்பித்த செய்தியை தருகிறது. முதலாம் குலோத்துங்கனின் காலத்தில் திருத்தோற்றமுடையர் கோயில் குலோத்துங்க சோழ ஈஸ்வரமுடைய மகாதேவர் என்று மாற்றம் பெற்று நிலம் தானம் அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

முதலாம் குலோத்துங்கனின் 10ம் ஆண்டில் ஸ்ரீ கண்டஈஸ்வரம் கோயில் தானத்தார்களும்,வருவாய் நிர்வாகிகளும் சேர்ந்து இக்கோயிலுக்கு திருநாவுக்கரசர் செப்பு திருமேனி செய்து தந்துள்ளனர்.

முதலாம் குலோத்துங்கனின் 15ம் ஆண்டில் பவித்திர மாணிக்க பேரேரி என்ற ஏரியின் கீழ் இருந்த நிலத்தை இக்கோயில் பூஜைக்காக வாணகோவரையன் சுத்த மல்லன் இலங்கேஸ்வரன் கொடுத்துள்ளார்.

ராஜராஜனின் 3 ம் ஆட்சியாண்டில் விளக்கெரிக்க 10 கழஞ்சு பொன்னை கண்டன் மறவரின் போகியார் அழியாநிலை விச்சாதிரி கொடுத்துள்ளார். மேலும் 4ம் ஆட்சியாண்டில் இக்கோயிலுக்கு கங்காணியாக இளங்கோதி சூரியன் என்பவர் இக்கோயிலில் ஸ்ரீ காரியம் ஆராய்கின்ற அதிகாரியாக இருந்த கௌசிகன் நக்கன் மாறன் என்பவரால் பரிந்துரைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

ராஜராஜனின் 11 ம் ஆட்சியாண்டில் விளக்கெரிக்க நக்கன் வீர நாரணி அவருடைய அரை பங்கு நிலத்தை தேவதானமாக அளித்துள்ளார். மேலும் நக்கன் கரிய வீரநாரணி இக்கோயில் இறைவனுக்கு மாதம் தோறும் சங்கராந்திக்கு அமுது படைக்க நெல்லும், அரிசியும், தயிர், நெய், அடைக்காயமுது, திருவமுது படைக்க 4 கழஞ்சு பொன்னையும் தந்துள்ளார் 

This inscription is inscribed at Twin Temple, Keezhapalur. Kulothunga Chozha-III’s period inscription records the construction of Shobanam/ steps to climb, by a Thevaradiyal ( Thaliyilal ) called Vazhavanthan Siriyal and she was the wife of a Soldier who worked in Kaikolar army at Gangaikonda Chozhapuram. Adita Chozha –I’s period inscription records the endowment of burning two perpetual lamps by Nakkanbhoothi one of the Thevaradiyar for the same 8 ma land was gifted to this temple as devadhanam. The land was converted in to two bhoga cultivated land before gifting to this temple. The land was received by the temple administration consists of 7 people and promised to burn both temple Pakaividai Eswaram ( present Sundareswarar Temple ) and Avanikantharva Eswaram.In another inscription, Soman Bhuvani was stabbed to death by Arangan Bhattan. The Pazhuvur Nagarathar tried to catch him but couldn’t do so. So the Pazhuvur Nagarathar established an endowment of burning a perpetual lamp at Pakaividai Eswarathu mahadevar Temple ( the present Sundareswarar temple ). For the same, the temple authorities, 4 Siva brahmins received Gold from the Pazhuvur Nagarathar. This Gold was used to rectify the breach of Pakaividai Chaturvedi mangalam eri / Kulam. The burning of lands will be maintained through the 30 kalam paddy yield from lands below the breach.

In another inscription at Twin Temple Keezhapalur, Soman Bhuvani was stabbed to death by Arangan Bhattan. The Pazhuvur Nagarathar tried to catch him but couldn’t do so. So the Pazhuvur Nagarathar established an endowment of burning a perpetual lamp at Pakaividai Eswarathu mahadevar Temple ( the present Sundareswarar temple ). For the same, the temple authorities, 4 Siva brahmins received Gold from the Pazhuvur Nagarathar. This Gold was used to rectify the breach of Pakaividai Chaturvedi mangalam eri / Kulam. The burning of lamps will be maintained through the 30 kalam paddy yield from lands below the breach. 

Ref: 

1. A Hand book issued during Perambalur and Ariyalur heritage walk 

2. Ariyalur mavatta Kalvettukkal by ( Late ) Ila. Thiyagarajan Sir. 

LEGENDS

It was believed that by worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple will remove the curse of Mother, will get children by worshiping Jyeshta Devi.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple is kept open between 07.00 Hrs to 11.00 Hrs  and 17.00 Hrs to 19.00 Hrs

HOW TO REACH :

The temple in  mela Pazhuvur, which is 50 Km from Trichy, 15 KM from Ariyalur and 35 Km Thanjavur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE 

Ayyanar

Uma Maheswarar

A Nagar made out of fosil

Elephant in-front of Dwajasthambam

Seems to be a Kudakoothu

Jyeshta Devi

.......... to be continued (Ponniyin Selvan Meet at Thanjavur ).

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---

Vaidyanatha Swami Temple / Vajrathambanatha Temple, Thirumalapadi / Thirumazhapadi, Ponniyin Selvan Meet 2016, TONNIYIN SELVAN MEET AT THANJAVUR PERIYA KOIL 2016

...a Continuation post. 

 26^th September 2016.

On the second day of our Ponniyin Selvan meet at Thanjavur, Periya Kovil, Mr Anusha Vekatesh, the historian and writer also joined with us for the Thirumalapadi  and  Mela Palur ( Constructed by Pazhuvettarayar  during 7^th century ). For the second day Program we vacated the Lodge at Kumbakonam and hired the same Taxi  up to Thanjavur via Thirumazhapadi  and  Mela Palur.

       

THIRUMALAPADI / THIRUMAZHAPADI

During one of the Nandhiyamperuman’s Marriage urchavam, I had the opportunity to see the function sitting on the banks of river Kollidam.  It is a popular belief in this area that impediments in getting married will be overcome if they see the marriage festival of Nandi Devar. Sundarar has sung the Devara hymns start with ‘Ponnar meniyane’ on this temple God Sri Vaidyanatha Swamy. During morning darshan we had the opportunity of hearing this hymn through the othuvar. During this time we looked the temple with History and Heritage point of view. ( for Details of my first visit : Click Here )

  

HISTORY

The antiquity of this place goes back to the Sangam Period. It was an army camp of the valiant Malavar Clan of the Sangam Age and hence called Malavar-padi and later as Thirumalapadi. There is another saying that Lord Shiva danced in this temple with a Mazhu in his hand for Markandeya maharishi, hence called as Thiru mazhapadli. This temple has the  devara hymns of  Appar, Sambandar also. It was also visited by Ayyadigal Kadavarkon who praised it in his hymns of Shetravenba. This saint has been identified with the Pallava king Simhavarman (540-558), the grandfather of Mahendravarma Pallava (598-630).

HERITAGE & ARCHITECTURE

The outer walls of the temples has about 140 inscriptions of Chozha, Rajaraja -1, Marathas and Vijayanagara kings.  Which speaks about the Queens of Aditya–I, Rajaraja–I, and Rajendra–I made gifts to the temple in the form of lands and ornaments. The first and second gopurams of this temple were built during the periods of the Pandyas and Cholas respectively.

Chembian Mahadevi, grandmother of Rajaraja the Great, hailed from Chembiakudi, 4 kms from Thirumazhapadi. Other historical places like Pazhuvur, Alambakkam, Kandaradithyam (birthplace of Kandraditha Chola) are all situated within a radius of 15 kms. There are quite a few references to the Thirumazhapadi Temple in the famous Tamil litterateur Kalki’s work, ‘Ponniyin Selvan’.

The Siva temple was built of stone during the period of Aditya–I (871-907). Rajaraja–I ordered for its rebuilding and was completed by his son Rajendra–I. Again it was repaired by the Hoysala king Vira Narasimha in A.D. 1235-36. They are superb examples of the meticulous care taken by the Pallavas who rebuilt built it in the 7th century CE. The 108-ft tall, seven-tiered Rajagopuram of Thirumazhapadi Temple faces east and towers over the landscape of the banks of the Kollidam. It looks magnificent when viewed from the river bed. The second gopuram with five tiers is about 80 ft. tall. Both the rajagopuras are decorated with a rich array of stucco sculptures that tell the many stories from the Thiruvilayadal, the history of Lord Shiva. The Somaskandar of this temple made of single stone. The Vaidyanathaswamy Temple at Thirumazhapadi and the temple of Sundarambika lie within a sprawling 10-hectare campus full of coconut and palm trees. The Amman temple has the  contribution of Nattukottai Nagarathars also.

For More Photos:  CLICK HERE

.......... to be continued ( Mela Palur ).

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---

Sri Kabartheeswarar Temple / ThiruValanchuzhi Nathar Temple, Thiruvalanchuli / Thiruvalanjuli , Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

 ...a Continuation post. 

 26^th September 2016.

We continued our journey to Thiruvalanchuzhi.  ( For the details of my earlier visit Click Here... ). This time, I could spend more time with my Fb friends in the Vellai Pillayar Sanctum. It was awesome to see the giant  stucco dwarapalakas and the carving of pillars at Vinayagar and Amman Temple.

The lattice work of the window in front of the Vellai Vinayagar sannidhi is worth to watch. The full height is made with three pieces. The beautifully carved pillars enhance the beauty of this temple. It was believed that the temple was built during Kanaka Chozha in prehistoric  period. The Bhairavar Temple has the Rajaraja period inscriptions.

THIRUVALANCHUZHI VELLAI PILLAYAR AND SHIVA TEMPLE.

For More Photos: CLICK HERE 

After the Dharshan, again friends wanted to have the darshan of Swamy Malai Murugan  ( For the details of my earlier Visit ....Please click Here ), since the temple is on the way to Kumbakonam. With the blessings of Swamimalai Murugan, we closed our visit of the day. On the way to hotel we discussed to Visit Thirumazhapadi. Mr Venkatesh also expressed his willingness to join with us.

.......... to be continued ( Thirumazhapadi ).

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---

Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram, Ponniyin Selvan Meet 2016, Darasuram near Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

...a Continuation post. 

 26^th September 2016.

After dharshan had our meals in one of the Mami’s mess and taken rest up to 15.00 hrs. Our after noon plan was to  visit to Darasuram and Thiruvalanchuzhi. We could spend more than 2 hours in the temple admiring the sculptures and beauty of Darasuram Sri Airavateswarar. For the details of my earlier visit : Click Here

This post was up dated and written as a separate post with new Clear Photos and more Details. Please Click this link to view the updated post. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

For More Photos: CLICK HERE , CLICK HERE 

.......... to be continued ( Thiruvalanchuzhi ).

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---

Sri Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

...a Continuation post.

26^th September 2016.

It was 12.00 hrs,   when we completed the visit of Panchavan Madevi Pallipadai and the sun was scorching us mercilessly above our heads. Everybody exhausted and decided to return back to Kumbakonam to have our meals. On the way we decided to see one more temple. Hoping to Visit a Vishnu temple, since Puratasi month Saturdays, the Vishnu temples will open for a longer time. To Our luck Sri Sarangapani temple was kept open and preparing for the uchi kala pooja. ( During the 2016 Mahamaham, had the darshan of Sri Sarangapani,  For details Please Click Here  ). This is one of the 108 Divya desam.

The Third Visit to this temple was a part of Divya Desam Temples Visit, near Thanjavur and Kumbakonam, organized by Culture Circuits.  Thanks to Mr Balakumaran. 

SRI SARANGAPANI TEMPLE 

An Old Photo

.......... to be continued ( Sri Sarangapani Temple ).

This is one of the 12 Shiva Temples, that participates in Mahamaham Theerthavari festival, which occurs once in 12 Years. The 12 Shiva temples and 5 Vaishnava temples of Kumbakonam used to join  and celebrate this Mahamaha festival.

Shiva Temples are…

1.          Kasi Viswanathar Temple,

2.          Adi Kumbeswarar Temple,

3.          Someswarar Temple,

4.          Nageswaraswamy Temple,

5.          Kalahasteeswarar Temple,

6.          Gauthameswarar Temple,

7.          Kodeeswarar Temple,

8.          Amirthakadeswarar Temple,

9.          Banapuriswarar Temple,

10.      Abhi Mukheswarar Temple,

11.      Kambatta Viswanathar Temple and

12.      EkambareswararTemple.

The Maha Vishnu Temples are…

1.          Sarangapani Temple,

2.          Chakrapani Temple, 

3.          Ramaswamy Temple,

4.          Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and

5.          Varaha Perumal Temple.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---