Sri Ashtabhuja Bala Madhana Venugopala Swamy Temple / Ashtabhuja Venugopalaswamy Temple, Belur, Salem District, Tamil Nadu.

…. A continuation post ( Sri Theerthagreeswarar Temple Kurichi )

19^th February 2017

This is the last stop of our Belur, Salem heritage walk. This Perumal temple is on the banks of Vashistanadi. This temple is dedicated to Perumal and his sister Parasakthi in the name of Maragatha valli.

 Moolavar sanctum and left side yellow colour sannidhi is Thayar sannadhi.

Moolavar  : Sri Ashtabuja Bala Madhana Venugopala Swamy.

                 Ashtabhuja Venugopalaswamy

Thayar     : Sri Poongothai

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a three tier Rajagopuram. Anjaneyar and Garuda thoon are in front of the Rajagopuram but not on the same line. In the sanctum moolavar Sri Ashtabuja Bala Madhana Venugopala Swamy is with Sri Devi and Bhoodevi. ( Urchavars are kept at Sri Thanthondreeswarar temple considering the safety).

Moolavar  is in the form of a relief panel with eight hands holding various weapons and articles including a sugar cane ( signifies  to remover the bad desires of sex ). The upper two hands holding the Conch and disc belongs to Sri Vishnu. The two hands below   belongs to Krishna avatar.  The bottoms 4 hands belongs to Balaraman an incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu. The  cheeks  on both sides has the different characters. The left cheek is smooth  belongs to feminine character and right cheek is little rough belongs to masculine.  The dress on the left is chiseled like pancha kacha  saree and on the right leg like male.  On the top  of the head, the 7 hooded adiseshan.

In the artha mandapam moorthams of Alwars. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Chakrathalwar & Yoga Narasimhar, Thumbikkai Alwar ( Vinayagar ), Poongothai Thayar, Maragatha Valli Ambal,  and Andal.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, artha mandapam and front mandapam. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam,  Garudalwar are in the  front mandapam. Chakkarathalawar Sannidhi is in Dravida style of construction from the base. 

 Chakkarathalwar Sannadhi

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was believed that Vashistar installed this moortham.  The mandapam was built during Nayak Period and their emblem of sanctum Sanctorum with sun and moon are in the form of reliefs. ( the dog in the moon signifies what? ). A kannada / Telugu inscription is on the  entrance steps of the artha mandapam.

 Nayaks emblem of Prastaram nasi koodu

LEGENDS

Maragatha Valli  Ambal is in a separate temple like  sannadhi. Ambal looks old age. As per the legend, Ambal took different incarnations like Kamakshi, Visalakshi, Ulagammai, Parvati, Thatchiyaayani.  The story starts at Madurai. A devotee ( Kanchanamalai in the next birth ) treated Meenakshi as a child and used to sing thalattu to make her to sleep. Ambal was pleased by her devotion and promised her that she will take rebirth as Meenakshi  to her. The devotee was blessed to take rebirth as Kanchanamalai and married to Pandya king.  Perumal as a brother conducted the marriage of  Sri Meenakshi with Lord Shiva. So Ambal Maragathavalli took the form of a old mother and bless the devotees in this temple.

Since Garudalwar belongs to Rama avatar period, the wings are in chopped condition ( who fought with Ravana while Seetha was taken to Lanka ). Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the artha mandapam looks beautiful.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 Hrs to 11.00 Hrs and 16.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 30 KM from Salem and 6 Km from Valapady.

Town bus and share autos are available from Valapady.

The temple is on the other side of the Vashistanadi a walk-able distance from the bus stop.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Moolavar sanctum and right side yellow colour sannadhi is Ambal sannadhi.

 The north side Vimanam  stucco images  looks in North Indian Style - Poori Jaganath

 See the mouth of the female relief

 Front mandapam, Dwajasthambam, balipeedam  and Garudalwar

… to be continued ( Inscription Pillars of  Mookaruppu battle, Chekkampatti, Kurichi & Belur )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Theerthagreeswarar Temple / Sri Theertha Greeswarar, Belur, Salem District, Tamil Nadu.

... a Continuation post...

 19^th February, 2017.

After Sri Thanthondreeswarar temples visit, had our lunch organised by the Salem Historical Research Center. In the mean time they had arranged a bus also to see the temples and historical sites around Belur, near Salem. Sri Theertha Greeswarar Temple is on the way to Arunootru malai, one km from Kurichi. The temple is a km off main road, on the west banks of Vashista River.

The temple is in dilapidated condition but moolavar is under worship. The sanctum was constructed with stone without Vimana. In front, nandhi and right horn is in broken condition. It was believed that the temple might have been constructed either same period or  before Sri Thanthodreeswarar Temple at Belur

LOCATION: CLICK HERE 

... to be continued. ( Sri Ashta Buja Bala Madhana Venugopala Swamy Temple )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ தான்தோன்றீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Belur, Salem district, Tamil Nadu.

 19^th February 2017.

Utilizing the opportunity of attending the inauguration of the Salem Historical Research Centre, which functioned as Salem Varalaru Thedal Kuzhu, visited the heritage sites in around Belur near Salem on 19^th February 2017. More than 100 participants which includes, Scholars,  enthusiasts and College & School students attended this Heritage walk. After the inauguration function,  visited the Historical important sites like, Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple, Sri Theerthagireeswarar temple,  an inscription stone which speaks about the village Kurichi donated  to Sri Theerthagireeswarar at Kurichi,  an inscription pillar in the midst  of field at Chekkadipattu, which is the evidence of Nayakas direct rule in this area, a Thannasi/ Komari Kal, Mookkaruppu battle the only evidence inscription pillar standing in the midst of a millet field, a Parantaka Chozha – I, inscription at Angala Parameswari Temple and Sri Ashtabuja Bala Madhana Venugopala Swamy temple. 

A Royal treatment was given to all the participants by the organizers. I extend my sincere thanks to the organizers Mr. Aragalur Venkatesan Pon, Mr Kalaiselvan, Mr Srinivasan, Dr. Ponnambalam, Mr Jeevanarayanan, Mr Periyar mannan  and other organizers. It was a nice experience to interact with the history Scholars like Mr Veeramani Veeraswamy, Mr Sugavana Murugan, Mr  Mani, Mr Edappadi Amudhan and the facebook friends.

     

SRI THANTHONDREESWARAR TEMPLE, BELUR

This temple is the earth sthalam, one  of the pancha bootha sthalams, on the banks of river Vashista aka Neevaa aka Vellaru in Salem district. ( The other pancha bootha sthalangal are water – Ethappur, Sri Sambamurtheeswarar, Fire – Attur, Sri Karya Nirmaleswarar,  Air- Aarakazhur, Sri Kamanatha Eswarar and Space  - Kookaiyur, Sri Swarnapureeswarar ).

Moolavar    : Sri Thanthondreeswarar ( Swayambhu )

Consort      : Sri Dharmasamvardhini.

Some of the important features of this temple are …

The temple  is facing east with a    7 tier Rajagopuram.  In front of the Rajagopuram, there is a 4 pillar mandapam, a Garuda thoon and a mandapam ( This may be Sri Pachai Kandha Swamigal’s madam, which has to be explored ).

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for  Pancha bootha lingas, Nayanmars, Kalyana Vinayagar, Nagars under dried  Sthala Vruksham, Subramanyar,  Jyeshta Devi with Manthan and Manthi, Kaliyuga Subramaniyar, Gajalakshmi, Navagrahas, Dhandayuthapani with Vinayagars on both sides under Vanni tree, Kanampulla Nayanar ( it was believed that he is one of the 63 Nayanmars who lived here and worshiped lord Than Thontreeswarar ), Pichadanar, Bhairavar, Chandran and Suriyan.

Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sannadhi looks cute.  In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. In artha mandapam  urchava murtis.   Every one is a master piece of its kind ( it was believed that the icons, Chandrasekar, Uma Maheswarar, Saba Nayagar and Vinayagar are unearthed while ploughing the land behind the temple ).  In Saba mandapam, Nearby Vazhapadi Shiva temple’s  Nataraja looks very nice and the muyalakan holds a knife, which is very unique, The lamp lady looks awesome.  Moolavar  is about 3 feet height, little rough and believed to be swayambhu.

Ambal  is in a temple like sannadhi on the left side of Shiva facing east. Stucco dwarapalakis are at the entrance. Ambal is in standing posture with four hands. The upper hands holds the flowers and lower right hand in  abhaya hastham and the left hand in vara hastham.

  This relief is above the Palipeedam on the ceiling, is a rare one, which represents to leave aanavam, kanmam, maayai, maamayai and  thirothaayi before entering the temple. ( பலிபீடத்திற்கு நேர் மேலே உள்ள சிற்பம், வேறுகோயிலில் காணமுடியாத அபூர்வ சிற்பம். இது ஆணவம், கன்மம், மாயை, மாமாயை, திரோதாயி என்ற இம்மலங்களின் உருவகம் இது ) .

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam, maha mandapam and Vasantha mandapam. In maha mandapam Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam / Idabam ( The special feature of the Rishabam is both front legs are folded, which is very unique ). The front mandapam pillars has the reliefs of Jwarakeswarar,  Milaku Chettiar, Pachai Kandha Swamigal, Vasistha Muni, Adhikara Nandhi, etc,. The  front maha mandapam pillars are of Nayak period Yazhi pillars and  a rotating stone ball is inside it’s mouth is a special attraction.

 Mr Veeramani Veeraswamy  and his ancestor Sri Pachai Kandha Swamy

 A relief of a lady on the arthamandapam pillar – see the hair style 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION

Even though it is claimed that the temple is of 5000 years old, from evidences found in the form of inscriptions, the temple must be more or less 1200 years old. The sanctum was constructed by Chozhas and front mandapam was constructed by Nayaks. 

There are 5 inscriptions documented so far in side the temple complex. The inscriptions belongs to the period of  Athithan- II aka  Athitha Karikalan, ( 959 CE ),  3 nos of 11^th century and a 20^th century. As per the inscription the Belur was called as Veliyur. The inscriptions mainly speaks about the donations given to the temple.  

LEGENDS

As per the legend Arjuna had done penance here and prayed lord shiva, for water to worship him. Lord Shiva shot an arrow which hits the hill in front of Belur. Water flowed from the place called Vellaru and hill was called as Arunutru hill. Vashista Maharishi established 5 temples ( latter called as pancha bootha temples ) along the river and worshiped Lord Shiva, hence the river was called Vashista river.

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Siva Gurukkal may be contacted through his mobile +91 96296 07409

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 30 KM from Salem and 6 Km from Vazhapadi.

Town bus and share autos are available from Vazhapadi.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Dwarabalakar

 Jeyeshta Devi with Manthan and Agni matha ( Jyeshta has the trimmed stomach )

The original sthala virukasham was jack fruit tree, which changed to Kattu iluppai  due to curse of Vashista Maharishi (  பலா மரமாக இருந்து வசிஷ்டர் சாபத்தால் காட்டிலுப்பையாக மாறியது ) 

Bhirungi Muni

 Natarajar – on the left Manickavasagar 

 This Natarajar belongs to Vazhapadi Shiva Temple, kept here for safety reasons. . Please note that muyalakan is holding a knife similar to the Natarajar & Muyalakan available at Nallur, which is a rare one.  (  இந்த நடராசர் வாழப்பாடி சிவன் கோவிலை சேர்ந்தது. பாதுகாப்பு கருதி இங்கு வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. முயலகன் கையில் கத்தி,   நல்லூர் நடராஜர் சிலையில் உள்ள முயலகன் போன்று உள்ளது ) .

 Dhandayuhapani under with his brother Ganesha under vanni tree

 Mr Veeramani Veeraswamy explains at Golden Chariot 

 Inaugural  function - Book release 

Inaugural function

A section of my friends 

FOR MORE PHOTOGRAPHS: CLICK HERE

…. To be continued ( Sri Theerthagreeswarar Temple )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Madras Literary Society - MLS, A Heritage walk

 12^th February 2017.

Madras Literary society was formed in the year 1812 CE and associated with the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.  Sir John Henry Newbolt who was the Chief Justice of the Madras was the president and Mr Babington was the secretary From 1833 CE MLS started the journal called Madras Journal of Literature  and science.  Mr Ram Raz was  the  first recorded Indian  admitted as a member of MLS, apart from Europeans. The journal covers the  researches in geology, metrology, fauna, flora and Culture and History.  The Journal ends its journey in the year 1894 CE. The existing  sand stone red building in which  the MLS functions was built in the year 1906, on the banks of the river Cooum. MLS would have functioned in the same premises near the river.

 

A new Library called Connemara Public Library, was started as an extension to this library, in Museum at Egmore and part of the books was also transferred.  The MLS library still holds some of the books published in nineteenth century and efforts are on to revive the books and documenting the stocks with the help of volunteers from the public.

Attended the ‘Gods of Holy river Cooum’ a book release function By Ms Padmapriya Baskaran on  12^th February 2017.  Ms TripuraSundari Sevval, a member of Anna Nagar "Nam Veedu Nam Oor Nam Kadhai" also an Architect is taking active part in the revival of books & maintenance of this Society.  

CONTACT:

Please contact the land line number for further details :  044 2827 9666

FACEBOOK LINK :CLICK HERE

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Book release function 

 Book release function 

Book release function 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Sholeeswarar Temple / Sri Soleeswarar Temple / Sri Chozheeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ சோழீஸ்வரர் சிவன் கோயில், Perundurai, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

06^th February 2017.

While returning from my native near Kunnathur, I have to pass through Perundurai. This temple is adjacent to Perundurai Bus stand. Had the darshan of Sri Chozheeswarar also called as Kottai Eswaran. Whether this temple has the connection with Chozha? Do not Know and the temple authorities could not help.

Moolavar    : Sri Soleeswarar

Consort      : Sri Vedanayaki

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

The temple is facing east with 3 tier Rajagopuram and a Garuda thoon is in front. The temple is of stone construction. In sanctum Moolavar is installed at an elevated level. Vinayagar, Subramaniyar and a Shiva Lingam are in the mukha mandapam. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy and Durgai.

Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are in front of Moolavar Sannadhi. Moolavar sannadhi, Ambal sannadhi ( is on the right of moolavar facing east) Valli Deivanai sametha Subramaniar and Ayyappan Sannadhi are also facing east direction. Naalvar sannadhi is on the Ambal sannadhi north side wall.

  

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Moola Vinayagar, Adhi Lingam under bilva tree, Chandikeswarar, Saneeswarar, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Chandran and Suriyan.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened from 06.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The temple can be contacted  for further details through their land line 04294 – 299565.

HOW TO REACH:

Perundurai is a junction  for the bus routes Coimbatore to Erode, Bhavani to Chennimalai and the temple is adjacent to the Bus stand.

Nearest Railway station is Perundurai and Junction is Erode. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :    CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---