Puzhal Reservoir, Sholavaram Race Track, Thamaraipakkam, Check Dam , A Pulicat Heritage walk., Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

…..a continuation post of our Pulicat Heritage visit

25^th Feb 2017

PUZHAL RESERVOIR

After Madi Poonga ( Terrace garden ) Visit, we  headed towards Puzhal reservoir from where part of water supply is pumped to Chennai City. 

The Puzhal reservoir was built in 1876 CE during the British rule. The reservoir was originally a small tank with a capacity of 500 million cubic feet (mcft) and two masonry weirs, built using locally available laterite stones, then functioned as surplus weirs to release excess water in to Kosasthalaiyar River. Today, these masonry weirs are water-retaining structures as they have been replaced by two shutters with motorized operation. In 1997, the storage capacity of the water reservoir was increased to 3,300 mcft and the depth to 21.20 ft to cater to the drinking water needs of Chennai and also to store Krishna water (Telugu Ganga ) received from Andhra Pradesh through Poondi reservoir and the Sholavaram Tank. 

LOCATION: CLICK HERE 

 The motor operated weirs 

 The present inflow of water 

 Laterite stones are being used for construction of this reservoir 

Masonry Lion 

 Our Team 

SHOLAVARAM RACE TRACK.

The abandoned air strip, ( used during world war )  was used as a race track between 1960 to 1980. Before moving to Irungattukottai all the races  for both motor cycles and cars are held here under Madras Motor Sports Club. Experts from Britain and Germany were  consulted to modify the air strip in to race track. From 1988 the races were shifted to Irungattukottai.

Now the track is being utilized by the defense may be for a secret mission. It does not have any sign board and the vehicles are not painted with military green. When we entered in to the gate, we were asked to leave from the place. We could see lot of military truck movement on the track.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

…. To be continued ( Thamaraipakkam Shiva temple )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---  

Black Town Boundary Pillar, Madi Poonga / Terrace Garden and Emden Bombarded inscription, Chennai, Tamil Nadu A Pulicat Heritage walk

25^th February 2017.

When I posted my previous visit on 13^th March 2016 to PULICAT  photographs on Facebook, Mr Venkatesh wished to do once again, covering  some more  Historical important places. In this visit the left out MINT WALK mint walk,  a part of local history on Madras Black Town,   sites of   Esplanade Boundary pillar and Madi Poonga  are Covered before the break fast at Murugan Idly shop opposite to Armenian Church on Armenian Street. In addition to this Self and Ms Nivedita Louis  had seen the Emden Bombardment  inscription on the east side wall of Madras High Court.

BLACK TOWN ( SOUTH SIDE ) BOUNDARY PILLAR AT ESPLANADE, CHENNAI.

To have the clear view of firings from St. George Fort against invaders, Britishers, razed down the settlement in the present High court area and erected 6 Pillars during the year 1773 CE   ( Some body claims 13 pillars ) along the present NSC Bose Road.  The Present Chenna Kesava Perumal  and Chenna Malleeswarar temples were also shifted for which land and money for construction  was given by the Britishers. Indians are allowed to construct beyond these boundary stones One such Pillar still remains at left side of Dare House, presently called as Parry Building. From 1911 CE, the Black Town was renamed after King George V as  George Town, in honor of  his crowing  as Emperor of India.

Comments received on Facebook : CLICK HERE

LOCATION:CLICK HERE  

EMDEN BOMBARDED MEMORY INSCRIPTION TABLET

The “Emden”, a 3600 tone German Ship fitted with 22 guns bombarded Madras City on 22^nd September 1914, leaving 3 dead and 13 injured from 2.5 Km off the shore. The aim of this mission was to destroy the commercial ship, oil storage  vessels at Madras Port. It shoots the buildings on the shore also.  Some people claims that freedom fighter Dr Shenbagaraman was with Emden Ship during bombardment, there is no evidence to prove the same.   

Comments received on Facebook : CLICK HERE

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

MADI POONGA ( TERRACE GARDEN )

This park was created during 1968 by the Chennai Corporation on the  remaining part of the old north side of the boundary wall of Black Town. The partially completed 3.5 miles wall with 17 bastions and 7 gates ( The seven gates of the wall are the Boatman Gate near Port Trust quarters, Pulley Gate near the road leading to Royapuram, Tiruvottiyur Gate next to Stanley Hospital, Ennore Gate near Mint, Elephant Gate, Chucklers' Gate near the Gujarati choultry and Hospital Gate near the General Hospital)  was constructed during 1772 CE.

Paul Benfield who constructed the Chepauk palace was constructed this also. This was constructed to protect the City from the French and Hyder Ali with enough clear space to keep cannon to fire ( The Cannon is now kept in side the PWD workshop on the old Jail Road, probably taken from the wall ). It was proposed to levy Tax for using the road along the wall which was objected by  the public, so the same was dropped. But still the Wall Tax Road reminds the same.

  

The wall might be more than 60 feet thick and about 12 feet high. The park was created by the Chennai Corporation. The oldest inscription found belongs to 1957 CE.  The other part of the wall was demolished and utilized for City’s expansion.

  

For the Comments received on the facebook : CLICK HERE

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

  

.. .. to be continued ( Puzhal Reservoir- Red hills lake-, Sholavaram Race Track, )

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Thanthondreeswarar Temple inscriptions and Mookkaruppu War inscriptions, Angalamman Temple, at Kurichi and Chekkadipatti and Komari kal at Belur, Salem District, Tamil Nadu.

19^th February 2017

For the past two years Salem Historical Center had found out many  historically important inscriptions relating to donations made to this Belur, Thanthondreeswarar Temple, Mookkaruppu Por/War or the Mysore war and establishing the fact of Salem being ruled directly  by Chozha and Nayaks. The Details are as follows.

THANTHONDREESWARAR TEMPLE.

There are 5 inscriptions found in the temple. The details of the first inscription is as follows. This inscription is on the North east corner of the Temple opposite to Bairavar Sannidhi. The Inscription belongs to Second Aditya Karikala's 3^rd year rule in 959 CE.  In that Sembian Milaadudayan has given an assurance that the taxes levied on Thuravi nadu  villagers and  will be received by him. If any one defaults, will go to hell. 

1. ஸ்வஸ்தி ஸ்ரீ
2. வீரபாண்டிய
3. ன்றலை கொண்
4. ட கோப்பரகேசரி
5. பன்மற்கு யாண்டு 3
6. ஆவது பார்க்கவகோ
7. த்ரத்து மிலாடுடையா
8. ன் அகலங்கள் ம
9. லையராதித்தனான செ
10. ம்பியன் மிலாடுடை
11. யானேன் துறவி நா
12. ட்டுராளிகளை ஊராளித்திறை
13. நாற்கழஞ்சே காலே கொ
14. ள்வதாக பூவிலை செய்
15. து குடுத்தேன் செம்பி
16. யன் மிலாடுடையா
17. னேன்
18. இது மா
19. ற்றுவான்
20. ஏழா நரக
21. ம் புகுவான்

INSCRIPTION NO 3. 

This is on the left side of Ambal Sannidhi wall. In this relief of one lady in worshiping posture and another lady is doing pooja to Shiva. This inscription belongs to 11^th century. This speaks about Brahma Kannan and his wife Sathya Kamala Devi donated  Bell and urchavar for this Veliyur ( The earlier name of Belur ) Temple.

1. ஸ்வஸ்தி ஸ்ரீ எருத்த தொண்டியான்
2. கண் (ணது) சத்தி கமல் தேவியூ

முன்பறம்

1. எரிமணியூர் (ம)
2. டி கணபதியா ரைய் சேவி
3. த்தார் இவ்விரு
4. வரும் வெளியூர்
5. ஆண்டாருக்கு ஸ்ரீ

இடப்புறம்

1. வெளியூர்
2. ஆண்டார்
3. ஸ்ரீ பாத ரஷை

MOOKKARUPPU POR/WAR

This is otherwise known as Mysore war. The Mysore King  Kanthiruva Narasa Raja presumed that Thirumalai Nayakkar  was behind Bijapur Sultan attacking Mysore. So he declared war against Thirumalai Nayakkar in the year 1656 AD through Sathyamangalam, which was under the rule of Thirumalai Nayakar. Mysore Raja’s captain Kembayya cuts the nose with the upper lip, of   those common men including Children who are on their way to Madurai and sent to Mysore Raja.  In retaliation Thirumalai Nayakar with the help of Sethupathi of Ramnad and Palayakarars of Salem Erode  chased them to Mysore. This was mentioned in the book  “A Voyage to East India” written by J H Gross. In 1679 AD the Britishers mentioned in a resolution at St George Fort.  This inscription on a small pillar  is the only written document found in the midst of the field states  “மீசையுடநே மூக்கறு ப்பிச்சார்”.

  

The inscription also speaks about donation of pulling rope given to Madurai Chokkanathaswamy temple’s Chariot by Chinna Poobalarayan aka Chinnamanayakar. Viswanatha Nayaka, Thanjavur Adappa Sevvaya, Achutha Nayaka, Trichy Mutharaiyar will be in favour of Thirumalai Nayakar. A letter was sent to Madurai, Thanjavur, Senji forces  has to move to Salem for Chinnapoobalarayar to battle against Mysore king. At the same time Venkatappa Nayaka came to Trichy, Rayarpalayam and cut the nose with mustache.

Land also donated in favour of Thirumalai Nayakar. Further it was mentioned that if anybody  do hindrance to this will get the curse equivalent to  killing their father and mother. 

Soolam to mark the boundary line  (  எல்லையைக் குறிக்க சூலம் )

ANGALAMMAN TEMPLE INSCRIPTION

Part of the inscription tablet belongs  1^st Parantaka Chozha  dated 948 CE period was found in Angalamman Temple. There are 8 lines  which starts with “ஸ்வஸ்தி ஸ்ரீ மதிரையும் ஈழமும் கொண்ட கோப்பரகெசரி பன்மருக்கு“. This is the title for 1^st Paranthaka Chozhan. Hence this inscription is the proof of Chozha’s direct rule in the Salem area.  This tablet is under worship by the locals.

KURICHI INSCRIPTION

The inscription is on the road side and on the back side of the Mariamman Temple at Kurichi. This inscription belongs to 17^th century during Viswanatha Thirumalai Nayakar period. This stone inscription mainly speaks about the village Kurichi was donated to Thanthondreeswarar Temple, which includes  fields, ponds with fish, trees, well. It was also written that those who defaults this inscription will get a curse equivalent to killing of father and mother on the banks of river Ganga and those who takes care will  be benefited equivalent to taking bath in ganga and conducting Aswamedha yaga.

( மேற்க்கு பக்கம் )

1. ஸ்வத் ஸ்ரீ மன் மகா
2. மண்டலேச்வரன்
3. ராசாதி ராசர் ராச பர
4. மேசுவரன் ராசமிர்க்க
5. ண்டன் ராச கெம் பீ
6. ரன் மஹாபிரதாநரான ஆ
7. னை கொந்த வெங்கடபதி ரா
8. யர் பிறுதிவி ராச்சியம்
9. பண்ணி அருளா நின்ற கா
10. லத்தில் மஹா மந் பிரதானரா
11. னை கொந்த வெங்கடபதி ரா
12. யர் பிறுதிவி ராச்சியம்
13. பண்ணி அருளா நின்ற கா
14. லத்தில் மஹாமந் பிரதானரா
15. ன விசுவன்நாத திருமலை
16. நாயக்கர் வாசலு பிரதா
17. ந மான ராமப்பய்யன் வா
18. சல் பிறயதாநமான கொண்
19. டப்பய்யன் மணி(ய)த்தில் சா
20.  லிவாஹந  சகாப்தம்
21. க்ஷருளாய க்ஷ இதின் மே
22. ல் செல்லா நின்ற வெ
23. கு தானிய வருஷம் அற்ப
24. சி மீ எஉ விஜயதசமியும்
25. சோமவாரமும் பெற்ற நா
26. ளில் மகா மண்டல
27. த்து வெளியுர்னாட்டி வெ
28. ளியூரில் உடையார் தா
29. ந் தோனீச்சுரமுடை
30. யதம்பினாக்கு திருமலை நாய
31. க் கரையன் புண்ணிய மா
32. க கொண்டப்பையன் குடுத்
33. த பரிசாவது இன்டைக்
34. குறிச்சியாந கிறாமத்தில் நஞ்
35. சையும் புஞ்சையும் நாற்
36. பாங் கெல்லையும் தேன்
37. படு வரையும் மீன்படு சு
38. னையும் மேல்னோக்கின
39. மரமும் கீள்னோக்கின கி
40. ணரும் மற்றும் எ

( தொடர்ந்து கிழக்கு பக்கம் )

1. ப் பேர்ப்பட்ட பல உரிமை க
2. ளும் இன்னாயற்கு பூதா
3. நமாக குடுத்தோம் இந்த
4. கிறாமத்தை சந்திராதித்தர்
5. வரையும் நடத்திவர க்
6. டவராகவும் இத்தைனோக்கி
7. நலனுக்கு கெங்கை யா
8. டின பலனும் அசுவமேத
9. யாஹம் பண்ணின பலனும் ஸா
10. யுஜ்ய பதவியும் பெறு
11. வார்கள் இதுக்கு அஹித
12. ம் பேசினவன் கெங்கை
13. கரையிலே பிராமண
14. ரையும் காராம் பசு
15. வையும் தத்தம் மாதா பி
16. தாவையும் கொன்ற
17. தோஷத்திலே போக
18. கடவராகவும்

CHEKKADIPATTI INSCRIPTION

This is in the midst of coconut tree farm 4 KM from Belur on the way to Thumbal. This inscription belongs to 17th century, which gives the details of Chinnamma Naikar’s legal heirs. Lakshmana Nayakar, one of the six sons of Chinnamma Nayakar had built a fort at Belur and constructed dams across Vashista nadhi.  He also donated the chain for the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple Chariot. For the same he donated the person in charge a hundred kuzhi ( Kuzhi - a measure of Land ) land in Lakshmana Samudram. He also constructed a madam in the name of his father Chinnamma Nayakar.

Knife for the symbol of Nayaks (குறுவால் நாயக்கர்களின் சின்னம் )..

KOMARI KAL

This stone is on the opposite side of Sri Angalamman Temple.  Still People used to bring their cattle to do pooja to this stone.  Also People used to circumambulate the cattles around the Komari kal to get cure from the deceases. Normally the Komarikal used to have some symbols for which reasons are not known.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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---