Sri Vimeeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ விம்மீஸ்வரர் கோயில், செரபனச்சேரி / Serapanancheri, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

02 September 2017

Planned to visit 3 Shiva temples  on this 02^nd September 2017, Guru peyarchi day. After Nerkundram visit, had been to KizhPadapai Sri Veeratteswarar Temple also.  This temple is on the right side of Danish Engineering college on Vandalur to Oragadam bus route.

Moolavar    :  Sri Vimeeswarar

Consort      :  Sri Swarnambigai

Some of the important features of this temple are…

This temple is facing east on the road side with Two Nandhis are in front. The temple was built with Gajabirushta Vimana, a speciality of Thondai Nadu.  Suryan on the other side of the Road facing Moolavar. 

ARCHITECTURE

This temple is with sanctum sanctorum, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a  shadanga upapeeda, pushpa pushkala adhisthana built with Stone up to adhishtanam. The super structure ie the wall and the  Gajabirushta vimana was built with stone out sides and brick in the middle. The same is in dilapidated condition and covered with a metal sheets after building a temporary wall on the inner side. Mukha mandapa is only with adhisthana. The idols in the deva koshtas are missing. The sanctum walls are with beautiful kumbha panchara. The shobhana / a flight of steps are provided on the side of the mukha mandapa.

The Mukha Mandapa is on a shadanga upa peeda and adhisthana is of padabandha style. A Bas relief of a king in worshiping posture is on one of the nasikoodu of kapotha upa peeda. This may be of Kulothunga Chozha- III.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This temple was built during Chozha period. During their period this place was called as Jayankonda Chozha mandalathu Ootrukattu Kotatho Velimanallur Nattu Peruvanchur alias Rajakesari Nallur. After Kulothunga-III’s 2^nd reign year this place was called as Rajendra Chozha Nallur.  Lord Shiva was called as Vimesuramudaya Nayanar.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s, 2^nd reign year inscription records that, Dhanmakon one of the mandradi of this Village established an endowment of burning a sandhi lamp for which 2 cows are gifted to this temple.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 4^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a sandhi lamp by Chengattu Kottathu Konathi nattu Urathur alias Kalinga Kulakala nallur Amanpakkizhaan Chenthamarai Kannan Agamudayal Kannazhwar ( Chenthamari Kannan’s wife ) at Peruvanjur alias Rajendra Chozha Nallur Vimechuramudaya Nayanar, for the same 4 Pazhankasu was received by Vellanthanginan alias Gangadhara Bhattan.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 8^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp by Vayira Nathan, for the same Pazhankasu was received by Thiriyambaha Bhattan Pillaikal ( son’s ..?).

Rajaraja-III’s 6^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning 2 sandhi lamps by the Villagers for which 6 pazhankasu was received by this Village Kaniyudaya  Siva Brahmins.

Rajaraja-III’s 11^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning two sandhi lamps for which 3 pazhankasu was received by  this Village Kaniyudaya  Siva Brahmins.

Vijayakanda Gopala’s 25^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a sandhi lamp by Alanthuridayan Anda Koothan Vanduvarai Perumal for the same  “Kanda Gopala Pazhampulli Maadai” kasu was received by Veema Bhattan.

Now, the total temple is in a dilapidated condition. Some donors had done the front shed / Mukha mandapa portion and on the moolavar. The Vinayagar was installed in a separate temple recently built by a donor. The Sivachariyar pointed out that there are three temple tanks  in front of the temple and has 150 acres of land and most of them were encroached.

Rajendra Chozha’s inscriptions -(..?)

 Rajara Chozha-III’s inscriptions 

LEGEND

As per the legend 27 stars worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple and hence called Vimeesar.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since oru kala pooja is conducted the Gurukkal my be contacted for darshan and further details.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Gurukkal Mahalingam, who does the pooja for this temple for the past 40 years  may be contacted through his mobile 9841336838.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is about a KM off main road.

On town bus route Tambaram / Perungalathur/ Vandalur  to Oragadam get down at Serapanancheri.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Veeratteswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ வீரட்டேஸ்வரர் கோயில் / Sri Shantha Nayaki Sametha Sri Veeratteswarar Temple at Padappai ( Kizh Padappai ), Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

02^nd September 2017.

This is the second temple after Nedungundram Sri Agastheeswarar temple on this Guru peyarchi day. This temple is on the Vandalur / Tambaram to Oragadam bus route via Padappai.

Moolavar    : Sri Veeratteswarar

Consort      : Sri Shantha Nayaki.

Some of the important features of this temple are ….
The temple is facing east with an entrance arch.  The temple is under renovation  and moolavar and Ambal and Koshta moorthams  are kept in a shed. The original temple has the Veerabhadra, Shantha Vinayagar, Kalathinathar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar sannadhis.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was told that the temple was built during Sambuvarayar Period ( 850 Years Old ) and inscription says that the donations made for the celebration of Chithirai Vizha.

Even though the temple comes under the control of HR & CE department, the Villagers and the Public  are doing the renovation. It was also told that the entrance arch will be pulled down  and new 5 tier Rajagopuram will be built.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Poojas are conducted only to the chitrams, in which the power was transferred.

CONTACT DETAILS:

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 1 KM  from Kizh Padappai Bus stand.

On town bus route Tambaram / Perungalathur/ Vandalur  to Oragadam get down at Padappai and the temple is at Kizh Padappai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE     :CLICK HERE

Somaskandar

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Kotravai / Durga at Ozhalur, Saptamatrikas at Sokandi and Cairn Circles at Anoor, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

27^th August 2017

KOTRAVAI/ DURGAI AT OZHALUR

After Anoor Sri Asthra pureeswarar temples visit, Mrs Radha Kumar took us to Ozhalur. Since we missed the route we went up to Chengalpattu and reached Ozhalur. The Panel is dumped in front of a Vishnu temple and the locals do not know the value of it.  It was told the panel is Kotravai. But it seemed to be of Durgai and the posture is similar to the Durgai available at Vallam Pallava Period rock cut Cave temple. Hence this panel may belongs to end of Pallava or early Chozha   period. The Local people believe that if the panel is installed some bad things will happen in the Village. In addition to there is stone slab contains the inscriptions of Chozha period. The inscription is not legible to read.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE 

Saptamatrikas at Sokandi

As per Kanchipura Mavatta Tholliyial Kaiyedu, during Sundara Pandyan Period this place was called as Sovandi. This place was named as "Sundara Pandyan Chathurvedi Mangalam" and gifted to Agaram Periya nadavar of this Village. This was inscribed on the Tank side stone, which is missing now.

 

இன்று சோகண்டியில் திருகழுக்குன்றம் அருகே...குளத்தையும் அது சம்பந்தமான பாண்டியர் கல்வெட்டையும் தேடி அலைந்த போது கிடைத்த சப்த மாந்தர்கள்... அன்னமார் சாமி என்று கூறுகின்றனர்.

CAIRN CIRCLES AT ANOOR.

After attending Kumbabishekam of Sri Munkudumeeswarar temple at P.V.Kalathur, we headed towards Anoor to see a Pallava Period Shiva temple, which is under renovation.  Before Anoor on the left we happened to see more than 20 Cairn circles, which belongs to prehistoric / megalithic period. After seeing the cairn circles, when we referred ASI web site and the same was recorded already. In that we happened to notice one circle which measures approximately 28 to 30 feet diameter with big boulders. Must belong to a big person or a leader of that group.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE ( The site is before the Temple )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---   

Sri Vyagrapureeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ வியாக்ரபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில், புலிப்பாக்கம் / Pulipakkam, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu,.

27^th August 2017.

After visiting Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, Anoor, Ozhalur and Vallam, around Chengalpattu,  decided to visit this Vyagra pureeswarar Temple on the way to Chennai. This temple is on a small hill at Pulipakkam. A mud road is laid to reach the temple. The earth was washed in many places due to rain and stones are protruding. So we left the scooter on the first hairpin bend and trekked to the temple.

Moolavar    : Sri Vyagra pureeswarar

Consort      : Sri Mangalyam Kaatha Narayanee Amman

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with out any rajagopuram and compound wall. Nandhi mandapam and Palipedam are in front of the sanctum. On the hill, sannadhi for Patanjali Munivar, Ananda Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Vyaghrapada siddhar peedam, Bairavar, Navagrahas, Vinayagar under bodhi tree, Chandikeswarar and  Amman temple.

In koshtam Vinayagar, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. There is a Jeeva Samadhi of Sri Raghava Swamikal near the temple.

 Sri Raghava Swamigal

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and antarala. The sanctum sanctorum is on apada bandha adhistanam wirth three patta Kumudam. From adhistanam up to rastaram constructed with stone. The super structure Nagara Vimanam was built with Bricks and stopped halfway. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was constructed during Chozha King Rajaraja period and inscription is available below kumudam of adhistanam. During renovation the stones are misplaced and two fragment stones with inscriptions are left out near the sanctum and not used in the adhistanam.

 Inscription fragment stone ( Dumped out side )

 Inscription fragment stone( Dumped out side )

LEGENDS

As per the legend the Viyagrapatha Munivar obtained the tigers leg to climb up the trees to plug flower. Hence Iraivan is called as Vyagra pureeswarar. Hope the name of the place Pulipakkam might have got from this legend.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will get opened between 06.00 hrs to 07.00 hrs

It was learnt that the gurukkal is staying in a shed near the temple, ( but could not reach him during our visit ).

One Kala pooja is conducted.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Gurukkal Senthil may be contacted for further details on his mobile number 9444149679.

HOW TO REACH:

All the buses from Chengalpattu to Tambaram will stop at Pulipakkam.

About 3 KM from Chengalpattu and about a KM from Pulipakkam Toll plaza.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Sri Raghava Swami's Jeeva samadhi

a panoramic view of Kolavai lake ( Chengalpattu)

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---   

Vallam Pallava period Rock Cut Cave Shiva and Vishnu Temples at Vallam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

 27^th August 2017.

The last stop before meals was at the Pallava Period rock cut cave temple, Vallam, Chengalpattu.  These three,  6^th to 7^th century cave temples excavated by the Pallava King  Mahendravarman –I on a small hillock facing east. The steps to the cave temple was constructed in 2002. Some of the important features of this rock cut cave temples are...

The lower level  single cell cave shrine dedicated to Vishnu  as Karivaradharaja Perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi.  The cell has the Dwarapalakas reliefs with identical postures. On the right side of the entrance is the Vishnu Durgai.

The upper level cave  has the three cells with two square Pillars and two pilasters of which centre cell has been dedicated to Shiva and Nandhi is in front. The capital of the pillars are very simple. This cell  is excavated  deeply to accommodate Shiva linga, Sri Vethantheeswarar. Dwarapalakas are on the both sides of the  cave entrance with snakes  tied on their hip. The dwarapalakas has horns is an unique feature. On the right cell is Ambal Gnanambigai in standing posture. And the left cell is dedicated to Subramaniar with Valli devasena.  In the front mandapam, Muthukumaraswamy, Thavvai / Jyeshta Devi with manthan & Manthi, Nagars, Dakshinamurthy and Chandikeswarar.

On the out side of the cave Vinayagar relief  is on the left and Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai relief in the right. Un like Mahabalipuram, the cave has the 7nos of Pallava Period Tamil inscriptions. The front concrete mandapam was built at a latter date.

There is an intermediate cave in which stucco images of Shiva, Parvathy worshiping shiva, etc. Materials are dumped in this cave with front concrete structure was built at a latter date.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS:

It was told that Kadava King Koperumsingan donated for the burning of perpetual lamp and Rajathirajan donated gold to this temple to conduct regular poojas. Pradosham is conducted regularly.

As per the inscription this place was called as Kalattur Kottathu Vallanattu Vallam and Lord Shiva was called as Thiruvayathisuramudaiya Nayanar. The 13^th century Kadava King Koperunsingan’s inscription says about the donation made to burning of a perpetual lamp.

1 sakalapu[va]nacha[k*]ka

2 vithikkal [sri]k[o*]

3 perunsinga

4 devarkuyandu

5 [aavadhu] ka[la]

6 ko[t]athu vallanattu valla

7 [t]thu yudaiy[a*]r thiruvayanthisuramu[dai]

8 [ya] nayanarkku

Another Inscription of Mahendravarman in early Tamil Grantha script on the Square /cubical of the pillar starts with his Titles / Meikeerthi as Pakappiduku Lalitankuran. Kandasenan  /Skandasena, the son of Vayandappiriaresaru / Vasantapriyaraja, a small king under Pakappidugu Lalitanguran (Lalitankura) Chatturummallan (Satrumalla) Kunaparan (Gunabhara) Mayentirappottaresaru (Mahendrapotaraja), excavated (this) temple (devakulam - The temples are called as Devakulam ).

1 Pakappiduku Lalitankuran

2 Chatturummallan Kunaparan

3 Mayentirap-Pottaresaru adiyan

4 Vaysntappiri aresaru makam Kantasena-

5 n sayivitta tevakulam [||]

(more details may be obtained from the web site Puratattva ).

In Tamil the inscription reads as 

1. "பகாப்பிடுகு லளிதாங்குரான்
2. சத்துரு மல்லன் குணபரன்
3. மயேந்திரப் போத்தரெசரு அடியான்
4. வயந்தப் பிர் அரசர் மகன் கந்தசேனன்
5. செய்வித்த தேவகுலம்"

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple gurukkal opens only in the evening hours and hence it is advised to contact the gurukal before going to this temple. But can be viewed through grill gates.

CONTACT DETAILS:

M Chellappa Gurukkal may be contacted further details and the mobile number is +9944372894.

HOW TO REACH:

This cave temple is about 3 KM distance from Chengalpattu Bus stand and Railway station.

Share autos are available from Bus stand.

Buses from Stand to Thirukazhukundram passes through the place called Chinna Melayur and about a KM off the main road.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Vishnu Karivaradharaja Perumal at Lower cave

Vishnu Durgai    

Ambal Gnanambigai

Thavvai – Jyeshta Devi

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---