Sri Sivaliganatha Swamy Temple, Thirupungur / Tirupunkur, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu. .

15^th July 2018.

On the Foot path of Nandanar... a visit to the places and the temples associated with the Nandanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars was organised by Prof Madhusuthanan Kalaiselvan and the songs composed by Sri Gopalakrishna Bharathi  are sung by Vidwans Bharat Sundar and Sunil Gargyan between 14^th July & 15^th July 2018. After completing the visit to Anandathandavapuram, where most part of his life was spent  and Adhanoor, where our Nandanar was born and lived the early part of life.

 

we continued our journey to places where miracles happened  in Nandanar’s life, one such a place is Thirupungur Shiva temple. Nandanar used to sing and dance in front front of Shiva temples wherever he goes. When he reached Thirupungur, The big Nandhi was obstructing the view of Lord Shiva. Gopalakrishna Bharathi, had written  this as “malai pola madu paduthukkidakkuthee ”மலை போல மாடு படுத்துக்கிடக்குதே”. Nandanar became very sad and cried & shed tears. Shiva came to his rescue and asked Nandhi to move side ( சற்றே விலகியிரும் பிள்ளாய்”), to give darshan to Nandanar. He was so happy, to have the darshan of Lord Shiva. After darshan Nandanar dugout a tank in the low lying area on the back side of the temple. Lord Vinayagar helped for this, hence the Vinayagar is called as "Kulam Vettiya Vinayagar".

 Nandanar shrine

   Nandanar's face in the Rajagopuram

 The temple Tank was believed to be dugout by Nandanar

SRI SIVALOGANATHAR TEMPLE.

This is the 74^th thevara padal petra sthalam and 20^th stalam on the north side of river Cauvery. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

 

Moolavar    : Sri Sivaloganatha Swamy

Consort      : Sri Soundra Nayaki

Some of the important details are...

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram.  Nandanar’s shrine is in front of the Rajagopuram.  Dwajasthambam is immediately after the Rajagopuram. Rishabam and balipeedam are in the front mandapam. The Dwajasthambam, Rishabam and balipeedam are little away from the centre such that, moolavar can be seen from out side the temple.

In the outer prakaram Kulam Vettiya Vinayagar ( Vinayagar who dugout the tank ), Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Pancha Lingas under the Sthala vrukasham Punga tree and Brahma Lingam.

Second stage Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Siva Suryan, Somaskandar, Agasthiyar, Surya Lingam, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Tatpurusha, Agora, Vamadeva, sathyojaatha lingas, Gajalakshmi, Mahalakshmi, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Abhisheka theertha well, Ambal, Navagrahas, Bairavar and Chandran.

In Koshtam Vinayagar, Bairavar, Agasthiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durgai and Arthanareeswarar. In the Artha mandapam Nataraja and Sivakami. The Sanctum is of kapothabandha adhistanam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam  and a maha mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The main sanctum and second stage Rajagopuram  was built by Chembian Madevi during Chozha period. Prakaram was constructed by Chettiars.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Temple office may be contacted through mobile numbers  9994144876 and 94867 17634.

HOW TO REACH:

On the bus route Vaitheeswaran Koil to Thirupananthal / Thiruppanandal  get down after 3 Km and the temple is 1 Km away from main road.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE    :CLICK HERE

 Monolithic Nandi – a beautiful sculpture with bells, beads mala, mat on the back, yazhi image on the front legs. 

The Music concert

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Adhanoor Sri Mahadevaswamy Temple, Melanallur near Vaitheeswaran Koil, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

14^th July 2018.

On the second half of the first day, we continued our journey to the Village Aadhanoor  and this place is now called as Melanallur, a small calm Village near Vaitheeswaran koil. After Gopalakrishna Bharathi’s life history, who lived in 19^th century at Anandathandavapuram, Prof Madhusuthanan Kalaiselvan narrated Nandhanar’s young life tale at Adhanoor Shiva temple. Gopalakrishna Bharathi's songs are rendered by Vidwan Bharat Sundar and Vidwan Sunil Gargyan.

As per 12^th century,  Sekkizhar this was the birth place of Nandanar one of the 63 Nayanmars. Sekkizhar, who composed Periya Puranam had not mentioned anywhere that Nandanar was born in Paraiyar caste. ( Paraiyar, who announces the important notifications of the Govt. in the village after beating the parai – a musical instrument). It was a custom in the olden days that animal flesh/ meat are offered in homam/ yagam. These animal flesh or the meat are supplied by the Pulayar community. Probably they came from the Pulathiyar Maharishi son of  Agasthiya Maharishi, from Kouda Desam along with the Dhishithars. In those days Pulayar were not allowed participate in the yagam or entering in the temples, but the offerings are accepted.

As per Sekkizhar, Nandanar worked in the paddy fields and was heading a small group of farm labourers. He was an ardent devote of Lord Shiva and he used to offer voluntarily skins and strings for the Drums / Murasu, Yazhl and Korosanai to the Shiva Temples. He used to sing and dance in front of Shiva temples applying vibhuti on his forehead. After hearing Shiva as Nataraja at Perumpatra puliyur now called as Chidambaram, thought of visiting Chidambaram. But he restrict himself, since he was born in a Pulayar caste and should not enter Chidambaram. But the inner urge of seeing Shiva used to tell others that he will visit Chidambaram next day. Hence he was called as "Thirunalai Povar" This could not be digested by the Andhanar with whom he worked.  So he advised Nandanar to concentrate only on the work and forget the wish of going to Chidambaram. But Nandanar was able to convince Andhanar and he permitted Nandanar to go to Chidambaram. The rest of the tale will be continued in the Chidambaram post.

ADHANOOR SHIVA TEMPLE

Moolavar    : Sri Mahadevaswamy

Consort      : Sri Gnanambigai.

Some of the important details are…

The temple is small facing east with an entrance arch and the temple tank is in front. Nandi and balipedam are in a small mandapa immediately after the entrance arch. There is no dwajasthambam. Ambal sannadhi is in the mandapa facing south. Moolavar is under a rudraksha pandal. Dakshinamurthy and Brahma are in koshtam, installed at a latter period.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Selvaganapathy, Subramaniar with Valli Devasena, Chandikeswarar, Kailasanathar, Mahavishnu, Boologa Nathar, Bairavar, Suryan Durgai  and Nandanar. Nandanar Sannadhi is on the left side immediately after the entrance. Nandanar is in worshiping posture facing west, Lord Shiva with raised hands above the head.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, Antarala and ardha mandapam. The artha mandapam is of vavvala nethi type. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple was believed  to be built during 10^th to 11^th Century Chozha period and reconstructed during 300 to 400 years before, by Nayaks using brick and mortar. Only the statues are reminding the glory of the past.

TEMPLE TIMING:

The temple will  be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS: 
The mobile number of the priest 9843379617 may be contacted for further details. 

HOW TO REACH:

This Village is about 12.9 KM from Vaitheeswaran koil.

The Town bus no 4B  from Mayiladuthurai ( Mayuram ) is available  on 06.00 hrs, 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Nandhanar Sannadhi

 Gopalakrishna Bharathi’s songs are rendered by Vidwans

 Gopalakrishna Bharathi’s songs are rendered by Vidwans

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Panchavateeswarar Temple, Ananthathandavapuram / Anandathandavapuram / Anantha Thandava Puram, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

14^th July 2018.

Thirunalai povar, whose original name was Nandanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars who lived around 5^th century, near Vaitheeswaran Koil.  An ardent Shiva devotee, born in Pulayar caste, whose main job was to supply animal skins to the drum/ murasu/ perikai in Tamil ( a musical instrument ), strings to Veena & Yazhl and Korosanai to apply on Shiva linga.  As per Periya purana, he was survived by the income received  from the field donated for these services. But, 18^th century,  Sri Gopalakrishna Bharathi, had twisted the tale of Nandanar  and introduced Brahmin or Andhanar character in his opera, to suit the character that he had seen in the Villages.  

Gopalakrishna Bharathiyar had spent major part of his life in this Anandathandavapuram Village  and survived from the food offered ( Bhiksha ) by the Villagers and stayed on the front verandah of the houses. He didn’t own a house in this Village.  All the donations received had been spent for the noble cause and without any savings. He used to stage his opera of Nandanar story, through out the nights at Nagapattinam, which attracted Villagers, who commuted through walk and bullock carts. Observed brahmacharya, throughout his life and attained mukthi on  of one of the Maha Shivaratri, 3^rd artha jama pooja.  

The details are explained in depth by Prof Madhusuthanan Kalaiselvan and Gopalakrishna Bharathi’s songs were sung by Vidwan Bharat Sundar and Vidwan Sunil Gargyan at the Temple. The Anandathandavapuram is a big village with more than 100 to 150 years old hand made tiled roof houses.  

ANANDATHANDAVAPURAM SHIVA TEMPLE.

Moolavar    : Sri Panchavateeswarar

Consort      : Sri Bruhan Nayaki

Some of the important details are....

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram with a temple tank in front. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam ( inside the front mandapam ) are immediately after the Rajagopuram. 

In the ardha mandapa beautiful icons of Shiva, Parvathi, Manakkanjara Nayanar, Punniya Vardhini, Somaskandar are kept under safe custody. In the Mukha mandapam sannidhi for Natarajar, Valli Devasena sametha Subramaniar, Bruhan Nayagi, Punniya vardhini, Manakkanjara Nayanar, Anandha Mamuni and Bharadvaja Mamuni. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy and Jayadurga ( installed at latter period ).

  

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar and Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Mahalingam, Mahalakshmi, Kalyani Sundarai Ambal, Mahaganapathy, Bairavar ( three), Navagrahas, Sani Bhagavan, Angarahan, Chandran, Suryan, Hanuman and Garuda. At the east side of the mukha mandapam top, stucco images of garuda, Shiva & Parvati, Manakkanjarar, Shiva and Punniya Vardhini and Lakshmi.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala, Artha mandapam and a open maha mandapam. Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Ardha mandapam.

 Sanctum Sanctorum prati bandha adhistanam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This temple believed to be belongs to 12^th to 13^th century Chozha period with padma bandha athistanam and vimanam is of vesara style. Instead of Yazhivari, yazhis are in the corners. To know more about this temple and donations, we couldn’t trace any inscriptions.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, this place was called as Kanjarur. An ardent devotee and one of the 63 nayanmars   Sri Manakanchara Nayanar  lived in this place. Shiva wants to test the Sri Manakkanjara Nayanar and came as Bairava on his daughter Punniyavardhini’s marriage  with Kalikkammar one of the 63 Nayanmars  and asked human hair for his yakno pavithiram. Manakkanjarar without any hesitation chopped off his daughters hair and gave it to Lord Shiva. Seeing his undoubted bhakthi Shiva blessed them.

About Lord Shiva’s Ananda Thandavam at this temple, the legend goes like this. Sri Anandha maharishi used to travel daily from Kasi to Chidambaram for Lord Nataraja’s  noon pooja darshan. He used to consume food only after the darshan. One day he was little late due to heavy non stop rain, he could not attend the pooja and prayed Lord Shiva to give  Darshan. So Lord Shiva gave his Ananda thandava darshan  at this place and from then on wards  this place is called  as Anandathandavapuram.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 12 KM from Vaitheeswaran koil.

The place is on the Train route Sirkazhi to Kumbakonam and about 2 KM from railway station.

  

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Manakkanjarar, Shiva and Punniya vardhini ( the last niche )

The Music concert at the temple

Shiva temple’s Gurukkal invited us, to his house and requested us to sing songs composed by Gopalakrishna bharathi. This old house might have hosted Gopalakrishna bharathi during his stay in this village.

The Music concert at Gurukkal's residence 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

St. Stephen Church / தூய ஸ்தேவானின் ஆலயம், ஊட்டி /Ooty / Ootacamund / உதகமண்டலம், Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu.

03^rd July 2018.

Ooty is called in different names like Udhagamandalam, Udhagai, Ootacamund ( mund means Village ),  was a part of Kongu region. This was once a tribal land occupied by Toda, Kurumba, Irula and Badagas community. During Sangam period 2^nd CE, Cheran Senguttuvan ruled this place. Latter ruled by Hoysala, Satavahanas, Gangas, Kadambas, Rashtrakutas, Chozhas, Vijayanagaras, Wodeyars.  After the defeat of Tippu Sultan in 1799,  Ooty came under the possession of British East India Company. John Sullivan, then the Collector of Coimbatore under Madras Presidency  was the first person ventured to Nilgiris and built a bungalow in 1819 at Dimbhatti near Kotagiri. Road was formed  in 1823 up to Kotagiri from Sirumugai near Mettupalayam and extended up to Coonoor by 1830-32. Even without proper road from Coonoor, Ooty was also developed and the first Church was  built  for the British East India company Officers in 1830.  Ooty became the summer Capital of Madras Presidency. Madras regiment of the Indian Army was formed keeping the Wellington as head quarters.

  

THE FOUNDATION STONE of this CHURCH was laid on the 23^rd April 1829 by  THE RIGHT HONORABLE STEPHEN RUMBOLD LUSHINGTON GOVERNOR  &c&c . THE BUILDING was commenced on the 25^th JANUARY 1830 ( coincides with the birth day of King George IV) and was consecrated to ALMIGHTY GOD on the 5^th of DECEMBER 1830 by THE RIGHT REVD JOHN MATTHIAS, LORD BISHOP OF CALCUTTA. THE CHURCH was  finished and opened for DIVINE SERVICE on EASTER SUNDAY. The 3^rd of APRIL 1831. JOHN JAMES UNDERWOOD CAPTAIN OF MADRAS ENGINEERS was the ARCHITECT.

The Church was constructed on a elevated level with a plight of steps. The Hall is supported by the 12 nos of double Pillars and alter is very simple without any ornamental works.  Window  stained glasses  has the scenes like Mother Mary holding baby Jesus, Crucifixion  of Jesus,  Jesus as shepherd are worth to watch. Many brass plates are hanging on the walls with names & birth and died dates  of the British officers, served under Madras Presidency. The Church was built with wood  dismantled from Tippu Sultan’s palace at  Srirangapatna.  The building cost was estimated around Rs 24000.00. The church completed its 187 years of service and marching towards Two centuries.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---