Sri Ulagalantha Perumal Temple - 108 Divya Desams - Thiru Ooragam, Thiru Neeragam, Thiru Karagam and Thiru Karvanam, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

13^th October 2018.

13^th Oct 2018, being a Saturday in Puratasi ( A Tamil Month ),  thought of visiting Vishnu temples of Kanchipuram. Hence, Visited 4 Vishnu Temples Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Sri Adhi Varaha Perumal temple ( inside Sri Kamakshi Amman Sanctum ), Sri Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple ( inside Sri Ekambareswarar Temple ) and Thiruputkuzhi. The details will be posted in the order of Visit.

திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் பாசுரம்

நீரகத்தாய் நெடுவரையினுச்சி மேலாய்

நிலாத் திங்கள் துண்டத்தாய் நிறைந்த கச்சி

ஊரகத்தாய் ஒண்துறைநீர் வெஃகாவுள்ளாய்

உள்ளுவார் உள்ளத்தாய் ! உலகமேத்தும்

காரகத்தாய் கார்வானத்துள்ளாய் கள்வா

காமருபூங் காவிரியின் தென்பால் மன்னு

பேரகத்தாய் பேராதென் னெஞ்சினுள்ளாய்

பெருமாள் உன் திருவடியே பேணினேனே

                 -திருநெடுந்தாண்டகம்

SRI ULAGALANTHA PERUMAL TEMPLE.

This Perumal temple is dedicated to Vamana ( dwarf ) the 5^th incarnation of Perumal, as Thiruvikrama, who gave darshan to Mahabali Chakravarthy the grand son of Bhakta Prahlada. As per the legend, Mahabali took the possession of Deva Loka after chasing out Indira. To teach a lesion to Mahabali, Vishnu took the incarnation of Vamana and got a promise of 3 steps of space. Vamana took the form of Thiruvikrama, measured the earth and sky/ heaven with two steps and asked a place for his third step. Mahabali showed his head. Thiruvikrama placed his leg on Mahabali’s head and gave moksha.

Peyazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar and Thirumazhisai Azhwar has sung pasurams in praise of Lord of this temple.

Moolavar : Sri Thiruvikrama also called as Ulagalanthan

Thayar    : Sri Arana Valli (Sri Mahalakshmi )

Some of the important details of this temple are..

The temple is facing west with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. The temple tank Naga pushkarani is in front of the Rajagopuram. Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudalwar are immediately after the Rajagopuram.

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum is in rectangular shape with hollow Vamana roof to accommodate Thiruvikrama’s colossal image with hands spreading apart and left hand two fingers points upwards, denotes that he had measured two spaces. The right hand one finger pointing upwards, to ask for the third space. While keeping the right leg on Mahabali’s head the left leg is lifted high. The Vimana which houses the part of moolavar idol above ceiling  has 7 kalasas. Moolavar’s colossal idol measures around 20 to 25 feet high. Considering the large size of the moolavar of this shrine or the main sanctum is called  Peragam and moolavar as Peragathan.

In front of moolavar utsava murthis Vishnu with 4 hands along with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Abhishekam will be done for the urchavars.

THIRU OORAGAM:

This is the 50^th kshetram of 108 divya desam and mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Azhwar.

Moolavar : Adhiseshan

This very small shrine is facing south on the left side of antarala before the main sanctum. Since Vishnu as Thiruvikrama standing on the head of Mahabali, could not have the dharsha. So Mahabal requested Perumal to give a darshan. So Perumal gave darshan in the form of snake. ( the shrine may be obtained the name Ooragam due to crawling of snake). This denotes that all the jivarasis ( living beings ) including crawling creatures will be safe under the feet of Perumal. Devotees believed that the obstacles in the marriage, child birth issues and Rahu Kethu dosham will be removed if one pray Ooragathan and offering Thirumanjanam / abhishekam and Palpayasam.

( Photo from web - Thanks )

THIRU NEERAGAM

This is the 47^th kshetram of 108 divya desam and mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Azhwar.

Moolavar  : Sri Jagadeeswarar/ Neeragathan

Thayar     : Sri Nilamangai Valli/ Nachiyar

The Neeragam sannadhi is facing south in the outer prakaram. The old Moola vigraham was not found, instead Urchavars are only kept in the sanctum.  Neeragathan has given darshan to Akroorar.

THIRU KAARAGAM

This is the 52^nd kshetram of 108 divya desam and mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Azhwar.

Moolavar : Sri Karunakara Perumal / Kaaragathan

Thayar    : Sri Padmamani Nachiyar

Perumal as Karunakara Perumal is in sitting posture on Adhiseshan with hood above Perumal’s head. Urchavar is  with Padmamani Nachiyar and Ramamani Nachiyar. Perumal gave darshan to Kaasha Maharishi.  The people believes that Perumal is like rainy clouds called Kaar in Tamil  and also karunakaran means Courtesy towards Bhakthas. As per another legend, the Sage Garga performed his penance at this temple and obtained knowledge. Hence this temple was called Garagaham latter turned to Karagam.

( Photo from Web- thanks )

THIRU KAARVAANAM

This is the 53^rd kshetram of 108 divya desam and mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Azhwar.

Moolavar:Sri Kalvar/Sri Thirukkaar Vaanar/Thirukkaar Vaanakkalvar

Thayar   : Sri  Komalavalli ( Thamaraiyal ) Nachiyar.  

This is a small shrine on the right side immediately after the Rajagopuram entrance. The front mandapa was supported by the wooden beams damaged very heavily due to termite and hence no body is allowed to climb. The Shrine if facing north and moolavar is also called as Navaneetha Chora in standing posture. Here also Moolavar is like a rainy clouds, who bless us without expecting anything. Perumal gave darshan to Sri Parvathi.

INSCRIPTIONS:

There are about 15 inscriptions belongs to Pallava - 846 CE  Nandhivarman-III, Chozha ( Kulothunga Chozha-I, Rajadhiraja-II and Rajaraja-III ), Sambavarayas ( Rajagopuram ) and Vijayanagara. But most of them belongs to Pallava period. The inscriptions mainly speaks about donation of Village / lands. The inscriptions mentions the moolavar as Ooragathu Ninru-arulina Parameswamin, Thiru Ooragathazhwar and Thiru Ooragathu Emperuman. The inscription stones are not properly kept in order during renovations.

Chozha inscriptions

Sambuvarayar inscriptions

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The land line number +91 44 27232320 may be contacted for more details.

HOW TO REACH:

About 1 KM from Kanchipuram Bus stand, About 200 meters from Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple and 1 KM from Ekambareswarar temple.

About 2 KM from Kanchipuram railway station.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE   

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

A Prehistoric Megalithic Period Burial Site at Sengalur and & Sittannavasal Dolmen – A Pudukkottai Heritage Visit., Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th September 2018.

We came across this megalithic burial site at Sengalur, when we are travelling from Malayadipatti to Visalur, a part of Pudukottai Heritage Visit. This Burial site is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ), under archaeological Monument with out any protection fence, but with a warning sign board.  This burial site spreads over a large area of more than 20 acres dating back to 500 to 300 BCE. One of the largest and more than 500 cairn circles and urns are found in this burial site.

A large number of pottery wares in red and black, ring stand with pots, terracotta wares, toy objects, bowl, lids, decorative pieces made by clay, hundred of glass beads of precious stones, Topaz, Gold?, Copper article, Iron knifes, swords  are un earthed by the archaeological department.  A variety of sepulchral  monuments like, Burial urns, cairn circles with cist, are found. The cairn circle stones are laterite  of large stones. The rectangular cist side and covering are made of granite  stones.  Cairn circles in groups are found, which may be considered for one family. In addition to this burial urns are found on the open ground. Some of the big urns contains two to three smaller pots inside. Which shows that complete body was not kept in the urns, may be bones of the dead.

From the materials un-earthed indicates that the stone age people are experts in making of ornaments, articles in metals and clay. Also they lived in the area at least more than 500 years and experts of the opinion that the people lived up to 11^th century at Sengalur.

HOW TO REACH:

Sengalur is on the way between Malayadipatti and Visalur.

Sengalur is 32 Km from Trichy and  50 KM from Pudukkottai.

LOCATION: GPS Co ordinate : 10°40'11"N   78°53'38"E - CLICK HERE

The exposed urn 

A Pot inside the urn

Cairn Circles with cist 

Cairn Circles 

Cairn Circles with cist 

Cairn Circles with cist (Downloaded from the web site- thanks to the un known photographer )

A lone  dolmen at Sittannavasal Hill

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

The Remains of Jainism, Jinalays, Tirthankaras & Jain Beds around Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th September.

After we landed Keeranur near Pudukkottai, Trichy Parthy one of our Facebook friend took us first to the Jain monuments  at Nanjur near Keeranur.  Jainism was flourished once in Pudukkottai area surrounded by the small small rocky hills with natural shelters where megalithic period human beings lived. Jainism spreads to Pandya Nadu through Kongu nadu & Thondai Nadu from North India. During Pandya Kings rule some of the Kings followed Jainism. Pandyas and Chozhas  supported the Jainism and built Jinalaya for their worship.  All most all the rocky hills of Madurai, Pudukottai, South Arcot, North Arcot are being occupied by the Jain monks and beds were carved  on the rocks/ boulders by the donors. During 8^th Century, revival of Saivam and Vaishnavam started by the Thevara moovar Appar, Sundarar & Thirugnanasambandar and Alwars, Jainism slowly  lost its importance. A very few Jinalyas are in worship now. Due to dwindling of Jain  population, old Jinalayas are not maintained and destroyed by nature. Some of the Tirthankara statues  are found  in Villages, are kept in worship by Hindus also. This post will cover the Jain monument visited during our Pudukottai Heritage Visit.

MOSAKUDI:

This is a dilapidated Jain Jinalaya, built during Parantaka Chozha period. After the temple dilapidated, the sculptures are erected by the the ASI. Keeping an Yakshi in the middle Tirthankaras are installed on both sides. On the Left may be Adinath in standing posture with Mukkudai. On the right is also a Tirthankara without Mukkudai. He may be a monk too. These three statues are erected in the recent times.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION
A Jain temple was believed to be built during Parantaka period. An inscription panel is erected in front of the dilapidated jinalaya and the details are not known. The Uthama Chozha’s ( 970 – 985 CE ) 12^th year rule inscription is found on the adhisthana Kumudam. The inscription records the gift of land after purchase to the Mosakudi Jains school run by Pushpanandhi’s disciple Arambanandhi and to his disciple by Kaarikesuvan, Kaarichadayan and kaarikandan. The gifted land was a non agricultural /non cultivated land, on the south side of ( paddy ) field.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

NANJUR

A Tirthankara is kept along with Vishnu, Durgai, Kotravai and an inscription stone in open to sky. In Tirthankara statue mukkudai and whisk bearers / samaratharis are shown. The inscription belongs to Chozha King Rajaraja. It was told that  a Chozha period Vishnu Temple and Jinalaya existed once and the statues are the remains. Now these statues are under the control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

LOCATION:CLICK HERE 

MALAYADIPATTI.

On the other side of the Malayadipatti Shiva and Vishnu Rock Cut caves, there are two boulders one is sitting on the other. Only  small square holes of 1 inch depth are provided to climb up. 3 beds are carved on the flat surface with inscriptions belongs to 8^th century. The inscription reads as “கறையுர் ஆலங்காரிக்குப் பிச்சும் பிராந்து“, the meaning is not known. There is also a telegu inscription and it reads as “எப்போதும் சேவை செய்பவராய் மங்கான்”. In addition to this there is a scratch art which will be posted separately.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

TIRTHANKARAS & JAIN BEDS AT ALURUTTIMALAI.

The natural cave is facing east with two Tirthankaras on the face of the projecting rock. The first Tirthankara is in meditating posture. Mukkudai and samara are shown. The right side is Mahavir. Simhas are seen on both sides. Mukkudai and samaratharis / whisk bearers are also shown. The open floor is carved with beds.

On the slope there is a Pandya King, Sundara Pandya’s inscription. The inscription mentions this place as “Thiruppalli” and also it mentions  the names of two acharyas Dharmadeva and his Guru Kanaka Chandra Panditha. From this we can conclude that a full fledged School was running in the natural cave. Also it mentions “கடலடையாத இலங்கை கொண்ட சோழவளநாடு”, a division of Pandya Nadu.

The Hill Aluruttimalai is also called as Ammachatram Hills. The name alurutti, came since, enemies, prisoners are  rolled down from the top of the hill, from the vertical face as punishment.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Pandya period inscriptions

KUDUMIYAN MALAI JAIN BEDS.

On the west side of the hill there are some beds carved for the Jain monks with 3^rd Century BCE Brahmi inscriptions. The inscriptions reads as Nazhal kottranthai paali in Tamil “நாழள் கொற்றந்தய் ப(ளி)ய்“ - Nazhal is referred in Sanga literature Kurunchi, as a flower, which is now called as Pulikonrai. A person with dignity called Kottranthai of the Village Nazhal had excavated these beds/ Paali.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

ANNAVASAL TIRTHANKARA

This Tirthankara is sitting in meditating posture under a peepaul ( piNdi maram ) tree with curved branches forms like pandal. The kuncharas / bells are shown hanging from the pandal. On both side are whisk bearers / smaratharis. Prabai and mukkudal are shown above the Tirthankara’s head. A Pillow arrangement is also shown on the back of Tirthankara. The head is found neatly chiseled like a pillar from neck. Whether this was intentionally damaged or Tirthankara was made like this is not known. The Tirthankara statue is kept on a platform constructed by Archaeological survey of India ( ASI ). As per the experts this Tirthankara may belongs to 9^th to 10^th Century.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

SITTANNAVASAL

The Jinalaya and Tirthankaras and Ezhadipattam Jain beds are written as a separate post.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Arivar Koil – Sittannavasal, Jinalaya with Jain beds, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

30^th September 2018.

The Sittannavasal, is a corrupted name of Sitrannavayil, a small place in Pudukottai. The remains of prehistoric megalithic period monuments like Cairn circles with cist, Dolmens, natural shelters with rock arts are scattered around this Sittannavasal Hill.  The Rock cut cave is excavated on the northwestern slope facing west.

The Rock cut cave has a sanctum, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. A lotus medallion is on the sanctum ceiling.  On the east wall facing west, two Tirthankaras with mukkudai and a Jain monk with one kudai is carved. The artha mandapam is supported by two pillars and two pilasters. On the south side is 23^rd Tirthankara Parshvanath under 5 headed snake hood, in meditating posture. On the north side is a Jain monk with one kudai in meditating posture. Under this monk’s sculpture it is inscribed as “Thiruvaasiriyan”. The Ardha mandapa ceiling and the pillars are plastered with lime mortar and paintings are drawn. The details will be posted separately.

The King responsible for the excavation of this cave  is not known and as per the available inscription,  the front mandapa was extended during 9^th Century. The inscription is in the form of a song, one Ilangouthaman, a Jain monk / teacher belongs to Madurai, had done the thirupani on behalf of Pandya King Avanibasekaran Sri Vallaban.  A land was donated in lieu of thirupani, which includes constructing of a Jain temple at Tharambai Moothur,  offering of 'neivedhyam', burning of lamp. And in continuation of the thirupani of constructing mandapam for a Jain Jinalaya at Annal Vayil.

An echo or the resonance of vibration can be felt in the Sanctum, due to the pressure of the hill.

As per ASI the cave was excavated in the early Pandya Period ( 7^th Century ), facing west with square sanctum and rectangle ardha mandapa.  An inscription on a rock records that a renovation work was carried out to the sanctum and addition of the muka / front mandapa during the time of  early Pandya King Sri Vallabha ( 815 – 862 CE) by one Ilangautaman alias Madurai Asiriyar. 

Two Tirthankaras with an Acharya

Sri Parshvanath

Achariyar with single kudai-Thiruvaasiriyan

JAIN BEDS WITH TAMIZHI / BRAHMI INSCRIPTIONS AT EZHADIPATTAM.

There are 17 beds for the Jain monks carved in the natural shelter on the top of the same hill. On the side of the beds the 6^th Century inscriptions read as, “Thozhukkunraththu kadavulan thiruneelan”, “Thittai Sanan”, “Thiruchaththan”, “SripoornaChandran”, “Niyathakaran Pattakkazhi”. In addition to this there is a 3^rd Century inscription read as..

எருமிநாடு குமுழ்ஊர் பிறந்த காவுடீஈ

தென்குசிறுபோசில் இளையர் செய்த அதிட்அனம்.

As per this 3^rd Century  inscription, a bed was carved for Eruminattu kumuzhur born Kaavithi, a government servant, by a Soldier or a merchant group of South Siruposil Village. The Posil is the ancient name of Vayil and Siruposil was turned to Sirtrannavayil, which are mentioned in Pandya period inscriptions.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 The 3^rd Century  inscription around the bed

a lone Dolman on the Hill

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---