Sri Kalyana Venkataramana Swamy Temple / Azhar Perumal Temple, Sevur, in Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.

06^th January 2019.

Sri Kalyana Venkataramana Swamy Temple at Sevur, along with Malayapalayam Sri Muthu Velayutha Swami Temple, Mondipalayam Sri Venkatesa Perumal Temple also called as Mela Tirupati, Alathur dilapidated Jain Temple, prehistoric Dolmens, Hero Stones  are a part of Kongu temples Visit scheduled on 06^th January 2019. After the Visit to the Pulikuthi Sati Stone installed  inside the Sevur Police Station we tried to Visit both Shiva and Perumal Temple. The Shiva Temple was closed after the morning pooja and this Perumal temple is under renovation.

Moolavar : Sri Kalyana Venkataramana Swamy Temple.

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The Temple is under renovation and we do not know what are the sannadhis existed.  The Garudathoon or the Deepasthambham stands tall. The mandapam existed was also pulled down recently.

Moolavar and Thayar sannidhis are in final stage of completion. The temple complex was found like a war area. The old stone pillars, inscription stones are  strewn around.  Even-though the stone positions / sequences are numbered  before dismantling the temple,  reconstruction was not carried out as per the sequence. Practically no supervision from HR&CE Department. During reconstruction inscription stones are kept upside down and some are missing in some places, which formed a puzzle game and some of inscription stones are thrown out.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the available inscriptions the temple might have been constructed before 12^th Century, may be by Kongu Chozhas.  Kongu Pandya’s period this place Sevur was called as “Chembian Kizhanadi Nallur” in Vada Parisaara Nadu. As per Pulavar Kuzhandai, the Parisara Nadu’s another name  was Aarai Nadu and the place around Sevur was called as Chembai / Sembai, a sub section of Aarai Nadu.

The 14^th Century Sundara Pandyan’s inscription speaks about donation of land comprises of Fertile & Non fertile land, Well and farms. This also gives permission to inscribe on the Cheppu pattayam and Statues / sculptures. The inscription also mentions that the temple was called as “Sundara Pandya vinnagaram”.

The 13^th Century inscription on the south adhisthana jagathi mentions about donation of 140 panam for burning of perpetual lamp.

A 14^th Century Kongu Pandya inscription Narayur nattu Nakkan paavai Adhikai manar donated 10 panam to this Azhakiya Perumal temple to give a coconut on every Friday.

A 13^th century Kongu Chozha Vikrama Chozhan –III, on the sanctum south wall mentions about donation to neivedhyam.

A 14^th century Kongu Pandiyar Sundara pandiyan period inscription on the north sanctum wall, mentions about donation of 300 panam to this temple after selling his  punjai land by Vellalan kombaiyaril Siruvan Aandan.

The 14^th Century Hoysala King Veeravallalan –III period inscription records the construction of Palipedam by Vikraman Kannappan alias Thennavatharaiyan.

If anybody searches for the inscription now will get disappointed since the all the inscriptions were completely destroyed by the Tamil Nadu Government HR&CE department's renovations. 

 The history is lost…trace of the inscription is visible on the kumudam due to polishing

 The history is lost.. the corner stone has been replaced and continuity of the inscription is lost …

 The history is lost…trace of the inscription is visible on the kumudam due to polishing

 The history is lost…both the places stones are replaced with new and no continuity of inscription

 The history is lost...Kumudam is polished and inscriptions are lost…

 The history is lost…வட பரிசார நாட்டு சேவூரான செம்பியன் கிழானடி நல்லூர்... very difficult to read...

  The history is lost…clean shave..

 Inscription stone is thrown out…வட பரிசார நாட்டு 

HOW TO REACH:

Sevur is on the way to Gobichettipalayam from Avinashi via Sevur & Nambiyur.

7 KM from Avinashi and 40 KM from Gobichettipalayam

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

                             Roof stones ... or a dump yard ...?

 may be a mandapam pillar

Old 12th Century inscriptions are lost.. but this 1957 period inscription is preserved for what… is it so important....?

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Veerasangaatha Perumpalli - An ancient Jain Temple at Alathur, in Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.

06^th January 2019.

This Alathur Jain Temple was added in the list on Jan 6^th Visit along with Malayapalayam and Sevur Temples as a part of Kongu Temples. When we reached the Village we couldn’t easily locate this temple. The importance of this temple is not known to the Villagers. Even-though sign boards are erected by the Madurai Jain Sangh, we found very difficult to locate the temple. Even at the spot the Temple structure is not visible due to thick vegetation growth. All ready the sanctum was collapsed and mandapam is in the verge of collapse.

ஜனவரி 6ந் தேதி நாங்கள் சென்ற கொங்கு கோயில்கள் காணலில் ஆலத்தூர் புராதனமான சமணர் கோயிலும் சேர்த்துக் கொள்ளப்பட்டது. மொண்டிபாளையம் வெங்கடேச பெருமாள் கோயில் காணலுக்குப் பிறகு ஆலத்தூர் சென்றடைந்தோம். மதுரை சமண சங்கத்தால் நாட்டப்பட்ட கற்பலகைகள் இருந்தும் கோயிலைக் கண்டு பிடிப்பது முகவும் சிரமமாகவே இருந்தது. கோயில் அருகே சென்றும் கூட கோயிலின் பாகங்களைக் காண்பது சிரமமாகவே இருந்தது, காரணம் கோயில் மீதும் அதைச் சுற்றியும் வளர்ந்த மரம் செடி கொடிகளே. ஒருவாறு பின்புற வழியாக உள்ளே நுழைந்த போது அதன் கட்டுமானம் பிரமிக்கத்தக்கதாகவும் மனதைக் கவருவதாகவும் இருந்தது. சுவர்களிலும், கதவுப்புறங்களிலும் கல்வெட்டுக்கள் காணப்பட்டன. இங்கு இருந்து இரண்டு கல்வெட்டு கற்கள் கோவை அகழ்வைப்பகத்தில் வைக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது. அக்கல்வெட்டுக்களின் படி 10ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு, முதலாம் கொங்கு வீரச்சோழன் காலத்தில் வீரசங்காதன் என்ற அரசு அதிகாரியால் இப்பெரும்பள்ளியும், அதில் அணியாதஅழகியாரை ( பெண் தெய்வம் ) எடுப்பித்ததையும் அறிய முடிகின்றது.   

The outer walls and door sides has the inscriptions. The earliest inscription belongs to 10^th Century Veera Chozha-I, period.  As per the inscriptions the temple Veera Sangaatha Perumpalli was constructed by a Kongu Chozha Dynasty official Veerasangaathan and installed Aniyathazhakiyar ( A female Deity ). The two inscription stones are kept at Coimbatore Archaeological Museum. The 11 line Tamil inscription reads as…

1. ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ சிந்தரைய மகளார் நம்
2. விராயடியார் வானவன் மாதே
3. வியார் சிற்றாச்சரவடிக்க மணவ( )
4. ட்டி...நது தவப்பட்டா ஆலதூர்
5. க…. பள்ளி ஆழானின்ற குளத்து வீசங்
6. காதப் பெரும்பள்ளி என்று பெரும் நடக
7. ர நாமத்தில் உள்ளோச ஞ(ண)வுஞ் சேவித்து….
8. துக்கு வித்தார்

Another 9 line  inscription which belongs to Konaattan/ Kongu Chozha King Veerachozhan ( 979 – 980 AD ), 37^th Year rule,  speaks about donation of land with periphery limits to this Perumpalli / School. The 9 line inscription reads as…

1. ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ கோநாட்டானேன் வீ
2. ரசோழப் பெருமானடிகளுக்குத் திரு
3. வெழுத்திட்டுச் செல்லாநின்ற யாண்டு முப்
4. பத்தேழாவது ஆனித் திங்கள் முதல்….
5. ஆலத்தூர் வீரசங்காத வேம் பள்ளியிற் க
6. …. இவ்வருகதேவர் ளித்த அதேம வயிற்
7. று நிலன் செசுலி நாலெல்லை ஆக… ரு
8. மு ழெ நம்முக்கு கோள் புத்தி பத்த
9. வான வழி ஏழச்சம் ஒழியாமல் அறுவ(ன்)

In a 10^th Century Chera king’s  inscription Chithraiyar’s daughter and King’s wife Vanavanmadevi Chitraachar renovated this Temple.

In another 10^th Century inscription, Pongalur Vannaan Neelan Chellan donated the sanctum door frame for the wellbeing of his wife Kavanchathy and son Chellanganaththi.

The 14^th Century Hoysala king  Veeravallalan’s inscription mentions the 10^th & 12^th century inscription details about the temple governance of the temple fund.

The front mandapam was built by Artha Bhuyanga Devar  in 14^th Century.
  

From the inscription it is very clear that a full-fledged Palli /school with a Jain’s temple was functioning in this place.  This place Alathur village was on the ancient trade corridor of North Kongu region. The merchants donated liberally and maintained the temple. It was told that a Jain family lived in this village also migrated to the City in search of their livelihood.

Even-though the temple comes under Archaeological department control zero maintenance was carried out. The beautiful structure may be, only in the paper if due care is not taken. Hope this may get revived… to its original glory.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---  

Arulmigu Venkatesa Perumal Temple, Mondipalayam, Alathur, ( Mela Tirupati ), in Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.

06^th January 2019.

The Visit to this temple was a part of our heritage visit to the Kongu Nadu, Dolmens, Hero Stones, Jain monuments, Temples, etc, on 6^th January 2019. After the visit to Sri Kalyana Venkatesa Perumal Temple at Sevur, Mondipalayam, Alathur, our next destination was to this temple. This temple is also called as Mela Tirupati.

Moolavar : Sri Venkatesa Perumal.

Thayar    : Sri Alamelumangai

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The Temple is facing east with a Deepa Sthambam with Mandapam.  Sri Venkatesa Perumal with his consorts in stucco at the entrance arch. Construction of 7 Tier Rajagopuram is in the plan. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudalwar are immediately after the entrance arch. The moolavar in the sanctum is salakiramam swayambhu, like banana flower. Urchavar Sri Venkatesa Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhoodevi.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Venugopala Swamy with Bama & Rukmani, Chakkarathalwar, Anjaneyar, Alwars, Vinayagar as Thumbikai Alwar, Mahalakshmi, Perumal’s Dasavathara moorthams, Saneeswarar,  Vaikunta Narayana Murthy and Perumal’s Thiruvadi. In addition to this, Sorgavasal, Madapalli, Yaga salai, Kalyana mandapam and Thirukalaya Urchava Mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, artha mandapam, Maha mandapam and a mukha mandapam or Ranga mandapam. Sanctum Sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam and 3 tier vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum. The Vimanam stucco images are renovated during recent years and original structure was up to yazhi vari. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Temple was built during 17^th to 18^th century. One Mr Kondamanayakkar, of Alathur was an ardent devotee of  Perumal. Perumal came in his dream and identified a place where he is and asked to construct a temple. Latter his descendants taken care of the temple. Vijayanagara ‘s contributions also there to this temple.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Moolavar is equal power full to Tirupati Sri Venkatesa Perumal. The Devotees could not go to Tirupati, can offer in this temple also, hence this Mondipalayam temple is also called as Mela Tirupati. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

All the important festivals like Tamil month Purattasi 6 Saturdays festival, Krishna Jayanthi, Hanuman Jayanthi, are celebrated including Sudharsana, Lakshmi Narasimha & Lakshmi Narayana Homam and Satyanarayana Pooja. 11 days Chariot festival will be celebrated in the Thai month with flag hoisting. Chariot will be pulled everyday with various vahanas.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs and on festival days temple will open at 04.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Website : http://venkatesaperumal.com/english/index.html

e-mail address :  mail@venkatesaperumal.com 

Phone number +91 4296 289270 and Mobile 96291 11099.

HOW TO REACH:

The Mondipalayam is on the Coimbatore to Sathyamangalam Road and 45 KM from Coimbatore.

5 KM east of Pasur on Sathyamangalam to Annur Road.

30 KM from Tiruppur via Avinashi and 27 KM from Sathyamangalam via Punjai Puliampatti.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Reliefs at the Rajagopuram entrance 

 Reliefs at the Rajagopuram entrance 

 Reliefs of Rasi mandalam 

 Komukam 

Perumal’s Dhasavathara moortham Koorma Avatharam

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Udhayagiri Sri Muthuvelayutha Swamy Temple / உதயகிரி ஸ்ரீ முத்துவேலாயுத சுவாமி திருக்கோயில், வேலாயுதம்பாளையம் / Velayuthampalayam, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

6^th JANUARY 2019.

The visit to this hill temple is a part of our Kongu Heritage Visit to temples and heritage monuments. Our first Visit was to this temple, the temple open even after 12.00 hrs, since it was a no moon day ( Amavasai ).

The presiding Deity : Sri Muthu Velayutha Swamy

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east on a small kundru ( hill ). Steps are constructed from south, where as car path is on the north side. On the step Vinayagar Sannidhi and Nagars are on the left side of entrance Gate and a Nagar Relief is on the right side. There is a Thirukural inscription on the back side of the Naagar. Deepa Sthambam or the garuda Thoon is in front of the temple. On both side of Sri Velayutha Swamy Shrine, Sri Kasi Viswanathar on the south and Sri Visalakshi is on the north. 

In the prakaram Sannadhi for Naalvar. Vinayagar with 2 sthambams  under a bilva / Vilva tree, 6 Shiva Linga Sannadhis ( Pancha Lingas +1 ), Navagrahas, Sani Bhagavan, Chandran, Bairavar and Sahasra Lingam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. A beautiful architecture sanctum and Mukha mandapam. The Mukha mandapam is supported with 10 beautiful ornamental pillars. The Mandapam was constructed during Nayak Period and the Nayakas statues are on the Pillars. 

The Sanctum sanctorum has two entrances. The entrance arch is on the south and mandapa is on the east.

 Vijayanagara period mandapam

 Vijayanagara period mandapam Pillar

 Beautiful reliefs on the sanctum wall

 Donor

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Temple was built in 14^th to 15^th Century Kongu Kings period and extended during Vijayanagara period.

Thirukkural inscription on the east side of the temple.. on a boulder

 Thirukural inscription a new initiative

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

All the important festivals like Thaipoosam, Panguni Uthiram, Skanda Sasti, Karthigai Deepam, Vaikasi Visakam are celebrated in a grand manner. On 13^th to 15^th of Chithirai months ( April – May ), Sun rays falls on moolavar.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:
The mobile number may be contacted for further details : 9750467504

HOW TO REACH:

Malayapalayam is on the way to Gobichettipalayam to Avinashi.

30 Km from GobiChettipalayam via Nambiyur and 25 KM from Tiruppur Via Avinashi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE    :CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Sangothi Amman Temple / ஸ்ரீ சங்கோதி அம்மன் கோயில், Karanai Puducherry, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

10th December 2019

This Karanai Puduchery is a part of Chennai and the Amman temple is about a KM off GST Road. Built during recent years.

Presiding deity : Neethi Nayagi Sri Sangothi Amman.

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. The Rajagopuram entrance wooden doors has the sculptures of Ambal’s various avatars. Balipeedam and dwajasthambam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Artha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Amman is in sitting posture. Damaru and angusam are in the upper hands and lower right hand holds a knife. The Suyambu amman is at the bottom. Urchavar is in the Artha mandapam. Simha vahana is in the mukha mandapam. In koshtam Varagi, Maheswari, Vaishnavi, Brahmi and Durgai. Stucco images of Shiva and Ambal, munis, Hindu deities are on the muka mandapam parapet wall.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar with Nagars under a peepal tree, Iyappan and Navagrahas. The temple tank is on the right side of the temple which is full of water with fishes.

LEGENDS

As per the legend the name of the Ambal, is Sangothi which is the corrupted name of Sangu+oothi ( blow the Conch ). During Piralaya period ( Tsunami ) Amman blew the Conch and warned the people. Hence Amman is called as Sangoothi Amman, which latter turned to Sangothi  Amman.

Annual festival is being celebrated on 4^th Week of Aadi month.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Trustee Mr S K Karunakaran may be contacted on his mobile 9941611246 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is in Karanai Puducherry which is about 13.3 KM from Tambaram Railway Station and 3.3 KM from Urapakkam Railway Station.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Moolavar is of swayambhu

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---