Rajendra Iron Bridge, Thiruvalam, in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

10^th March 2019.

This bridge was constructed on the Neeva / Ponnai or  Bahuda river. This bridge is on the National Highway 40, from Chennai to Mumbai before Thiruvalam. The approximately 500 meter long iron bridge ends at Sri Vilvanatheswarar Temple one of the 276 Thevara Padal Petra Shiva Temples at Thiruvalam.

The Iron bridge construction was started in 1935 and completed in 1939, by a Company called J.H. Tarapore, Madras. The Iron bridge was built with 11 spans and tons and tons of iron channels are being used. The members are firmly joined with rivets ( a permanent fastener, since bolt and nuts are not popular in those days for constructing steel / Iron bridges ) and gives a long life compared to bolt & nut joints. Each joints are done at the spot. Most of the works are done through manual laborers employing around 1200.

The bridge was declared opened by the then Premier of Madras Presidency Shri C Rajagopalachari, an elected Premier from Indian National Congress Party. He  also held as the Last Governor General of India and First Chief Minister of Madras State.

J.H.TARAPORE

The late Mr. J.H Tarapore The founder of Tarapore & Co. was born in a humble Parsi family in July 1901 and graduated from Madras Christian College. His ancestors, who worships “FIRE” migrated to India from Iran during 8^th to 10^th Century. He had led his company to excel in the field of construction in almost every corner of the country in a career spanning more than half a century. Some of the major buildings in Madras now Chennai are built by the J.H.Tarapore & Co.

A born leader, ambitious, stern yet compassionate towards people. He was loved and respected by one and all. Children were his first love and thirst for knowledge created in him a desire to setup educational institutions. The Institutions spreads throughout the country especially at Jamshedpur and Chennai.

LOCATION:12.985574, 79.269201

PC: Google Web site

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Hero Stones / Sati stones / Veerakallu / Nadukarkal / நடுகற்கள், with Harichandra / Arichandra, Thiruparkadal, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

10^th March 2019.

After Thiruparkadal Temples Visit, on the way to Kaveripakkam, we happened to see this Hero Stone, Sati Stones and Harichandran bas- reliefs. I was little curious to know, how this Harichandra relief stone has come here at the entrance of the Village, since there was no burial or cremation ground nearby. The Villagers told that the deceased body will be brought here, pooja will be done to Arichandran and then the body will be taken to cremation / burial ground. ( It is believed that the Arichandran is the authority or the God for the cremation ground and with his permission only body has to be cremated ).

In the sati and Hero stones the heroes are holding  weapons and their wives are holding pots ( மது குடுவை ) in their hands. The details could not be seen due to turmeric and kunguma paste applied on the faces of the reliefs.

LOCATION:  12.887037, 79.456067

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Sri Pancha Lingeswarar Temple, Kondapuram, near Kaveripakkam, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

10^th March 2019.

When we are about to windup our Heritage Visit with the Thiruparkadal Vishnu temples, Mr Ramesh told me to drop me at Toll Gate to catch a bus to Chennai. Further Mr Ramesh told that there is an old temple at Kaveripakkam, which is usually kept locked and let us try our luck this time.  It was around 13.00 hrs when we reached the temple and to our surprise the temple was kept opened and the Gurukkal was preparing for the Pooja.

Moolavar    : Pancha Lingas ( Main deity is Chidambaram Akasa Lingam )

Consort      : Sri Kamakshi

 

Some of Salient features of this temple are…

The sanctum sanctorum complex consists of  5 Linga sannidhis  for Prithvi - Earth, Appu – Water, Agni – Fire, Vayu – Air and Agaya - Space  are installed in a separate sannadhis.  Agaya – Space ( Chidambaram ) Linga was considered as the main sanctum with Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam. This sannadhi is facing east. Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai are in the main sanctum devakoshtam. Temple pond is on the south side of the temple complex.

 

In addition to this there are sannadhis  for Two Kamakshi Ambals, Natarajar, Ganapathy, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar and Navagrahas.

 Chozha / Pallava period Pillar with capital

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple was reconstructed in the recent years. The mandapa around the sannadhis are the mixture of Chozha, Pallava and Vijayanagara pillars. Some pillars  Capital/ pothyals looks like Pallava period. There are no inscriptions found in the temple adhisthana, but we had seen an fragment inscription stone near the well which belongs to Chozha period 11^th to 12^th Century.

Rajendra Chozha-I's period Inscriptions stone

The inscription starts with Chozha King Rajendra Chozha-I’s meikeerthi as "திருமன்னி வளர விருநில மடந்தையும் போர்ச்சயப் பாவையுஞ் சீர்த்தனிச் செல்வியுந் தன்பெருந் தே.. . The inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 90 sheeps are gifted.

As per the Rajagopuram recent period inscription speaks about the legend associated with the temple. This place Kondapuram is a part of Kaveripakkam  also called as Saiva Puram on the banks of river Palima was called as “Thiruveni Chaturvedi Mangalam” in ancient times.  

LEGENDS

Ambal Kamakshi installed 5 lingas and worshiped before she had  done the thabas on the banks of river Kamba. Hence This place was considered a sacred place for the Munis and Rishis to do thabas  and worship Pancha Lingas.

 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

As per Gurukkal, the temple will be kept opened between 07.30 hrs to 11.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The mobile number +91 95977 12495 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Kondapuram is a part of Kaveripakkam and the temple on the road side

Kaveripakkam is on the  Chennai to Bangalore National Highway before Toll plaza.

Kaveripakkam is 16.4 KM from Ranipet, 17.6 KM from Arcot, 32.2 KM from Kanchipuram and 38.1 KM from Vellore.

 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Vijayanagara period mandapa pillars

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Sri Athi Ranganatha Perumal Temple, Thiruparkadal, near Kaveripakkam, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

10^th March 2019.

After the darshan of Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal, we had been to this Sri Athi Ranganatha Perumal temple at Thiruparkadal.

Moolavar   : Sri Athi Ranganatha Perumal

Thayar      : Sri Ranganayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

This is one of the twin temples of Thiruparkadal Village on the banks of river Palar or Vegavathi. This temple is also facing east with a Anjaneyar temple. A Three tier new Rajagopuram is in front. Dwajasthambam and balipeedam are immediately after the new Rajagopuram.  

Moolavar is swayambhu in Adhi tree wood in sayana kolam on Adhiseshan of 9 feet in length and 3 feet high.  SriDevi and Bhudevi are by his side and Brahma is from his naval. All the moorthams are made out of Athi wood. Yearly once thaila kappu will be done, during that time only face will be visible for darshan. Sri Ranganatha Perumal's face ( during our visit Sri Athi Ranganathar was in Thaila kappu and we could see only the face). In the prakaram sannadhi for Thayar Ranganayaki, Andal. 

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, 24 pillared artha mandapam and a 24 pillared mukha mandapam.  Sapthaka or the ashtanga Vimana is on the sanctum. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Adhisthana has the Telugu and Tamil Inscriptions. As per the inscriptions the temple was built during the beginning of 16^th Century, Krishnadevaraya Period. As per the inscriptions this place was called as Narayana Chaturvedi Mangalam.

Inscriptions 

LEGENDS

The legend  applied to Kanchi Athi VaradaRaja Perumal Temple, Palli Konda Perumal temple  near Vellore is applied to this temple also, since all the three temples are on the banks of Palar River / vegavathi river ( The legend goes like this.. When Brahma was doing a yagam with out Saraswati, she got angry and took the form of Vegavathi river and flowed with full flow to destroy yagam.  To the request of Brahma, Vishnu laid down and stopped the flow of Vegavathi river).

It is believed that one’s “sins” in the account of Chitra Gupta will be removed if pray this Ranganathar. Ladies used to pray Thayar for getting married and Childless ladies for Child. The temple sthala purana says, mangalasasanam was done by Periyalwar, Andal, Kulasekara Alwar, Thirumazhisai Alwar, Thondaradippodi Alvar, Bhoothathalvar, Peyalwar and Nammalwar. Hence this Ranganathar temple is considered an equivalent to 107^th Divya Desam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Tamil & English new year days, Revathi Star day, No moon and Full moon day, Purattasi Saturdays, Navarathri days, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Panguni Ekadasi day.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Battar Sri Nandhakumar may be contacted pooja details. The contact numbers are 04177 254442 / 9442313789.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is about a KM from Thiruparkadal  Village and about 3,5 KM from Kaveripakkam.

Kaveripakkam is on the  Chennai to Bangalore National Highway before Toll plaza.

Kaveripakkam is 16.4 KM from Ranipet, 17.6 KM from Arcot, 32.2 KM from Kanchipuram and 38.1 KM from Vellore.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

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Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple, Thiruparkadal ( Kaveripakkam ) Near Arcot, Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu.

10^th March 2019.

After visiting the Chozha Temple in ruins near Thiruvalam,  our next plan was to visit to Kanchana giri. It was told that there is a special stone which gives bell sound when tapped. Afraid of Climbing the hill under scorching sun, dropped the idea and decided to visit Thiruparkadal Vishnu Temples on the banks of river Palar.  We had the darshan of Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal and Sri Ranganathar before closure of the temple after Uchi kala pooja.

Moolavar   : Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal

Thayar      : Sri Alarmel mangai

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a Temple pond ( Pundareeka theertham ) and Dwajasthambam. Mandapam with a small two tier rajagopuram is at the entrance of sanctum Sanctorum. There is no Moortham in the koshtams. Pundareeka Vimana is on the sanctum with stucco images of Gajendra Varadar, Dakshinamurthy, Lakshmi Narasimhar and Brahma. 

Moolavar is standing on a Shiva Linga Avudayar. ( it was told that Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal is standing on the Shiva Lingam to signify that Shiva and Vishnu, both are one ). Two urchavars are in the sanctum, of which one will be going out for the procession.

In the prakaram sannadhi for Alarmel Mangai Thayar ( a large Sri Chakra is installed in front), Andal, Navaneetha Krishnan with Bama & Rukmini, Bhaktha Anjaneyar, 9 Nagadevas on a pedestal, Nagaboosana Garudalwar ( holding 9 snakes  ).

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum was built with sanctum antarala and artha mandapam. The sanctum was build with padabandha adhisthana. 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed  that this temple was built in early 16^th Century during Krishnadevaraya period. His bas reliefs along with Dhavalan Naiken and Rani Mangammal are there in this temple. As per the inscriptions this place was called as "Narayana Chaturvedi mangalam"

There are three entrances to see the moolavar and there is no separate Sorga vasal.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Pundareeka maharishi after attending Brahma’s yagam, proceeded to Thiruparkadal to worship Lord Vishnu. Since it was little late to reach Thiruparkadal, he landed here and took bath in a temple pond and went inside the temple to worship Lord Vishnu. To his disappointment  it was a Shiva temple and came out. An old man ( Vishnu ) meet out side the temple and asked him to go once again to see Vishnu in the sanctum. When he entered inside the sanctum, to his surprise Lord Vishnu is in standing posture on a Shiva Linga Avudayar with right hand in abhaya hastam.  Since this happened on Thiruvonam nakshatra - Vaikunta Ekadasi day, this temple is considered as Thiruvonam Star Temple. Hence Thiruvona Star devotees pray Lord Vishnu of this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, No moon day, full moon day, Vaikunta Ekadasi day, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Battar Sri Venkat Rangam may be contacted pooja details. The contact numbers are 9486877896, 9486139289, 8015114344.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is about a KM from Thiruparkadal  Village and about 3,5 KM from Kaveripakkam.

Kaveripakkam is on the  Chennai to Bangalore National Highway before Toll plaza.

Kaveripakkam is 16.4 KM from Ranipet, 17.6 KM from Arcot, 32.2 KM from Kanchipuram and 38.1 KM from Vellore.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

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A Chozha Temple in ruins at Sikaraja Puram- Kambarajapuram near Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

10^th March 2019.

After Sri Vishwamithriswarar Temple’s visit we had been to this Chozha period temple in ruins at Kambaraja puram about 2 KM from Thiruvalam on the banks river Neeva ( Ponnai ). There is no approach road / path to this temple. We have to walk on the boundary or the bund of the paddy fields. Since the stones are in black colour the local people calls this temple as Black Temple ( Karuppu Kovil - கருப்பு கோயில் ). The temple land was Completely encroached by the farmers and the structure alone is left. The temple is about 4 feet below the outer ground level.

The temple is facing east. The original temple was with sanctum, antarala and an artha mandapam. Due to vegetation growth the sanctum was completely destroyed. We could see mandapam is standing till date, but it may also collapse in near future.  On the west side,  fragments of statues are strewn around.  Dakshinamurthy statue is lying in pieces with out head. Muyalakan looks cute. On the way to this temple, we had seen some broken pieces of this temple. It was told that some statues are also buried under the earth.

The antarala side niches has the makara toranas  The dancing scene, Rishis’, A King worshiping Lord Shiva, beating of drum etc sculptures are in the makara thorana. Inch sculptures are also seen on the pilasters. We couldn’t move around the temple due to high vegetation growth. The Rishaba was moved to the sanctum side to give way for the field activity. Along with the fragment stone we had seen a inscription stone which belongs to 12^th Century Vikrama Chozha (1118 to 1135 CE ), which is recorded in the "The Inscriptions of Madras Presidency ( Volume-I)".  The Mandapa pillars are simple  round in shape and capital looks similar to pallava style. The Temple  might have been built during 10^th to 11^th Century.

The Thiruvalam Shiva Temple inscription, A Ganga King Vijyanthi Vikramavarman's name is mentioned. Hence this place Kambarajapuram might have been called as "Ganga Rajapuram" and latter turned to the present name of  Kambarajapuram.

Another sad part is that the mandapam is being used for doing Black Magic / Pillisunyam / Eval etc.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple in  ruins is on the banks of river Neeva ( Ponnai ) about 2 KM from the Thiruvalam. ( Very near to Brick Kiln )

Thiruvalam is about 20 KM from Vellore and 12 KM from Ranipet.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE 
Latitude 12.96 4472 and Longitude 79. 26 1545

Inscription

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Sri Viswamithiriswarar Temple, Navlock, Puliyankannu near Arcot, Ranipet District Tamil Nadu.

10^th March 2019.

After Veppur Shiva Temple Visit Mr Ramesh took me to the north side of the river Palar. The place is called as Pulliyankannu a part of Navlock near Arcot. Since there is no direct approach to this temple, we have to trespass through a Govt and a Private Coconut farms. After about 2 KM of mud road, a passage was given to approach this temple.

Moolavar    : Sri Viswamithiriswarar / Sri Vishwamitra 

Moolavar    : Sri Abirami

Some of the important details are…

This temple is also one of the Shada Aranya Kshetram installed and worshiped by the Sage Viswamitra. The temple is on the northern banks of River Palar and opposite to Veppur Shiva Temple. The temple is facing east under a meta colour sheet shed. Both moolavar and Ambal are facing east. Moolavar is swayambhu. Sage Viswamitra is also under worship.

This temple was once  with sanctum & mandapam etc,. The old temple structures ceiling panels, Kodungai, Pillars, Pothiyal etc,  and statues are strewn around the temple. Happened to see a Vishnu statue about 2 KM away from this temple under a tree. 

Initiatives are taken by some devotees to re-construct this temple. Regular poojas are conducted and the recent MahaShivaratri also celebrated in a grand manner. Since this temple is one of the six temples installed and worshiped by the Munis and Sages, devotees started coming to this temple.

A fragment inscription stone is kept in this temple. Based on the inscription this temple may belongs to 12^th Century Chozha period.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since the actual time of opening and closing is uncertain, devotees are advised to contact before Visiting this temple.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Mr Goutham 9655282857 and Mr Sekar 9994978926

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is at PuliyanKannu  can be approached through the Govt and Private Coconut farms or through Village Karai.

This temple is about 8.3 KM from Arcot bus terminus, 6 KM from Ranipet bus stop  through Karai.

Autos are available from Ranipet and Arcot.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

  Keerthi mukam

A 12th Century Chozha period inscription

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