Sri Abathsahayeswarar Temple / Vaanilai Kandeesuvaramudayar Temple, at Senthamangalam / Sendhamangalam, Villupuram District, Tamil NaduAMIL NADU.

08^th June 2019.

Visit to this Shiva temple was a part of  Temples Visit in and around Villupuram. It was a two days trip organized by Mr Manoj, aimed to cover 21 old, very old and Historical temples, which includes Thevaram Padal Petra Sthalangal and 108 Divya Desa sthalangal and we are able to cover 16 temples. Out of 16 Temples, I had covered 11 temples already and  are recorded in my blog. The rest of 5 temples will be posted one by one. This post will cover a Shiva temple built during 13^th Century. The temple is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ) and reconstruction is in progress. The place Sendhamangalam is on the south bank of river Kedilam.

 Entrance base of Rajagopuram with rebuilt balipeedam 

Moolavar : Sri Abathsahayeswarar/Sri Vanilai Kandeesuvaramudaiyar

Consort   : Sri Periyanayagi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

This temple is facing east with a two Rajagopuram base. A pandal pillars with a balipeedam is at the centre. On the right side a mandapa reconstruction is in progress. Rishabam is in-front of sanctum sanctorum in a mandapam. 

Both side steps are provided between artha mandapam and maha mandapam. A two tier stucco nagara Vimana is over the sanctum. The Koshtams are empty now. The respective idols are kept inside the maha mandapam. The Idols are Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Ashtabhuja Durgai, Ashtabhuja Bairavar, Lingothbavar and some sculptures are also kept in the maha mandapam. Ambal Sannidhi is facing south on the north east corner of the corridor.

 Sanctum View with Dakshinamurthy on the left 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam, Maha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The Sanctum Sanctorum is ona pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam. The Bhitti starts with Vedhikai. The pilasters are Vishnu Kantha pilasters with square base, thamari kattu, kalasam, thadi, Kudam, Lotus petals mandi, Palakai, Veerakandam and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of Valapi, Kapotam with nasikudus and Viyyala vari. The Nasi Kudus do not have any bas reliefs. The prakaram is on a raised platform with vrutha pillars. 

 

Similar to Chozha period architecture 

 Similar to Chozha architecture 

A Corridor view 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Kadava King Koperunsingan’s  father  Ezhisai Mohana Manavala Perumal ( 1200 – 1211 CE) ruled this region keeping  Sendhamangalam as capital. In 1231 CE Rajaraja-III, was defeated by the Pandya Kings and fled out of Thanjavur. At Thellaru near Vandavasi Koperunsingan attacked ( 1231 CE ) and took him with all his wife and children as prisoners. Rajarajan-III with his family was lodged at this place in a prison.  He was released after his relative and Hoysala King Viranarasimhan came with his army.

The inscriptions belongs to Kadava King  Koperunsingan ( 1229 – 1278 CE ), Vijayanagara King   Hariharan-II are found in this temple.    An inscription speaks about donation of  Land, Gold to a person’s family called Peththan Nayakar who sacrificed his life through navakandam for the un-interrupted functioning of temple activities even during war.

 Recent period inscription

13th century Inscription

LEGENDS

It is believed that Pancha Pandavas, during their 14 years exile, came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

There is no fixed time of opening and closing. Hence readers are advised to confirm your visit with Gurukkal. Since the temple is under renovation by the ASI, outside can be seen during day time.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The Gurukkal Mohana Sundaram may be contacted on his mobile 9442774505 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 2 KM off from the GST Road.

The place Sendhamangalam/ Senthamangalam is on the Chennai to Trichy GST road.

Sendhamangalam is about 13.8 KM from Ulundurpet, 26 KM from Villupuram and 195 KM from Chennai.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 A well

 A Stone jolly / window

Outer prakara under reconstruction

  Solar and Lunar eclipse bas-reliefs on the ceiling 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Rishabapureeswarar Temple, Melsevur, in Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

08^th June 2019.

After Visiting Sri Aatcheeswarar Swami Shiva Temple at Acharapakkam, one of the Thevara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam, it was planned to Visit Sri Rishabapureeswarar temple at Melsevur in Villupuram District. It was around 11.30 Hrs when we landed and found the temple was closed. To our request the in-charge of the temple, was kind enough to  open the door and had the darshan of Lord Shiva. Thiyagaraja has sung hymns in praise of lord Shiva of this temple. Claimed that it is also a Vaippu sthalam and hymn was sung by Sundarar.

Moolavar  : Sri Rishabapureeswarar

Consort    : Sri Mangalambigai also known as Sri Gunasmvardhini

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is on the south bank of river Sangarabarani and facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram on the west side ( back side ).  A Vinayagar Sannidhi is after the Rajagopuram abutting the prakaram wall.  A balipeedam, Rishabam and Dwajasthambam are   in front of Sanctum sanctorum under a mandapam  with 2 Pallava style squatting lion pillars. In Sanctum the moolavar is swayambhu, with a scar on the moolavar ( believed that Rishabam worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple ). In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the inner prakaram Somaskandar ( empty ), Saptamatrikas with Veerabhadra and Vinayagar, Flower garland making platform ( Palli thamam platform ), Shiva Lingas of Kalamuki, Thathpurusar, Agoramurthy, Sadyojata murthy, Kasi Viswanathar, Sahasra Linga, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Sambandar, Bhairavar, Suryan, Bas relief panel of Vishnu Durgai, Vijayanagar Nayaka period Donors and Chandikeswarar.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Navagrahas, Alangara & Vahana mandapas and Mangalambigai. Sri Mangalambigai is in standing posture with 4 hands  in a separate temple like sannadhi with Koshta moorthams.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The prati bandha adhistanam is with a virutha kumudam and Yazhivari. Kapotham with nasi is in the prastaram. A 2 tier Vimana with vesara sigaram is on the sanctum. 

The alangara mandapam also has two Pallava  style squatting lion pillars.

 Vahana and Alangara mandapa with squatting Lion Pillars

 Pallava period squatting Lion Pillars

 Sanctum architecture

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS:

Even-though it was claimed that the temple was built during Pallava period ( 850 CE ), as per inscription the temple was built by Parantaka Chozha ( 928 CE) and latter contributions by Chozhas and Vijayanagara Nayaks. Pallava period mixture of Tamil and Grantha inscriptions are found on the Kumudam. Aditya Chozha-I ( 898 CE ), Rajaraja-I ( 985 – 1014 CE ), Rajendra Chozha-I,  Kulothunga Chozha-I, Samburayars  and Vijayanagara period inscriptions are found on the walls. As per the inscription the place was called as Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Uthama Chozha valanttu Sevur and Iraivan was called as Than Thontreeswarar. The inscriptions mainly speaks about donation of land, cattle to burn perpetual lamps and daily poojas.

 Inscriptions- Telugu

 Inscriptions

Vijayanagara Nayak Period Donors

LEGENDS ( MYTHS )

The east entrance was kept closed. The story behind that is, many times during heavy rain the flood in the Sarangapani river flows up to feet of Ambal. To the request of the people Ambal Mangalambigai changed the direction of the river and the east entrance was permanently kept closed.

It was told that there was an under ground passage  from this temple to Gingee Fort and the queen used to visit and worship lord Shiva of this temple.

Chandikeswarar was cursed by Durvasa, born as Kamala Muni and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. When the Shiva linga was covered by the anthill, Nandhikeswarar removed with his hoop which hits Lord Shiva and blood was oozed out and flowed as Sangarabarani river. 

CELEBRATIONS: 

Apart from regular poojas, Maha Shivarathri, Pradosham, Annual festival during Chithirai (April-May), Panguni Uthiram, Thaipoosam, 

  are conducted in a grand manner.

  

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since oru kala pooja is conducted the temple will be kept opened in the morning hours.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The mobile numbers may be contacted for further details

+91 99621 72565, 97877 20215, 99433 22152

HOW TO REACH:

The place Melsevur can be reached from Vallam to Kongarapattu bus and from Gingee.

17 KM from Gingee, 48 KM from Villupuram and 151 KM from Chennai.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Arthamandapa

 Vishnu Durgai panel

 Saptamatrikas

Veerabhadra

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Kottai Muniyappan Temple, Kottai Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple, Kottai Veera Anjaneyar temple, Kottai Mariamman Temple, Kottai Vinayagar Temple, Sri Veeramathi Amman temple & Kottai Choleeswarar Temples at Perundurai, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

3^rd June 2019.

After worshiping our Kula Deivam Sri Veeramathi Amman at Talguni near Kolappalur, on the way to Chennai visited these Kottai Mariamman, Kottai Veera Anjaneyar, Kottai Vinayagar, Kottai Veeramathi Amman, Kottai Muniyappan, Kottai Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal & Kottai Sri Choleeswarar Temples  at Perundurai.  Even-though I had seen all these temples from out side, for the past 40 years didn’t ventured inside the temple. I was little curious to know, why these temples are added with Kottai like initials. All the temple are surrounding the new Bus Stand. The details of the Kottai Sholeeswarar Shiva Temple temple was covered in one of my post.

As per the history it is a fact that a Kottai / Fort existed in this place and who constructed is not Known. Some claims that the Fort was constructed by a Representative of Mysore King Wodeyar and Somebody claims that the fort existed since the  early  Cheras and Chozhas. Early Chera King Kanaikal Irumporai  ruled this region with Karur as Capital. Chozha King Chenganan ( Ko chengat chozhan ) defeated Chera King  at Kozhumam and Poonthurai Nattu Perundurai and lodged him at Kudavayil prison. He was ill treated in the prison and even drinking water was not given. He wrote his condition in the form of poem to Poigaiyar, a friend and a renowned poet. Poigaiyar composed the Kalavali Narpathu ( 41 stanzas ) praising Chozha’s war against Chera King. Chozha King Chenganan pleased by the poem and released Chera King. Quoting this history some claims that the fort might have existed since early Cheras / Chozha’s period.  Hence the temples bears Kottai as title.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

All the temples will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

Perundurai is on the way to Coimbatore to Erode bus route. Frequent buses are available from various parts of Coimbatore and Erode District.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

SRI KOTTAI MUNIAPPAN TEMPLE

Now the Kottai Muniyappan Temple is at an elevated level with 21 steps and it was told that the original temple was constructed on the boundary wall / rampart of the Fort. The temple was reconstructed in the recent years. At the base, a Muniappan is in standing posture with a sickle on the right hand. A number of  trisools are   erected in front of Sri Muniappan. During Ipasi month an 8 day festival will be celebrated in which goats and cocks are sacrificed to   Sri Muniappan. It was told that spirit /arrack also offered.

The top temple is facing North with a sanctum and a mukha mandapam. In front is a oonjal. On the east side abutting the Mukha mandapa there are three Muniappan Stucco images. All the three are holding sickle in their hands.

Bottom Sri Muniappan 

KOTTAI SRI PRASANNA VENKATESA PERUMAL TEMPLE.

This Perumal Temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Deepa  Sthambam and Thulasi Madam are in front. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum and a mukha mandapam. In the sanctum moolavar Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. The sanctum was built with stone up to prastaram and a three tier Vimana is on the sanctum.  There is no murthis in the Koshtam. Nagars are under a Peepal tree. Samprokshanam was performed about 3 years before. Out side the sanctum was paved with granite slabs and trees are also grown.

The Bhattar told that he is the 6^th Generation doing pooja to this Perumal. The period of construction is not Known and as per Bhattar the temple may be more than 500 to 600 years old. This temple is under the Control of Kottai Choleswarar Temple, which is on the east side of the Bus Stand.

KOTTAI  SRI VEERA ANJANEYAR TEMPLE.

This Anjaneyar temple was originally  a small temple and was reconstructed in the recent years, The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum and a mukha mandapam. In the sanctum  Anjaneyar is in the form of a Bas-relief, in Vijayanagara Style. The present Bhattar claims that 4  generations are doing pooja to this Anjaneyar. The original temple may be Vijayanagara Period ie 400 to 500 years old.

SRI KOTTAI MARIAMMAN TEMPLE.

This Kottai Mariamman Temple bears a new look with granite sanctum. Amman is in sitting posture facing North.  An ekathala Nagara Vimana is over the sanctum.  The out side prakara is under construction. During November  annual festival will be celebrated in a grand manner.

SRI VEERAMATHI AMMAN & SRI KARUPANASWAMY  & KOTTAI VINAYAGAR TEMPLE.

Do not know this Sri Veeramathi Amman is very old or not. This Amman is a Kuladheivam for a particular Community. Saptha Kannis are in a small sannadhi. Amman is in sitting posture.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Kanaka Choleeswarar Temple / Sri Pon Parappina Eswaramudayar Temple, Kaniyamur / Kaniyamoor, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

02^nd June 2019.

This temple visit was not planned during our Ahimsa Walk. Mr Mahatma SelvaPandiyan, guided us to this temple which is about 5 KM off  on Salem Ulundurpet National Highway.  To our request, the temple priest was kind enough to open the door and had the darshan of Lord Shiva. The temple was built by the small regional King ( Kurunila mannan ) Vanakovaraiyan under Kulothunga Chozha-III. He assumed the title of Pon Parappina in front of his name Vanakovararaiyan. As per the history He was the instrumental for the fall of Chozha Dynasty in Tamil Nadu.

Moolavar    : Sri Kanaka Choleeswarar, 

                   Sri Pon Parappina Eswaramudayar

Consort      : Sri Soundara Nayaki. 

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a small entrance. Only Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of sanctum sanctorum. There was a mention about a Dwajasthambam in the inscription but it is not in its place. In Koshtam, Nirutha Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. 

In the prakaram loose sculptures of Suryan, Bhairavar, Dakshinamurthy ( to replace old damaged one in the Koshtam ), Nalvar, Vinayagar, Shiva Linga, A Nagar with Vinayagar,  Sri Valli Devasena Arumugar and Chandikeswarar.  Ambal Sri Soundara Nayaki is in a separate sannadhi, built with brick may be added latter.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. The sanctum is on a simple pada bandha adhisthana. The prastaram has the Kapotham and below the Kabotham ( Valabai ) lotus flower as adhama padmam and Yazhivari is over the Kapotham / Bhoomi Desam. The kapotham has the Nasi /kudus. Various reliefs are in nasi koodu. 

The walls/ bitti and corners  are supported by pilasters of Vishnu kantha pillars consisting of malai thongal, thamaraikattu, Kalasam, Kumbam, mandi / Pali, Palakai, kandam and Pothyal. Rishabams are on four corners of Bhoomi Desam. The ekathala 8 faced Dravida Vimanam was constructed with stone from Adhistanam to stupi / Kalasam. The Kapotha nasis has the niches with images of Dakshinamurthy, Narasimhar and Brahma. The Sikaram is of 8 faces  with padmam on the top. One of the special feature is the is the Koshtam also built with kapotham. The architecture of the Vimana reminds the Thirunthuthevankudi Sri Karkadeswarar Temple near Kumbakonam.

 

 An 8 face Dravida Vimanam with girivam, Sikaram and stupi

A Sala with Kapotham above Koshtam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

The temple was built during a Regional King ( Kurunila mannan ) Vanakovaraiyan, who ruled under Kulothunga Chozha-III ( 1178 – 1218 CE ) in 13^th Century.  The inscriptions belongs to Chozhas and Pandyas.  The inscriptions mainly speaks about donation of 3000 kuzhi land for the temple by Vanakovaraiyan Villavarayan and the income to be utilized for the daily poojas and celebrations. During Rajaraja-II period Devaradiyars had given donation for creating a nandhavanam and construction of Stone temple ( may be a part of this temple ). The Sundara Pandyan, who defeated Rajarajan-III ( 1216- 1256 CE ) inscription speaks about celebration of 9 day festival and first respect to be given to the weaver Community on the festival day.

Inscription about donation of land

PRESENT STATUS

The temple is under Palalayam and renovation works are halted due to lack of Villagers support. The sad part of this temple is the approach path. The path is being used as public open toilet. It was learned that the temple land is  in  dispute between the Villagers and the temple authorities for construction of a Community Hall. Lord Shiva only has to wake up to solve this problem.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since Oru kala pooja is done in this temple, opening and closing times are unpredictable. The Kurukkal may be contacted before visiting the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Gurukkal N Rajappan may be contacted on this mobile +91 9443621844 and +91 8144280846.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 5 KM off Main Road on Salem to Villupuram High way after Chinna Salem.

13.9 KM from Kallakurichi, 93 KM from Salem and 284 KM from Chennai.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Ambal sannadhi

 Interior view of Vimana

 Old      Dhakshinamurthy      New 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---