Vijayaasana Perumal Temple at Natham / Thiruvaragunamangai, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th June 2019.

The Nine Vishnu temples on the banks of river Thamirabarani in Thoothukudi district are called as  Nava Tirupati. Nammalwar  has sung  pasurams on Lord Vishnu of these temples. Hence these 9 Vishnu temples are  classified under 108 Divya Desams. These nine Vishnu temples are associated with the Vishnu’s ten incarnations  and the  planets.  Thiru Varagunamangai temple is associated with Krishna Avathara and the planet Chandran (Moon ).

புளிங்குடி கிடந்து வரகுணமங்கை இருந்து வைகுந்ததுள் நின்று

தெளிந்த என் சிந்தை அகங்கழியாதே என்னை ஆள்வாய் எனக்கு அருளி

நளிர்ந்த சீர் உலகம் மூன்றுடன் வியப்ப நாங்கள் கூத்து ஆடி (நின்(று) ஆர்ப்ப

பளிங்கு நீர் முகிலில் பவளம்போல் கனிவாய் சிவப்ப, நீர காண வாராயே

( நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி )

Moolavar  : Sri Vijayaasana Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Varagunamangai and Sri Varagunavalli 

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram. A 16 Pillar mandapa is in front of the Rajagopuram, now it is being used by the vendors. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are after the Rajagopuram under a mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and a muka mandapam. A stucco ekathala vimana  ( Vijaya Kodi ) is on the sanctum. In sanctum moolavar is in sitting posture like a triumphant king under adhiseshan's hood. On both sides are Sri Varagunamangai and Varagunavalli Thayar. Urchavars are in Antarala. In arthamandapam Alwars and Dwaralapalakas. Garudalwar is in the muka mandapam and temple tank is out side.

History & Architecture:

It was told that the temple was built during Pandya Period and latter expanded during Vijayanagara and Nayak period. The maha Samprokshanam was performed on 20^th June 1996.  The sanctum is built with Upana and adhisthana is above the upana. Koshta niches are provided and no deity is installed. The prastaram has the kapotham with nasi kudu. Kodungai is some extent similar to  Thiruperundurai.

LEGEND

It is believed that the people who prayed Perumal will attain moksha. A Brahmin called Vedhavi, undertook penance at this place Varagunamangai chanting the “Aasana mantra”. Perumal pleased with the penance and  gave darshan. As a result of Chanting the “Aasana mantra” the Brahmin attained Moksha. Hence the Lord is called as “Vijaya” “Aasana” Perumal.

In another legend, a fisher man in his previous birth  as a King, died due to bitten by a snake. He attained Moksha. As a king the fisher man was harsh in ruling, that’s why he has to take a birth as a fisherman.  This story was narrated by Romasa Rishi to his disciples.

Agni, Romasa Rishi and Sathyavan worshiped Sri Vijayaasana Perumal of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 18.00 Hrs with a lunch break for one hour.

CONTACT DETAILS

Rajagopal Bhattar may be contacted on the mobiles 98656 52280 and 94864 92279 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

Natham is about 3 KM from Srivaikuntam and Srivaikuntam is on the way to Tiruchendur from Tirunelveli. All the buses will stop at Srivaikuntam.

38 KM from Thiruchendur, 34 KM from Tirunelveli and 198 KM from Madurai.

Nearest Railway station is Srivaikuntam ( 4.5 KM ) and Tirunelveli ( 34 KM ).

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 A Mandapa pillar pothyal relief

A typical Vijayanagara pillar relief

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal Temple, Srivaikuntam, Thoothukudi, District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th June 2019.

The Nine Vishnu temples on the banks of river Thamirabarani in Thoothukudi district are called as  Nava Tirupati. Nammalwar  has sung  pasurams on Lord Vishnu of these temples. Hence these 9 Vishnu temples are  classified under 108 Divya Desams. These nine Vishnu temples are associated with the Vishnu’s ten incarnations  and the  planets.  Srivaikuntam Temple is associated with Rama Avatar and the planet Suryan ( Sun ).

புளிங்குடி கிடந்து வரகுணமங்கை இருந்து வைகுந்தத்துள் நின்று

தெளிந்த என் சிந்தை அகங்கழியாதே என்னை ஆள்வாய் எனக்கு அருளி,

நலிந்த சீர் உ;லகம் மூன்றுடன் வியப்ப நாங்கள் கூத்தாடி (நின்(று) ஆர்ப்ப,

பலிங்கு நீர் முகிலின் பவளம் போல் கனிவாய் சிவப்ப நீ காண வாராயே.

( நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி )

Moolavar  : Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal / Sri Kallapiran

Thayar     : Sri Vaikuntavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 9 tier Rajagopuram. A Nayak period Mandapa with a 4 pillar mandapa is in front of the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are in a mandapam before 2^nd stage  5 tier Rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum walls do not have separate Koshtas, but reliefs of Vishnu’s various avatars with SriDevi and Bhudevi. The Vimana is called as Chandra Vimana. In the prakaram Anjaneyar, Sri Vaikunta Nayaki, Choranatha Nayaki, Thiruvenkatamudaiyaan Sannadhi on the right and Ramar Sannidhi on the left of Dwajasthambam. Paramapatha vassal Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers on the north side.

The Thiruvenkatamudaiyaan mukha mandapa is supported with yazhi pillars with sculptures. There are various sculptors on the adhisthana too.

HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE:

It is believed that the temple was built during Chandra kula Pandya kings period and latter expanded by the Vijayanagaras and Madurai Nayaks. The sanctum adhisthana is of kapothabandha adhisthana. The koshtas are formed by the Pilasters protruding outside and kumba panchara is in between two koshtas. The prastaram has Kapotha with nasikoodu and reliefs of deities. The Vimana is called as Chandra Vimana. Dwajasthambam was installed during Veerappa Nayakkar. Mandapam was built by Santhana Sabapathy.

  

LEGENDS

There is pinch mark on the cheek of urchavar. As per the legend  the sculptor was very much happy over the Perumal’s beautiful face, so the sculptor pinched Perumal’s cheeks. An another legend, During Pandya period, a cow was showering milk at a particular place. When the place was excavated  and found the old sanctum of the temple. Then the present sanctum was built  on the same place.

Perumal is also called as Kallapiran ( A Thief ). The story behind this goes like this... 

Kaladhoosukan was the son of a famous merchant called Virakupthan. He used to steel material, gold, money, etc., from the rich people. Of that he used to give 50% to the temple and the balance 50% he gives to poor. One day he stole from the treasury of the Pandya King. In the process his friends were caught. When the king came to know that Kaladhoosukan was their leader and ordered to arrest. Kaladhoosukan prayed Perumal and promised to give away the 100% share to the temple. 

So Perumal took the form of Kaladhoosukan and went to the palace. On seeing Perumal’s beautiful and innocent face the King asked him who he is ?. Perumal explained that the wealth of the treasury belongs to the people and is being  misused by the king and the people around him. It is the Kings duty to follow the dharma. So the King is not following the dharma, Perumal taught a lesson through Kaladhoosukan. Since the Perumal saved the thief – Kallan, Perumal is called as Kallapiran.

Birugu Chakravarthy and Indiran worshiped Lord Sri Vaikuntathan Perumal.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.30 Hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Ramesh Bhattar or Srinivasa Bhattar or Vaikuntanathan Bhattar may be contacted on the mobiles 9865628681 and 99521 62359 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Srivaikundam is on the way to Tiruchendur from Tirunelveli. All the buses will stop near the temple.

34 KM from Thiruchendur, 30 KM from Tirunelveli and 194 KM from Madurai.

Nearest Railway station is Srivaikuntam and Tirunelveli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Thiruvenkatamudaiyan muka mandapa - Sculptures 

 Thiruvenkatamudaiyan muka mandapa - sculptures

 Thiruvenkatamudaiyan muka mandapa - Yazhi's back  design

Thiruvenkatamudaiyan muka mandapa - Pillar sculptures - like Dwarabalaka

 Thiruvenkatamudaiyan muka mandapa Yazhi pillars

Thiruvenkatamudaiyan muka mandapa- Pothyal - a monkey sculpture  

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Rock Arts / Rock Paintings at Kumittipathi in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu.

25^th July 2019.

Had been to Coimbatore in connection with a personal work on 25^th July 2019  and asked Mr Vijayakumar ( Peruvakai Kondan ), one of my face book friend took me to the Kumittipathi, rock arts cave. In the midst of his busy schedule, he took me to Kumittipathi. Thanks Viji. From Ukkadam Bus terminus, on the way to Pollachi I got down at Malumichampatti. From there we went through his Motor Cycle.

On the Way to Kumittipathi, happened to see many village names are ending with “Pathy”, which indicates that this places are the Human settlements from ancient times. This Kumittipathi “Padaimalai Hill” is a part of western Ghats and a border Village between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

The Kumittipathi “Padaimalai Hill”, has naturally formed caves in which prehistoric human beings lived. The lower level, two  caves has the white ochre paintings. In the lower level cave, a group of white ochre paintings depicting decorated Chariots are pulled by the human beings. Next to the first Chariot there is a painting looks similar to a chariot, but some experts are  of the opinion that it may be a “Peacock”. Experts of the opinion that these white ocher paintings / Rock arts are more than 3000 years old. This indicates that recent period Chariot / Temple car  pulling festivals at temples, are celebrated /practiced even before 3000 years.

The art below the elephant may be Chariot or a Peacock as per the experts.  

In addition to this, there is a  man sitting on an elephant is drawn. The man ( mahout ) holds an “angusam” like a weapon. Experts of the opinion that the man catches the wild elephants and taming for the domestic use. This place comes under Chera Kingdom and there is a saying that “ Chera Nadu Vezham udaithu” which means the Chera Nadu in Western Ghats, was known for many elephants. There are two places very near to Kumittipathi, called Velanthavalam and Mavuthampathi are associated with elephants. The Velanthavanam may be separated as Velam- Elephant ( யானை ) and Thavalam – a centre or a market ( சந்தை ). And the place Mavuthampathi –  a place of living for the Mahouts, who controls the elephants. Mavuth – Mahout – யானை பாகன், and again Pathi is a living place or the Village. These type of Painting / Rock arts can seen in Karikkaiyur and Mathakadiputhur of Kongu region. Hence Kongu Region hill areas are known for elephants and trading might have been done with Chozhas and Pandyas. ( Details: Mr Kaliyappan Srinivasan ). 

The Upper cave has a group of peoples rock art. The group of people consists of tall and short, looks like a  family 

We also noticed two lines are  drawn with red ochre. This may a part of painting which might have been damaged due to weather and age.

In addition to the Rock arts / Paintings, on the way to Kumittipathi,  Mr  Viji had shown me a Pulikuthi Hero stone, half buried, on the side of the road. The Pulikuthi Hero Stone is under worship.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Kanisapakkam Village with - 1500 Years old Heritage Temples & History, in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu,

August 2019.

This Kanisapakkam Village in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu is about 2 KM off from  Chennai to Thanjavur main road. From the evidences of sculptures and the statues unearthed  in the recent years, has more than 1500 years old history. The Village has the guardian temples like Sri Kanaka Thandu Mariamman, Sri Kanni Aatha, Sri Ellai Pidari. Also has the Kaman Temple, Shiva Temple, Vishnu Temple and a Jinalaya constructed in different periods.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

SAPTHA KANNIS

The Villagers calls this as Kanni Aatha. A 7 Kannimar panel with a devotee in worshiping posture is  installed in the midst of a sugar cane field. In addition to this Veerabhadra and Ambal statue are in front. The Villagers offer wooden  statues as a prayer.

SAPTAMATRIKAS OR SAPTHA MATHAS

This Saptamatrikas might be in a separate Temple. Saptamatrikas are in a single panel. Vinayagar and Veerabhadra are individual sculptures. This Saptamatrikas is now called as Porayatha. Annual festival is being celebrated by the Villagers during Tamil Aadi month. As per the Experts this saptamatrikas panel may belongs to Pallava Period 9-10th Century. 

SRI KANISHWARAR SHIVA TEMPLE

This temple was built during recent years with the Old big Shiva Linga, Nandhi and Ambal.

Moolavar    : Sri Eswaran

Consort      : Sri Periyanayaki.

Some of the important details of the temple are. 

The temple consists of sanctum Sanctorum, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The mukha mandapam is under construction. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai.  Vinayagar, Lingas, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Bairavar, hanuman sannadhis are around the sanctum sanctorum. It was told the Shiva Lingam was unearthed during ploughing of a field.

KAMAN TEMPLE.

An old Shiva Lingam with round avudayar and a Rishabam are found on the west side of the Water Tank. The Villagers do not have any idea, when the same was unearthed and how it came to this place. There are two bricks erected behind the Shiva Lingam. The Villagers told that these are the Manmathan & Rathi. Every year  a 10 day festival will be conducted as per the Rathi & Manmathan story, which includes Theru Koothu, burning of Manmadhan, etc.

ELLAI PIDARI AMMAN TEMPLES.

This Village has 2 Ellai Pidari statues installed open to sky on the two directions of the Village. Basically these are stone slabs inscribed with an enthiram. It is believed that these Ellai Pidari Ammans are the guarding deities of this Village from any deceases  entering in to the Village and protect it. Regular Poojas are also offered to these deities.

SRI KANAKA THANDU MARIAMMAN TEMPLE

This is a newly constructed Village deity is on the eeasniya corner of the Village. This complex has a sanctum for Sri Kanaka Thandu Mariamman, a mandapa, Nagars under peepal tree.  Pothu Raja’s  stone statue is erected in front of Amman,  The ceilings  and walls has the paintings of Shiva and Amman.

Pothu Raja

JAIN TIRTHANKARA.

This Tirthankara was identified, about 4 years before. Based on the iconography and the inscription inscribed on the back, the experts of the opinion that the  Tirthankara may belongs to 11^th Century. The details of this Kanisapakkam Tirthankara was written in a separate post.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

The Tale of Athivaradhar's Darshan, Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.

18^th July 2019.

‘ஒன்றே புகலென்றுணர்ந்தவர் காட்டத் திருவருளால்

அன்றே அடைகலம் கொண்டநம் அத்திகிரித் திருமால்

இன்றே இசையில் இணையடி சேர்ப்பர் இனிப்பிறவோம்

நன்றே வருவதெல்லாம்: நமக்குப்பரம் ஒன்றிலதே!’

-தேசிகப் பிரபந்தம்.

The news of Athi Varadar taken out from the temple Tank after 40 years and kept in a mandapa, was spreads like wild fire through various medias. It was told that Athi Varadar will give darshan for 48 days, from 1^st July 2019. In that 48 days Athi Varadhar will be in sayana ( reclining position ) posture for 31 days and the balance days in standing posture.  I was little curious to know more about Athi Varadar.  Athi Varadar statue was made of Athi Tree wood ( Ficus racemosa ) which will not decayed when kept in water.

There was a heavy rush from the beginning  for the darshan of Athi Varadar. The devotees from far off places and neighboring states also  came for the dharshan. In the First week, it was told that a minimum of 1 lakh people had the dharshan daily and it touched to a peak of  2 lakhs, on  Saturdays and Sundays. Almost all the politicians and the President of India too visited Kanchipuram to have Athi Varadar’s Darshan.

The news about the dharshan within ½ hour and 2 hours etc  made me to think seriously  for Athi Varadar’s Darshan. In addition to this it may not be possible for me for the next time (after 40 years ) darshan. Most of the people expressed the same. So I  mentally prepared for the Athi Varadar’s darshan on 18^th July 2019. I didn’t know that it was a Thiruvonam Nakshatra falls on that day ( Perumal’s Nakshatra is Thiruvonam ). This also attracted many peoples.

Started from Tambaram Bus Terminus around 04.45 Hrs. On Padappai,  Oragadam route noticed lot of vans and cars plying to Kanchipuram for Athi Varadar’s darshan. It was learnt that a new temporary Vehicle parking was created at Pachaiyappa’s College ground for the Vehicles coming from East side of Kanchipuram. Due to traffic jam, we are forced to walk a distance of 5 KM to reach the temporary Vehicle parking place. From there through Mini bus reached the east side entry point around 07.30 hrs.

 

The entry from the east Rajagopuram was highly unregulated and it took almost 3 hours to join with the regular barricaded “Q”. Peoples are not allowed continuously. In front of Rajagopuram, a 200 meters distance was stretched to about 3 KM, through barricade. It was around 13.30 Hrs when I, reached East Rajagopuram. Again the Q passes through a temporary shed and from there allowed through the south prakaram. In the shed everybody has to breathe  the carbon-dioxide, which was breathed out by others. At one point I was thought of Quitting the Q. But after waiting for more than 8 to 9 hours, decided to continue in the Q, till the end. It was around 16.45 Hrs when I reached near the Athi Varadhara’s mandapam. Had the darshan of Athi Varadar for a fraction of second after 11 hours of standing in the Q with out food and water. All the Devotees are whisked away by the police personnel. I was almost exhausted completely. In the mandapa, it was appeared to me, that Athi Varadar is taking rest with VIPs and Politicians dressed in White and White standing around him, for more than 30 minutes and blocking the view to the General public. Latter it was learnt that about 4 peoples were died in the “Q”, the exact reason and the number was not disclosed.

ATHI VARADAR’s HISTORY.

( The details are taken from the book “Sri Athigiri Varadar’s History” written by Pulavar Perumal and published in 1978 AD)

Sri Varadharaja Perumal came from Brahma’s yaga agni on Chithirai Hastha Nakshatra day, also called as Varadhan, Varadharajan, Kari Varadhan, Manickavaradan, Arulalan, Perarulalan, etc. Alwars Mangalasasanam and Appaya Dheekshithar’s kirthanas praises Lord Varadharaja.

As per the legend, the difference of opinion of who is great between Sri Lakshmi and Sri Saraswathi ends with the decision in favour of Sri Lakshmi. So Sri Saraswathi cursed Indira, who gave the decision to become an elephant ( Athi ).  Sri Lakshmi advised Indira to worship Sri Narasimha to get relieved from the curse. Indira in the form of Elephant ( Athi ) came to Kanchipuram/ Athigiri and worships Sri Narasimhar. Sri Narasimha Came out of Athigiri and Indira also relieved from the curse.

Latter during 11^th Century, Kanchipuram temples were destroyed and properties and jewelries were looted by Muslim invaders. After 50 years, the Chozha King has become friendly with Buddhas and Hindu temples were neglected or destroyed. Ramanujar left to North with a Srirangam Urchavar. The Kanchipuram Sri Varadaraja Temple fell in the hands of Buddhists and a Buddha idol was installed in place of Sri Varadar. Buddhists threw a snake on Desikar, who is not in favour of Buddhists. The snake was snatched away by Garuda. Then they sent a Devadasi called Amirtha Valli to Desikar, to spoil his name. But Devadasi called him to her house and worships Desikar. She also request Desikar to save Varadhar’s Sannadhi at Kanchipuram and install back in their old positions both Urchava Varadar, which was taken to Pataliputra and the Moolavar Athi Varadhar from the temple tank. ( This indicates that Athi Varadar went in to Temple tank during Buddhists are in power after installing a Buddha’s Idol ). She opens the Sudharsana Alwar’s sannadhi and shown to Desikar. Desikar had seen Devaraja Bhattar does poojas to Chakrathalwar and Piranathaarththi Haravaradhar. Since Sudharsana Alwar’s sannadhi was under the control of Devadasi, Buddhists didn’t enter.

In 1509 CE Krishnadevaraya took control of Kanchi. Desikar went back to Kanchipuram and defeated Buddhists and assumed the title of “Panchamatha Panchanam”. The Buddha idol was removed and a stone wall was raised. Sri Narasimhar was installed back. Krishna Devaraya also  arranged to get back the Urchavar from Pataliputra.

When a difference opinion aroused between Desikar and Devaraja Bhattar to take out the Athi Varadar from the temple tank and install in the old position. Athi Varadar came in Desikar’s dream and told that he wants to be in the Temple Tank permanently and alternatively asked to install the Pazhaya Seevaram Perumal in his place. When Desikar asked for Athi Varadar’s darshan, Athi Varadar replied that he will come out of the Temple tank once in 40 years and bless his devotees for 48 days.  The real story Sri Athi Varadar only knows.

 Athi Varadhar was kept in this decorated mandapa

 Q Complex

 Q Complex

 Q Complex

 The man holds the Thulasi mala since early morning

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---