Sulakkal / சூலக்கல் at Thatrahalli near Kaveripattinam, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th August 2019.

During our search of Hero stones around Kaveripattinam, the locals guided us to this Sulakkal erected on a land at Thatrahalli. It was a practice during kings rule that a Sulakkal will be installed on the boundary of the land donated to Shiva Temple and Vamanakal or Conch with Chakra stone will be installed on the lands donated to Vishnu temples.

Some the Penneswaramadam Shiva Temple inscriptions mentions that boundary stones are installed  on the lands donated to this Shiva Temple ( சூலக்கல்லு நாட்டிக் குடுத்தேன் ). Since this Village Thatrahalli is very close to ( about 10 KMs ) Penneswaramadam Shiva temple, probably this land may also be donated to this Shiva temple. This Sulakkal is erected on a land belongs to Nagaraja Goundar ( Another stone also erected on the land belongs to Muniammal Thottam ). This sulakkal may belongs to 12^th to 13^th Century. 

This Sulakkal engravings are little different from other Sulakkal. A Sulam is engraved at the centre. Mangala symbols are engraved around the Sulam.  A crown is engraved on the top which looks like flying ( symbolizes, donate to the supreme power ). Two whisks / Chowri  are engraved along with a moon ( the donation should continue till the moon exists ) and a SauSwastika a counterclockwise of Swastik symbol ( a tantric aspect of Kali – may be an error by the sculptor, instead of Swastika. A Swastika represents a Sun, prosperity and good luck  ). The regular symbol of Sun  was replaced by this SauSwastika. Two Lamps are engraved on the side of the Sulam. A Kalasam also engraved on the Bottom of the sulakkal. There is no inscriptions found below and back side of the sulakkal.

As per the local people, some rituals will be performed to a girl Child who attained age. Also a lady showed us they had taken some precious stones taken around this Sulakkal. We also observed broken pots scattered around the Sulakkal, which is an evidence of prehistoric settlement around this area.

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Penneswarar Temple / Penneswaramadam Shiva Temple/ ஸ்ரீ பென்னேஸ்வரர் கோயில், Penneswaramadam / பென்னேஸ்வரமடம், near kaveripattinam, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th August 2019.

The Visit to this Penneswaraswamy / Pennai Nayanar temple at Penneswaramadam  was a part of Heritage walk to the Temples,  Hero stones ( Nadukal – Veerakallu ) and Rock arts  in & around Kaveripattinam in Krishnagiri District. Thanks to Mr  Sadanandam Krishnakumar, who organised this Visit along with Mr Srinivasan and the Participants Mrs Sakthi Prakash, Mr Gandhirajan, Mr John Peter and Dr. Saravanakumar Ramachandran. The temple is on the South bank of river Thenpennai.

 

How the phrase madam was added to Penneswaramadam is not known. The 13^th century inscriptions mentions about the existence of “Cheraman Perumal Madam”. Perhaps this “Madam” may be added to Lord Shiva’s Name for this temple. During Chozha period this place Penneswaramadam was in Nigarili Chozhamandalathu Vijaya Rajendra Chozha Thagadur Nattu Pennai Thenkarai Paiyur patru ( Paiyur was also one of the division in Chozha period as nadu )... Penneswaramadam.  

Moolavar    : Sri Penneswarar / Pennai Nayanar / Penneswaraswamy

Consort      : Sri Vedanayaki ( Thiru Kamakottamudaiyar )

Some of the Salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with  an entrance 7 tier Rajagopuram on the south side. The details of the Hero stones installed in front of the temple will be written separately. Nagars are under banyan trees. Entrance arch is also on the south side.Sri Sankatahara Ganapathy ( facing the south entrance ) and Rishabam are in Artha mandapam. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In prakaram Nalvar with Sekkizhar, Saptamatrikas, Seetha Rama & Lakshmana with hanuman, Vinayagar, Arputha Linga, Ananda Linga, Mangala Langs, Iswarya Linga, Poorna Linga, Sri Valli Devasena Arumugar ( In standing posture ), Bhairavar ( Naga Bhairava – without Dog ), Rishabam, balipeedam, Chandikeswarar and Kulothunga Chozha-III.

 Sapthamatrikas

 Suryan - xxx - Kulothunga Chozha - Chandran

ARCHITECTURE:

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pada bandha adhistanam with jagathi and three patta kumuda. A 3 tier Vimana is over the sanctum. The Ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam pillars are of  cylindrical ( Vrutha ) type. The Prakara sannadhis are on a raised platform.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION:

There are about 40 inscriptions recorded in 1973 and published by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology. The Kulothunga Period 1188 CE inscription is the earliest. Hence it may be assumed that the temple might have constructed during his period. The inscriptions belongs to Chozhas, Kulothunga Chozha-III ( 1188 CE, 1206 CE…) and Rajaraja-III ( 1233 CE ), Hoysalas Veera Ramanathan ( 1295 CE), Someswaran and Viswanathan ( 1208 CE), Nulamba King Madurantaka Nulamban ( 1344 CE ) and Vijayanagaras Virupaksha Raya ( 1476 CE ), Veerakampa Wodeyar and Pukkurayar ( 1410 CE ) and an 18^th century inscription also available.

The inscriptions mainly speaks about donations of Gold, lands ( Kandaka – a measure ), cows, Articles like Lamps ( with weight like 800 palam ), reservoir ( Eri ), etc, towards burning of perpetual lamps, regular poojas and Naivedyam offered to Lord Shiva. The Chozha King Rajaraja-III’s queen and Vanakovaraiyan’s daughter Koothadum Thevar Nachiyar directly donated 10 Cows  & a Rishaba towards burning of perpetual lamp to this temple and this inscription ends with a Chozhas Tiger Symbol. The Villages like Paroor, Kooththandankuttai, Kandaka Kazhani, Paiyur etc, are mentioned in the inscriptions.  

One of the inscriptions mentions about renouncing of doing pooja for 6 days to Seemakeswara Battan by Vidukathan. A 13^th Century inscriptions mentions that a “Cheraman Perumal Madam”, this indicates that a  Thevara School may be functioning and land belongs to Nagakandakanputhur was donated to this madam.

A 13^th Century Hoysala King Vira Ramanathan’s Period inscription is considered as an important one, since, if any person doing  Soru venduthal ( the meaning of the word சோறு வேண்டுதல்  is considered as seeking a cooked food / begging is treated as crime ), or obstruction to the gifts/ donations in Penneswaramadam or in the Villages gifted to Sri Pennai Nayanar will be beheaded or slicing his head on his own ( Navakandam )  and the severe punishment will be given to the officer and the Accountant.

Kulothunga Chozha-III ( 1208 CE ), inscription mentions that Chandeswarar was installed along with a donation of land by Jayangondan Mallan on behalf of his son Erandai.  A 14^th Century inscription is in the form of Venba song which resembles like Sri Adi Chandeswarar himself is speaking  about celebration function of 6^th day of Chithirai  festival by a devotee of Kathari Village.

An 18^th century inscription mentions that the mandapa ceiling was paved by a Vellappa Nadan Mecheri Kandan Kanda Chetty. A Vijayanagara period 13^th Century inscriptions mentions of the places like Thamal Village near Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram, Sathurangapattinam, Kovalam, Thanda malai, Aanaikundhi, etc which are faraway from Penneswaramadam.

 Inscription on the sanctum wall. 

Inscription of Kumudam- adhisthanam

LEGENDS:

It was told that after constructing this temple the Thenpennai River changed its course and an island was formed.  The Bhairavar is with Snakes instead of Dog. Hence this temple is famous for Naga Dosha Nivarthi sthalam. Also Ashtami Theipirai poojas are conducted to this Bhairavar. Sun Light will fall on moolavar on Masi Maha nakshatra day.

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

The Penneswaramadam is about 5 KM from Kaveripattinam, 28 KM from Krishnagiri, 290 KM from Chennai.

Autos and private buses are available from Kaveripattinam.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 A Vijayanagar period - herder relief

                      A pandrikuthipattan bas - relief on a pillar

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

Sri Yoga Narasimhar Temple, / Arulmigu Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Sholingur / Sholinghur in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

21^st July 2019.

This Yoga Narasimhar Temple also called as Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Sholingur in Vellore District. This temple was dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Yoga Narasimhar, who came from the pillar to save his Devotee Bhaktha Prahalada.   This is one of the 108 Diva Desam, mangalasasanam was done by  Peyazhwar, Thirumangai Alwar, Ramanujar, Nathamuni and Thirukachi Nambigal. 

 The 5 tier Rajagopuram

This place was called as Chozha Simhapuram which was corrupted to the present name of Sholingur. Peyazhwar mentions Vishnu as "Vaan Poonkadigai Ilankumaran".  In puranas and literature this place was called as “Thirukkadigai” – which means the Narasimhar who gives darshan for 24 minutes ( But in actual nowadays? ).

Moolavar  : Sri Yoga Narasimhar / Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy

Thayar     : Sri Amruthavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are…

This temple is located on a 230 meters high hill with 1300 and odd steps from the foot hills. The steps are neatly paved with granite stones and covered with metal sheets to protect the devotees from the scorching Sun. A Stucco image of Anjaneyar is on the side of the main road and a Yoga Anjaneyar is on the small hill facing Sri Yoga Narasimhar.

A 5 tier Rajagopuram is on the north side and sanctum sanctorum was built facing East. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are in front of the temple. Both are installed parallel to Moolavar due to space Limitation.

Thayar Sri Amruthavalli is in a separate temple like sannadhi on the right side of the Moolavar Sri Yoga Narasimhar. Thayar is in sitting posture with abhaya and vara hastham. Pillars and sanctum are completely covered with brass plates with deity images.

Moolavar is on a elevated level with 9 steps to climb. Sri Yoga narasimhar is in sitting posture with yogapatti. 

Sri Yoga Narasimhar bas-relief

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. The Arthamandapa walls and pillars are covered with brass plates. The plates has images of Vishnu’s dhasa avataras and Ashta Lakshmis. The sanctum do not have niches / Koshtas. The vimana over the sanctum is called as "Hemakoti Vimanam".

 Prakara Pillars with capital / pothyal

HISTORY AND  INSCRIPTIONS:

This temple was believed to be built between 6^th to 8^th Century, by Chozhas. ( Since the place was called as Chozha Simhapuram ) The sanctum sanctorum was built on a rock, no formal architectural elements like, upana, adhisthana etc, are not followed. On all the three sides, the projections of the mother rock can be see. The prakaram is empty. The pillars are cylindrical  supported by simple Pallava / Chozha period style capitals. Some capitals has the lotus medallion also.

The earliest inscriptions found in the temple belongs to 10^th Century Parantaka Chozha-I. The Karikal Chozha inscription mentions that this place Thirukkadigai or Sholingur comes under the region of Kadikai kottam.

14^th and 17^th Century Telugu inscriptions are found in this temple. Vijayanagara period Tamil inscriptions are also found on the east side prakaram wall. The Temple might have reconstructed during Vijayanagara period. An the Temple was renovated in 1588 CE by the ardent devotees Thakkan Reddy and Mudaliandan. The Dwajasthambam was installed on 27^th March 1985.

About 450 years back Doddacharya of Chozha Simhapuram, who does services to Sri Yoga Narasimhar. Sri Doddacharya was the descendant of Dasarathi ( who is from Chennai – Nazarathpettai which was originally called as Dasarathi Pettai ), nephew of Sri Ramanujar.

Last Kumbabishekam / consecration was performed in Sep 2010.

Vijayanagar Nayaka's period inscriptions

 Believed to be Maha Vishnu & Doddacharya

LEGENDS

It is believed that the people suffering from psychological problems will get cured after worship Lord Yoga Narasimha of this temple.

It is also believed that one will be liberated from the cycle of birth and death, if stayed in this place  for about 24 minutes. Hence this place is called as Kadikachalam.

It is believed that Sri Lakshmi, Brahma, Viswamitra, Budhan and Valmiki worshiped Yoga Narasimhar of this temple. Viswamitra worshiped Sri Narasimhar and obtained the title of Brammarishi.

 Ashtadikpalakas Rajagopuram entrance ceiling with solar and Lunar eclipse

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 08.30 hrs to 18.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The temple may be contacted on the landline 04172 262 225 for further details.

Temple website: http://www.sholinghurnarasimhar.tnhrce.in/

HOW TO REACH:

This hill is about a KM off from the Arakkonam to Vellore Main road.

All the buses used to stop at Sholingur temple stop.

Nearest Railway station is Arakkonam.

The Hill is about 65 KM from Kanchipuram, 52 KM from Vellore and 30 KM from Arakkonam.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Baktha Prakalath shrine at the base under peepal tree

 Hill steps entrance arch

  Temple View from distance

 A Foot print Mandapa

 Thayar Sannadhi reliefs with brass plate cover

 Sri Yoga Narasimhar's Sannadhi - Vishnus Dhasavathara reliefs

  Balipeedam & Dwajasthambam

 The dilapidated temple - Vijayanagara period

 The dilapidated temple - Vijayanagara period

 The dilapidated temple - Vijayanagara period

  The dilapidated temple - Vijayanagara period

 Dolly Service - Rs 2000 is charged and food expense extra

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Pancha Varneswarar Temple / Sri Kalyanasundaresar Temple, Nallur ( Thirunallur ), Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu,

27^th July 2019.

The second time visit to this Sri Sri Pancha Varneswarar Temple was a part of Kumbakonam Heritage Walk organized  by "Yaaooyaakay" - யாஊயாகே”  and "Celebrate Kanchi" on 27^th and 28^th July 2019.  This post has the additional details of History and inscriptions. The details of my previous visit  to this Sri Panchavarneswarar Temple / Sri Kalyanasundaresar Temple was recorded in this same blog.

 

This is the 137^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 120^th Sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar and Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Moolavar    : Sri Pancha Varneswarar, Sri Kalyanasundaresar,

                   Sri Periyandeswarar

Consort      : Sri Girisundari, Sri Parva sundari, Sri Kalyanasundari

Some of the important features of this temple are......

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram and before the 2^nd level 3 tier Rajagopuram. 

The material of the Lord Shiva Idol was not known. But lot of holes made by bees/ vandukal are seen. The Moolavar will change his colour to 5 times during the day, via, Thamiram, Light red, Molten gold, Navarathna green, lastly, the colour will not be able to predict. Hence The lord is called Panchavarneswarar. ( During my earlier dharshan the colour was in golden colour).  Stucco image of Lord Shiva and Sri Parvati’s marriage can be on the back side wall of moolavar.

In koshtam, Uchishta Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Gnana Dakshinamurthy and Kailaya Ganapathy. 

In prakaram Stucco images of Lord Shiva’s leelas, Kunthi worshiping Lord Shiva, Amar Neethi Nayanar, Mangayarkarasi, Musukuntha Lingam, Sri Sumathi Lingam, Kasi Viswanathar, Ananda Natarajar, Bhairavar, Shaniswar, Mahalakshmi,  Suryan, Chandran, Mahalingam, Bana Lingam, Jurahareswarar, Jurahareswari, Pancha Lingas, Nalvar, 63var.

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple is a mada style of construction consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. The temple is under renovation and preparing for the kumbabishekam during my earlier visit.

Upper sanctum there is no koshta niches. The upper sanctum sanctorum was built with brick.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

This is one of the 78 mada Koil’s believed to be built by Ko-Chengat Chozha, in 5^th Century on the banks of river Kaveri. During his period the temple was built with bricks and latter reconstructed with stone during Chozha period.

The temple has the inscriptions of Sundara Chozhan, Uthama Chozhan, Kulothunga-III. As per the inscriptions this place was called as Nallur and Panchavan Madevi Chaturvedi Mangalam. The inscriptions mainly speaks about donation of Land, Gold towards burning of perpetual lamps and functioning of poojas.

After renovations Kumbhabhishekams were conducted during  the years 1981, 1991 ( Rajagopuram ) and 2013.

Chozha inscriptions

LEGENDS

Shiva gave thiruvadi deekshai in this temple for Appar. Hence thiruvadi is kept on each devotee ( Like Sadari in Perumal temples ). Amar Neethi Nayanar attained mukti in this place.

Vayu and Aadhisheshan fought in this place. Thiruvarur moolavar was kept 3 days in the temple and worshiped before installation at Thiruvarur by Musukuntha Chakravarthy, which he got from Indran. The moolavar valam should be in Somasundara method, since it is believed that Lord Shiva’s head and hair are at the back side of the moolavar. Hence nobody should cross the back side of the moolavar.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Mobile number is +91 93631 41676.

HOW TO REACH : 

Thirunallur / Nallur is  2 km from Kumbakonam to Thanjavur, Papanasam junction on Valangaiman road.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Stucco images of Lord Shiva as Maha Sadashiva Murthy and ekapatha Thirumurthy

Uchishta Ganapathy

 Stucco images of Various forms of Lord Shiva 

 Stucco images of Various forms of Lord Shiva 

Stucco images of Various forms of Lord Shiva 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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