Sri Mahavishnu Temple at Thumburu in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh.

06^th October  2019.

The visit to this place Thumburu was a part of Ahimsa Walk organized by the Tamil Jains on 6^th October 2019. A Jinalaya with Two Parshvanath Tirthankaras, A Jyeshta Devi, A Vishnu as Chenna Kesava and a headless Sridevi idols were unearthed from this Village lake bund. The 5^th Tirthankaras yakshini name is Thumburu. Hence this place might have obtained the name as Thumburu. The Village also has a Shiva Temple as Thumbeeswarar Temple, A Vishnu Temple and Akamma Amman Temple.

Moolavar : Sri Mahavishnu

Consort   : Sridevi & Bhudevi

Some of the important features of this  temple are….

The temple is facing West in the same complex of Thumbeeswara Swamy Devasthanam  with a balipeedam.  In the  Sanctum Sri Mahavishnu is in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Sridevi and Bhoodevi are facing each other. In addition to this there are two idols installed in the same sanctum. The Urchavars  are in front. The Koshtas are empty.

ARCHITECTURE

The adhisthana was built with stone and the super structure including Sanctum Sanctorum and Vimana was built with  bricks.   The temple was built with sanctum sanctorum and antarala and a open Mukha mandapa.  The temple is renovation was halted due to lack of fund and patronage.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per Mr Vijayakumar, a retired employee of Archaeological Survey of India (  ASI ), told that this temple belongs to 10th to 12th century Chozha Period. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since oru kala pooja is conducted the time opening and closing is unpredictable.

HOW TO REACH:

The Village Thumburu is on the bus route Chennai to  Tirupati via Uthukottai Pichatur, Narayanavanam, Puttur and between Pichatur and narayanavanam. The Village is about 500 meter off  from Thumburu Bus stop on the main road.

Thumburu is 9.4 KM from Pichatur, 13.9 KM from Puttur and 45 KM from Tirupati.

The nearest Railway station is Puttur.

LOCATION:  CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Thumbeeswara Swamy Devasthanam / Temple, தும்பீஸ்வர சுவாமி தேவஸ்தானம் at Thumburu in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh

06^th October  2019.

The visit to this place Thumburu was a part of Ahimsa Walk organized by the Tamil Jains on 6^th October 2019. A Jinalaya with Two Parshvanath Tirthankaras, A Jyeshta Devi, A Vishnu as Chenna Kesava and a headless Sridevi idols were unearthed from this Village lake bund. The 5^th Tirthankaras yakshini name is Thumburu. Hence this place might have obtained the name as Thumburu. The Village also has a Shiva Temple as Thumbeeswarar Temple, A Vishnu Temple and Akamma Amman Temple.

Moolavar : Sri Thumbeeswara Swamy

Consort   : Sri Kamakshi

Some of the important features of this  temple are….

The temple is facing east with a balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam. The entrance is from south Mandapam. A Vinayagar sannidhi is in the mukha mandapam. Sri Kamakshi Amman is in artha mandapam facing south. Dakshinamurthy bas relief, Vishnu and Brahma are in the koshtam. These idols are installed at a latter stage. 

 

 Dakshinamurthy in koshtam

In the prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Chandikeswarar and Navagrahas. These sannadhis are empty now and the idols are kept in the sanctum Sanctorum, since the ground level was raised. In the sanctum sanctorum idols of Navagrahas, Saptamatrikas and Chandikeswarar.

 Saptamatrikas

ARCHITECTURE

The adhisthana was built with stone and the super structure including Sanctum Sanctorum and ekathala vesara Vimana was built with  bricks. The sanctum sanctorum was built with sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The mandapa pillars are of virutha / cylindrical type with Chozha period Capital. The temple renovation was halted due to lack of fund and patronage.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per Mr Vijayakumar, a retired employee of Archaeological Survey of India (  ASI ), told that this temple belongs to 10th to 12th Century Chozha Period. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since oru kala pooja is conducted the time opening and closing is unpredictable.

HOW TO REACH:

The Village Thumburu is on the bus route Chennai to  Tirupati via Uthukottai Pichatur, Narayanavanam, Puttur and between Pichatur and narayanavanam. The Village is about 500 meter off  from Thumburu Bus stop on the main road.

Thumburu is 9.4 KM from Pichatur, 13.9 KM from Puttur and 45 KM from Tirupati.

The nearest Railway station is Puttur.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Navagrahas

  Chandikeswarar

  Chandran

 Varahi

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

A Jain Temple with Parshwanath Tirthankara and hindu deities Jyeshta Devi and Vaishnava Sculptures - A 10th to 12th Century Jain Jinalaya, Thumburu in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh.

6^th October 2019.

The visit to this place Thumburu was a part of Ahimsa Walk organized by the Tamil Jains on 6^th October 2019. After Arungulam Sri 1008 Dharmanatha Tirthankara’s darshan, we came to  this place. About 70 and odd Jains and non Jains  from all walks of  life participated in this Ahimsa walk.  An Ahimsa Walk Procession was held through the streets of the village and ends at this Jinalaya.

The half buried Jinalaya was unearthed in the recent years.  The Jinalaya was buried during excavation of a lake and the bund was raised with the excavated soil. The bund soil completely covered the Jinalaya since it was on the bund.  In connection with our Ahimsa walk, the soil and the entrance was cleared with the help of JCB and inside the sanctum sanctorum was also cleaned with the help of local people. As per the local people, this temple was called as Ammalamma Temple and Tirthankaras as Buddhas.

அஹிம்சை நடையை ஒட்டி ஏரியின் கரையில் மறைந்து இருந்த இந்த ஜீநாலயம் உள்ளூர்வாசிகளின் ஒத்துழைப்புடன் ஜேசிபி மூலம் களிமண் அகற்றப்பட்டு வெளிக்கொணரப்பட்டது. வழிபாட்டிற்க்கு ஏற்ப மண்டபம் மற்றும் கருவறையில் இருந்த களிமண் முற்றிலும் அகற்றப்பட்டது. ஜீநாலயம் கருவரை மற்றும் அர்த்தமண்டப அமைப்புடன் கட்டப்பட்டு இருந்தது. உள்ளூர்வாசிகள் ஜீநாலயத்தை அம்மாளம்மா கோயில் எனவும் தீர்த்தங்கரர்களை புத்தர் என் அழைப்பதாகவும் கூறினர்.

The Jinalaya was built with  Sanctum Sanctorum  and an arthamandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is facing south with an entrance from east. There are two Parshvanath Tirthankara images in side the sanctum Sanctorum. Both the Tirthankaras are in good shape with 5 headed snake and Mukkudai. The Srivatsam,  Sangu (  Conch ) and Chakra are chiseled  near shoulder on both sides.  Thiruvasi is also shown behind the Tirthankara images. Mr Vijaya Kumar, a retired ASI official explained the above features and told that these are Suparshwanath Tirthankaras. Further he pointed out the similarities between the Village name and the 5^th Tirthankar Sumatinath’s  yakshini name as Thumburu.  Experts are of the opinion that these images with Jinalaya may belongs to 10^th to 12^th Century.

  

கருவறை தெற்கு நோக்கியும், உள்ளே செல்ல கிழக்கு பக்கத்தில் வாயிலும் இருந்தது. கருவறையில் இரண்டு தீர்த்தங்கரர்கள் சிற்பங்கள் திருவாசி, தலைக்கு மேலே பாம்பு குடையுடன் முக்குடையும் காணபட்டது. ஸ்ரீவத்சம், சங்கு, சக்கரம் காட்டப்பட்டு இருப்பதால் இந்து சமயத்தினரும் வழிபட அவைகள் வடிக்கப்பட்டு இருக்கலாம் என இந்திய தொல்லியல் துறையில் பணியாற்றி ஓய்வு பெற்ற திரு விஜய குமார் அவர்கள் கூறினார். மேலும் இவ்விரு தீர்த்தங்கரர்கள் சுபார்ஸ்வநாத் தீர்த்தங்கரர் சிற்பங்கள் எனவும் 10ல் இருந்து 12ஆம் நூற்றாண்டைச் சார்ந்ததாக இருக்கலாம் என்ற கருத்தைத் தெரிவித்தார். 5வது தீர்தங்கரர் சுமதிநாத் பகவானின் யக்ஷினியின் பெயர் தும்புறு ஆனதால் அந்தப் பெயராலேயே இவ்வூர் தும்புறு என அழைக்கப்படும் ஒற்றுமையையும் கூறினார்.

In addition to the Tirthankara images a Jyeshta Devi,  Vishnu as Chennakesava and headless Sridevi’s images are found in the artha mandapa.  It was told that the presence of Hindu. Vaishnava deity images, signifies that Hindus also worshiped the deities of this temple. The Jyeshta Devi’s sculpture is an evidence that this Jinalaya belongs 10^th to 12^th Century since, the worship of Jyeshta Devi was discontinued after 12^th Century.

மேலும் அர்த்தமண்டபத்தில் தவ்வைதாய் எனப்படும் ஜேஸ்டா தேவி சிற்பம், சென்னகேசவ பெருமாள் மற்றும் தலை இழந்த ஸ்ரீதேவி சிற்பங்களூம் இருந்தன. ஒரு சமண சமய கோயிலில் இந்து சமய சிற்பங்கள் இருப்பது அக்கால மத நல்லினக்கதையும், சமணரும் இந்துக்களும் ஒரே கோயில் தொழுததையே காட்டுகின்றது. மேலும் 12 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டுக்கு பின்பு ஜேஸ்டாதேவி வழிபாடு தொடரவில்லையாதலால், இக்கோயில் அல்லது ஜீநாலயம் 10ல் இருந்து 12 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டைச் சார்ந்ததாக இருக்கலாம் என்பது ஆய்வாளர்களின் கருத்து.

HOW TO REACH:

The Village Thumburu is on the bus route Chennai to  Tirupati via Uthukottai Pichatur, Narayanavanam, Puttur and between Pichatur and Narayanavanam. The Village is about 500 meter off  from Thumburu Bus stop on the main road.

Thumburu is 9.4 KM from Pichatur, 13.9 KM from Puttur and 45 KM from Tirupati.

The nearest Railway station is Puttur.  

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Jyeshta Devi

 The entrance of the Jinalaya 

  Vishnu as Chenna Kesava and headless Sridevi

 The excavated lake

 Ahimsa walk

 Ahimsa walk

Ahimsa walk

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

Sri Sakthi Bala Nara Mukha Vinayaka Temple, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

15^th September 2019.

The visit to this Sri Sakthi Bala Nara Mukha Vinayagar ( Vinayagar with human face ) ( Sri Naramuga Vinayagar Temple ) is also called as Nara mukha Vinayaka temple was a part of Temples Visit, in and around Sirkazhi on 15^th September.  After the darshan of Sri Thillai Kali Amman, on the way to Achalpuram happened to see this few centuries old Vinayagar temple on the South Car street opposite to Sri Natarajar Temple’s South Rajagopuram. There are two temples in Tamil Nadu for human face Vinayaga as Nara Mukha Vinayagar, before the episode of Lord cuts the head of Mukha Vinayagar. The other Vinayagar temple is at Sethalapathy  ( one of the 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Temples  with moolavar as Muktheeswarar ), near Koothanur  in Thiruvarur District as Adhi Vinayagar Temple. 

  

Moolavar : Sri Sakthi Bala Nara Mukha Vinayagar

Some of the details are….

This small temple is facing north Rajagopuram of Sri Natarajar temple. This road side temple is with sanctum sanctorum and a front mandapa. The sanctum sanctorum is in rectangular shape with a vimana and 3 Kalasas.  The mandapa pillars are round in shape with capitals are of Chozha period style. The mandapa front arch has the stucco image of Nara Mukha Vinayaka.

  

The weeds had grown on the top of the temple and the walls are laid with with tiles.  Sri Nara Mukha Vinayagar ( Sri Naramuga Vinayagar )  is under worship.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Nageswaram Udayar Temple / Sri Nageswaramudayar Temple / Adhi Rahu Sthalam, Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

15^th September 2019.

The visit to this Sri Nageswaramudayar Temple also called as adhi Rahu sthalam at Sirkazhi was a part of Temples Visit, in and around Sirkazhi on 15^th September.  One the second day visit before leaving to Chennai went to this temple. It was little late after sun set, when we entered the temple. With little light had the darshan of Lord Shiva,  Sri Nageswaram Udayar. This temple is also called as Adhi Raghu sthalam.

Moolavar : Sri Nageswaramudayar

Consort   : Sri Ponnaaga Valli

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram slightly skewed towards south east direction ( may be to match the road junction ). Stucco image of dwarapalakas are in front of Rajagopuram and artha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam.  Balipeedam, Nandhi are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Dakshinamurthy is in Koshtam.

In prakaram,  Sri Ponnagavalli Amman, Raghu,  Kethu, Naga devathas,  Bhairavar, Suryan and Vinayagar. Saneeswarar Temple with his consort, shares his place to Raghu in the same shrine is a special of this temple.

HISTORY  & ARCHITECTURE:

It was claimed that  this temple is the earliest than the Nageswaran temple of Kumbakonam and hence called Adhi Raghu sthalam. The temple is believed to be built during Chozha’s  period and no inscription was found. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pathabhandha adhisthana and a ekathala vesara vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum.

Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 2006.

LEGEND

As-per the legend.. While churning the milk ocean,  by the Devas and asuras the nectar came last. There was a fight between them for, who has to drink. To resolve, Vishnu took the Mohini avatar and appeared before them. On seeing Mohini the Asuras forget the nectar and went behind him. While distributing the nectar, one asura / demon Swarbhanu who was born to Vibrasita and Rania’s sister Simhi, took the form of Devas and stood between Surya and Chandran and consumed the nectar. Sun and Moon gave signal to  Vishnu in the form of body’s gesture. Vishnu  took a spoon and hit on his head. The asura Swarbhanu split in to head and body. The head had fallen down at Sirkazhi and the body fallen down at Sembambinkudi, now called as Semmangudi, near Sirkazhi.

Since the Asura / demon drank the nectar, he re-appeared as two snakes. Booth took penance  consuming only the air on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before them and  asked their wishes. Both replied that they want to rule Sun and Moon, since they are only responsible for their present condition. Lord Shiva said that he cannot grant this boon, alternatively  they can harm them for few hours, on no moon day and full moon day. One snake took the Asura / demon head with snake body as Raghu and other snake   took the form of Snake head with Asura’s body as Kethu. With Lord Shiva’s boon Raghu has got the position as a planet.

This is a parihara sthalam for Raghu, Kalasarpa Dosha, Putra dosha, Mangalya dosha, Kalathra dosha would be solved after praying Adhi Raghu of this temple.

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:

Muthu Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile 9443785862 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is at Thenpathi, a part of Sirkazhi city.

The temple is about 1.1 KM from Sirkazhi Railway station, 25 KM from Mayiladuthurai and 72 KM from Nagapattinam city the district head quarters.

Nearest Railway station is Sirkazhi.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

Kazheesirama Vinnagaram / Thadalan Kovil / Thiruvikrama Perumal Temple / Sri Thirivikrama Perumal Temple / Sri Thiirivikrama Narayana Perumal, Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

15^th September 2019.

The visit to this Kazheesirama Vinnagaram or popularly known as Thadalan Kovil  at Sirkazhi was a part of Temples Visit, in and around Sirkazhi on 15^th September.  On the second day of visit before leaving to Chennai went to this temple. This is one of the 108 Divya Desam dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Alwar with 10 pasurams.  This temple is close to Sirkazhi Railway station.

Thirumangai Alwar received the Vel / spear and Dhandam  from Thirugnanasambandar after victory over a debate. The pasuram goes like this…

“ஒரு குறளாய்  இரு நிலம் மூவடி மண் வேண்டி 
உலகு அனைத்தும் ஈர் அடியாள் ஒடுக்கி ஒன்றும் தருக
ஏனா மாவழிய சிறையில்  வைத்த 
தாடாளன் தாள் அணைவீர் 
தக்க கீர்த்தி அரு மறையின்
திரள் நான்கும் வேள்வி ஐந்தும்
அங்கங்கள் அவை ஆறும் இசைகள் ஏழும்
தெருவில் மலி விழா வளமும் சிறக்கும்
காழிச்சீராம வின்னகரே சேர்மின் நீரே ”

…………….திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் பாசுரம்

Moolavar  : Thrivikrama Narayana Perumal

Urchavar  : Thadalan 

Thayar     : Sri Loka Nayaki, Mattavizhum Kuzhali

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, dwajasthambam and Garudan sannidhi are immediately after the Rajagopuram under a sheet metal shed. Moolavar Thiruvikrama Narayana Perumal is in standing posture with left leg up, to scale the sky.  Alwars are in artha mandapam. 

In prakaram Thayar Loka Nayaki, Andal, Kothanda Ramar, Manavala Ma Munikal and Garudalwar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is at an elevated level with a flight of 9 steps. Pushkalavartha Vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple exists before 7^th to 8^th Century since Thirumangai Alwar had done mangalasasanam in praise of Lord Vishnu of this temple. The same period Thirugnanasambandar also lived.  Latter Chozhas and Vijayanagaras patronized this temple.  10^th Century Chozha period inscriptions are found in this temple.    

LEGENDS

Brahma was very jealous of his own lifespan. To diffuse the same Sage Kanva Maharishi, got a boon from Lord Vishnu that for every lock of his hair fallen down will reduce the Brahma’s Life by one year.  When Vishnu asked for any other wish, Kanva Maharishi  requested Vishnu to show his Trivikrama Avatar. The story related at Thirukovilur and Kanchipuram is applied here also. Through Vamana avathar, Vishnu as Trivikrama measured earth and sky in two steps and asked Mahabali Chakravarthy where to keep the third step. Mahabali Chakravarthy replied to keep on head. The Moolavar left leg will be up in the sky. The right foot darshan can be had only on Vaikunta Ekadaesi Day.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.30 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Bhattacharya Ramakrishnan may be contacted on his mobile 8807688995 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is at Marudhanayagam Colony, a part of Sirkazhi city.

The temple is about 600 meters from Sirkazhi Railway station, 25 KM from Mayiladuthurai and 72 KM from Nagapattinam city the district head quarters.

Nearest Railway station is Sirkazhi.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---