Premika Vittala Temple / Sri Premika Vittaleshwarar Kovil, Vittalapuram, Arambakkam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

01^st December 2019.

The visit to this temple was a part of the "Pallava and Chozha Period Temples" scheduled on 01^st December 2019. We had a tough journey throughout the day due to the rain. After our visit to Sadras / Sadurangapattinam / Sathurangapattinam, Sri Thiruvareswarar Temple, and Malai Mandala Perumal Temples, we went to this temple around 10.15 hrs, before the closure of the temple after the morning pooja.

Moolavar : Sri Vittala

Consort   : Sri Santhana Lakshmi Thayar

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

The temple faces east with a Mottai gopuram (Only with base). Anjaneyar sannidhi is opposite the temple or the Mottai Gopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Garudan are after the mottai Gopuram. Moolavar  Vittalar is with Rukmini and Satyabhama (Vittalar is old, and Rukmini and Satyabhama are new). In the praharam, there were Sri Santhana Lakshmi Thayar, Sri Srinivasa Perumal, Sri Varadharaja Perumal, Sri Ramanujar, Sri Vishwaksena, and old headless Rukmani and Satyabhama.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is about 4 feet above the ground level. A flight of 5 steps/Sobanam is provided on the south and north sides of the mukha mandapam. The mukha mandapa is supported by 4 pillars with kapota bandha adhistanam. The main sanctum is on a upana and pada bandha adhistanam. The sanctum walls have kostas /niches, and there is an idol. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasikudus. The mukha mandapa prastaram is with kodungai. A two-tier stucco (Brick & mortar) vimanam is above the sanctum without many stucco images.

 Upana with Pada bandha adhistanam & Tripatta Kumuda and Upanam

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

A Vijayanagara period inscription stone is installed on the northeast side, along with an old, damaged headless Rukmini and Satyabhama. It was said that Vittalar is old, recovered from a nearby pond, and his consorts are new. The following inscriptions are recorded and published in Kanchipuram Mavatta KalvettukkaL.

Vijayanagara King Krishnadevarayar period inscription records that Sri Gondaiyadeva Chozha Maharaja alias Kulasekarayyan, who belongs to Jayangonda Chozha Mandalathu Mukundanur Nattu Thirukalukkundra paRRu Perambakkam Jananatha Nallur alias Vaipakkam Vittalapuram, created this village and Vittaleswarar Temple. He also gifted land for Angaranga Vaibhogam, poojas, and thirupani. The periphery limits of Villages Pudupattinam, Alankuppam, Narayanappaiyankuppam, and Vaipakkam are mentioned.

கிருஷ்ணதேவராயர் ஆட்சியின் போது ஜெயங்கொண்ட சோழமண்டலத்து முகந்தனூர் நாட்டுத் திருக்கழுக்குன்றபற்று பேரம்பாக்கத்துச் சீமையான ஜனநாத நல்லூரான வைப்பாக்கம் விட்டலாபுரத்திலிருக்கும் சுரகொண்டய தேவ சோழ மகாராசனான குலசேகரய்யன் விட்டலாபுரம் என்ற ஊரை உருவாக்கி விட்டலேஸ்வரன் கோயிலுக்குத் திருவாராதனை, திருப்பணி, அங்கரங்க வைபோகத்திற்காக நிலம் அளித்துள்ளான். நிலத்தின் நாற்புற எல்லைகளைக் குறிப்பிடும்போது புதுப்பட்டினம், ஆலங்குப்பம், நாரணப்பையன் குப்பம் , வைப்பாக்கம் ஆகியவை கூறப்படுகின்றன.

Vijayanagara King Sathasivarayan period (1570 CE), an inscription records that, as per the order of Ramaraiyan, a temple Chariot festival/worship and Thirupani was gifted the Villages Vengampakkam, Kundrathur, Kuzinavalakaththi, Melaipunnappattu, for the benefit of Uyyala Nallathimma Nayakan, Valunayakan & Annapillai Nayakan’s father.

விஜயநகர மன்னன் சதாசிவராயன் காலத்தில் (1570 CE) இராமராசய்யன் ஆணைக் கிணங்க உய்யால நல்லதிம்மநாயகன், வாலுநாயகன், அண்ணாப்பிள்ளை நாயகன் ஆகியோர் தங்களுடைய தாய் தந்தையரின் நலனுக்காக விட்டலாபுரம் விட்டலேசுவரருக்கு திருத்தேர், திருநாள் வழிபாடு மற்றும் திருப்பணிகளுக்காக வெங்கம்பாக்கம், குன்றத்தூர், குழிநாவலகத்தி, மேலைப் புன்னப்பட்டு ஆகிய ஊர்களைக் கொடையாக அளித்த செய்தி கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Vijayanagara King Krishna Devaaraya’s descendant Sri Seerangathevan’s period (1630 CE) inscription records that with the approval of the King, the Villages Gangeyaanallur and Karkattucherry were given for the benefit/Punyam of Pochurangapathy Deva Maharasayyan.

விஜயநகரப் பேரரசன் கிருஷ்ணதேவராயர் காலத்தில் (1630 CE) ஏற்படுத்தப்பட்ட விட்டலாபுரத்தில் விட்டலேஸ்வரர் கோயிலுக்கு அம்மரபில் வந்த சீரங்கதேவன் ஆட்சியின்போது காங்கேயநல்லூரும் கற்காட்டுச்சேரியும் போச்சுரங்கபதி தேவ மகாராசய்யன் புண்யமாக அவரால் அளிக்கப் பட்டுள்ளது. இக்கொடை மன்னன் சீரங்க தேவனின் அனுமதியுடன் வழங்கப்பட்டது.

The Vijayanagara period fragment inscription records that permission was granted to use for the customs of the disciples of Vaishnava Guru Pillailokacharyar Jeeyar.

விஜயநகரத்தார் காலத்தச் சார்ந்த துண்டு கல்வெட்டு வைணவ குரு பரம்பரையில், இடம் பெறும் பிள்ளைலோகாச்சாரியர் ஜீயருடைய சிஷ்யர்கள் தங்கள் பணிக்காக பயன்படுத்திக் கொள்ள அனுமதி வழங்கிய செய்தி காணப்படுகிறது.

The 16^th to 17th-century inscription on the pedestal of Dwajasthambam/Kodimaram records that Mukthi, daughter of Selvan, takes care of the service. Hope she might have installed this Dwajasthambam.

16 - 17ஆம் நூற்றாண்டைச் சார்ந்த விட்டலேசுவரர் கோயில் கொடிக்கம்பத்தை எப்போதும் பேணும் பணியை மேற்கொண்டவர் முத்தி என்பவராவார், இவர் செல்வன் என்பானுடைய மகள். இக்கொடிக்கம்பத்தை நிறுவியவரும் இவராகவே இருக்க வேண்டும்.

During the Mughals and Nawabs' invasion, the temple was left without pooja and went into a dilapidated condition. Again, the temple was reconstructed with the effort of Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamigal and Pandurangan Kainkarya Sabha. The Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 05^th September 2006 in the presence of “Paranur Mahatma” Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal.

It is believed that this temple was constructed as a replica of the Vittala Temple at Vijayanagara's Capital City ( Hampi ?). But this temple is not like that Vittala temple with beauty & elegance and Sculptures.

This temple is under the control of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department and was declared a protected monument. Reconstruction was carried out after getting approval from them via order No 92, dated 11^th June 2002, issued by Commissioner  Ra. Kannan.

Ref:

Kanchipuram Mavatta KalvettukkaL.

     

 Vijayanagara period inscription 

 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs and from17.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs, and Poojas from 10.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs and from18.00 hrs to 18.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The Bhattacharya may be contacted on their mobiles at +91 8122579560 and +919600042690 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The Vittala temple at Vittalapuram is 9 km from Kalpakkam, 33 km from Chengalpattu, 18.2 km from Mahabalipuram, and 77 km from Chennai

The nearest Railway station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 

 Damaged headless Rukmini and Satyabama, or Bhu Devi and Sri Devi

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Malai Mandala Perumal Temple, Kalpakkam, Sadras / Sadurangapattinam / Sathurangapattinam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

 01^st December 2019.

மலையான் மண்டலத்தான் சதுரங்கமே

கோயில் கொண்டான் கொண்ட விரோத

மாட்சரியமான வகத்தை ஆட்கொண்டு

சீராக்குவான் குறை வாராது வுறவு காத்து கிடப்பனே

                                                                     …..சித்தர் இராமதேவர்

The visit to this temple was a part of the Pallava and Chozha Temples Visit scheduled for 01^st December 2019. This temple was not on our list since we were diverted through Kalpakkam due to a flood (a part of Sadras / Sadurangapattinam / Sathurangapattinam), and we happened to visit this temple. The temple is also an old temple. It was said that Moolavar is on a small hill, hence called Malai mandala Perumal. This temple is also called South Badrinath.

Moolavar  : Sri Malai mandala Perumal   

Thayar     : Sri Perundevi

Urchavar  : Girivaradhar with Sridevi and Bhudevi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Anjaneyar and Deepasthambham are in front of Rajagopuram. Thumbikai Alwar and Nagar are at the entrance of Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and  Garudan. There are 8 snake reliefs on the body of Garudan; hence, Garudan is called Ashta Naga Garudan. Also, instead of Anjali Hasta holding a lotus in his hand. Positioned such that the height of his head matches the feet of Sri Malai mandala Perumal.

Moolavar is Sridevi and Bhudevi in the sanctum on a small hill. Sridevi is taller than Bhudevi. Sridevi is looking down, whereas Bhudevi is looking straight. Yoga Narasimhar, instead of Gajalakshmi, is on the top of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum and is unique in this temple. No idols in the Koshtas. In the prakaram Sannadhi for Thayar Perundevi, Andal, Vishnu Durgai, and Alwars. 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum is about 3 feet higher than the artha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on Upanam and pada bandha Adhisthanam. The prastaram is of the Kapota style with Nasikudus. The Stucco vesara Vimanam is of two tiers. 

 The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam, pada bandha adhistanam on the upana's padma peedam 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was said that the temple is more than 1300 years old  850 CE), built during the Pallava Period. During the Chozha period, this place was called Raja Narayana Patnam. During the Vijayanagara Period, it was called Sathura-Vasam-Patnam, and during the Dutch period, it was called Sadras.

The village around the temple sank about 1329 years ago. The 16th-century Raghavendra Tirtha, the Madhva sect Saint, visited this temple, and some of his followers from Andhra Pradesh settled down here. There is the Raghavendra Temple near this Perumal Temple.

The Rajagopuram wooden doors were gifted by the Telugu people during the Vijayanagara period, and a Copper plate with a 1603 CE inscriptions on both Tamil and Telugu, is affixed on the door.

The Maha Samprokshanam was conducted in recent years after renovations and the addition of  Rajagopuram.

 Vijayanagara period inscription

 The inscription plate in Tamil & Telugu

LEGENDS

Since Sridevi is looking at the ground, all Graha doshas and Vastu doshas will not be affected if prayed to Sridevi. It is believed that Bhoothathalvar also stayed here.

   

Prayers to Malai mandala Perumal are believed to remove enmity and disputes among family members and provide peace at home. It is also believed that they will be relieved from Billi Soonyam/black magic, Eval, and will get a good job.

Since there are 8 snakes on the body of Garudan, this temple is considered a Sarpa Dosha (Naga dosha) Nivarthi Sthalam. Pambatti Siddhar explains the positions of snakes on Garuda's body in his poem. A snake on his head, two in his ears, one on his neck as a garland, two on his shoulders, and the last one on his waist as an ornament. The poem in Tamil goes like this

“அட்டமாம் ஆபரணமது வரமே

யாதலினிவரை யட்ட நாக கருட

னென சிரத்தேகமிருப்ப செவிக்கிரண்

டாமே, யஃதொடே ஆரமென மார்புந்

துவியாய், தோளிரண்டாய் அரை ஞான் என்

பொன் போலட்டமே யறி…”

                                                    ….. பாம்பாட்டி சித்தர்

Those who pray to Durgai Amman will see an improvement in their skill; they will flourish in their house, jobs, and businesses, and have a good life partner.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS / FESTIVALS

Masi Magam Theerthavari in the sea and Vaikunta Ekadasi are celebrated grandly. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Bhattar Sridhar may be contacted from 11 am to 4 pm on his mobile 95852 12797 for further details. 

HOW TO REACH

This temple is in the Kalpakkam part of Sadras, also known as Sadurangapattinam/ Sathurangapattinam.

Kalpakkam is on the ECR, and you have to divert to Kalpakkam and this temple from Vengambakkam Junction.

Buses are available from Chennai (108 and 118), Chengalpattu Via Thirukalukundram. 

Share autos are available from Vengambakkam Junction.

Kalpakkam is 30 km from Chengalpattu and  70 km from Chennai (Via OMR).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Shri Thiruvareswarar Temple / Thiruvateeswarar Temple (திருவாட்டீஸ்வரர் கோயில் ) Sadras ( Sadurangapattinam ), Kalpakkam, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu.

01^st December 2019.

The visit to this temple was a part of the "Pallava and Chozha Temples Visit" scheduled for 01^st December 2019. This temple was not on our list, since we were diverted through Kalpakkam and happened to visit this temple. The temple is also an old temple.

Moolavar  : Shri Thiruvareswarar

Consort    : Sri Thiruvateswari

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are in a newly constructed mandapam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, and Durgai. In Artha mandapam, Ambal Sri Thiruvateeswari is in a separate sannidhi facing south and Natarajar.

In the praharam Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Suryan, Bhairavar, and Nagars. A Vijayanagara Nayaka-period mandapa is on the right side of the temple entrance, which is not used now.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sancorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pada bandha adhistanam with 3 patta kumudam. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus, and viyyalavari. A two-tier nagara-vesara vimanam, built with bricks, is on the sanctum sanctorum.

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was said that the temple existed for more than 1000 years. Looking at the structure, the temple may belong to the 16^th  to 17^th  Century Vijayanagara or Nayaka period.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 16.30 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH

This temple is in the Kalpakkam part of Sadras, also known as Sadurangapattinam.

Kalpakkam is on the ECR, and you have to divert to Kalpakkam and this temple from Vengambakkam Junction.

Buses are available from Chengalpattu Via Thirukalukundram and Chennai.

Share autos are available from Vengambakkam Junction.

Kalpakkam is 30 km from Chengalpattu and  70 km from Chennai (Via OMR).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Mandapa Ceiling Fish Reliefs- people misunderstood that fish means belonging to the Pandya period. 

 A beautiful pair of fish reliefs on the outside praharam wall

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Shri Kamakshi Amman Temple / Ekambareswarar Temple, Sadurangapattinam ( SADRAS ), Kalpakkam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

01^st December 2019.

The visit to this temple was a part of the Pallava and Chozha Period Temples scheduled on 01^st December 2019. It was raining from the start of our journey on a Scooter. We had a tough journey throughout the day. Our plan of visiting the Koovathur temples was changed since we were diverted from Vengambakkam through Kalpakkam Township due to the flood. (Due to this, we missed the Koovathur Temples, which is another story). This Kamakshi Amman temple is on the right side of the road.

Moolavar : Sri Ekambareswarar

Consort   : Sri Kamakshi

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

The temple faces east, with an entrance gate. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the mandapam. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, and Durga. Ambal Kamakshi is in a separate sannidhi with koshtas similar to Shiva’s Sannadhi. In the Prakaram Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Bhairavar, and Navagrahas.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. Shiva and Kamakshi Amman Sannidhis are built with the same style of pada bandha adhistanam. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapota with nasikudus. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was said that the temple existed before the establishment of the Kalpakkam atomic power station. Looking at the structure, the temple may be 200 to 300 years old. The temple is under the control of HR& CE.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number 8775432678 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This temple is in the Kalpakkam part of Sadras, also known as Sadurangapattinam.

Kalpakkam is on the ECR, and you have to divert to Kalpakkam and this temple from Vengambakkam Junction.

Buses are available from Chengalpattu Via Thirukalukundram and Chennai.

Share autos are available from Vengambakkam Junction.

Kalpakkam is 30 km from Chengalpattu and  70 km from Chennai (Via OMR).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

A Rishabam's head with two bodies installed on the Compound wall (Usually it will come at the corner of the walls)  and a similar Rishabam had been seen in a nearby Shri Thiruvereswarar Shiva Temple, Sadras.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---