Sri Vaheeswarar Temple / Thiruvikkiswarar Temple, Kayarambedu, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

22^nd December 2019.

After seeing my post on Gajaprishta  Vimana Shiva Temple, one of my blog follower referred this 10^th to 11^th Century CE, Shiva Temple at Kayarambedu, near Guduvanchery with inscriptions. Only to see this temple started early morning from my residence and decided to come back before 10.00 hrs to attend  the family function. It was around 07.30 hrs when I reached the temple and returned back around 10.30 Hrs after visiting Pallikaranai Shiva temple also.

Moolavar  : Sri Vaheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Karpagambal

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

The temple is facing east with a balipeedam, a base of old dwajasthambam and Rishabam. The Temple tank with neerazhi mandapam is in front of the temple. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.  In the mukha mandapam Stucco mage of  Sri Manicka Naicker, believed to be a Siddhar.

In prakaram Valampuri Vinayagar, Ayyappan, Sri Valli Devasena Arumugar and Navagrahas. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi without Vimana facing east. Lot of flowering plants and a Thiruvodu maram ( CRESCENTIA CUJETE – CALABASH ) is also planted in the prakara.

 

Thiruvodu Tree / maram ( CRESCENTIA CUJETE – CALABASH )

ARCHITECTURE:

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and Artha mandapam/ mukha mandapam. The entrance is from south. The Vimana is of eka thala Gajabrushta Vimana  on a Padabandha adhisthana. 4 pillars are supporting the mukha  mandapa.

 Ardha mandapa/ mukha mandapa

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS:

The temple was built during 10^th to 11^th Century CE, Chozha  period and mandapam was built during Vijayanagara period. The Rajaraja-I, period inscription records the gift of land to this temple.

Rajaraja Chozha-I's 13th reign year inscription starts with his meikeerthi as... சாலை கலமறுத்தறுளிய ஸ்ரீ ராஜராஜகேசரி வர்மரான", records endowment of Thirupali Utsavam, by Sri Karnaperarayan  for which a land was gifted after purchase.

In a separate stone near the temple. the inscription records the meikeerthi of Rajendra Chozha's 7th reign year. Another fragment inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Somanatha Kiramaviththan, for which a land was gifted after purchase of a land.

Vikrama Chozha's incomplete inscription records his meikeerthi as  "பூமாது புணர". The fragment inscription near the Sanctum sanctorum records the construction of Nrutha mandapam by Kasan of Kasivanbedu Village. Perhaps the original name of this Village may be Kasivanbedu and the same may be got corrupted to the present name of Kayarambedu.

A 1518 CE Vijayanagara period inscription stone was recovered from a field near the temple. This Krishna Devaraya period inscription records that the thirupani was done by his Prathani / representative of Chengazhuneerpattu ( The present Chengalpattu )  Prathani / Representative  Vadamalainathar Pillai and also gold was gifted to  Thiruvakatheeswaramaudaya Nayanar of Lord Shiva of this temple.

( Thanks to Dr Udhaya Shankar and the inscriptions from ARE 1934 - 35 ). 

 

 Inscriptions

 Inscriptions 

 Manicka naicker statue ( For his contributions )

POOJAS & CELEBRATIONS:

Apart from Regular poojas, Full moon day, New moon day, Sankatahara Chaturthi, Pradosham, Kiruthigai, Kandar Shasti, Aruthra, Thai pongal, New Year Day, Maha Shivaratri and Panguni uthiram are celebrated in a grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since oru kala pooja is conducted the opening  and closing times are unpredictable. Morning pooja will be done before 07.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Ravichandran gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile 98414104771 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The Village Kayarambedu is on the way from Guduvancheri to Nellikuppam

Kayarambedu is 5.9 KM from Guduvancheri, 22 KM from Tambaram, 27 KM from Chengalpattu Railway station and 48 KM from Chennai Central Railway Station.

Nearest Railway station ids Chengalpattu.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Vimana back side relief of Shiva Family with Nandhi

 An Old Nandhi

 Temple tank with neerali mandapa

 Gajaprishta vimana east face

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Adhipuresswarar Temple, Pallikaranai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

22^nd December 2019,

After Kayarampakkam Sri Thiruvaheeswarar Temple’s visit, on the way to my residence Visited this temple, which is on the west side of the Velachery to Tambaram main road at Pallikaranai. During my previous visit some of the sannadhis are not added.

Moolavar    : Sri Adhipureeswarar

Consort      : Sri Sri Shantha Nayagi

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

The temple is facing east with a three tier Rajagopuram. The temple tank is on the east side of Velachery to Tambaram main road which was renovated with steps recently, with walking track on the bund. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are after the Rajagopuram. Moolavar is swayambhu. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

 

Ambal is in a separate sannadhi in artha mandapam. Ambal sanctum  has the koshtas of Mahalakshmi, Saraswati and Kamakshi.

In the parakaram Siva Anjaneyar, Maha Ganapathy ( Vinayagar and Anjaneyar are facing each other, Valli DevaSena Arumugar, Saba mandapam with procession deities, Navagrahas ( Adhipureeswarar is at the centre ), Chandikeswarar, Vinayagar, Brahmi, Maheswari, Varahi, Raghu & Kethu, Swarna akarshana Bhairavar, Sarabeswarar, Vyaghrapada, Navagrahas and Pathanchali. Nagars are under the sthala vruksham. The other Vrukshas in side the temple are Shenbagam, Rudraksha, Vellerukku, Kondrai, Peepaul, Iluppai, Vengai, Bamboo, Parai, Arali, Parijatham, Vanni, Neem, Mullai and mahizhamaram.

 

In Adhisthana kandam inch sculptures of Kannappar purana, Peacock worshiping Lord Shiva, Spider, Snake and Elephant worship lord Shiva.

ARCHITECTURE.

Originally a brick temple was built on a granite stone adhisthana. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam.  The adhisthana is a Padabandha adhisthana with tripatta Kumuda.  Inch sculptures are in the kandam. The mandapam and Rajagopuram are built in the recent years with concrete. The sculpture depicting Solar eclipse, Lunar eclipse and Fishes are on the ceiling of arthamandpam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS:

It is claimed that the temple is more than 700 years old. 1525 CE, Krishnadevaraya period inscriptions and 3 more latter period inscriptions  are found on the adhistanam and walls. The place was called as Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Puliyur Kottathu Surathoor Nattu Pallia kaaranai and Lord Shiva was called as Adheeswaramudaiyar.  The inscription also mentions a name as Parvatheeswaramudiayar, we may take that this temple also called by this name.

The Krishnadevaraya’s period ( 1525 CE ) Tamil inscription mixed with grantha records, the equal sharing of the Tax income from the houses ( 1.25 panam for a month ) with periphery markings as south of Pashathanagar  koil, north of sulakkal, east of Veerathal koil to be given to Parvatheeswaramudayar and Veerathal ( Kaliamman ) for maintenance. The inscription also mentions a two thari ( தறி ) for Thirupana Perumal.

The other inscriptions mentions the thirupani / maintenance  of Sevatha Pandithar’s son Devan Pandithar, Saththanathan, Madhava Pandithar Narasaiyan, Sevaka Perumal, Thambar, Siva Brahmin’s son Thigamalar Udaiyan and Ponnambalanatha Pandian.

This Brick temple was found in dilapidated condition  due to lack of maintenance and patronage. With the effort of Local people and Shanthanayagi Trust, reconstruction was started in 1984 and maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 22^nd August 1999. The Rajagopuram work was also started in 2011 and Completed in 2013. The temple is under the control of HRCE Department.

 An inch sculpture - Peacock worshiping Lord Shiva

 An Inch sculpture of snake worshiping Lord shiva 

 Inch sculpture - Markandeya purana

A  1999 CE old picture of the temple 

LEGENDS

It was believed that those could not go to Kalahasti, can perform parihara pooja at this temple also. One of the speciality in this temple is sun’s rays used to fall on moolavar  from 15^th to 30^th of Masi month, every year. Munivars Vyaghrapada and Pathanchali  worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

Lord Shiva gave life to all living things  after the pralayam, which are merged with him ( palli – merge ). Hence Lord Shiva is called as Karunamurthy and this place is called as Pallikaranai.  ( Krunai- mercy  - which turned to Karanai ).

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple is kept open between 06.30 Hrs to 11.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The mobile numbers are 9840109495, 9444326057 and 9884235555.

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is on the Velachery to Tambaram main road at Pallikaranai.

Pallikaranai is 11 KM from Tambaram, 4 KM from Velachery MRTS Railway station and 25 KM from MGR Central Railway station.

Nearest Railway station is Tambaram and next Chennai Central Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 Brahmi, Maheswari and Varahi

 Natarajar saba

 Vinayagar Sannidhi

 Nagars 

  Navagrahas

 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar Sannadhi

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple / Annamalaiyar Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple and ani Annamalaiyar Temple, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

22^nd December 2019.

This temple is on the Palliappan street at Park Town a part of Chennai. During my previous visit during 2016, the temple was under renovation and preparing for Kumbhabhishekam. This temple complex houses Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple and Sri Ani Annamalaiyar Temple.

ARUNACHALESWARAR TEMPLE

Moolavar     : Sri Arunachaleswarar

Consort       : Sri Abitha Kusalambal

Some of Important details of this temple are....

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Anubuthi mandapam is after entering the Rajagopuram and the main sanctum is on the left. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi mandapam are at the entrance. In Koshtam  Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu ( in place of Lingothbavar ), Brahma and Durgai. Vinayagar and Sri Balamurugan are at the entrance of Sanctum sanctorum. Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of artha mandapam.

In the inner prakaram Somaskandar, Navagrahas, Chandran, Suryan, Naalvar, Balalaya Shiva Linga with Nandi in a glass cabinet ( worshiped during the 2016 Balalayam ), Saba mandapam, Palliyarai, Chandikeswarar,  Bhairavar, Vinayagar and Subramaniyar.

 

Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing south. Stucco image of Thiripurasundari and Kamakshi. Ambal is in thiribanga standing posture, while upper hands are holding pasa angusa/ flower and lower hands are in abhaya varada hastham.

In the outer prakaram, Sannadhi for Vishnu as Varadharajar, Vijaya Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Shiva Linga worshiped by Ambal in embracing posture, A Linga under a bilva Tree.  Stucco images Arunagirinathar and Vallalar are in the mukha mandapam.

 

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of  Sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. A 2 tier stucco Vimana is above the prastaram. The mukha mandapa was built with granite pillars may be during latter Nayak period. The Anubuthi mandapam in concrete is in front of the Subramaniyar Sannadhi. The Rajagopuram is not in front of the Shiva temple ie not in straight line with Balipeedam, Nandhi and moolavar sannadhi.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

It is claimed that this temple is more than 300 years old. No inscription was found to prove the same. The Vinayagar sannidhi was built during 1925 ( 28-08-1925 ). An inscription above the entrance records that the trustee Pazhanthandalam Thangavelu Mudaliar  built this temple  in memory of his Uncle Manicka Mudaliar and Aunty Balambigai Ammal ( சிறிய தகப்பனார் & சிறிய தாயார் ).

The  Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar sannadhi might have been built in the same period. The Donors reliefs are on the pillars facing Subramaniyar in worshiping posture.  The inscription above the Donor reliefs reads as Bhuvanagiri Sabapathy Mudaliar and Parvati Ammal. Kumbhabhishekams were conducted during 1967 and 2016. The Chariot was renovated and procession was also held in 2009.

  The donors of Sri Valli devasena Murugan temple

As per Chennai Ma Nagar Kalvettukkal - சென்னை மாநகர் கல்வெட்டுக்கள், Published by Tamil Nadu Archaeological department, the inscription is on the west wall of a House No 1/17, on Pallappan Street.

The 1842 CE Inscription, records that Mylapore Nallappa Mudaliar’s son Justice Su Muthusamy Mudaliar, has gifted the house to Chennai Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple, and the locations is given above. The original inscription reads as…..

1. உ
2. சென்னைபுரி
3. ஸ்ரீ அருணாசலீசுவர
4. ர் கோயில்-வீடு
5. மயி நல்லப்பா
6. முதலியார் புத்திரராகிய
7. ஜஷ்டீ சு-முத்துசாமி
8. முதலியார் தற்மம் தொ
9. ண்ட மண்டலத்தா
10. ரில்-வைசிய குலம்
11. துளுவவேளாளம் பு.
12. பல்லவராய கோ
13. த்திரம்-போதாய[ன]
14. சூத்திரம்-சாலிவா
15. கன- வருஷம்
16. ௲௭௱௬௰௪

An 1878 (?) CE, portion of inscription on the floor of Sri Nattu Selva Vinayagar temple on the mint Street, Park Town, mentions as Arunachaleswarar. An endowment by Katt(i)vur Vaidhyar Chari's son Muma(ra)ya mestri. The inscription reads as.....

1. உ வெகுதான்ய 
2. ளூ மாசி மீ யஅ
3. சோம வாரம் அ
4. மர புஷ்ஷம் சஷ்
5. டியும் கிறத்திகை
6. நஷ்ஷாத்திரமும்
7. யிப்படிப்பட்ட தினத்
8. தில் காட்(டி)வூர் வயித்
9. தியர் சாரிகுமாரன் கு
10. ம(ர)ய  மேஸ்த்திரி அறு
11. ணாசலீஸ்வரகுல..
12. ....................................

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 Hrs to 11.30 Hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The land line number +91 44 25296461 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is on 24- Palliappan Street, Chennai 79 Park Town area,  near Mint street.

The temple is about 2 KM from Chennai Central station

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE  

  

 Moolavar Vimana

 Vinayagar Sannidhi

 Worshiped during palalayam

Ambal Sannadhi

Nasi koodu on the balipeedam

 On the right is the Ani Annamalaiyar Sannadhi

 Front mandapa Ceiling relief

 Pillar Pothyal / capital with boar relief

  Pillar reliefs - Markandeya purana and Rishabam is playing mridangam

 Pillar reliefs

Sri Kamakshi worships Ekambareswarar

SRI ANI ANNAMALAIYAR TEMPLE

A small temple abutting the Rajagopuram on the right side with a separate entrance in addition to an interconnecting entrance with Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple. The temple is with sanctum and a mandapam. Stucco image of Shiva and Parvati is on Mount Kailash is above the entrance. Mahishasuramardini is on the right side of the entrance. Varahi and Unnamulai Amman.

SRI VARADHARAJA PERUMAL TEMPLE.

The Varadaraja Perumal temple is in front of Dwajasthambam, facing north. Sri Varadharaja Perumal is in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi.  Urchavars are in front. Stucco image of Garudan is on the Rajagopuram base. Hanuman is facing east in a small mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per Chennai Ma Nagar Kalvettukkal - சென்னை மாநகர் கல்வெட்டுக்கள், Published by Tamil Nadu Archaeological department, the inscription is on the south side wall ( out side ) of a House No 59, on Annapillai Street.

The 1861 CE inscription records that a gift of a house to Varadharaja Perumal, located inside Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple, Chennai, by Narayana Mudaliar’s wife Amirthammal of Chennai. The original inscription reads as…..

1. உ
2. ஹரிநமோஸ்து
3. சென்னைபுரி ஸ்ரீ அருணா
4. லீசுவரர் ஆலையத்தை[ச்]
5. சேர்ந்த ஸ்ரீ வறதராஜப்பெரு[ம]
6. [n]ள் கயிங்கரியத்துக்கு சென்ன[ப]
7. [ட்]டணத்திலிருக்கும் கோவூர் அக்ஷ[ய]
8. கோத்திரம் நாராயண முதலி[யா]
9. [ர்] பாரியாள் அமுர்தம்மாள் தா[ன]
10.  [ஞ்] செயித யிந்த வீட்டில் வரும்[ப]
11. [டி]யைக்கொண்டு யென் பேறா[ல்}
12. [நி]த்தியம் கால சந்தி திருவாறாத
13. னை செய்யும்படிக்கி ஷை ஆலை
14. யத்தின் தரும்மகர்த்தா வசம் [ஒ]
15. [ப்] பிவித்துப் போட்டே நாகை[ய].
16. [ர]ல் யிந்த வீட்டுக்கும் யெனக்கு[ம்]
17. யென் குடும்பத்தில் யாறுக்கு
18. [ம்] யாதொரு பாத்தியதையுமி
19. ல்லை யிந்தபடிக்கி யென் [ம]
20. னப்பூர்வமாயி திருகறண (சு)
21. த்தியோடுந் தானஞ் செயிதேன்
22. சாலிவாகன ளூ ௲௭௱௮௰௩ கலி
23. யுகாதி ளு ௪த௬௱௬உ க்கு சரி
24. யான ரௌத்திரி ளூ ஆவணி மீ
25. உ௰உ உ புதவாறம்.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE    

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---