Ranganathar Temple / Arulmigu Aranganatha Swamy Thirukovil, Sowcarpet, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

19th January 2020

It was a long wish to explore the congested streets of George Town and Sowcarpet areas of the old black town in Madras City. Many temples were existed before the British came to Madras and many temples constructed during their periods also. This Ranganathar Temple is about 100 meters from Arunachaleswarar Temple on Mulla Sahib Street.

 Sri Ranga Vimana

Moolavar  : Sri Ranganathar

Consort    : Sri Ranganayaki

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

The temple is facing east with a mottai gopuram ( Rajagopuram base  without super structure ). Deepa sthambam, balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudan. Moolavar stucco image is on the mukha mandapam. Keeping moolavar Moolavar Ranganathar  at the centre on his right is Nammalwar and on his left is Ramanujar. Moolavar Ranganathar is with 4 hands,  reclining posture on Adiseshan keeping his head on south side facing north. Brahma is from his naval and Sridevi and Bhudevi are at his feet in sitting posture. Processional deity is Sri Parthasarathi, who was brought from Thiruvallikeni/ Triplicane.

Like moolavar sannadhi, Thayar Sannidhi was built with three sannadhis. On right of Thayar Krishna as Venugopalan Sannadhi. Venugopala is with Bama & Rukmani. Cattle is shown behind Venugopala.

In Prakaram Anjaneyar, Thulasi madam, Srinivasa Perumal, Sri Varadharajar Sannadhi. Patha mandapam, Yoga Narasimhar and Alwars. In Ramar Sannidhi Rama is with Sita, Lakshmanan, Bharata and Shatrughna. Hanuman is in kneeling posture with hands are in anjali hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of Sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The Vimanam is called as Ranga / pranavakara Vimanam. The koshtams are empty. On the back side of the sanctum Periya Thiruvadi and Siya Thiruvadi ( Garuda & Hanuman ) are facing each other in worshiping posture in the form of stucco image bas-relief.  The Vimana is of two tiers with stucco images of Ramar, Sita and Lakshmana and Varahamurthy with Sridevi & Bhudevi on the back side, Ranganathar and Lakshmi Narasimhar on the south side, Vaikunthanath and Kalinga Narthana Krishna, Venugopala are on the north side.  Mukha mandapam was built during Vijayanagara nayak period.

 Ranga Vimana Back side

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple is more than 200 years old with a 1824CE Telugu inscriptions. A Telugu inscription tablet, about thirupani or the renovation of the sanctum is laid on the wall . As per the inscription the work was started in 1959 and completed in 1960. The names of the donors are inscribed and some of the names are inscribed in Tamil. Interestingly many people donated 116 Rupees ( why this denominations, is it auspicious ?). The Highest amount donated was Rs 5000 by a single person.

FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS.

This temple is a abhimana sthala for the Sri Parthasarathi of Thiruvallikeni. Brahmotsavam in Panguni, Rama Navami, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Andal Neerattam, Rapathu, Pakalpathu, Krishna Jayanthi are celebrated in a grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.30 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The temple office landline number +914425290387 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is on the Mulla Sahib Street, in the midst of Sowcarpet where  north Indian population is more in this area.

The temple is about 3 KM from MGR Central Railway Station.

The nearest Railway station is MGR Central Railway Station.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Kumara kottam Subramanya Swamy Temple / Kumara kottam Murugan Temple, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

19th January 2020

It was a long wish to explore the congested streets of George Town and Sowcarpet areas of the old black town in Madras City. Many temples were existed before the British came to Madras and many temples constructed during their periods also. The Kumarakottam Subramanya Swamy Temple on the NSC Bose road, may be constructed during British period. This temple is about 100 meters from Bairagi Mutt Thiruvenkatamudaiyaan Venkatesa Perumal Thirukoil on the General Muthiah Street / NSC Bose Road. There is also a KumaraKottam Subramanya Swamy Temple at Kanchipuram, which is very old.

Moolavar  : Sri Subramanya Swamy

Consorts  : Sri Valli & Devasena

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

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram and there is a 3 tier Rajagopuram on the South side also. The Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Peacock vahana are in a recent  period built mandapam immediately after the east side Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are in front of the sanctum. Vinayagar, Sri Valli with 4 Hands, Sri Subramanyar & Valli Devasena with Elephant vahana in front, Devasena with 2 hands, Arunachaleswarar are in a straight line facing east.

In the mandapam Abitha Kujalambal, Nalvar, Nava Veeras ( Veerabahu Thevar, Veerakesari Thevar, Veera Mahendra Thevar, Veera Mahesa Thevar, Veera Puranthara Thevar, Veeraakkatha Thevar, Veera Marthanda Thevar, Veeraanthaka Thevar and Veera Theera Thevar. ). Since the sanctum comprises of 5 sannidhis in the single row, the koshtam also has the image of respective deity of the sannadhi in front. In Koshtam Dhanvantari, Veerabhadra, Dwara Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Agasthiyar, Veerabahu, Bala Vinayagar, Nagaskandar, Balamurugan, Narayani, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Vaishnavi and Durgai. In prakaram Chandikeswarar, Siddhi buddhi Vinayagar, Idumban, Dhandayuthapani, Kadamban. Navagrahas and Nagars.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of 5 Sannadhis built in rectangular shape. The complete sanctum sanctorum is on a pathabandha adhisthana. The Adhisthana to prastaram is built with granite stone. The outer prakara is covered with mandapa.

 Sanctum sanctorum architecture

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS.

The temple is believed to be of 100 to 200 years old. The Mandapam in front of Rajagopuram was built in 20th Century  with a contribution of  Thiruvalam Kandaswamy Chettiar and his wife. Their reliefs are found on the pillars of the mandapam facing Sri Subramanyar. The Dwajasthambam was installed in 2016. During 1938 CE,  NSC Bose Road was called as China Bazaar Road.

There are two Tamil inscriptions. Both records the gift towards conducting pooja to various temples along with this temple.  The Malayanur Sabapathy Chettiar  inscription records the endowment for this temple, Triplicane Sri Parthasarathy temple, Muthialpet Sri Mallikeswarar Temple, Muthialpet Uma Maheswarar Tamil Veda Parayana Bhaktha Jana Sabha, Thiruvottiyur Thyagaraja Peruman Temple and Otrai Vaadai Sabapathy Chettiar Elementary School ( Hope it is at Walltax road and happy to note that the School is functioning till date ).  This endowment was established by the Thayammal wife of Thiruvalam Kandasamy Chettiar, who is the Malaiyanur Sabapathy Chettiar’s Sister son.

The another 1938CE Inscription records the endowment established by Pallavaram  Ponnusamy Chettiar’s Son Namasivaya Chettiar’s wife Vaduvambal. This inscription records the income  from the house situated at Thambu Chetty Street to be utilized for this temple’s Brahmotsavam. It also mentions the three Persons names as Supervising trustees.  It also records the income of the another house situated at Periyanna Mudali Street  to be utilized along with the above House’s income for this temple festival.  To the top of all, it mentions that after her death, every year on the thithi day  Abhishekam to be done for moolavar and 5 paradesis/ பரதேசிகள் to be feed.

The temple chariot mandapam was also built by Malayanur Sabapathy Chettiar’s Sister Son Kandasamy Chettiar. Kumbhabhishekam was performed in 1994 and 2016.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Rajan Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile 9790560923 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is on the NSC Bose Road in George Town Chennai, which is  about 2 KM from MGR Central Railway Station.

Nearest Railway station is MGR Central Railway Station.

LOCATION:  CLICK HERE

 South side Rajagopuram with Chariot shed

 East side Rajagopuram

 East side Mandapam

 Main Sanctum sanctorum

  Mandapa Pillar bas-reliefs - Shiva with Brahma, Vishnu - Sarabeswar - Markandeya purana

Out side wall reliefs Rama worships Shiva Linga before Hanuman brings from Kailash

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Bairagi Madam Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple / Bairagi Mutt Temple / பைராகி மடம் அருள்மிகு திருவேங்கடமுடையான் வெங்கடேச பெருமாள் திருக்கோயில் / Thiruvenkatamudaiyaan Temple, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 19th January 2020.

It was a long wish to explore the congested streets of George Town and Sowcarpet areas of the old black town of Madras City. Many temples were existed before the British came to Madras and many temples constructed during their periods also.  One of the temple, which existed before British, is the Bairagi Mutt Thiruvenkatamudaiyaan Venkatesa Perumal Thirukovil on the General Muthiah Street / NSC Bose Road.

I was little curious to know more about this Bairagi mutt and its connection to this temple. Bairagi is a cult of worship of Vishnu in Vaishnavism. It is believed that Bairagi Cult was started by the Saint Ramananda in 14th Century CE. The 4 Cult of Vaishnavism are Ramanuja, Nimanandi, Vishnu Bairagi and Tyagi Bairagi. Bairagis are still found in North India, in and around Nagpur and Allahabad.

  Paintings on the sanctum walls

Moolavar : Sri Venkatesa Perumal, Sri Tiruvenkadamaiyan  

Thayar    : Sri Padmavathi.

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

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. DeepaSthambham, Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram. There is also a 3 tier Rajagopuram on the south Side.  About 8 feet high Moolavar is in standing position  like Tirupati Venkatachalapathy. Poojas are done similar to Tirupati.  During Utsavam the Lakshmi hara is taken out and put on Utsavar. During that time the worship of moolavar will be stopped.

Sri Ranganathar is in the arthamandpam. Brahma is from his naval and Sridevi and Bhudevi are sitting on this leg side. The Sanctum sanctorum Koshtas are empty.  Dwarapalakas Jayan and Vijayan are at the entrance of artha mandapam ( in Mukha mandapam ).   On the right side is Thayar Sannidhi is with a mukha mandapam. The Thayar Sannidhi is consists of 3 parts. Thayar Sri Alarmelmangai is at the centre and on the right is Varadharaja Perumal and on the left is the Ramar Sannidhi Ramar, Sita and Lakshmana are in the sannadhi. Hanuman is in the mandapam opposite to ramar Sannidhi. The processional deity of Thayar is taken out every day on different vahanas in side the praharam. The interesting feature of the processional deity is, She wears a nose ring for which there is a hole on the nose. During Brahmotsavam Thayar will be taken out in  procession on a Garudi ( female form of Garuda ) vahana.

In prakaram Andal sannadhi is on the left side of the moolavar sannadhi. In addition to this sannidhis for Manavala mamunigal, Puri Jagannath, Lakshmi Narasimhar, Patha mandapam and Alwars.

ARCHITECTURE

The  temple complex consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and Mukha mandapam. In addition to this, there are 2 nos of 4 pillar mandapa and a 24 pillar mandapa. Mukha mandapa was constructed like a chariot with Wheels. The 6 nos of Vijayanagara style pillars supports the Mukha mandapa. The Pillars has the images of various deities and Horse rider and pulikuthi hero. On the top of the mukha mandapa stucco images of  Vishnu’s incarnations.

The Sanctum sanctorum is on a pathabandha adhisthana  and only pattikai is visible now. The Sanctum sanctorum was built with stone up to prastaram. Lotus pedals are in the valabi. The Vimana is of 2 tiers with stucco images of Vaishnava deities.  The temple tank is on the north side of the temple which shares with Bairagi mutt’s other temple, where north Indian does the poojas. Mural paintings of Vishnu's various lilas / leelas/ actions are done on the walls of mandapam and prakaram walls.

  Viajayanagara Nayak period Mukha mandapam like Chariot with wheels

  Vijayanagara Nayak period Mandapa Pillars

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

In British period map this temple was mentioned as Lorraine Pagoda. From the architecture the temple, this temple may be built during 16th to 17th Century CE, Vijayanagara / Nayaka period. It is Ramananda who popularized Bairagi Cult in North India. In early 1600’s Lal Das Ji, a Bairagi saint a follower of Ramanuja’s  Vishishtadvaita cult, from Lahore ( presently in Pakistan ) started this mutt. He once cured stomach pain of a Muslim lady, as a token of thanks giving the Muslim lady gave him some gold coins, which he used to expand his mutt and built this Sri Venkatesa Perumal temple. After the saint, this temple is being maintained by Bairagi mutt successors.

From another version Sri Venkatesa Perumal came in one of the Bairagi Saint’s, who was from North India, dream to construct a Temple for him.  Initially the locals didn’t believe him and latter they helped to construct this temple.

There are Telugu and a Sanskrit inscriptions found in the temple. Maha Samprokshanam was conducted in 1991 and 2007.

  Bas-reliefs over the inscription

  Telugu inscription tablet

 Telugu inscription tablet

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The land line number +91 44 25382142 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple  is on No.1, General Muthiah Street, George Town, Chennai and about 300 meters from Pookadai Police station. 

2 KM from MGR Central Railway station.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

  Vijayanagara Nayak period Mukha mandapam Yazhi and Horse Pillars

  Sri Patha mandapam

  Temple tank

 Bairagi mutt temple

Bairagi mutt Anjaneyar temple

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Hero Stone / Sati Stones / Veerakallu / Nadukarkal / நடுகற்கள் of Alankuppam, Draupadi Amman Temple, Semmanthikuppam Tirupattur District, Tamil Nadu.

29^th December 2019.

The Visit to these Hero stones are a part of temples and Hero stones Heritage Visit scheduled on 29^th of December 2019. Mr Srinivas of Vaniyambadi took me to all these places.

HERO STONE OF ALANKUPPAM.

This hero stone is erected in the mandapam of  Sri Ponniamman temple mandapam, of Alankuppam Village facing the Amman. The Hero stone is about 5 feet high and 3 feet wide.  The hero is carved in the form of bas relief to about 3 feet. The hero is holding sword in his right hand and a shield in the left hand. The hero was died due to hitting of an arrow on his chest.  Lamps are shown on his both side, Whisk (chowry ), a poorna kalasam are shown ( these are considered as mangala symbols ). This shows that the  hero is worshiped like a God. On the top it has the Tamil inscriptions. 

The inscriptions belongs to Dantivarman’s 14^th year Rule ( 810 CE). As per the inscription, the hero Veeraiyan son Sathima vakilavan of  was killed during  war with the opposite country. The hero Veeraiyan fought to save his village from destruction by the enemies. The Hero stone was erected by Pennai. The inscription reads as... The inscription reads as...

1. ஸ்ரீ கோவிசைய தந்தி விக்ரம பரு
2. மற்க்கு யாண்டு பதின் நா
3. ல்காவது அடையாறு நாடு ம
4. லையன்னரான ஒருகில் மணற்
5. ச்சுனை மேற் படை வர ஊர் அழியா
6. மைய் காத்து பட்டான் சத்தி
7. ம வகிலவன் வீரையர்க் கல்
8. பென்னை

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

HERO AND SATI STONE AT DRAUPATHI AMMAN TEMPLE, SEMMANDHIKUPPAM

This hero stone is  in a Village Deity Sri Draupathi Amman Temple on the banks of river Palar.  A Hero stone may belongs to 16^th to 17^th Century is carved on one side and  a Sati, Hero with his wife are carved on the back,. In the hero stone the hero is shown looking on the left. He holds a sword in his right hand and a shield in the left hand. He wears a cap looks cute. A Round ornament is shown on his ears. A Half dress is shown below his waist with a kattari tied.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Sati image on the back

 Bothiraja

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---