Chathuranga Vallabhanathar Temple / Sri Pushpavaneswarar Temple / பூவனூர் சதுரங்க வல்லபநாதர் கோயில் / புஷ்பவனநாதர் கோவில், Poovanur, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 220^th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 103^rd sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. In Periyapuranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Parithinayamam. But, We couldn’t got the hymns. 

In Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal puranam, Sekkizhar, didn’t mentioned this place in particular, but mentions as other temples on the way to Thirunallur from Thirukarukavur.

பழுதுஇல் சீர்த்திருப் பரிதிநன் நியமும் பணிந்து அங்கு

எழுதுமாமறை யாம்பதிகத்து இசைபோற்றி

முழுதும் ஆனவர் கோயில்கள் வணங்கியே முறைமை

வழுஇலார் திருப்பூவனூர் வணங்கிவந்து அணைந்து

…… Thirugnanasambandar Puranam

Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

பூவ னூர்ப்புனி தன்திரு நாமம் தான்

நாவில் நூறுநூ றாயிரம் நண்ணினார்

பாவ மாயின பாறிப் பறையவே

தேவர் கோவினும் செல்வர்கள் ஆவரே

………. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

                                                        -“காட்டியநம்

தேவனூர் என்று திசைமுகன் மால்வாழ்த்துகின்ற

பூவனூர் மேவும் புகழுடையோய்”

….. திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Pushpavana Nathar, Sri Sathurangavallaba Nathar.

Consort    : Sri Karpaga Valli, Sri Rajarajeswari

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

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Under Rajagopuram Dhandayuthapani and Gopura Vinayagar. Rishabam, balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are after the Rajagopuram. Rishaba mandapam is covered with brass. The second level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Annamalaiyar as Lingothbavar ( Brahma and Vishnu are on both sides.), Brahma, Arthanareeswarar, Durgai, and Pitchadanar.

In the mandapam, Natarajar Sabha, Somaskandar ( Chembu Nandhi in standing posture, in  front believing  as Thiyagarajar ). There is no Natarajar in Natarajar Sannadhi.

In Prakaram Chandikeswarar, Ambal Karpagavalli, Rajarajeswari, Vinayagar, Lakshmi Narayana, Kasi Viswanathar, Vasusena mannan, Agasthiyar, Ayyanar, Nalvar, Kothandaramar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Mahalakshmi, Pasupatheeswarar, Bhairavar, Navagrahas and Suriyan.

Samundeeswari Sannadhi is in the front mandapam. Ambal is in sitting posture with soolam. Special poojas are conducted for Sri Devi Samundeeswari. Aadi Pooramman ( Only Ayyappan Picture is there), Rajarajeswari Amman and Karpagavalli Amman are also in the mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7^th Century. Latter reconstructed as stone temple during Chozha’s period and further extended and maintained by Nayakas, and Nattukottai Nagarathars.   

LEGENDS

Suga Brahma Rishi created a nandavanam with various flowering plants and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. There are two temple tanks in front and back of the temple. The tank in front of the temple is called as “Ksheera pushkarani” and on the back is called as “Krishna Kushta Haram”. It is believed that, to get rid of the karungushtam ( leprosy ), the affected person should take a dip in the tanks and worship Lord shiva of this temple.

Sri Samundeeswari is very famous in this temple. For snake and rate bites, medicinal root is given in this sannadhi.  

Lord Shiva played sathurangam with Ambal who was great player and got married after winning. Hence Lord Shiva is called as “Sathuranga Vallabha Nathar”.

Lord Shiva comes out of Shiva Lingam

POOJAS ANS CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on  Thai poosam, Masi Maham, Avani Moolam, Utsavars will be taken in procession to theerthavari at “Krishna Kushta hara” theertham.

Brahmotsavam will be held on Vaikasi Visakam and Chithirai. The Chithirai Vizha will be started on new moon day with kappu tied to Samundeeswari.

Special poojas are conducted on  Vaikasi Visakam in the month Vaikasi ( May – June ), Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani ( Aug – Sept ), Navaratri in the month Purattasi ( Sept – Oct ), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Thaipoosam in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradoshams.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS 

The mobile numbers +91 94423 99273 and +91 94423 99172 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

On the bus route Mannargudi to Needamangalam, get down at  Poovanur bus stop/ bridge  and from there 1 KM after crossing the river. From the main road the Temple Rajagopuram will visible.

A-67 Town bus from Mannargudi to Kalacheri runs through this village.

Poovanur is on the way from Mannargudi to Ammapettai or Mannargudi to Valangaiman.

The temple is 11 KM from Mannargudi, 28 KM from Kumbakonam, 31 KM from Thiruvarur, 36 Km from Thanjavur and 319 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Mannargudi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Durga Temple, Agra, Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka.

The visit to this temple at Agara was a part of our Chozha period temples Visit on the ancient trade route from Chamarajanagar to Kollegal ( Gangapadi ), in Karnataka State. This place was called as Durgaiyur Agara, which is now called as Agara. Agara.-Agara, a village in the Yelandur taluk in the Mysore District. Population 4,261. It has four old temples dedicated to Ramesvara, Narasimha, Varadaraja and Durga. In that except Varadharaja Temple, the other temples were recently renovated. The Varadharaja temple was encroached by a private person.

In the Tamil inscriptions, the village is named Durgaiyur- agaram and in the Kannada Durgagrahara, thus showing that it derived its name from the goddess Durga of the place, though latterly the first portion was left out and the place came to be known as merely Agara. It will be seen from the Kannada and Tamil names of the village as given in the inscriptions that agara is only a Tamil corruption of the Sanskrit agrahara.

Deity        : Sri Durga.

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

The temple is facing west with a balipeedam and Simha ( Looks like Hoysala emblem simha ). Nagars are under a tree.

The goddess in the Durga Temple is a standing figure, about four feet high, with four hands, the upper holding a discus and a conch, the right lower in the abhaya hasta and the left lower banging by the side. Outside, the base is decorated with a frieze of what look like yazhis.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam.  The adhisthana is of pradhibandha adhisthana with three vrutha kumuda and yazhivari. A Nagara Vimana is over the sanctum with stucco images of Simha on the four sides on the bhoomi desa level.

All the walls of the Durga Temple are engraved from the top to the bottom, but many slabs have fallen from the walls and are now scattered here and there or are buried in the debris. The was renovated now and the wall are plain with out any pillars or pilasters.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built during Chozha period. The earliest record here belongs to Kulothunga-Chozha-I. Inscriptions are found on the Kumuda of adhisthana.  There are nearly fifty Tamil inscriptions in the four temples of Agara.

During the restoration of the temple, inscribed the four temples stones have been broken or chiselled out, several shelled have been displaced and some more left on the site in an condition, so that there is scarcely any epigraph at which is complete. One of the fragments temple mentioning the god, which may on palaeographical grounds be assigned to the close of the 10^th  century, bears testimony to the antiquity of the temple. There are also other fragments recording grants to the by the Hoysala king temple by Vishnu Vardhana and the general Vishnu-dandadhipa.  

A 11^th Century inscription records the gift of 5 panas for a sandhi lamp to goddess Durggayar.

Another 11^th to 12^th Century inscription records the endowment of a lamp by Tirunallulan Pichchan-devan.

Another inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 3 gadayanas, by Madhusudan.

Inscriptions on the vrutha Kumuda

LEGENDS

As per the Sthala purana, a king of the name of Vishnu Sharma, who, when on a visit to the place, was bitten by a cobra, got rid of the poison by his prayers to the deities Rameswara and Narasimha, and that thence forward the village became known as Agara ( free from gara or poison).

TEMPLE TIMINGS

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

HOW TO REACH

This place Agara is on the bus route Chamarajanagar to Kollegal. 31.2 KM from Chamarajanagar, 7 Km from Kollegal, 61.8 KM from Mysore and 147 KM from Bangalore.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE ( GPS Co-ordination   12.1178978,77.0732267 ).

REFERENCE : Mysore District Gazetteer

Simha vahana

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Agara Narasimha Swamy Temple / Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Agra, Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka.

The visit to this temple at Agara was a part of our Chozha period temples Visit on the ancient trade route from Chamarajanagar to Kollegal ( Gangapadi ), in Karnataka State. This place was called as Durgaiyur Agara, which is now called as Agara. Agara, a village in the Yelandur taluk in the Mysore District. Population 4,261. It has four old temples dedicated to Ramesvara, Narasimha, Varadharaja and Durga. In that except Varadharaja Temple, the other temples were recently renovated. The Varadharaja temple was encroached by a private person.

In the Tamil inscriptions, the village is named Durgaiyur- agaram and in the Kannada Durgagrahara, thus showing that it derived its name from the goddess Durga of the place, though litterally the first portion was left out and the place came to be known as merely Agara. It will be seen from the Kannada and Tamil names of the village as given in the inscriptions that agara is only a Tamil corruption of the Sanskrit agrahara.

Moolavar : Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.

Thayar    : Sri Lakshmi

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

The temple is facing west with a balipeedam. Nagars are under a tree. Maha Vishnu’s Dasavatharam bas-reliefs are on both sides of the Artha mandapam entrance. Maha lakshmi Sannidhi is in the artha mandapam.

There is an entrance with porch on the north side  with bas relief Ganga and Yamuna. Maha Vishnu’s reclining posture is on the top ( Lintel ) of the entrance.

Moolavar Narasimhar is in yogic posture with tongue protruding outside. Naradha and Bhaktha Prahlada are on both sides of Narasimhar. Mahalakshmi is carved on the chest of Narasimhar. Narasimhar has 3 eyes similar to Lord Shiva is the uniqueness of this temple. It is believed that Thayar Sannidhi was closed due to threat of snake.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is of Gajaprishta style with out Vimana. The adhisthana is of padabandha adhisthana with three patta kumuda. Koshta Niches are provided on the sanctum sanctorum walls and they are empty now. The north side entrance porch pillars are of square and Octagonal. Nagabandha are beautifully carved.

Gajaprishta Vimanam

Gajaprishta Vimanam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built during Chozha period and Inscriptions are found on the Kumuda of adhisthanam. There are nearly fifty Tamil inscriptions in the four temples of Agara. During the restoration of these inscription stones are broken or chiselled out. Some of the stones has fragment inscriptions and no inscription is complete. One of the fragment inscription mentions the god, which may on palaeographical grounds be assigned to the close of the 10th century, bears testimony to the antiquity of the temple. There are also other fragments recording grants to the by the Hoysala king temple by Vishnu Vardhana and the general Vishnu-dandadhipa. The car mandapa to the right of the temple was built with stones with fragment inscriptions.  

The 64 inscriptions recored in 4 temples are in Tamil and Grantha Characters. Some of them are in Sanskrit. Moolavar Maha Vishnu was called as Singaperumal and this place was called as Duggayur-Agara. 

A 12^th Century inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp before god Singaperumal for which 6 pons are gifted, by Kunrachchi Chettiar. Another person has gifted 3 pons for the same purpose. 

A 11^th Century inscription records the endowment of Nadavanam by Atkondapillai alias  Singaperumal  of Thiruvarur for the same a land was gifted. For maintenance providing a worker a sum of 3 pons and 5 panams were gifted by Vennaikkanttadan son of Gotamanyirunaki-battar. 

This inscription refers to a person Ganatturan and mentions the wage of 3 gadayanas paid to an individual.

Another 13^th Century inscription ( Tamil & Sanskrit mentions the King Narasimha and refers to god Singapperumal of Duggayar-agaram. The next inscription refers the same kings name and records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp in the month Chithirai. 

A fragment stone inscription records the purchase of Land at Mampalli and another place and additions made to this latter.

Another inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp to god Singaperumal by KaladiKiriyalvan for which he had given a gift of 3 gadayanas. 

A fragmentary Sanskrit inscription records that Vishnu-Dandadhipa, who appears to have made some gift.

Inscriptions

Inscriptions

Inscriptions

LEGENDS

As per the Sthala purana gives a different derivation. It says that a king of the name of Vishnu Sharma, who, when on a visit to the place, was bitten by a cobra, got rid of the poison by his prayers to the deities Ramesvara and Narasimha, and that thence forward the village became known as Agara (free from gara or poison).

In the recently restored Narasimha temple, the garbhagriha and sukhanasi, which appear to belong to the original structure, are of an oval shape ( samputakara ). The ardha mandapa / Navrang  has two entrances with porches on the west and north, and opposite to the north entrance is a cell in which the metallic image of the god is kept Narasimha is a fine figure, about four feet high with prabhavali or halo, seated in the posture of yoga or meditation. The image is said to represent five kinds of Narasimha, a peculiarity not found elsewhere; it represents Yoga-Narasimha being seated in the yoga posture, Lakshmi-Narasimha by reason of having a figure of Lakshmi sculptured in its chest, Ugra-Narasimha on account of the presence of a third eye on the forehead, Jwala-Narasimha as having flames represented near the ears, and Prahlada-Nara-Simha on account of the presence of a figure of Prahlada at the side.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

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

HOW TO REACH:

This place Agara is on the bus route Chamarajanagar to Kollegal. 31.2 KM from Chamarajanagar, 7 Km from Kollegal, 61.8 KM from Mysore and 147 KM from Bangalore.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE ( GPS Co-ordination 12.115963,77.0713033 )

REFERENCE : Mysore District Gazetteer

Dasavathara bas-reliefs

Dasavathara bas-reliefs

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Venni Karumbeswarar Temple / வெண்ணிகரும்பேஸ்வரர் கோயில், Koilvenni / Kovilvenni / கோயில்வெண்ணி, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 219^th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 102^nd sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri of Chozha Nadu. This place was called as Venni during Thevaram period and now called as Kovilvenni.

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiruvedhikudi. But Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal puranam, Sekkizhar didn’t mentions this temple in particular but mentions as other temples on the way from Thirukarukavur to Thirunallur.

வெண்ணிமேய விடையவர் கோயிலை

நண்ணி நாடிய காதலின் நாள்மதிக்

கண்னி யார்தம் கழல் இணைபோற்றியே

பண்ணில் நீடும் பதிகமும் பாடினார்

……. திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்

Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

சடையானைச் சந்திர னோடுசெங் கண்ணரா

உடையானை உடைதலை யிற்பலி கொண்டு ஊரும்

விடையானை விண்ணவர்தாம் தொழும் வெண்ணியை

உடையானை அல்லது உள் காதுஎனது உள்ளமே

……… திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

முத்தி னைப்பவ ளத்தை முளைத்தவெம்

தொத்தி னைச்சுட ரைச்சுடர் போலொளிப்

பித்த னைக்கொலும் நஞ்சினை வானவர்

நித்த னைநெரு நற்கண்ட வெண்ணியே

…… திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

Moolavar  : Sri Venni Karumbeswarar, Sri Thiyabarewswarar,

                  Sri Rasapureeswarar, Sri Venni Nathar.

Consort    : Sri Azhakiyanayagi, Sri Soundara Nayagi.

Some of the salient features of this temple are……

Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers, which was built during recent years and there is no Dwajasthambam. Balipeedam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are made of Stucco. In Sanctum Moolavar paanam is not in regular shape and there are marks of Karumbu kattu ( Sugar cane bundle ) under rudraksha mandapam. 

In Koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, and Durgai.  In Artha Mandapam Nalvar with Sankarachariyar paintings. 

In Parakaram sannidhi for Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Suriyan, Chandran, Navagrahas and Bhairavar.

Ambal is in a separate sannadhi. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastham. Dwarapalakis are of Stucco. A wooden pole is tied with bangles.

The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. A two tier Vesara Vimana is above the sanctum. The mandapam on the outer side of sanctum was built at a latter state which forms as moat / agazhi form. Sthala vruksham is Sugar cane (Not available) and Venni Plant ( Nandhiyavattai ).

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Sangam period Poet Vennikurathiyar, composed a song in praise of Karikala Chozha’s Venni war. Since Karikala Chozha got victory in the war, this place was called as “Ventriyur”, which was shortened to “Venniyur” and has corrupted to the present name of “Venni” During that time this place.

Karikala Chozhan defeated Cheras, and Pandya  regional /kurunila kings after worshiping Sri Pidari Amman of this Village.

During Karikala Chozha’s period, this place was completely with Sugar cane and Nandhiyavattai plants. When he was travelling on this way, heard the hot arguments between two sages / Munivar. The King Pacified both. He learnt that there is a Shiva Linga and constructed a temple at this place.  

Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7^th Century. Latter reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozha’s period.

Some of the inscriptions recorded from this temple belongs to, Rajarajan-III and Kulothunga Chozha-III.  As per the inscriptions this place was called as “Suddhamalli Valanattu Venni Kootrathu Venni”. Lord Shiva was called as “Thiruvenni Udayar”.

Rajarajan-III’s period 13^th Century, inscription records that a land was gifted to this temple by Nithavinodhavalanattu Veera chozhavalanattu puthur alias Thiribhuvana Chaturvedi mangalam sabha as thirunamathukani. The inscription also mentions the periphery limit of the land, the division of land depends on the produce.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s period ( 1196 CE ) 12^th Century inscription starts with his meikeerthi, records the endowment of land gifted to this temple Adhi Chandeswarar and Koothadu Nayagar. Gold was deposited in the treasury and the interest was adjusted to a land.    

An inscription without Kings name and year, records this temple was reconstructed as stone temple by Poovanur Udayan Araiyan Thiruvaiyarudayar Chozhagangar.

Most of the Chozha period inscriptions speaks about donations of land, money etc to this temple, for burning of Perpetual lamps, pooja Naivedya and service.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Lord Shiva came through Sugarcane bundle and the sugarcane impressions can be seen on the moolavar banam. It is also believed that people with diabetes will get cured after worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple. The devotees used to offer Sakkarai pongal and sprinkle sugar mixed with wheat rava in the prakara.

Venni ( Nandhiyavattai flower ) plant is the sthala Vruksham of the temple. Hence this place obtained the name as Venni. Since Lord Shiva came through Sugarcane bundles, Lord Shiva obtained the name of “Karumbeswarar” and also called as “Venni Karumbeswarar”, combining both.

Devotees used to pray Ambal for child boon. After getting pregnant devotees performs the “Valaikappu” in this temple. The devotees used to offer bangles to Ambal as a part of Thanks giving. A wooden pole is tied here with bangles.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikasi Visakam in the month Vaikasi ( May – June ), Aani Thirumanjanam in the month Aani ( June – July ), Aadi Fridays and pooram in the month Aadi ( July – Aug ), Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani ( Aug – Sept ), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Thaipoosam in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradoshams.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

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

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile of Prabaharan ( பிரபாகரன் ) +91 99768 13313 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH 

This place Kovilvenni is on the main road from Thanjavur to Thiruvarur before Needamangalam.

The temple is 26 KM from Thanjavur, 31 KM from Kumbakonam, 34 KM from Thiruvarur and 312 KM from Chennai.

The nearest Railway station is Kovilvenni and Junction is Thanjavur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---