Konganeeswarar Temple / கொங்கனேஸ்வரர் கோயில், காவேரிப்பாக்கம் / Kaveripakkam, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Konganeeswarar Temple at Kaveripakkam was a part of Shiva, Vishnu Temples and Heritage sites at Thirumalaicherry, Gudimallur and Kaveripakkam. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr Ramesh Krishnamurthy for taking me to all these places. 

Moolavar  : Sri Konganeeswarar

Consort    : Sri Kungumavalli , Gnanakuzhalendhi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing west with an entrance arch north side. Balipeedam, Kodimaram and Rishabam are on the west side of the temple.  Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of antarala. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Durgai ( are in green stone of smaller in size and may be installed at a latter date.

Since the temple is in palalayam, all parivara deities, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Vinayagar, Navagrahas, Maha Vishnu with his consort . Murugan on his vahana Peacock, Chandran, Suryan, Nagar,  A Shiva Linga and Parvati.

Ambal is in a separate Sannidhi facing North in the ardha mandapam. Loose sculptures Nagar, A Shiva Linga with out avudayar, A Green Stone Mahavishnu are in the paraharam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised upana. The adhisthana is kapotabandha adhisthana with kadaka kumuda. The Pilasters are of Vishnukantha pilasters with square base, nagabandham, malaithongal, thamarikattu, Kalasam, kudam, thadi, mandi ( lotus petals and palakai. Pushpa pothyals are on the top of the pilasters. Kumbha panjaras are divides the Koshtas. 

The mukha mandapam was built during recent years. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since there is no inscriptions found to decide on the antiquity of the temple. Going by architecture style, this temple belongs to 14th to 15th Century, Vijayanagara period. But as per the experts considering Iconography of the Dwarapalakas and Maha Vishnu the original Shiva temple may belongs to 9th to 10th Century. It was further told that some of the inscription stones used at Kottai Perumal Temple belongs to this original temple. 

The mandapam was extended during 19th to 20th Century. The mandapam ceiling inscription records the endowment of some gift to this temple for Naivedyam and poojas. 

LEGENDS

It is believed that sun worships Lord Shiva of this temple. The sun rays falls on moolavar on three days beginning of New moon day in the month of Puratasi ( September – October ).

As per the legend a Siddhar called Kongana  with his wife Ganakilambigai came to this place, established an ashram and lived here. He worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, hence Lord Shiva obtained the name of Konganeswarar. The siddhar had a drift with Vasuki, wife of Thiruvalluvar and left to Tirupati. There he had written many literatures and attained Samadhi.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

The temple is now under palalayam. Usually apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Mahashivaratri, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Sonce Oru kala pooja is conducted, at Palalayam, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This temple at Kaveripakkam is about a KM from Madras – Bombay trunk Road / Chennai to Vellore Road / Mumbai Hwy.

The temple is about 10 KM from Walaja Toll gate, 11.6 KM from Walajahpet, 15 KM from Sholinghur, 17.4 KM from Arcot, 17 KM from Ranipet,  38 KM from Vellore and 95 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Sholinghur

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Dwarapalakas

Maha Vishnu

Maha Vishnu and Brahma are made of green stone

Vishnu Durgai

The temple is under Palalayam / Ilangoil

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Varadharaja Vaikunta Perumal Temple / Perumal Temple, Vannivedu, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Varadharaja Vaikunta Perumal Temple at Vannivedu was a part of Shiva, Vishnu Temples and Heritage sites at Thirumalaicherry, Gudimallur and Kaveripakkam. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr Ramesh Krishnamurthy for taking me to all these places. This Maha Vishnu temple is a Child boon temple.

Moolavar  : Sri Varadaraja Vaikunta Perumal Temple

Consort    : Sri Sridevi and Bhudevi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

This temple is east with Garudan sannidhi. Garudan is in a small Mandapam. Moolavar Sri Varadaraja Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi on a pedestal. Anjaneyar is under the feet of Moolavar. A Stucco Anjaneyar is standing by the side of the road.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam. The Vimanam is on a simple padabandha adhisthana with Jagathy, threepatta Kumuda and Pattikai. The super structure above the adhisthana was built with brick. The Vimanam is of two tiers. The stucco images of Alwars are on the Vimanam.

A heap of collapsed mandapam / stone structure is found behind the temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

A 10^th century Chozha period inscriptions is found on the adhisthanam. Hence The original brick temple might have been constructed during Pallava period. The inscription is inscribed in 4 lines starts with "பரகேஸரி பந்மற்கு யாண்டு ஐஞ்சாவது படுவூர் கோட்டத்து கரை நாட்டு". As per the inscription this place was called as Srirana Vikramangalam and the temple was called as Melai Vishnu Graham. The inscription may be assigned to Parakesari Varman Parantaka Chozha-I ( 914 CE ). 

The Parakesari Varman's 5th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a Mathyasthan ( who is an important person and stand neutral in the sabha ) of Paduvur Kottathu Karainattu Sri Vikramangalam Village sabha and for the same 11 Kalanju Gold was gifted to this Melai Vishnu Graham. The same person also gifted a land of ... kizhi for the Pidari temple of the same Village and made arrangement of supplying ulakku ( measurement ) oil from the income. The Ompadaikilavi  ( the last part of the inscription )  gave the the curse of the sin done between Ganga and Thenkumari, to those who hinders this endowment and those legs will be on his head, who takes care of this endowment. ( Thanks to Saravanan Raja, Narasimhan Kesavan, Ponkarthi and Anbu for recording deciphering the inscription ). The original inscription reads as.....

1. பரகேஸரி பந்மற்கு யாண்டு ஐஞ்சாவது படுவூர் கோட்டத்து காரைநாட்டு ஸ்ரீரணவிக்ரமங்கலத்து ஸபையோம் எம்மூர் மேலை விஷ்ணுகிரஹத்து பெருமானடிகளுக்கு நுந்தாவிளகெரிப்பதற்கு இவூர் மத்யஸ்தன்
2. க்காமடி பெருமான் பக்கல் செம் (மெய்) பதினொ (ரு) கழஞ்சு சொன் கொண்டு இப்பொண்...க்கு எம்மூர் ஒக்காடணத்தமா னு...கு...ழி நிலமும் எப்பேர்ப்பட்ட இறையுங் (கொ) ட்டப் பெறாதாக இறைஇலி ஆக பற்று... இவனை...
3. ம்ஸவையோர் இந்நிலத்தால் வந்த... கொண்டு ஆசந்திர முந் (நிலச்ச) உழக்க கெண்ணை கொண்டு பபோ ராமும் முட்டாமை ந...தா விளக்கெரிப்ப...பணித்தோம் லெபை...ம் இ
4. த்த ம்மம் அழித்தார் கங்கை இடைக்குமரி இடைச் செய்தார் செய்த பாவத்துப் படுவோமாக ப் பணித்தோம் ஸபையோ... இத்தர்ம்மம் ர கஷித்தாரடி என் தலை மேலன.  

The temple is under renovation. Temple renovation is not done as per any standard procedure. Bhitti brick pilasters has been  removed and cement plastering is done, which spoils the antiquity of the temple.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Maha Vishnu at this temple is similar to Vaikuntam with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Hence they are considered for 16 boons like improvement in business, wealth includes Gold, money, house, etc, Education, Marriages and Child Boon, etc,.

In addition to that, a herbal medicine is given at this temple on all the days for the child boon. The medicine has to be consumed only after 6 days of mensuration. Those who are desirous of taking the medicines has to contact and confirm with the following mobile number +91 9489150254 before going to the temple.   

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Oru kala pooja is conducted and special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Rama navami, Krishna jayanthi, on Saturdays, etc. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 09.00 hrs to 17 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Since the temple  is under renovation the trustees may be contacted for further details. The Trustees mobile numbers are +91 7305141746 and +91 9489150254.

HOW TO REACH

This temple at Vannivedu is on the Madras – Bombay trunk Road / Chennai to Arcot.

The temple is about 4.3 KM from Walajahpet, 5 from Arcot, 7.5 KM from Ranipet,  15 KM from Kaveripakkam, 26 KM from Vellore and 110 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Walajah Road Junction ( 9.0 KM )

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Thiruvantheeswarar Temple / Shadaranya Shethram /Athiri Maharishi Temple / Atri Temple / Sri AAdhi Lingeshwarar Temple/ அருள்மிகு திரிபுரசுந்தரி உடனுறை திருவந்தீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில் குடிமல்லூர் / Gudimallur, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Thiruvantheeswarar Temple at Gudimallur was a part of Shiva, Vishnu Temples and Heritage sites at Thirumalaicherry, Gudimallur and Kaveripakkam. I extend my Sincere tanks to Mr Ramesh Krishnamurthy for taking me to all these places. 

This place was called as Kudamallikavanam ( Kodamalli ) during puranic period. The word “Gudi” means a variety of jasmine flower, hence this place obtained the name as Gudimallur. This temple is one of the Shadaranya Kshetrams around Arcot, where all the Sapta Rishis worshiped Lord Shiva of the temple. The Temples are Sri Valmikiswarar Temple at Mel Visaram ( Vishavrukshavanam - Ettimaram ), Sri Kashyabeswarar Temple at Avarajkarai / Navlock, Sri Vasishteswarar Temple at Veppur ( Nimbavanam – Neem Trees ), Sri Gauthameswarar Temple at Kaarai ( Kaarai  Vanam – Kaarai trees ), Sri Barathwajeswarar Temple at Pudupadi ( Soothavanam – Mango Trees ),  Sri Agastheeswarar Temple Vannivedu ( Sameevanam – Vanni Trees ) and Sri Thiruvantheeswarar Temple at Gudimallur ( Gudamallikavanam – Koda malli ).

Moolavar  : Sri Thiruvantheeswarar, Athirishwarar

Consort    : Sri Tripura Sundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch / Mottai gopuram  on the south side. Stucco images of Lord Shiva with Parvati, Vinayagar, Murugan, Athiri Maharishi and Thirugnanasambandar are on the top of the mottai gopuram. Moolavar is in a raised level sanctum sanctorum. Balipeedam Kodimaram and Rishabam are on the east side. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. A door is on the east side wall in front of Rishabam. In praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Athiri Maharishi Navagrahas, Bairavar, Suriyan and Chandikeswarar are in the inner praharam. Vinayagar, Vahana mandapam are in the outer praharam.

ARCHITECTURE

Paintings of Dwarapalakas, Kannappar purana, Tripura samhara ( as bas relief ), Vinayagar are on the left side entrance of sanctum sanctorum. Paintings of Dwarapalaka, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Kala samhara moorthy and Nataraja ( in the form of bas relief ) are on the right side entrance of the sanctum sanctorum.  

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum antarala and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised level of about 3 feet on a padabandha adhisthana with Jagathy, threepatta kumuda and pattigai. The Bhitti starts with vedhika. The pilasters are brahma kantha pilasters with malaithongal, kalasam, kudam, thadi, mandai, palagai and pothyal.

The Vimana above the prastaram is of green stone up to greevam and above greevam built with stucco. The greeva koshtas has the images of Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu and Brahma. The west side Salai nasi kudu has the bas relief of Athiri Maharishi worshiping Lord Shiva.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple may belongs to 12^th to 13^th century and the same was reconstructed during Vijayanagara period ( 14^th to 15^th century ). Vijayanagara relief of baboon is found on the ceiling stone in the front mandapam. The painting may belongs to their period ie they are more than 300 to 400 years old.

The temple was consecrated / Jeenodharana maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 30^th August 1979 and   23^rd January 1998.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Athiri / Atri maharishi is the last and one of the Saptha Rishis. His wife Anusuya is considered as one of the seven Pathivradhas. He and his wife Anusuya did a penance on Lord Shiva, Maha Vishnu and Brahma. Satisfied with their devotion, All the appeared and asked what the boon they want. Atri Maharishi and his wife Anusuya asked the boon, that all the three to born as their Children for them. Brahma as Chandra, Maha Vishnu as Dattatreya and Lord Shiva as Durvasa, were born. Since Atri worshiped Lord Shiva, this temple is also called as Atri Temple and Lord Shiva is called as Athirishwarar.

It is believed that worshiping Lord Shiva and Atri Maharishi will solve all the problems / obstacles.

A Bas relief of Athiri Maharishi, worships Lord Shiva on the Vimanam

Athiri Maharishi on the Vimana & Maha mandapam 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from orukala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri, Pradosham, Vinayagar Chathurthi, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened only for pooja timings. Hence Devotees are advised to confirm with the Gurukkal before reaching the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS

Gurukkal mobile number +91 93455075589 may be contacted further details.

http://gudimallurthiruvantheshwaratemple.blogspot.com/p/history_74.html

HOW TO REACH

To reach Gudimallur, from Chennai 2 KM after the Kaveripakkam Toll gate turn left towards Palar Anaicut Walaja Entrance. 3 KM from Madras – Bombay trunk Road / Chennai to Arcot.

The temple is about 9.3 KM from Walajahpet, 12.3 KM from Kaveripakkam, 10 KM from Arcot, 12 KM from Ranipet, 31 KM from Vellore and 105 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Walajah Road Junction

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

On the Mandapam ceiling

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---