Sunday 29 May 2022

Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple / ஸ்ரீ பாலசுப்பிரமணிய சுவாமி கோயில், பாகசாலை/ Sri Murugan Temple, Pakasalai / Pagasalai, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

ஈளை சுரங்குளிர் வாத மெனும்பல
     நோய்கள் வளைந்தற           ...... இளையாதே
ஈடு படுஞ்சிறு கூடு புகுந்திடு
ஈடு படுஞ்சிறு கூடு புகுந்திடு
     காடு பயின்றுயி                ...... ரிழவாதே
……திருபுகழ்
The Visit to this Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Pagasalai was a part of Temples Visit in Tiruvallur District, before attending the Uzhavarapani at Janamejaya Eswarar temple at Panambakkam and Palalayam function at Senji Panambakkam  Sri Kailasanathar Temple. I was not aware of this Murugan temple before my visit. This is one of the Thirupugazh Paadal Petra Sthalam.


Moolavar  : Sri Murugan as Brahma Sastha

Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Kodimaram, Balipeedam, Vahana Peacock are in front of maha mandapam entrance. Bas reliefs of Murugan with his vahana peacock and Vinayagar are on both sides of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Lord Muruga is in standing posture holding akka mala and Kamandalam  in the upper hands and lower hands are in abhaya varada hastam.

In praharam Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Yaga salai, Chandikeswarar…?,  Arunagirinathar,   Anjaneyar ( believed to be installed by Vyasaraja ), Pamban Swamigal, Chidambaram Swamigal who installed Thiruporur Murugan and Kumaragurubarar in Vinaiyarukkum Vel mandapam. Stucco images of Muruga are on the parapet wall of the sanctum sanctorum.

The Hymns sung by Arunagirinathar, Pamban Swamigal, Kumara Gurubarar, Kandha Puranam, Kandhar Sashti Kavacham, etc, are fixed in the form of tablets on the sanctum walls.

The 15th Century Saint Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple. In that he mentioned this Pagasalai as Pagai.

ஈளை சுரங்குளிர் வாத மெனும்பல
     நோய்கள் வளைந்தற                               ...... இளையாதே
ஈடு படுஞ்சிறு கூடு புகுந்திடு
ஈடு படுஞ்சிறு கூடு புகுந்திடு
     காடு பயின்றுயி                                          ...... ரிழவாதே
மூளை யெலும்புகள் நாடி நரம்புகள்
மூளை யெலும்புகள் நாடி நரம்புகள்
     வேறு படுந்தழல்                                         ...... முழுகாதே
மூல மெனுஞ்சிவ யோக பதந்தனில்
மூல மெனுஞ்சிவ யோக பதந்தனில்
     வாழ்வு பெறும்படி                                      ......மொழிவாயே
வாளை நெருங்கிய வாவியி லுங்கயல்
வாளை நெருங்கிய வாவியி லுங்கயல்
     சேல்கள் மறிந்திட .                                    ..... வலைபீறா
வாகை துதைந்தணி கேதகை மங்கிட
வாகை துதைந்தணி கேதகை மங்கிட
     மோதி வெகுண்டிள                                     ...... மதிதோயும்
பாளை நறுங்கமழ் பூக வனந்தலை
பாளை நறுங்கமழ் பூக வனந்தலை
     சாடி நெடுங்கடல்                                           ...... கழிபாயும்
பாகை வளம்பதி மேவி வளஞ்செறி
பாகை வளம்பதி மேவி வளஞ்செறி
     தோகை விரும்பிய                                       ...... பெருமாளே.



ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum was built with stone. An Ekathala stucco Nagara Vimana is above the sanctum sanctorum.



HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Based on the Arunagirinathar’s hymns, the original temple might have been existed before 15th century.

Ashta bandhana Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 24th June 1988 after completing the thirupani ( works started on 29th November 1985 ) at a cost of Rs 3.61 lakhs, in presence of Kanchi Thondaimandala Adheenam Kayilai punithar Gnanaprakasha Desika Paramachariya Swamigal,

Under Sri Balasubramaniya Swamy Vazhipattu mandram,   construction of Rajagopuram, installation Kodimaram and other thirupani works were started on 20th April 2000 at a cost of Rs 20 lakhs. After completion of thirupani Jeernodharana ashta bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 28th June 2006, in presence of Thondaimandala adheenam sri-la-sri Thiruvambala Desika Gnanaprakasha Paramacharya Swamigal. 






LEGENDS
Usually Murugan will be with Sri Valli Devasena. It will be rare to see that Murugan is alone as moolavar and this is one of the temple where Murugan as Brahma Sastha with aksharamala and Kamandalam. Similar Moolavar is found at Voyalanallur. As per the legend, the creator, Brahma is supposed to know the meaning of Pranava mantra. When muruga asked the meaning of Pranava Mantra, Brahma couldn’t give the meaning. So Muruga imprisoned Brahma and took charge of the creation of this universe. And also holds the attributes aksharamala and Kamandalam  of Brahma.

This place Pagasalai / Pakasalai Murugan temple is on the banks of river Kosasthalaiyar River and the river is flowing from south to North as Utharavahini in this place. Any place with a river flowing from South to north is considered as a holiest place and equivalent to Ganga. This river Kosasthalaiyar’s specialities are mentioned in the matsya purana, Koorma purana, Linga Purana, Bhavishya Purana and Markandeya purana.

It is believed that the Devas, Lord Brahma, Chitragupta, Narada, Sage Agasthiyar and saints like Adi Sankarar, Guru Raghavendra Swamy visited this temple.  

In another legend, during the British period a collector passing through this place happened to see Lord Muruga as his religion Padhiriyar ( Christian priest ) from a long distance  during one his travelling. Since other religion people are allowed to enter in to a Hindu temple, he couldn’t go nearer. In that Night, Murugan came in his dream in the form of Christian priest and took him to this temple. Hence Local Christians refers Lord Muruga as Padhiri Ayya. They used to offer prayers and break coconuts.

It is believed that worshiping Lord Muruga will answer all the prayers. Devotees used to lit ghee lamps for 48 days / one mandala to fulfill their wishes. In some cases the wishes are fulfilled even before completion of 48 days due to the grace of Lord Muruga. As a part of Thanks giving devotees used to offer abhishekam after doing angapradakshinam or 108 times circumambulation of the sanctum sanctorum.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Kiruthigai, Sashti, Panguni Uthiram, Tuesdays, Amavasya days etc,. Annual Brahmotsavam will be held in the month Masi ( Feb – March ).


TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.30 Hrs to 10.30 Hrs and 16.30 hrs to 18.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The mobile number of the Gurukkal +91 8110949465 and +91 9176529893 may be contacted for further details.   

HOW TO REACH
The temple is about 6 KM from Perambakkam ( Autos are available at Perambakkam and to Perambakkam,  city buses are available from Poonamallee, Thakkolam ), 5 KM from Manavur, 20 KM from Arakkonam,  24 KM from Tiruvallur,  40 KM from Poonamallee and 58 KM from Chennai Central.
Nearest Railway station is Manavur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE






--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA --- 

Thursday 19 May 2022

Kotravai & Durgai, கொற்றவை / துர்கை அம்மன், at Valarpuram and Chinnamandalai in Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to these Kotravai sculptures at Valarpuram and Chinna mandalai in Tiruvallur District was a part of Temples Visit in Tiruvallur District, before attending the Uzhavarapani at Janamejaya Eswarar temple at Panambakkam and Palalayam function at Senji Panambakkam  Sri Kailasanathar Temple. The details are as flows….

Kotravai / Durgai, Valarpuram.
This Kotravai / Durgai  is in the form bas relief on the flat stone installed facing east. Kotravai is standing on Mahishan’s head in samabhanga posture.  She is with 8 hands holding  conch, Chakra, Sword, Chavukku / whip, Shield, bow and a weapon, which is not known. The left lower hand is in kadi hastam. Marbu kachu / chest band and half dress below the waist with knots and frills are shown. Wearing ornaments in ears, hands, neck, sannaveeram, arrow holders ( ambura ) are also shown on the back. Deer’s head is shown on the right side. Two devotees are shown at her feet. One devotee is in navakandam posture and the other devotee is in anjali hastam.

Considering the iconography, experts are of the opinion that this Kotravai belongs to 8th to 9th Century Pallava period.  

LOCATION OF KOTRAVAI      : CLICK HERE




KOTRAVAI AT CHINNAMANDALAI
This kotravai panel is installed inside Sri Niranjeeswarar Temple at Chinnamandali, was called as Sirumanavai during Chozha period. The Kotravai is in standing posture with jwala mukuda ( flame ). She is with 6 arms holding various weapons like dragger, bow and a parrot on one of the left hand. Lower right hand is in kadi hastam. Her vahana deer is shown behind her legs. A Devotee in navakandam ( offering his head by cutting )  relief is shown on the right side of her leg.

As per the iconography, the experts are of the opinion that this Kotravai may belongs to 6th Century Pallava period.

LOCATION OF KOTRAVAI      : CLICK HERE



--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Monday 16 May 2022

Sri Beemeshwarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ பீமேஸ்வரர் கோயில், வளர்புரம் / Valarpuram, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Beemeswarar Temple was a part of Temples Visit in Tiruvallur District, before attending the Uzhavarapani at Janamejaya Eswarar temple at Panambakkam and Palalayam function at Senji Panambakkam  Sri Kailasanathar Temple. The main purpose of visit to this temple is to see a Pallava period Kotravai near the temple.


Moolavar  : Sri Beemeshwarar
Consort    : Sri Maragathavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east on the banks of Valarpuram Eri. Since the temple is very small, there is no prahara. All the deities are installed inside the compound. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Vinayagar and Sri Valli devasena Subramaniar are on the left and right side of Sanctum Sanctorum. There is no murtis in koshtam. Ambal Maragathavalli is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Chandikeswarar and Chandran ( but wrongly written as Suryan ) are on the south east and north east corners of compound abutting the wall.

ARCHITECTURE
The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam.  The eri bund is above the sanctum sanctorum adhisthanam. So couldn’t asses the type of adhistanam. There is no Vimanam above the sanctum sanctorum. The front mandapam pillars are of square base with Nagabandham and vettu pothyal. The Pillars has the bas reliefs of Donors, Cow worship Lord Shiva, Kalinga narthanar, Monkey, Bhuta Ganas, Munis, Krishna, Solar / Lunar eclipse, etc,.




HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is claimed that the temple belongs to more than 2000 years Old, but there is no evidence to prove the same. As per the iconography of Rishabam and Chandran, the temple may belongs to 15th to 16th century and may be reconstructed during Nayakas period.    

LEGENDS
It was told that this temple’s legend is associated with Epic Mahabharata. The Pancha Pandavas during their exile, they lived around this place and Beema worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Beemeshwarar. Also further told that, some of the Villages around this place are in the names of  the characters of Epic Mahabharat.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from oru kala special poojas are conducted on pradosham and Maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the closing opening times are unpredictable. 9 During my Visit the temple was kept open after the Poojas around 08.00 hrs )

CONTACT DETAILS 
Phone number to Check +91 9025602544 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH
This Place Valarpuram is on the Poonamallee to Thakkolam Road via Perambakkam. All the City buses will stop at Valarpuram and the Temple is about 400 meters from the bus stop.
The temple is 5.6 KM from Mannur Junction, 10.00 KM from Sriperumbudur, 14 KM from Poonamallee, 28 KM from Koyambedu and 32 KM from Chennai Central.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE








--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thursday 12 May 2022

Sculptures

1. Thavvai / Jyeshta Devi

2. Kotravai /Korravai, Mahishasuramardini / Durga

3. Ayyanar

4. Saptamatrikas / Saptha Kannis


Ayyanar Sculptures

TN - DISTRICT

PLACE

DESCRIPTION

Ariyalur Dist

Melapalur

Ayyanar

 

 

 

Chengalpattu Dist

Chunambedu

Sri Ayyanar Temple

Chengalpattu Dist

Kunnathur

Ayyanar

Chengalpattu Dist

Kolathur

Ayyanar ( Somanatheswarar Temple )

 

 

 

Chennai Dist

Poonamallee

Ayyanar

Chennai Dist

Pattalam / Choolai

Ayyanar

 

 

 

Coimbatore

Periyakalanthai

Ayyanar

 

 

 

Erode Dist

Alathur

Ayyanar

Erode Dist

Periyapuliyur

Iyyanar statues

 

 

 

Kanchipuram Dist

Arpakkam

Ayyanar Sculpture

Kanchipuram Dist

Peranakkavur

Pallava Ayyanar

Kanchipuram Dist

Vadakkupattu

Ayyanar Sculpture

Kanchipuram Dist

Kachapeswarar Temple

Ayyanar as Dharma Sastha

 

 

 

Karur Dist

Munnur

Ayyanar Sculpture

 

 

 

Mayiladuthurai Dist

Thiruvellakulam

Chozha Period Ayyanar

 

 

 

Namakkal Dist

Kollimalai

Ayyanar

 

 

 

Ranipet Dist

Chennasamudram

Ayyanar

 

 

 

Salem Dist

Amarakundhi

Sri Iyyanar Temple

 

 

 

Sivaganga Dist

Kanadukathan

Sri Sundareswarar & Ayyanar Temple

 

 

 

Thanjavur Dist

Devarayan pettai

Ayyanar

Thiruvannamalai Dis

Kilkolathur

Ayyanar

Tiruchirappalli Dist

Kotramangalam

Ayyanar Temple

 

 

 

Tiruppur Dist

Chinnaripatti

Ayyanar

Tiruppur Dist

Chinnaripatti

Ayyanar

Tiruppur Dist

Kandiankoil

Pulikuthi Karkal, Ayyanar & Thavvai thai 

Tiruppur Dist

Kangeyam 

Pulikuthi, Ayyanar and Thavvai statues 

Tiruppur Dist

Kannadiputhur

Athikosham, Vinayagar & Ayyanar

Tiruppur Dist

Koduvai

Ayyanar 

Tiruppur Dist

Koduvai/ Shiva Temple

Ayyanar

Tiruppur Dist

Pappini

Ayyanar

Tiruppur Dist

Perunthozhuvu

Pulikuthi Karkal, Ayyanar &Thavvai thai 

Tiruppur Dist

Sarkar Kannadiputhur

Sri Vishnu Durgai, Vinayagar & Ayyanar

Tiruppur Dist

Velliraveli

Ayyanar Sculpture

 

 

 

Vellore Dist

Vellore Fort Museum

Ayyanar

 

 

 

Villupuram Dist

Aviyur

Ayyanar

Villupuram Dist

Enathirimangalam

Ayyanar Temple

Villupuram Dist

Enthirimangalam

Iyyanar Temple

Villupuram Dist

Esalam

Ayyanar

Villupuram Dist

Perangiyur

Ayyanar

Villupuram Dist

Perangiyur

Sri Chamundeeswari Amman Temple

Villupuram Dist

Saram

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple Ayyanar

Villupuram Dist

Semaneri Sastha Temple

Ayyanar