Thursday 22 February 2024

Sri Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal Temple/ ஸ்ரீ கல்யாண வரதராஜ பெருமாள் கோயில் / Sri Anjaneyar Temple / Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple, Athur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Kalyana Varadaraja Perumal Temple at Athur, near Chengalpattu was a part of “Shiva and Vishnu Temples Visit in around Athur” on 16th January 2024. There are 7 Shiva Temples and two Maha Vishnu Temple, in and around this Athur Village. And this is one of Vishnu temple built during Chozha period.


நாராயணனே நமக்கே பறை தருவான்.
பாரோர்ப் புகழ் படிந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.
…….. ஸ்ரீ ஆண்டாள்
நாடினேன் நாடி நான் கண்டு கொண்டேன்.
நாவினால் சொல்லச் சொல்ல
நாராயணா வென்னும் நாமம்
……….. ஸ்ரீ திருமங்கையாழ்வார்
பாதகங்கள் தீர்க்கும் பரமனடி காட்டும்
வேதமனைத்துக்கும் வித்தாகும் - கோதைத்தமிழ்
ஐயைந்தும் ஐந்தும் அறியாத மானிடரை
வையம் சுமப்பது வம்பு
……….. ஆழ்வார்கள்

Moolavar  : Sri Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal
Thayar     : Sri Perundevi Thayar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing west with an entrance arch. Stucco images  Varadharaja Perumal, with Sridevi and Bhudevi are on the entrance arch. Deepa sthambam, balipeedam are in front of the temple. The entrance to the maha mandapam / ardha mandapam is on the south side.  Alwars and Garudan are in the ardha mandapam.   Moolavar is in standing posture about 6 feet tall with Sridevi and Bhudevi.  Utsavars and alwars metal images are in the antarala and ardha mandapam.

In praharam Sri Perundevi Thayar and Andal are at the west side entrance facing east.

Alwars

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s avatars are on the ardha mandapam parapet wall. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with three pattta kumudam. The bhitti starts with vedika. Brahmakantha pilasters are with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi and vettu pathiyals. The prastaram starts with valapi, kapotam with nasikudus. A two tala dravida vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. Maha Vishnu’s various avatars are on the tala and greeva koshtas.  




HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per the inscription this temple was constructed in 1231 CE by Thirukalathi Thevan Vijayakanda Gopalan and latter the temple was expanded during Vijayanagara period.

தெலுங்கு சோழர் அல்லுந்திக்கரசர் கண்டகோபாலனின் 33 ஆம் ஆட்சி ஆண்டு தமிழ் கல்வெட்டு, ஆற்றூர் என்னும் இராசராச நல்லூர் ஊரைச் சார்ந்த மாம்பாக்கம் ஊர்த்தலைவன் திருக்கைச்சாலை உடையார் என்கிற தழுவக்குழைந்தான் பட்டன் என்பவன் திருவூரகத்து எம்பெருமான் கோயிலுக்குத் தானமளித்தச் செய்தியைப் பதிவு செய்கின்றது. ( திருவூரகப்பெருமாள் கோயில் காஞ்சிபுரத்தில் உலகளந்தபெருமாள் கோயில் வளாகத்தில் உள்ள நான்கு திவ்யதேசங்களுல் ஒரு திவ்யதேசம் ).

Telugu Chozhar Allunthikarasar Kanda Gopalan’s 33rd reign year Tamil inscription records, a gift to Thiruvooragathu Perumal Temple by Mambakkam Village head Thirukkaisalai Udayar alias Thazhuvakuzhainthan Bhattan. ( Thiruvooragam is one of the 4 Divya Desam temples of Ulagalantha Perumal temple of Kanchipuram ).

கல்யாண வரதராஜ பெருமாள் கோயில் மகாமண்டபம் வெளிச்சுவர் தென்புறம் உள்ள தமிழ் கல்வெட்டு, கலி வருடம் 4987-ஆம் ஆண்டு பார்த்திப ஆண்டு ஆனி மாதம் 13-ஆம் தேதி (கி.பி. 1885) இக்கோயிலுக்கு குடமுழுக்கு நடைபெற்றுள்ளது என்பதைத் தெரிவிக்கிறது.

Maha mandapam outside wall inscription of kali Year 4987, Parthiba Year Aani Month 13th day ( 1885 CE ), records the maha samprokshanam conducted to this temple.

The temple was reconstructed and maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 26th April 2004.



Ref
1.   தமிழ்நாட்டுக் கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி – IX, காஞ்சிபுரமாவட்ட       கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி - 5
2.  Inscriptions in the temple.
3.  Sri Muktheeswarar Temple Sthala varalaru, Sri Muktheeswarar Seva Sangam Published in 2019 ( This book is with full of mistakes, especially inscriptions ).

Donors - May be Telugu Chozhar Allunthikarasar Kanda Gopalan & Vijayakanda Gopalan

LEGENDS
It is believed that Moolavar Sri Varadaraja Perumal is in Kalyana kolam with Maha Lakshmi. Hence the moolavar is called as Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal. This is a parihara sthalam for marriages.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Daily poojas will be conducted between 09.00 hrs to 10.00 Hrs.

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Hanuman Jayanthi, Ramar Jayanthi, on all the days in Margazhi etc,. The Mupperum Vizha, on Koodaravalli Day in Margazhi Month  of Margazhi Worship, Koodaravalli weekly festival and Sri Andal Manaseeka Thirukalyana Vaibhavam. And Garuda Seva in Aani Month, Vaikanasariyar Utsavam, Vaishnava Deepam in the month Karthigai, Dhanur pooja in the month Margazhi, Thirukalyana Utsavam in the month Panguni are celebrated in a Grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 09.00 hrs to 11.00 Hrs and 17.30 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The Gurukkal’s mobile number +91 9884839981 may be contacted for further details.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE







Anjaneyar Temple, Athur.
An Anjaneyar Sannidhi is about 50 meters from the entrance of Sri Kalyana Varadaraja Perumal Temple. The temple is facing ( east ) Sri Kalyana varadaraja Perumal, without vimanam. Hanuman also called Siriya Thiruvadi is in standing posture with anjali hastam. Utsava murtis are in front of the Moolavar. Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated in a grand manner.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE



Venugopala Swamy Temple and Bajanai Madam.
In addition to Sri Kalyana Varadaraja Perumal Temple, there is a Bajanai Madam and a Venugopala Swamy Temple on the same street. The temple was built with sanctum sanctorum, antarala and open mukha mandapam.  It was told that the original temple exists from ancient times. This present temple was reconstructed during recent years with brick and cement concrete.

Apart from oru kala regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Krishna Jayanthi, Vaikunta ekadasi, Saturdays, etc,. Bajans will be conducted during Margazhi Month in the Bajanai Madam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE




Bajanai Madam
 Bajanai Madam

HOW TO REACH
This Village Athur is on the Chengalpattu to Kanchipuram.  The Athur is about 7 KM from Chengalpattu, 35 KM from Kanchipuram, 40 KM from Tambaram and 64 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station Reddipalayam / Palur and Junction is Chengalpattu.
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Wednesday 21 February 2024

Sri Jalakandeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ ஜலகண்டேஸ்வரர் கோயில், Athur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Jalakandeswarar Temple at Athur, near Chengalpattu was a part of “Shiva and Vishnu Temples Visit” on 16th January 2024.


This is one of the seven Shiva temples and 2nd Shiva temple in and around Athur Village in Chengalpattu District. This temple is right on the banks of river Palar


Moolavar  : Sri Jalakandeswarar
Consort    : Sri Akilandeswari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a balipeedam and Rishabam. The temple is with sanctum sanctorum only. Ambal is also facing east close to the Shiva Lingam. Balipeedam and Rishabam are also in the sanctum sanctorum.



ARCHITECTURE
The temple was not constructed as per any temple architecture and looks like a shed built with brick and cement. The temple consists only the sanctum sanctorum with a grill gate. There is no kostas and Vimana.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple is missing now. The Shiva Lingam was abandoned  on the side of the road during the expansion of the  Chengalpattu to Kanchipuram Road. During Kanchi Maha Periyava’s yathra, he worshipped this Shiva Lingam and advised the villagers to reconstruct a temple for this Jalakandeswarar. 

Ref
1.   தமிழ்நாட்டுக் கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி – IX, காஞ்சிபுரமாவட்ட கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி - 5
2.  Inscriptions in the temple.
3.  Sri Muktheeswarar Temple Sthala varalaru, Sri Muktheeswarar Seva Sangam Published in 2019 ( This book is with full of mistakes, especially inscriptions ).

LEGENDS
As per the legend, since the original temple was on the banks of river Palar, the water will be always found in the sanctum sanctorum. Hence Shiva was called as Jalakandeswarar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
Since oru kala poojas is conducted the time of opening and closing are unpredictable. But one can do the darshan of Shiva and Ambal through the grill gate. 

CONTACT DETAILS
The details of the archakar is also not known.

HOW TO REACH
This Village Athur is on the Chengalpattu to Kanchipuram.  The Athur is about 7 KM from Chengalpattu, 35 KM from Kanchipuram, 40 KM from Tambaram and 64 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station Reddipalayam / Palur and Junction is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE


--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Tuesday 20 February 2024

Sri Airavatesvara Temple / ஐராவதேசுவரர் கோயில், தாராசுரம் / Darasuram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil nadu.

This is an up dated post with more clear Photos and details. Please Click to view my old Posts. 

This Sri Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ), maintained by the Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam. Recent renovations are done by the present Prince of Maratha king Babaji Rajah Bhonsle. This temple is declared as a UNESCO monument under Great Living Chozha Temples along with Thanjavur, Sri Rajarajecharam alias Brihadeeswara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram. ASI allowed for the regular pooja to  moolavar. 

Temple complex view.


Moolavar    : Sri Airavatesvara
Consort      : Sri Periya Nayaki, Sri Deiva Nayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are....
The temple is facing east with Balipeedam and Rishaba mandapam out side. The steps of rishaba mandapam emanates musical sound when tapped. Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Annapoorani, Saraswati without veena, Kannappar, Nagaraja, Nandikeshwara. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy,Lingothbavar, Arthanareeswarar, Lingothbavar, Ashta Bhuja Bairavar, Vishnu Durgai etc. Sanga nidhi and Padmanidhi are in the mukha mandapam. The Pillars of saobana mandapa has the bas relief of Shiva and Parvati's marriage on all the 4 sides of the Pillar. 

The Adhistanam has the bas relief sculptures of the 63 Nayanmar stories. In praharam 11 Surya Lingas and saligrama Lingam, 63var on the wall, Gallary, displays Sri Valli Devasena Murugan, Rajaraja-II. 

Ambal is in separate temple on the left side of the main Temple. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.
 
Ambal

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sobana mandapam was built like a chariot pulled by horses. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Upanam. The Vimanam is of 5 tiers. Nayanmar's story are sculpted on the base of the Temple. 

The temple is maintained    neat and clean with landscape out side.  Lot of relief on the walls, ceilings and  pillars are found. In one pillar complete  story of Lord Shiva’s marriage was chiseled  on all four sides of the pillar. The Shiva and Ambal images are very beautiful. Different sounds are observed when tapped on various parts of the image of Annapoorani. It was a wonderful experience to see the details of the bas reliefs, sculptures and statues chiseled made out of stone.


Mandapam is like chariot style construction
Entrance Mandapam
Temple complex view 
 Moolavar Vimanam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple belongs to 12th Century CE, built by the Chozha King Rajaraja-II.

The temple was in dilapidated condition during 1990s and the same was reconstructed by the Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam. 

The king  Raja Raja II ( 1146 AD ) in the gallery.
Chozha period Tamil inscriptions

LEGENDS
As per the legend, The Indra's vahana white elephant Airavata was cursed by Durvasa for destroying the graland to become an ordinary Elephant. The Airavatam came to this place and worshipped Shiva of this temple and got relieved from Durvasa's curse. Hence moolavar is called as Airavatesvara.

In Another legend An Asura / Demon called Daran worshipped Shri Shiva of this temple and obtained the boon of conquering the celestial deities and live without death. Hence this place is called as Darasuram. 

Arthanareeswarar - see the three heads like Brahma an unusual sculpture..
Annapoorani 
Closer look, the face with sharp nose, a master piece - Annapoorani
See the details of hand, fingers and nails  - observed different sound when tapped on akshaya patra, lotus flower and the head. - Annapoorani
See the details of the right hand holding the lotus flower - Annapoorani
See the saree foldings  and the design of wearing - Annapoorani
See the beautiful smile on the face of Annapoorani
 Adhikara Nandi  holding a sword 
Lord Shiva in sitting posture holding Shield (Kedayam ) and sword in a pair of hands and bow & arrow in a pair of hands.
Bairavar in koshtam - finished like metal
Dakshinamoorthy
Closer look of Dhakshinamoorthy  see the jadamudi curling and the ear ring on left ear.
Right hands with Chin mudra and rudraksham in the other hand
Lingothbavar - Vishnu and Brahma on both sides
Vishnu Durgai - in koshtam
See the smiling face with abhaya hastham
Kannappar (..?)
Saraswati

 Nagaraja
Sri Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar - in the gallery
63 var on the wall
Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar.
Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar.- Ambal's Dhabas and below, worshiping Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar. - Lord Shiva came in the Rishaba vahanam
Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar.- See the Navagrahas  attending the marriage with their vahanas.
Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar- Lord Shiva gives darshan after the marriage.
Lord Shiva as Gaja samhara moorthy. - see the left leg's padam
Oorthava thandavam where  Lord Shiva danced at Thiruvalangadu - a relief on the pillar.
Dancer - a relief on the pillar
one of the Relief on the base  - dancing to drums - who damaged this sculpture?
Relief also available in the ceiling
Arthanareeswarar and old painting - on the gallery wall
Old painting - may be Thiagarajar - on the gallery wall
Old painting - on the gallery wall
Sandal wood paste making stones  - in the gallery
Rishaba mandapam 
Entrance view of the Darasuram temple with Rishaba mandapam

 
Temple complex view
Ambal Temple complex view.
Ambal Temple


AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE - ANOTHER VISIT- DARASURAM 







Ambal Temple


For More Photos: CLICK HERECLICK HERE 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---