Sri Ulagudai Nathar and Sri Azhaguraya Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ உலகுடைநாதர் கோவில் / ஸ்ரீ அழகுராய பெருமாள் கோவில், பருத்திப்பள்ளி, Paruthipalli, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

A Gajaprishta Vimana ( Only sigaram ) Temple of Kongu Nadu....

The Visit to this Sri Ulagudai Nathar Temple at Paruthipalli was a part of Namakkal District Temples and Heritage sites Visit on 23^rd February 2024. Thanks to Mrs Sakthiprakash who accompanied with me to this Visit. A Maha Vishnu temple was also constructed during the same period. This Sri Ulagudainathar Temple is on the banks of Paruthipalli Lake.

Moolavar  : Sri UlagudaiNathar

Consort    : Sri UlagudaiNayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a Deepastamabam with mandapam. An entrance arch with stucco Image of Shiva, Parvati, Vinayagar and Murugan are on the top of the arch. Balipeedam, Dwajasthamam and Rishabam are in front of mukha mandapam. Sandi & Mundi dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Shiva’s sannidhi. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durga.

Ambal Ulagudai Nayaki sannidhis on the left side of the Shiva Temple. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

In praharam Selva Vinayagar, Sri Kalyana Subramaniar,  Chandikeswarar, Bairavar and Navagrahas.

SRI AZHAGURAYA PERUMAL SANNIDHI

Sri Azhaguraya Perumal is on the right side of Shiva’s Sannidhi. Jayan & Vijayan are on both sides of the Sri Azhagu Raya Perumal sanctum entrance. Moolavar Sri Azhagu Raya Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Garuda is in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum.  A Two tier Nagara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum.

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and antarala.  And a Common Mukha mandapam from Azhaguraya Perumal and Ambal.

The total complex was built with bricks and cement concrete. Shiva’s sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam and pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam. The pilasters are of brahma kantha pilasters. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasikudus. A Two tier Gajaprishta / Gajabrushta vimanam ( only sigaram ) is on the bhumidesam. The Vimana extends up to antarala. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva’s various forms are on the tala  and greeva kostams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was told that the temple was built by the Gounder Community after they had a conflict with other caste people in the Village. So they moved out constructed this Shiva and Vishnu Temple with a pidiman brought from the old place.

The new temple ashta bandhana maha kumbhabhisheam was conducted in February, 2015. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Theipirai ashtami,  Vinayagar Chathurti, Sankadahara chaturthi, Pournami, Kiruthigai, Thaipoosam, Vaikunta eakadasi, etc,.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs. to 11.00 hrs. and 17.00 hrs. to 19.00 hrs.

 

HOW TO REACH

Paruthipallai is on the midway between Mallasamudram and Vaiyappamalai.

The temple is about 8 KM from Mallasamudram, 19 KM Thiruchengode, 20.3 KM from Sankaridurg, 33 KM from Salem and 42 KM from Erode.

Nearest Railway Station is Sankaridurg

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Choleeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ சோழீஸ்வரர் கோவில், மல்லசமுத்திரம் / Mallasamudram, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Choleeswarar Temple at Mallasamudram was a part of Namakkal District Temples and Heritage sites Visit on 23^rd February 2024. Thanks to Mrs Sakthiprakash who accompanied with me to this Visit. A Kongu Chozha period temple with Vijayanagara Nayaka’s contributions.

Moolavar  : Sri Choleeswarar

Consort    : Sri Tripura Sundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a Deepasthambam.  Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are in front of mukha mandapam. Vinayagar is at the entrance of mukhamandapam. Two Rishabas are installed on both sides of the steps of the mukha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the entrance to the ardha mandapam. Moolavar is on a round avudayar. In koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, and Durgai.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing east on the left side of moolavar( north side ). Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of sanctum sanctorum. Dwarapalakis are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

In praharam 4 Shiva Lingas & a Vinayagar with his vahana in a mandapam, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Bairavar, Chandran, Suryan, Chandikeswarar, and Navagrahas.

 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattika. The Bhitti starts with vedika. The pilasters are of brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, mandi, palakai and pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus. Out of three talas, two tala brick vimanam is above prastaram. The sugam is of Nagara style.

The Mukha mandapa pillars has the sculptures of Nayaka period Donors and their wives.

The 4 Shiva Linga mandapa pillars has the bas reliefs of Koorma, Narasimhar, Ramar, Kinnara, Elephant, Female deity, Hanuman. Going by the sculptures, this mandapam pillars might have been brought from elsewhere may be an old Vishnu Temple.

Shiva Linga mandapam 

Shiva Linga mandapam - Vyagrapadar

Shiva Linga mandapam - Koorma

Shiva Linga mandapam - Rama..?

Shiva Linga mandapam - Ambal 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple may belongs to 10^th to 11^th century and Chozha period inscriptions are found on the adhistanam and sanctum walls. May be constructed during Chozha period and the Moolavar is called as Rajendra Choleeswarar.

The temple was reconstructed during Vijayanagara / Nayaka’s period. The Donors sculptures are found on the Pillars of Mukhamandapam, Shiva Linga Mandapam and Deepa sthambam mandapam.

The inscription at Mathiyampatti, Mariamman Temple records the Gift of Village Uthirapatti alias Thiriyampapuram to this Rajendra Chozheeswarar Temple as Thiruvidaiyattam.

A Chozha King, Rajendra-III’s, 1246 CE inscription starts with his meikeerthi as “Thirumanni valara….”, records the endowment of Naivedyam, to 3 sandhis to Ulakalanthan Vinnagar Temple, by  the Gangaikonda Chozhapurathu Nagarathars. 

The 14^th Century inscription records the gift given to this temple for the benefit of Paruthipalli nattu Mallasamudra Gounders, by a person Thoppanathar of Kundrathur.

The 19^th Century inscription in the Rishabam Mandapam records the construction of Rishaba Mandapam by Koneri Chetti’s son Krishnanchetti.

Ref:

Salem - Namakal Mavatta kalvettukkal by Dr A Krishnan and published by Thanjavur Tamil University.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Fridays, amavasya days, Adi month Fridays, Pradosham, Theipirai ashtami, Sankadahara chaturthi, Pournami, Kiruthigai, etc,.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will b kept opened between 07.00 hrs. to 11.00 hrs. and 17.00 hrs. to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on the bus route Thiruchengode to Salem via Attayampatti,  about 20 km from Tiruchengode & SankariDurg, 25 KM from Salem.

Nearest Railway Station is Sankari Durg.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Ambal Sannidhi 

 Mukha mandapam 

Mukha mandapam 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Pulikuthi Hero Stone / புலிகுத்திக்கல் at Sri Sellandi Amman Temple, Mallasamudram, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Pulikuthikal a Hero stone in Sri Sellandi Amman Temple at Mallasamudram was a part of “Namakkal District Temples and Heritage sites Visit”-  on 23^rd February 2024. Thanks to Mrs Sakthiprakash who accompanied with me to this Visit. 

In this Pulikuthi hero stone the hero is killing a tiger with a sword. The sword is pierced through the body of the tiger. The hero is wearing a half dress below his waist. He is shown with big mustache and the tuft is straight on his head.

This hero stone may belongs to 16^th to 17^th century.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Sellandi Amman Temple / ஸ்ரீ செல்லாண்டி அம்மன் கோயில், Mallasamudram, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Sellandi Amman Temple at Mallasamudram was a part of Namakkal District Temples and Heritage sites Visit on 23^rd February 2024. Thanks to Mrs Sakthiprakash who accompanied with me to this Visit. The special features of this temple are the presence of a Pulikuthi Hero stone and a Kulla Deivam for Vellalar, ( one sub sect ) Community.

Moolavar  : Sri Sellandiamman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing North with a Deepa sthambam in front of a 5 tier Rajagopuram. An oonjal mandapam is immediately after the Rajagopuram.  A small dwajasthamabam, balipeedam and Simhavahana are under the open mukha mandapam, in front of sanctum sanctorum. Dwarapalakis are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Selliamman in sitting posture with 8 hands holding a soolam, accamala, kamandalam, bowl, knife, damaru, and a severe head.

In praharam, Nagars, Hero Stones, Pulikuthi Hero Stone,  Amman may be Kali amman with Simha vahana.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and open mukha mandapam. The total temple was built with cement concrete. A 3 tier salakara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple may be of 500 years old and the same was reconstructed during recent years. The temple belongs to Vizhiyan kula Kongu Vellala Nattu Gounders.

PULIKUTHI HERO STONE

In this Pulikuthi hero stone the hero is killing a tiger with a sword. The hero is wearing a half dress below his waist. He is shown with big mustache and the tuft is straight on his head.

This hero stone may belongs to 16^th to 17^th century.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Fridays, amavasya days, Adi month Fridays, Pradosham, Theipirai ashtami, Sankadahara chaturthi, Pournami, Kruthigai,  and annual festival in the month Aadi.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs. to 17.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on the bus route Thiruchengode to Salem via Attayampatti,  about 20 km from Thiruchengode & Sankari, 25 KM from Salem.

Nearest Railway Station is Sankari Durg.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---