Sri Vaikundavasagar Perumal Temple/ஸ்ரீவைகுண்டவாச பெருமாள் கோயில், Viluppuram, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Vaikuntavasa Perumal Temple in Viluppuram city was a part of the “Shiva and Vishnu Temples Visit in and around Viluppuram” on 11^th August 2024.  

Moolavar   : Sri Vaikuntavasa Perumal

Thayar      : Sri Janakavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram on the south. Hanuman, balipeedam, dwajasthambam, and Garudan are on the east side. Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the ardha mandapam and the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Sri Vaikunta Perumal is about 6 feet tall in a sitting posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. No images are found in Koshtas.

In praharam, Vardaraja Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Sri Janakavalli Thayar, Anjaneyar at the left side of the entrance to ardha mandapam, Chakkarathalwar and Narasimhar on the back, Andal, and Perumal’s pada.

Thayar Sri Janagavalli is in a separate temple on the right side of the main temple, facing east. An Ashtabula Kotravai / Durgai is on the right side of the entrance. Thayar is in a sitting posture with abhaya varada hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a maha mandapam.  The sanctum sanctorum is on a kapota bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threeppatta kumudam, and kapotam. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam, and vyyalavari. The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The vimanam is of two talas, built in Nagara style.  Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s various forms/avatars are on the greeva and Tala Kostas.

Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s Dasavatars, Ramar with Sita and Lakshmana, Tirupati Balaji, Periya Thiruvadi, Siriya Thiruvadi, etc, are in the maha mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed the original temple belonged to the 11^th to 12^th Century, Chozha period, and later received contributions from Vijayanagara Nayakas. Vaikuntavasa Perumal Temple Dwajasthambam inscription records Viluppuram alias Janagapuri.

Andal Sannidhi was built and consecrated on 02^nd May 1960, by Vaithiyalinga Chettiar’s son Sivarama Chettiar.

Ashtabandhana Maha Samprokshanam was conducted on 26^th August 2009.

The temple is now preparing for Samprokshanam, and maintenance works are in progress during my Visit.

LEGENDS

This temple is considered to be the Nadu Nattu Vaikundam. It is believed that Thirumizhisai Alwar, one of the 12 Alwars and one of the Three Mudhal Azhawars, visited this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, as per Vaikanasa agama, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Monthly Ekadasi, Gausika Ekadasi, Moolavar Thirumanjanam on the first Sunday of every month, and all-important Vaishnava functions.

On Ekadasi days, Garuda Seva will be conducted around 18.00 hrs, and the procession will be done in the inner praharam.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.30 hrs to 11.30 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs. On Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, the temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs in the morning.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on Perumal Koil Street, in Fatima Layout, a part of Viluppuram City, 1.5 km from the Viluppuram Railway Station, 2.6 km from New Bus Stand, 37 km from Tindivanam, and 166 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Viluppuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Aadhi Valeeswarar Temple / ஆதி வாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Mettu Theru, Viluppuram, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Aadhi Valeeswarar Temple in Viluppuram city was a part of the “Shiva and Vishnu Temples Visit in and around Viluppuram” on 11^th August 2024.  

Moolavar   : Sri Adhi Valeeswarar

Consort     : Sri Valambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with an entrance arch. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Vali, Vinayagar, Balipeedam, and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Sanctum is on a raised level. Moolavar is on a round avudayar. In koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In praharam, Maha Vishnu with Anjaneyar, 63var, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Jyotir Lingas (Sri Smanathar, Sri Mallikarjunar, Sri Mahakaleswarar, Sri Omkareswarar, Sri Vaithiyanathar, Sri Beemasankarar, Sri Ramanatha Swamy, Sri Nageswarar, Sri Viswanathar, Sri Dharmakeswarar, Sri Khedhareeswarar, and Sri Krishneswarar), Gajalakshmi, Chandikeswarar, Nagars, Saniswarar, Navagrahas, Krishna, Saraswati, Stucco images of Nagar, Shiva in meditation, and Ardhanaresswarar (Ardhanareeswarar will be around 20 feet tall).

Natarajar and Ambal are in the mukha mandapam. Ambal sannidhi is facing south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhya varada hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam / mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Pada bandha adhistanam with vrudha kumudam. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai with plain mandi, tharanga pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with bhutavari, kapotam with Nasikudus, and Viyyalavari. The temple from adhistanam to prastaram was built with stone. The superstructure, the eka tala vesara vimanam, was built with bricks. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per Viluppuram Ramasamy Padaiyachiyar Kaiyedu, it was mentioned that the temple was constructed during the period of Aditha Chozha-I.  But as per Ila Thiyagarajan, based on the inscription style and the reign Year of the inscription, the temple might have been built during Rajaraja-I. Later expanded during the Vijayanagara period and was reconstructed in recent years.

There were 6 inscriptions recorded from this temple. Of which 3 inscriptions belong to Rajaraja-I, one belongs to Rajendra Chozha-I, and two belong to Vikrama Chozha. Vikrama Chozha-I’s one inscription is incomplete.

The inscriptions record this place as Vadakarai Brahmadeyam Nrupathonga Seyathangi Chaturvedi Mangalam. Shiva was called Thiruvaleeswarathu Paramaswamigal. Rajendra Chozha-I’s inscription records this place as Jananatha Chaturvedi Mangalam. Based on the name of the place, this place existed during the Pallava period. The temple might have been built as a brick temple during the Pallava period, and the same might have been reconstructed as a stone temple during Rajaraja-I’s period.   

Rajakesarivarman’s (Rajaraja-I), 4^th reign year inscription (989 CE), on the ardha mandapam south wall records the sale of land 1062 kuzhi to this temple for 42 Kalanju gold, by Enur Thiruvenkata Gramaviththan and Enur Irushikesava Gramaviththan.

Rajakesarivarman’s (Rajaraja-I), 8^th reign year inscription (993 CE), on the Sanctum Sanctorum South wall records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Vesaalipadi Vadakarai Vakoor Nattu Chikkar Chikkarudaiyan Perunjaman Puliyan Madevan. For the same 90 ewes/ Goat are gifted to this temple.

Rajakesarivarman’s (Rajaraja-I), 13^th reign year inscription (998 CE), on the Sanctum Sanctorum North wall records the sale of 6550 kuzhi land by the Sabha to Arcot Kootrathu Peraraisoorudaiyan Udhya Divakaran alias Arumozhi Mooventha Velar. The Land was sold for Srikoil Kanthamarchanai to the established Kanthamarchanaiyalwar.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s, 3^rd reign year inscription (1015 CE), on the Sanctum Sanctorum South wall records, the sale of 800 kuzhi land to the temple, by the 3 brothers, in Jananatha Chaturvedi Mangalathu Alunganathar, Araisoor Vishnubruntha Narayanancholai, his brother Narayanan Thaththanu, his brother Narayanan Thirumaliruncholai.

Vikrama Chozha’s 5^th reign year inscription (1123 CE), on the Sanctum Sanctorum West wall records, the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp at Gangaikonda Chozhavalanattu Panaiyur Nattu Vavalur Nattu Brahmadeyam Sri Jananatha Chaturvedimangalathu Thiruvaleecharamudaiya Mahadevar Temple. For the same 8, Kasu was received by two Siva Brahmins and agreed to burn the lamp. 

Ref:

Avanam 11, article by Ila Thiyagarajan Ariyalur and Ira Dhanabal Kanchipuram. 

The Vikrama Chozha's inscription- க் - the mistake made during inscribing was added

LEGENDS

It is believed that the Vanara King Vali, of Kishkindha, worshiped Shiva of this temple to get 50% of the strength of the opponents. Despite getting the boon from Shiva, Vali was killed by Rama, the Hero of the Hindu Epic Ramayana, hiding behind trees. A brass icon of Vali in a worshipping posture is installed in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosam, Maha Shivaratri, Pournami, Amavasya, Kiruthigai, Theipirai Ashtami, New Year Days, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Thiruvilakku pooja in the month Aadi, etc.

One of the 12 Jyotir Lingas- A Mukha Lingam

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be open from 07.00 to 11.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This temple is in Poonthottam Mettutheru, a part of Viluppuram City, about 200 meters from Town Bus Stand (back side of old Bus Stand), 1.7 km from Railway Station, 2 km from New Bus Stand, 39 km from Tindivanam, and 167 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Viluppuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Pathala Ponniamman Temple / ஸ்ரீபாதாள பொன்னிஅம்மன் கோயில், Purasawalkam, Kilpauk, Chennai. Tamil Nadu.

வாழ்வு ஆனவள் துர்கா வாக்குமானவள்

வானில் நின்றவள் இந்த மண்ணில் வந்தனள்

தாழ்வு அற்றவள் துர்கா தாயுமானவள்

தாபம் நீக்கியே என்னைத் தாங்கும் துர்க்கையே

தேவி துர்க்கையே ஜெய தேவி துர்க்கையே

தேவி துர்க்கையே ஜெய தேவி துர்க்கையே

The visit to this Sri Pathala Ponniamman Temple was missed during my earlier visit to the Temples in the Choolai area. This temple is also one of the temples built on the banks of the Holy River Cooum. Had the chance to visit this temple on 25^th August 2024, after visiting Sri Nagalingeswarar Temple, a private temple on the South side of Poonamallee Road.

Main Deity       : Sri Pathala Ponniamman

Some of the Salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. The temple is a little lower than the road level. Saptamatrikas and Ashta Lakshmi images are painted on the Mukha mandapam Ceiling. In Sanctum Sanctorum, Ponniamman is in a sitting posture, holding a Trishul and Akshaya pathra. The lower hands are in abhaya varada hastam. Ponniamman is in a peaceful mood. In koshtams, Dakshina Murthy, Narayani, Brahmi, and Durga. Utsavar are in the antarala. Thulabaram is in the mukha mandapam.

In praharam, Vinayagar, Nagars, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Sapta Annanmars (holding Shield in the left hand and Knife, Kodari Thandam, Sword, Aruva, Trishul, and Gadha in right hands each). Two Shiva Lingas under the Peepal tree and Navagrahas.

ARCHITECTURE

The whole temple was built with bricks and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. There are three openings to access the ardha mandapam. A two-tier salakara vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Amman are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniam’s temple vimana was built in the Dravida style.

Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar Sannidhi - Dravida Style Vimanam 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple may be 200 – 300 years old and was reconstructed in the 20^th century. Sri Pathala Ponniamman was considered a Grama Thevathai Temple (Village guarding deity temple) of Purasaivakkam & Kilpauk.

Maha Kumbhabhishekams were conducted on 30^th August 1976, 31^st March 1997, 17^th March 2008, and 1^st May 2017. The 5-tier Rajagopuram was consecrated during the 2017 Maha Kumbhabhishekam.

LEGENDS

It is believed that the Amman and Utsavar were found while digging a well for irrigation purposes. Amman came on a devotee and said that she stayed for a long time under this Pathala and was waiting for the time to come out. Hence, Amman is called Pathala Ponniamman.

It was said that the Aadi month procession would take 6 months to complete, 100 years ago, since it had to go to 70 villages around this area. During that time, the procession will start with offerings from the descendants who unearthed the idols from Pathala (Well). The Sthala Purana bas reliefs are on the pillars of the mandapam. In addition to this, Shiva Parvati, Dakshinamurthy, Natarajar, Durgai, Hanuman, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Kala Bairavar are also on the pillars.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Fridays, Tuesdays, Amavasya, Pournami, Kiruthigai, Pradosham, Sankadahara Chaturthi, Rahu Kala Pooja, and Sashti, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and from 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline number +91 4426612161 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on Barnaby Road in Kilpauk.

The temple is about 1.4 km from Kilpauk Metro Station, 2 km from Nehru Park Metro Station, 1.5 km from Chetpet Suburban Railway Station, 7 km from Koyambedu Bus Terminus, and 4 km from Chennai Central Railway Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Nagalingeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ நாகலிங்கேஸ்வரர் கோயில், Chetpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This Sri Nagalingeswarar Temple at Chetpet is on the banks of the Holy River Cooum. The long wish of visiting the temple came true on 25^th August 2024.

Moolavar  : Sri Nagalingeswarar

Consort    : Sri Rajarajeswari

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a Kerala-style stone Lamp. Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar in the sanctum is with Naga Kavasam. Rishabam is in the ardha mandapam. In Koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the praharam Vinayagar, Murugan, Kali (Amman on the Lion), Chandikeswarar, and Nagars under the Nagalinga Tree (The sthala Vruksham - Hence Shiva may be called Sri Nagalingeswarar).

Ambal is in a separate Kerala-style temple, facing west. Ambal is in a sitting posture.

Navagrahas are on the Ambal temple premises. In addition to this, the Krishna temple is just a few yards away from the main temple. In the Krishna temple, in the sanctum, Moolavar Krishna is in a standing posture with a flute. A Vinayagar and Panchamukha Anajaneyar are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. 

ARCHITECTURE

The Shiva Temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam. A stucco image of Shiva with Parvati is on the ardha mandapam top. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on an upanam and has 5 steps to climb to the sanctum. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. Photos of Vinayagar, Shiva’s various forms, Dwarappalakas, and Maha Vishnu are on the wall. The Nagara-style Vimanam is with one tala, greevam, and sigaram. Shiva, Murugan, Ambal, and Vinayagar are in the tala Koshtas. The Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtas.

Ambal Rajarajeswarai’s sanctum sanctorum is of the Kerala vesara style. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and Pada banda adhistanam. The main structure was built with bricks, and the kudungai is of Kerala style with wood and Mangalore tiles. The vimanam is of two talas. The walls are with window-type koshtas. The mukha mandapam is square. The Navagraha sannidhi has a square tiled roof.

Sri Nagalingeswarar Temple 

 Ambal Sri Rajarajeswari Temple 

 Navagrahas Sannidhi

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This is a private temple built by the Travancore Royal family living in BINFIELD for their worship in the 20^th Century. The Public is also allowed to worship and participate in the poojas, on request. The temple is maintained by the Pandalai Charitable Trust.

About BINFIELD: During the late 19^th and early 20^th Century, the land abutting Poonamallee High Road was almost evenly divided amongst a few prominent Chetty families. The law forbade the construction of houses in this area in lots that were smaller than three acres, and so, there came up a series of stately mansions, all set back a considerable distance from the road. Almost all had very English or Scottish names, such as Llanstephan, Gometra, Chipstead, Kingston, Kensington, BINFIELD, and so on. Very few survive today, which includes BINFIELD, owned by the Travancore Royal Family.

 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas by the Kerala Namboothiris, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Amavasya, Pournami, Ayilya Nakshathra day, etc.  

The Varushabhishekam of the temple is celebrated on the Thai Month Rohini Nakshatra Day.  

It will be a unique experience to be present during the pooja time and celebration times. Each Parivara deities are offered with camphor Arathi and shown to the Devotees.

Krishna Jayanthi is celebrated in the Temple with discourse and Bhajans at the Krishna Temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs and 09.00 hrs and between 17.00 hrs and 20.00 hrs.     

HOW TO REACH

On Poonamallee High Road, opposite Government Kilpauk Medical College and just opposite Dr Vasudhevan Ortho Centre, go through the Doshi Building to Pandalai Hospital and from there to 211, BINFIELD. Ask the security to allow for the Shiva Temple Darshan.

If you are coming by Bus, get off at the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital stop or the Kilpauk Metro Station Stop.  

The nearest Railway stations are Kilpauk Metro Station and Chetpet Sub-Urban Railway Station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

GPS CO-ORDINATION: 13°04'34.4"N 80°14'43.6"E

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---