The visit to this Sri Chamundeeswari Amman temple, at Perangiyur was a part of Villupuram Heritage Walk organized by History Trails scheduled on 24th and 25th July 2021. This temple is just before Sri Thirumoolanathar Temple.
Main Deity : Sri Chamundeeswari
Some of the salient features of this temple are…The temple is facing east with a simhavaha in front. This temple is dedicated to Chamundeeswari, one of the Saptamatrikas Group. The Vinayagar and other Saptamatrikas ( 6 ) are installed on both sides of Chamundeeswari in the sanctum sanctorum.
In between Sanctum sanctorum two pairs of Male and female Terracotta ( suduman – சுடுமண் ) sculptures are kept and are in worship. It was told that the bigger pair was got from the Thenpennai river washed ashore and the smaller pair, made by a local artisan, similar to the big.
In the bigger terracotta Male and female sculptures are in sitting posture with protruding eyes, big belly and wears kundala ( predha ..?). The Male holds a bowl on the left hand and a thandam on the right hand. The age of the terracotta sculptures are not known.
In the mukha mandapa, Sculptures of Kotravai with 8 hands, holding various weapons & Standing on a buffalo’s head, A Karaikal Ammaiyar like sculpture ( with elongated earlobes, hanging breasts, skeleton body and Pallava style headgear ), a headless Ayyanar and Lord Shiva ( a Chandra’s relief on the maguda.
ARCHITECTUREThe sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, artha mandapam and Mukha mandapam. The antiquity of the temple is not known. Stucco bas reliefs of Vinayagar, Lord Shiva, Murugan, Ardhanareeswarar, Ashtadikpalakas are on the wall of the temple.
A Two tier Vesara Vimana is over the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Spatamarikas and Vimanamthangis are on the Vimana. Amman’s various avathar stucco sculptures are on the Mukha mandapa parapet walls.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSConsidering the iconography of the sculptures, Experts of the opinion that, the originginal might have existed before Chozha period. The original temple might have reconstructed during recent years.
TEMPLE TIMINGSSince oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.CONTACT DETAILS
HOW TO REACHThe temple is about 500 meters off Chennai – Trichy National Highway and South side of Thenpennai River at Perangiyur.The Place Perangiyur is 9.6 KM from Villupuram, 28 KM from Ulundurpet, 50 KM from Puducherry, 75 KM from Virudhachalam and 175 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway Station is Villupuram.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Kotravai
Headless Ayyanar
Suduman / terracotta sculptures washed ashore from the river
A Replica made by the local artisan 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
In the mukha mandapa, Sculptures of Kotravai with 8 hands, holding various weapons & Standing on a buffalo’s head, A Karaikal Ammaiyar like sculpture ( with elongated earlobes, hanging breasts, skeleton body and Pallava style headgear ), a headless Ayyanar and Lord Shiva ( a Chandra’s relief on the maguda.
Kotravai
Headless Ayyanar
Suduman / terracotta sculptures washed ashore from the river
A Replica made by the local artisan
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