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 15^th 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 15^th century.

Ashta bandhana Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 24^th June 1988 after completing the thirupani ( works started on 29^th 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 20^th April 2000 at a cost of Rs 20 lakhs. After completion of thirupani Jeernodharana ashta bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 28^th 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 --- 

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 8^th to 9^th 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 6^th Century Pallava period.

LOCATION OF KOTRAVAI      : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Beemeswarar 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 15^th to 16^th 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 ---

Arulmigu Shanmuga Vinayagar Temple / அருள்மிகு சண்முக விநாயகர் ஆலயம், எழுச்சூர் / Ezhichur, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

After visiting Sri Nallinaikeswarar temple at Ezhichur, happened to see this Vinayagar temple on the north side of the temple. Initially I thought this may be an usual Vinayagar temple, on the contrary this temple has a rich history. The inscription of this temple has a connection with the history of Shiva Temple.  

Main Deity       : Sri Shanmuga Vinayagar.

Some of salient features of this temple are….

This temple is facing east with an entrance arch. A Balipeedam is in front of the Temple. The entrance arch has the stucco images of Lord Shiva with Parvati, Vinayagar, Murugan, Kali (…?) and maha Vishnu. Vinayagar’s vahana is in the mukha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum.

In praharam Sri Kamakshi Amman Samedha Ekambara Nathar, Sri Valli Devaasena Subramaniyar, Srinivasa Perumal, Sri Bairavar, Nagar, Sri Dakshinamurthy, Nardhana Ganapathy, Sri Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

This inscription is also connected to Sri Nallinaikeswarar Shiva temple on the south side of the temple Tank ). This inscription tablet is fixed on the compound wall. As per the inscription, when the Shiva temple has become dilapidated condition ( The Shiva Linga avudayar and Rishabam was found damaged condition ),  in 1896 CE, Kodi Samarapuri Mudaliar and his brother Shanmuga Mudaliyar reconstructed this temple through the sthapathi Ganesha achari. The above works were done through own fund of Kodi Samarapuri Mudaliar. The required stones are sourced from Pattimalaikuppam alias Sankarapuram. New Shiva Lingam with Rishabam was made and installed.  In 1906 Arumugar and Thiripura Sundari Amman idols are also made as new. Singara Mudaliar established the Navagrahas. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted. The temple affairs were looked after by Samarapuri Mudaliar as a Trustee.

Due to various unknown reasons the Villagers didn’t liked  Samarapuri Mudaliar to continue as a trustee and filed a suit in Poonamallee and Thiruvallur Court. Eventhough the judgement was came in favour of Samarapuri Maudaliar, relieved himself from the trustee.

In 1918, with the same sthapathi, This Vinayagar temple was constructed on the same place where his brother Shanmuga Mudaliar planted the sapling of Arasamaram / peepal tree and named it as Shanmuga Vinayagar Temple. The Vinayagar temple was consecrated on  11^th August 1920.

With the wishes of Samarapuri Mudaliar, his great grand son M Balasubramaniyar, established, Sri Kamakshi Amman Samedha Ekambara nathar, Sri Valli Devaasena Subramaniyar, Sri Bairavar, Nagar, Sri Dakshinamurthy, Nardhana Ganapathy, Sri Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai are in the Shanmuga Vinayagar Temple and maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 13^th April 2009.

Another 1920 CE inscription records as சிவ புண்ணியம் 1920 ஆம் வருடம் ஆகஸ்டு மாதம் 11ந்தேதி எழுச்சூர் சமரபுரி முயர்ச்சி…. Probably this gives the dated consecration of this Vinayagar temple.

Another inscription records the name of sthapathi as V Selvamuthu, of Thirukannapuram who constructed this Vinayagar Temple with his contact details.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on maha Shivaratri day, Vinayagar Chathurti, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

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

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile numbers of  Mr Ramamurthy +91 96001 22162, Ramesh +91 97101 95191 and Muralidharan +91 96771 79420 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Ezhichur is is about 500 meters off from Ezhichur Road and Ezhichur is about 7 KM off from Tambaram to Kanchipuram viz Padappai. All the buses to Kanchipuram will stop at Kandigai.

The temple is  28.2 KM from Tambaram, 7.5 KM from Oragadam Industrial Hub, 32 KM from Kanchipuram and 60 KM from Chennai.

Nearest railway station is Tambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Nallinaikeswarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ நல்லிணக்கேஸ்வரர் கோயில், எழுச்சூர் / Ezhichur, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

மழுகலை யனலங்கையர்

செழுநீ ரலர்முடியினர்

தொழுமடி யார்க்கின்பினர்

எழுச்சூர் நல்லிணக்கரே

After Visiting Manimangalam Jyeshta Devi and Sri Varam Tharum Perumal Temple at Keel Padappai, my plan was to Visit Sri Nallinaikeswarar Temple at Ezhichur. This place was called as Samarapuri during 18^th- 19^th Century.

Moolavar  : Sri Nallinaikeswarar

Consort    : Sri Deivanayagi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple facing east with a temple tank on the North side.  Stucco images of  various God and purana related are on the parapet wall of the temple complex. Balipeedam and rishabam, Bairavar and Navagrahas are in front of the temple. Dwarapalakas, balipeedam with Rishabam are in front of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is of swayambhu on a round avudayar. In koshtam, Rathna Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal Sri Deivanayagi and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar are in the  Mahamandapam. In praharam, Vallalar sannidhi, Chandikeswarar, Gajalakshmi, Adhitanam of Sri Viyaasaala Saraswathi Swamigal (54^th Madathipathi ), Kannimoola Ganapathi, Loose and broken sculptures and Rishabams are under a tree near madapalli.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The adhithana is of simple padabandha adhisthana on a padma pedestal. The Adhisthanam consists of jagathy, muppattai kumudam and Pattigai. The Bhitti starts with vedhika. The prastaram is with valapi and kapotam. Lotus petals are in the kapotam.

A three tier Nagara Vimanam is on the prastaram. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma and various deities are on the 1^st tier, 2^nd tier and greevam koshtams. Maha Vishnu and Brahma are with their consorts on the 1^st tier. Maha nasis are in the cordinal directions of Sigaram.

A 3 tier Vesara Vimanam is on the Ambal sannidhi and an eight sided sigaram of dravida Vimanam style is on Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar sannidhi.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

It is believed that the original temple belongs to Pallava / Chozha period. We do not know the original condition of this temple. ( The inscription is available at Sri Shanmuga Vinayagar Temple on the north banks of Temple Tank ). As per the inscription this place was also called as Samarapuri.

After it has become dilapidated ( The Shiva Linga avudayar and Rishabam was found damaged condition ),  in 1896 CE, Kodi Samarapuri Mudaliar and his brother Shanmuga Mudaliyar reconstructed this temple through the sthapathi Ganesha achari. The above works were done through own fund of Kodi Samarapuri Mudaliar. The required stones were brought from Pattimalaikuppam alias Sankarapuram. New Shiva Lingam with Rishabam was made and installed.  In 1906 Arumugar and Tripura Sundari Amman idols are also made as new. Singara Mudaliar established the Navagrahas. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted. The temple affairs were looked after by Samarapuri Mudaliar as a Trustee.

Due to various unknown reasons the Villagers didn’t liked  Samarapuri Mudaliar to continue as a trustee and filed a suit in Poonamallee and Thiruvallur Court. Eventhough the judgement has came in favour of Samarapuri Maudaliar, relieved himself from the trustee.

In 1918, with the same sthapathi, Vinayagar temple was constructed on the same place where his brother Shanmuga Mudaliar planted the sapling of Arasamaram / peepal tree and named it as Shanmuga Vinayagar Temple. The Vinayagar temple was consecrated on 11^th August 1920.

With the wishes of Samarapuri Mudaliar, his great grand son M Balasubramaniyar, established, Sri Kamakshi Amman Samedha Ekambara Nathar, Sri Srinivasa Perumal,  Sri Valli Devaasena Subramaniyar, Sri Bairavar, Nagar, Sri Dakshinamurthy, Nardhana Ganapathy, Sri Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai are in the Shanmuga Vinayagar Temple and maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 13^th April 2009.

LEGENDS

Adhitanam of Sri Viyaasaala Saraswathi Swamigal (54^th Madathipathi ) is in the praharam and believed that Siddhars worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple in the form of snake. To prove the same, a Cobra was found inside the sanctum sanctorum and a picture is hung in the temple. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on pradosham, maha Shivaratri day, Panguni Uthiram Thirukkalyan peruvizha with thiruveethi uzha.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hsr to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile numbers of  Mr Ramamurthy +91 96001 22162, Ramesh +91 97101 95191 and Muralidharan +91 96771 79420 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Ezhichur is is about 500 meters off from Ezhichur Road and Ezhichur is about 7 KM off from Tambaram to Kanchipuram viz Padappai. All the buses to Kanchipuram will stop at Kandigai.

The temple is  28.2 KM from Tambaram, 7.5 KM from Oragadam Industrial Hub, 32 KM from Kanchipuram and 60 KM from Chennai.

Nearest railway station is Tambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

Navagrahas

Vallalar sannidhi

Bairavar and Vinayagar

Dakshinamurthy - Maha Vishnu - Brahma

Chandikeswarar - Durgai

Abandoned idols and Sculptures

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---