SRI BHADRAKALI AMMAN & SRI SANTHANA KARUPPASAMY TEMPLE / NERUR KALLIAMMAN TEMPLE NERUR, KARUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

04^th February 2020

This Sri Bhadrakali Amman and Sri Santhana Karuppasamy Temple’s Visit was a part of Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones and Heritage sites in Erode and Karur Districts, scheduled on 04^th February 2020. When we are searching for Hero stones / Navakanda nadukarkal, we came to this temple which followed the ancient worship Nerur Village. Nerur is on the banks of river Kaveri. But compared to Kariyakaliamman Temple at Patlur in Erode District, some of the changes were made in the worship. In the prakara there are three Navakanda hero stones and the details will be written in a separate post. With the presence of Hero stones and worship, this temple may belongs to 14th to 16th Century. 

Deities

1. Sri Bhadrakaliamman
2. Sri Santhana Karuppasamy

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

This is a typical village temple facing North. The temple do not have any formal structures like entrance arch or Rajagopuram. A Horse statue built with brick, without head is standing in front of sanctum sanctorum. The head might have been damaged / fallen down due to age. A Female and a male images  are on both side of the horse. Karuppasamy and Nagar images are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. In addition to this, there are two terracotta horses  on a pedestal.

The temple complex consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and arthamandapam. Sri Bhadrakaliamman is in sitting posture in a rectangular sanctum. In arthamandapam entrance are the latest and old suthai / stucco dwrapalakas both male and female. Santhana Karuppasamy is in a separate sannadhi with Dog as vahana. 

The sanctum sanctorum was built in a typical village style with a rectangular vimana. It was told that annual festival will be conducted during Adi month in a grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since orukala pooja is conducted the opening and closing times are un predictable.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about a KM off main road on the northern part of the Village.

Nerur is 14 KM from Karur, 82 KM from Erode, 106 KM from Salem and 400 KM from Chennai.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

AGNEESWARAR TEMPLE / AGNEESHWARAR TEMPLE / AGNISWARAR TEMPLE, NERUR, KARUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

04^th February 2020.

This Sri Agneeswarar Temple’s Visit was a part of Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones and Heritage sites in Erode and Karur Districts, scheduled on 04^th February 2020. This place is on the banks of river Kaveri. This temple was constructed along with the Thirumukkudalaur Sri Agastheeswarar temple and considered as a centre eye of Lord Shiva. This temple is under renovation.

Moolavar : Sri Agneeswarar

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

This temple is facing east with three  sanctums. Since the original temple was completely dismantled  new sannadhis were built. Shiva Linga was installed pooja is also conducted. The dwarapalakas are installed in front of the mandapa walls. The preparation of pillars for the mandapa is in progress. All structures which includes, vimana are constructed with granite.

Even though the temple belongs to 10^th to 12^th Century Chozha period, there is no structure nor inscription to prove the same. The temple was renovated completely. An ancient small mandapa and a portion of  prakara wall stands now will also be removed to give way for the new construction.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about a KM off main road on the northern part of the Village.

Nerur is 14 KM from Karur, 82 KM from Erode, 106 KM from Salem and 400 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Karur.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

  Dwarapalakas

 Old Compound wall 

 The small mandapa

The old prakara

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

AGASTHEESWARAR TEMPLE / AGASTHISWARAR & ANJANAKSHI TEMPLE, THIRUMUKKUDALUR, KARUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

04^th February 2020.

This Sri Agastheeswarar Temple’s Visit was a part of Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones and Heritage sites in Erode and Karur Districts, scheduled on 04^th February 2020. This Temples visit was not planned and the Somur Gurkkal’s son who is taking care of this temple told about this temple. The place Thirumukkudalaur is at the confluence of rivers Kaveri and Amaravathi. People used to say that a third river either Mnimuthar or Noyyal. But the Map do not show the third river. It was Sri Agastheeswarar’s grace to visit this temple. Gurukkal and a Local lady had taken care of us like their own guest. We were very very happy to visit this unique Chozha period temple. The details of the uniqueness is explained in this article.

Moolavar  : Sri Agastheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Anjanakshi Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are…..

The temple is facing east with a rajagopuram base structure with out top. Balipedam and Nandhi are after the Rajagopurtam entrance. Ambal sannadhi is on the right side of the mukha mandapam facing south. Nandhi with balipedam of Ambal sannadhi are in the prakaram. The mandapam in front of the Ambal sannadhi is in dilapidated condition. Arumugar, Arthanareeswarar, Kali, Nandhi, Dwarapalakas, Suryan, Chandran, Murugan and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar are kept as loose sculptures, since the temple is in a dilapidated state and the sculptures are kept in a safe custody.

In Prakaram there is a Manimuthareeswarar Shiva Sannadhi with Ambal sannadhi,  Vinayagar, damaged Durgai, Thavvai / Jyeshta Devi and Sandikeswarar. A headless hero stone is found along with a muniappan in-front of the temple and the details will be written separately.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists sanctum sanctorum, antarala, arthamandapam and a mukha mandapam. The adhisthana  is with jagathi, virutha Kumuda, Kandam, Kapotham with nasi kood, yazhivari ( Vyazha vari ). The sanctum walls are supported with Vishnukanda pilasters and Virutha pilasters. The uniqueness of this temple is, above the Kalasam of the pillar, kumbam, pali, palakai, veerakandam, tharanga pothyal, prastharam, Mathalam in valabi, and Vimana are built with brick.

The Vimana is of ekathala. Stucco images of Shiva forms like Dakshinamurthy, Pickshadanar, Vishnu, Brahma are on the Nagara Vimana.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built before 10^th Century and Ambal sannadhi was built during Vijayanagara period. As per the Vijayanagara period inscriptions this place was called as Mukkudal and Lord Shiva was called as Mukkudal Aludaya nayanar. The inscription records the endowment established towards poojas and naivedyam.

The adhithanam has the Rajarajan-I period inscriptions and the same starts with his meikeerthi.

During 14^th century Malikafur invasion the temple was left without any pooja. The temple was rebuilt many times. The Ambal temple entrance stone pillar has the upside down inscriptions and the walls has the Vijayanagara period inscriptions. During recent period flood in the Amaravathi and Kaveri Rivers, the south side compound wall was collapsed. Mukha Mandapa pillars are scattered on the right side of the entrance.

LEGEND:

It was told that Sri Agasthiyar and Vali wants to worship lord Shiva at this place. Vali went to Kasi to bring a Shiva Linga. Since it was getting late Agasthiyar made Shiva Linga out of river Sand and worshiped. ( A pillar bas relief shows that Agasthiyar worshiping Lord Shiva ). After hearing this Vali told Agasthiyar to remove the Sand Linga with that one, brought from Kasi. Agasthiyar told to remove the sand Linga with his tail and place his Linga. Vali tried and couldn’t do so. Instead he was fallen down at Ayalur and the Linga was installed there.

POOJAS & CELEBARATIONS

Mahashivarathri and Pradhoshams are celebrated in a grand manner and annathanam will be served on that day.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since orukala pooja is conducted the opening and closing times are un predictable.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Gurukkal Sundaramurthy may be contacted on his mobile 8675225081 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about a KM from main road.

Thirumukkudalur is 14 KM from Karur, 82 KM from Erode, 106 KM from Salem and 400 KM from Chennai.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Ambal sannadhi

 Agasthiyar worships Lord Shiva 

 Vijayanagara period donor / King

 Jyeshta Devi

 Durgai

 The stucco images on the Vimana Pickshadanar

 Koshtas and Thorana sculptures

 Vijayanagara period inscriptions.

Chozha King Rajaraja-I's period inscriptions

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI SOMESWARA TEMPLE/ SOMESHWARA TEMPLE / THIRUNOMBALUR MAHADEVAR TEMPLE, SOMUR, KARUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

04^th February 2020.

This Sri Someswara Temple’s Visit was a part of Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones and Heritage sites in Erode and Karur Districts, scheduled on 04^th February 2020. This place Somur is midway between two Rivers Kaveri and Amaravathi. This temple is mentioned in the Karuvur Puranam and is reproduced as given below.

சோமநாத இலிங்கம்

தாமம் நாற்றிய தண் தரளமே போலத்

தட மலர் மடல் அவிழ் பூகச்

சோமநாதத்தில் தண் சுடர்க் கலையோன்

துகளறு முனிவரன் தலைவி

காமர் பூங்குழழியால் வரும் சாபம்

தொலைவறக் கடிமலர் மழைதூய்

ஏமற வழுத்தூம் சோமநாதப்பேர்

இலிங்கம் ஒன்று உள்ளது இசைக்க அரிதால்

கருவூர்ப்புராணம் ஆம்பிராவதி நதிச்சருக்கம்

Moolavar  : Sri Someswarar

Consort    : Sri Manonmani

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing west with a balipedam and Nandhi. Some of the spatamatrikas sculptures, Vishnu, Vinayagar and Ambal statues are in front of Nandhi. The Koshtas are empty and broken / unfinished sculptures are kept in front of the koshtams. Chozha period Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of arthamandapam / mukha mandapam.  

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum and arthamandapam. The sanctum sanctorum was built on a simple pathabandha adhisthana with Tripatta Kumuda. The prastharam is of kapotha style. Bhuta ganas are in the valabi. Along with bhuta ganas there are some animal, tortoise, fish and birds also. The Bhoomidesam is with vyalavari. An Ekathala vesara vimana is on the prastharam. 4 Koshtas are in the greevam. The kapotha is with alpa nasis and chandramandalam.

The Brahmakantha pilasters are shown on the wall, with malai thongal, padmakattu, kalasam, Pali, palakai, veerakandam and tharanga pothyal. The Koshtas are also very simple with out makara thorana and ½ pilasters are shown on the sides.

The original structure, Sanctum sanctorum and arthamandapam are maintained without any major modifications, since built.  The Vimana and Parivara Devda shrines are built during recent years. The temple is waiting for Kumbhabhishekam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The inscriptions mentions the Village was called as Thirunombalur and the deity as Thirunombalur Mahadevar. The temple was built during Parantaka Chozha – I and the latter contributions are from Rajaraja-I and Rajendra-I. The earliest inscription belongs to Parantaka Chozha-I’s 6^th year rule.

Rajaraja-I’s inscriptions starts with his full meikeerthi on the jagathi and kumudam.

LEGEND

The temple is a Chandran parikara sthalam. As per the Karuvur purana, Chandran got relieved from sabam after worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple. Also Lord Shiva’s eyes are considered as Agni ( Centre ), Chandran ( left eye ) and Suryan ( right eye ). To signify all the three two more temple are at  Vaangal ( Ravisvarar – Suryan  ) and Nerur Agniswarar. All the three temples are close to each other.

   

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since orukala pooja is conducted the opening and closing times are un predictable.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Gurukkal Kandasamy may be contacted on his mobile 9865789399 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about a KM from main road.

Somur is 11.3 KM from Karur, 79 KM from Erode, 104 KM from Salem and 400 KM from Chennai.

LOCATION:  CLICK HERE

 Loose Sculptures

  Loose Sculptures

  Loose Sculptures

 Damaged / unfinished Dakshinamurthy

 Inscriptions - Rajaraja-I, starts with his meikeerthi

 Inscriptions - Rajaraja-I, starts with his meikeerthi

 Inscriptions

  Inscriptions - Rajaraja-I, starts with his meikeerthi

 Inscriptions - Rajaraja-I, starts with his meikeerthi

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---