STEPWELL AT UTHUKULI & NARASAMANGALA – A KONGU AND KARNATAKA HERITAGE VISIT

7^th December 2018.

Stepwell are common in  Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uthraparadesh, Hampi in Karnataka. The wells are dug up to 100 to 120 feet and steps are constructed in various designs to reach the bottom.  The water may be used for  many  purposes like, drinking, agriculture, bathing  etc,. Some of the wells are dug in memory of some persons.  In some cases walls are constructed with multi stories  with rooms. The walls will also have gods images, floral designs etc,.

There are stepwell in Tamil Nadu too. A Swasthik well at Thiruvellarai, A well with mandapa called Nadai vavi  near Kanchipuram ( Sri Varadja Perumal used to visit this well mandapa  and Uthukuli. In addition to this had seen a well near Narasamangala, Chamraj Nagar, in Karnataka state during our recent visit.

A STEPWELL AT UTHUKULI

The well was dug in a rectangular shape. Steps are provided from south side. To decrease the length of the flight, the steps are constructed in L shape up to a depth of about 15 feet from the ground level. The wall are constructed with granite stone from bottom to parapet wall. Four Nandhis are installed on all the corners of the well and 2 elephants are also installed at the entrance of the step. Stones are kept projected in side the well, which serves as a step for maintenance.  A platform is also constructed on the opposite side of the steps to draw water from the well. The platform is supported by two carved pillars ( like temple pillars ).

Based on the reliefs and construction, this stepped well may belongs to 17^th to 18^th century. The purpose of the well is not known. Since this well is little away from the Village  might have been used for funeral ceremonial purposes. The sad part of the well is the people do funeral rituals near this place and dump the banana leaves, pindams, garland, flowers in to the well.  In the recent years, A group called Iyalvakai, taking care of this well by providing fence around the well.

Stone water tub

A WELL AT NARASAMANGALA.

Happened to see this square well without steps, about 5 KM from before Narasamangala, near Chamrajnagar in Karnataka. All the 4 sides of the well are constructed with stone. This well was dug purely for drawing water for the cattle. A stone tub also kept near the well  for the cattle to drink water. The well is being protected by erecting stone pillars around the well to avoid falling of animals accidentally.  This may belong 18^th to 19^th Century.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

ATHIKOSHAM, VINAYAGAR AND AYYANAR AT SARKAR KANNADPUTHUR, NEAR KOZHUMAM – UDUMALPET – A PART OF KONGU HERITAGE TEMPLES & SCULPTURES.

7^th December 2018.

ATHIKOSA MEMORIAL STONE
During our visit to the Kongu Chozha period Temples, near Dharapuram, Mr Thenkongu Sadhasivam, took us to this Adhikosa relief stone kept near a Shiva Temple at Kannadhiputhur near Kozhumam & Udumalpet. The Athikosa relief stone has the reliefs on both sides. On one side reliefs of Elephant, Horse,  tools and war weapons like, Angusa,  Knife, katar, arrow, bow, hammer,  etc,.

It was told that the Merchants were permitted to have their own army to safe guard their animals, goods from the robbers / thieves.  This sort of Athikosa stones are erected on the trade route.

VINAYAGAR

Also we had seen a a beautiful Vinayagar statue on the banks of a water channel. It had damage on hands, head, pasa and ankusa.  etc,.

AYYANAR
Then we had seen an Ayyanar sculpture on the back side of the Shiva Temple on the same Village Kannadiputhur in the thorny bush. The Ayyanar is in sitting posture with left leg up with yaga patti. His consorts are not shown or sculptures are not seen in that area. 

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

VISHNU DURGAI AT SARKAR KANNADPUTHUR, NEAR KOZHUMAM – UDUMALPET – A PART OF KONGU HERITAGE TEMPLES & SCULPTURES .

6^th December 2018.

After the visit to Sholamadevi Shiva Temple, had been to this Vishnu Durgai temple near the banks of river Amaravathi. A small temple in which Vishnu Durgai is installed in open to sky. The Vishnu Durgai measuring about 7 feet high is in standing posture on buffalo head ( demon Mahisan ). The Vishnu Durgai is in the form of bas-relief. Out of 4 hands, the upper hands holds conch and Chakkara and the lower right hand is hanging and left hand is on the hip/ thigh. Vishnu Durgai wears half dress below the waist and ornaments in the neck and ears. Bangles also seen in the hands. This Vishnu Durgai is under worship.

Even-though it was claimed that this Vishnu Durgai belongs to 10^th Century, experts of the opinion  that this may belongs to 13^th Century.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI VARADHARAJA PERUMAL TEMPLE, SARKAR KANNADIPUTHUR, NEAR UDUMALPET – A PART OF KONGU TEMPLES

07^th December 2018.

After the visit to Vishnu durgai temple, it was learnt that a Kongu Chozha period Vishnu temple is at Sarkar Kannadiputhur  with Chozha period inscriptions on the banks of River Amaravathi.

Moolavar : Sri Varadharajaperumal

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

The temple is facing east with palipedam and Garudalwar.  Anjaneyar Sannadhi is on the right side of the main entrance. The sanctum sanctorum  consists of Sanctum and arthamandapam. The sanctum was built with simple pathabandha adhistana , There is no moorthams in the koshtams. Reliefs of Perumal’s avatharas are in the makarathorana. A simple vimana is on the sanctum.  Moolavar Sri Varadharaja Perumal is with Sri Devi and Bhoodevi in the sanctum and there is no separate Thayar Sannadhi.  There are no Urchavars in front of the moolavar. Painted with un-usual colours during the recent Kumbhabhishekam including makarathoranaa too...

The Back side wall has the 12^th to 13^th Century Kongu Vikrama Chozha inscriptions. The inscription speaks about donation made to this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 09.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Battar may be contacted on his mobile 9788814863 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Sarkar Kannadiputhur is about 5 KM from Karatholuvi frm Udumalpet to Dharapuram.

About 20 KM from Udumalpet and 34 KM from Dharapuram.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Anjaneyar 

 inscriptions. 

inscriptions. 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI KULASEKARA SWAMY TEMPLE AT SHOLAMADEVI NEAR UDUMALPET - A PART OF KONGU TEMPLES

07^th December 2018.

The visit to this temple happened accidentally. On the way to Vishnu Durgai ( Will be covered in a separate post ) at Sarkar Kannadiputhur, near Udumalpet, A Shiva Temple, Sholamadevi painted in bright brick colour on the banks of river Amaravathi attracted us through the paddy fields.

Iraivan : Sri Kulasekara Swamy Temple

Iraivi    : Sri Kunkumavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with Rishabam and  Palipedam. The temple complex does not have entrance arch, Rajagopuram and compound wall. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and mahamandapam. The sanctum was built with a simple pathabandha adhistana, bootha ganas on the ceiling level and yazhivari on the parapet level. Brick and mortar two tier nagara vimana is above the sanctum. In koshtam Dhakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai installed at a latter date.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Sandikeswarar, Bairavar, Navagrahas and Ambal Temple. The Ambal temple also facing east might have been built/ renovated in the recent years.

The Adhistana and Temple walls has the 12^th to 13^th Century Kongu Chozhas Vikrama Chozha and Veera Rajendran’s inscriptions. The inscriptions speaks about donation of lands made to this temple for burning of perpetual lamp and poojas.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

On the road from Udumalpet to Dharapuram turn right at Karatholuvu towards Madathukulam / Kozhumam to reach Sholamadevi and the temple is just before the Village.  

The temple is 5 KM from Karatholuvu, 21 KM from Udumalpet and 27 KM from Dharapuram.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Ambal Temple

 Bootha and Yzhi vari

 Koshtas

Vikrama Chozha inscriptions

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI NIRMALESWARAR TEMPLE, PONNIVADI, NEAR DHARAPURAM – A PART OF KONGU TEMPLES.

07^th December 2018.

This Shiva temple is on a small Hill or kundru without any trees on it, by the side of Nalathangaal Oadai Reservoir.

Iraivan : Sri Nirmaleswarar

Iraivi    : Sri Periya nayagi.

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with palipedam and Rishabam in a mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala and arthamandapam. The Arthamandapam was built at a latter date. A Vesara vimana is on the sanctum. In koshta only reliefs of Dhakshinamurthy, Brahma and shiva lingam. Ambal Periya Nayagi, Vinayagar, Murugan with Peacock are in the arthamandapam. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for sandikeswarar, Vinayagar and a mandapam.

The Adhistanam has the reliefs of swan, Dancing girls, nandhi, Elephant, Hanuman, Viyakrapathar, Kamadhenu, etc,.

As per the 10^th Century inscription ( Tamil + Grantham ) the temple was built by the Chera King Kokandan Ravi's servant Kalingraiyan. The specialty of the temple is, the inscriptions are not inscribed on the temple walls or the adhistana, but on the rock surface of the hill itself. The inscriptions includes  13^th Century Kongu Chozha Veerarajendran, Vikrama Chozhan, 18^th Century fragment stone and a 19^th Century Thirumalaiswamy. Veerarajendran’s period inscriptions  are more in numbers.  The inscriptions speaks about donation of land, money towards burning of perpetual lamp and Neivedhyam for Lord Shiva.

  

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 Hrs to 09.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about a Km from Nallathangaal Oadai Reservoir.

The temple is about 15 km from Dharapuram bus Stand.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI CHOKKANATHAR TEMPLE, KOLINJIVADI, DHARAPURAM – A PART OF KONGU NADU TEMPLES

07^th December 2018.

This Shiva temple is at Kottaimedu a part of Dharapuram and a part of Kongu Temples. About a km from Amaravathi river.

Iraivan : Sri Chokkanathar ( Sokanadhar )

Iraivi    : Sri Meenakshi

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with out any entrance arch or Rajagopuram. The palipedam and Rishabam is in the muka mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and a mukamandapam with an arch on the top.  The sanctum is built on a pirathipandha athisdana and stucco vesara vimana is on the sanctum. Dhakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Durgai are in the koshtam. Navagrahas and Natarajar are in the arthamandapam.

In the prakaram a Temple like sannadhi for Sri Meenakshi Amman facing east, Sandikeswarar and Nagars under a peepal tree. Old sculptures of Amman, Vinayagar, Murugan Raishabam are kept under the peepal tree.

The Adhistanam has the 13^th  Century, 13^th Century Veerapandiyan, Vikrama Chozha-III, 15^th Century Vijayanagara King Mahadevarayar inscriptions. The inscriptions mainly speaks about the donation of lands to this temple. It is interesting to note that the donated land names  like Kaathoonkani, Aparapayangara Mannari, Kulothunga Chozha Mannarai, Kumanarayan Parru are mentioned in the inscriptions. The 15^th Vijayanagara King Mahadevarayan’s inscription mentions that an old gifted a land was re- gifted to the temple  to rectify the damage caused due to invasion of Muhamadiyars. A 14^th Century Sundarapandyan period speaks about 2 doors are donated by Rajarajapuram Vellazhan’s wife Sadaiyammai.

The temple was maintained by a siddhar Sri Balasubramaniya Gurukkal and after his demise his wife is taking care off the temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

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

CONTACT DETAILS:

Mr K S Harihara Sivachariyar may be contacted over his mobile 98657 04780 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

This Shiva temple is a part of Dharapuram on Kottaimedu area and the place is called as Kolinjivadi.

The temple is about 4 KM from Dharapuram Bus Stand.

Dharapuram is about 80 KM from Erode and 35 KM from Palani.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---