KOTTAI MUNIYAPPAN, KOTTAI PRASANNA VEKATESA PERUMAL, KOTTAI VIRA ANJANEYAR, KOTTAI MARIAMMAN, KOTTAI VINAYAGAR, KOTTAI VEERAMATHI AMMAN & KOTTAI SRI CHOLEESWARAR TEMPLES AT PERUNDURAI, ERODE DISTRICT ( KONGU NADU )

3^rd June 2019.

After worshiping our Kula Theivam Sri Veramathi Amman at Talguni near Kolappalur, on the way to Chennai visited these Kottai Mariamman, Kottai Vira Anjaneyar, Kottai Vinayagar, Kottai Veeramathi Amman, Kottai Muniyappan, Kottai Prasanna Vekatesa Perumal & Kottai Sri Choleeswarar Temples  at Perundurai.  Even-though I had seen all these temples from out side, for the past 40 years didn’t ventured inside the temple. I was little curious to know, why these temples are added with Kottai like initials. All the temple are surrounding the new Bus Stand. The details of the Kottai Sholeeswarar Shiva Temple temple was covered in one of my post.

As per the history it is a fact that a Kottai / Fort existed in this place and who constructed is not Known. Some claims that the Fort was constructed by a Representative of Mysore King Woodayar and Somebody claims that the fort existed since the  early  Cheras and Chozhas. Early Chera King Kanaikal Irumporai  ruled this region with Karur as Capital. Chozha King Chenganan ( Ko chengat chozhan ) defeated Chera King  at Kozhumam and Poonthurai Nattu Perundurai and lodged him at Kudavayil prison. He was ill treated in the prison and even drinking water was not given. He wrote his condition in the form of poem to Poigaiyar, a friend and a renowned poet. Poigaiyar composed the Kalavali Narpathu ( 41 stanzas ) praising Chozha’s war against Chera King. Chozha King Chenganan pleased by the poem and released Chera King.  Quoting this history some claims that the fort might have existed since early Cheras / Chozha’s period.  Hence the temples bears Kottai as title.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

All the temples will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

Perundurai is on the way to Coimbatore to Erode bus route. Frequent buses are available from various parts of Coimbatore and Erode District.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

SRI KOTTAI MUNIAPPAN TEMPLE

Now the Kottai Muniyappan Temple is at an elevated level with 21 steps and it was told that the original temple was constructed on the boundary wall of the Fort. The temple was reconstructed in the recent years. At the base, a Muniappan is in standing posture with a sickle on the right hand. A number of  trisools are   erected in front of Sri Muniappan. During Ipasi month an 8 day festival will be celebrated in which goats and cocks are sacrificed to   Sri Muniappan. It was told that arrack also offered.

The top temple is facing North with a sanctum and a muka mandapam. In front is a oonjal. On the east side abutting the Muka mandapa there are three Muniappan Stucco images. All the three are holding sickle in their hands.

Bottom Sri Muniappan 

KOTTAI SRI PRASANNA VENKATESA PERUMAL TEMPLE.

This Perumal Temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Deepa  Sthambam and Thulasimadam are in front. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum and a muka mandapam. In the sanctum moolavar Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal is with Sri Devi and Bhudevi. The sanctum was built with stone up to prastharam and a three tier Vimana is on the sanctum.  There is no murthis in the Koshtam. Nagars are under a Peepal tree. Samproskshanam was performed about 3 years before. Out side the sanctum was paved with granite slabs and trees are also grown.

The Bhattar told that he is the 6^th Generation doing pooja to this Perumal. The period of construction is not Known and as per Bhattar the temple may be more than 500 to 600 years old. This temple is under the Control of Kottai Choleeswarar Temple, which is on the east side of the Bus Stand.

KOTTAI  SRI VIRA ANJANEYAR TEMPLE.

This Anjaneyar temple was originally  a small temple and was reconstructed in the recent years, The sanctum sanctroum consists of sanctum and a muka mandapam. In the sanctum  Anjaneyar is in the form of a Bas-relief, in Vijayanagara Style. The present Bhattar claims that 4  generations are doing pooja to this Anjaneyar. The original temple may be Vijayanagara Period ie 400 to 500 years old.

SRI KOTTAI MARIAMMAN TEMPLE.

This Kottai Mariamman Temple bears a new look with granite sanctum. Amman is in sitting posture facing North.  An ekathala Nagara Vimana is over the sanctum.  The out side prakara is under construction. During November  annual festival will be celebrated in a grand manner.

SRI VEERAMATHI AMMAN & SRI KARPPANASWAMY  & KOTTAI VINAYAGAR TEMPLE.

Do not know this Sri Veeramathi Amman is very old or not. This Amman is a Kulatheivam for a particular Community. Saptha Kanniyars are in a small sannadhi. Amman is in sitting posture.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---