Tuesday 18 June 2019

SRI ABATHSAHAYESWARAR ( VAANILAI KANDEESUVARAMUDAYAR ) TEMPLE AT SENTHAMANGALAM / SENDHAMANGALAM, VILLUPURAM DISTRICT TAMIL NADU.

08th June 2019.
Visit to this Shiva temple was a part of  Temples Visit in and around Villupuram. It was a two days trip organized by Mr Manoj, aimed to cover 21 old, very old and Historical temples, which includes Thevaram Padal Petra Sthalangal and 108 Divya Desa sthalangal and we are able to cover 16 temples. Out of 16 Temples, I had covered 11 temples already and  are recorded in my blog. The rest of 5 temples will be posted one by one. This post will cover a Shiva temple built during 13th Century. The temple is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ) and reconstruction is in progress. The place Sendhamangalam is on the south bank of river Kedilam.

Iraivan : Sri AbathsaHayeswarar/Sri Vanilai Kandeesuvaramudaiyar
Iraivi    : Sri Periyanayagi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
This temple is facing east with a two Rajagopuram base. A pandal pillars with a Palipedam is at the centre. On the right side a mandapa reconstruction is in progress. Nandhi is in-front of sanctum sanctorum in a mandpam. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam, Mahamandapam and a muka mandapam.

Bothside steps are provided between arthamandapam and maha mandapam. A two tier stucco nagara Vimana is over the sanctum. The Koshtams are empty now. The respective idols are kept inside the mahamandapam. The Idols are Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Ashtabhuja Durgai, Ashtabhuja Bairavar, Lingothbavar and some sculptures are also kept in the mahamandapam.

The prakaram is on a raised platform and Ambal Sannadhi is facing south on the north east corner of the corridor.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION: The Kadava King Koperunsingan’s  father  Ezhisai Mohana Manavala Perumal ( 1200 – 1211 AD) ruled this region keeping  Sendhamangalam as capital. In 1231 AD Rajaraja-III, was defeated by the Pandya Kings and fled out of Thanjavur. At Thellaru near Vandhavasi Koperunsingan attacked ( 1231AD) and took him with all his wife and children as prisoners. Rajarajan-III with his family was lodged at this place in a prison.  He was released after his relative and Hoysala King Viranarasimham came with his army.

The inscriptions belongs to Kadava King  Koperunsingan ( 1229 – 1278 AD), Vijayanagara King   Hariharan-II are found in this temple.    An inscription speaks about donation of  Land, Gold to a person’s family called Peththan Nayakar who sacrificed his life through navakandam for the un-interrupted functioning of temple activities even during war.

LEGEND:  It is believed that Panchapandavas, during their 14 years exile, came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
There is no fixed time of opening and closing. Hence readers are advised to confirm your visit with Gurukkal. Since the temple is under renovation by the ASI, outside can be seen during day time.

CONTACT DETAILS:
The Gurukkal Mohana Sundaram may be contacted on his mobile 9442774505 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:
The temple is about 2 KM off from the GST Road.
The place Sendhamangalam/ Senthamangalam is on the Chennai to Trichy GST road.
Sendhamangalam is about 13.8 KM from Ulundurpet, 26 KM from Villupuram and 195 KM from Chennai.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Entrance base of Rajagopuram with rebuilt Palipedam 
 A well
 Sanctum View with Dhakshinamurthy on the left 

A Corridor view 



 A Stone jolly / window
Outer prakara under reconstruction
 Relief on the ceiling 
Similar to Chozha period architecture 
 Similar to Chozha architecture 
 Recent period inscription
13th century Inscription
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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