26th May 2019.
After Completing the Visit of Koozhamandal and Perunagar temples, our next destination was to Devikapuram. When we reached Devikapuram it was around 11.30 Hrs and it was told that the Hill temple was closed and the Gurukal left just 5 minutes before our arrival. It was learned that the Hill temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to.10.00 hrs only and on Mondays the closing time will be extended up to 14.00 hrs. So we rushed to Sri Periyanayagi Amman Temple, before closure around 12.00 hrs.
Iraivan : Sri Kanakagiriswarar ( on the top of the hill )
Iraivi : Sri Periya Nayagi Amman.
Some of the important features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east with a 7 tier Rajagopuram. A 4 pillar mandapa and a mandapa adjacent to Temple chariot is in front of Rajagopuram. In the Rajagopuram entrance both side walls has the reliefs of Ayyanar, Pickshadanar. Bhairavar, Sugamuni, Rishabanthikar, Vishnu, Lingothbavar, Narasimhar, Ashtabhuja Durgai, etc,. In addition to this there were about 5 honey combs hanging from the ceiling. Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are after the Rajagopuram.
A 3 tier second level Rajagopuram with 36 Pillar mandapam is after Nandhi. On the left of the 36 pillar mandapam a Vinayagar sannadhi on the left and Subramaniyar Sannadhi on the right. The 36 Mandapa pillars has the reliefs Hindu deities. Shiva’s & Vishnu’s various form are done on the pillars.
The Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum antarala, arthamandapam and a muka mandapam. Amman is in standing posture, holding Pasa & angusam in the upper hands and lower hands are in abhaya varadha hastham. The sanctum base continues up to Prastharam. The Koshtams are empty, But reliefs of Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durgai are in the makara thoranam. The Vimanam is of vesara style on the top.
In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Kasi Viswanathar and Vinayagar. In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Nagalingam, Thiruganasambandar, A shiva Linga, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Sandikeswari, Durgai. The temple premises has Natarajar mandapam, 4 pillar mandapa, Navagraha mandapa, Yagasala mandapa, Kalyana mandapa. The Temple walls out side has the rows of reliefs of elephants, Horses and Boars. The boars are with Kattar, sun and Moon with Boar. This forms the emblem of Vijayanagara Dynasty.
HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS: There are 55 inscriptions available in this temple. The inscriptions belongs to Vijayanagaras, Thanjavur Marathas, Arani Jagirthars. The inscriptions are in Tamil, Sanscrit, Marathy languages. From the inscriptions this place was called as Devakkapuram and latter turned to the present name of Devikapuram. In Censes of India-1961 report, it was mentioned that the temple was built during Pallava Period, but, there is no evidence available. The earliest inscription available belongs to 1477AD Vijayanagara period. The max inscriptions belongs to Krishna Devaraya ( 1509 - 1529 AD), Achutharaya ( 1530-1542 AD) and Sadhasiva Raya ( 1542 – 1570 AD).
The Inscriptions mentions the Ambals name as Periyanachiyar. The other details mentioned are Days as Sunday, Monday. Etc, Castes, Coins, Name of the madams and Nakshathras. The Inscriptions mainly speaks about donations in terms of land, money, Coin, etc towards burning of perpetual lamps, Poojas, Neivedhyam etc. There was a mention of temple lands are leased to public and income from the lands are used for function of poojas and function/ celebrations etc,.
FESTIVALS: The following festivals are celebrated. Chithirai 1st Day, the starting of Tamil New Year, Appar Guru pooja, Vaikasi Visakam, Navarathri, Karthigai Deepam, 10days festival during Panguni, etc,.
LEGEND: As per the legend Devaki, the sister of Kamsan came here and worshiped Lord Kanakagiriswarar and gave birth of Krishna. Hence this place was called as Devikapuram.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Gurukkal K S Guruprasath Sivam may be contacted on his mobile 9952576444 for further details
HOW TO REACH:
The temple is in the middle of Devikapuram.
All the buses from various places to Polur Via Chetpet passes through Devikapuram.
Devikapuram is 150 KM from Chennai, 50 KM from Thiruvannamalai, 21 KM from Arani, 14 KM from Polur and 60 KM from Vellore.
Nearest Railway station is Polur.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
Makarathorana relief
Pickshadanar & Gangalars
Ashttabhuja Durgai & Kamakshi doing penance
Rajagopuram entrance wall bass-relief.
Rajagopuram entrance wall bass-relief.
Rajagopuram entrance wall bass-relief.
Rajagopuram entrance wall bass-relief.
Rows of Elephants, Horses & Boars
A Vijayanaga emblem
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