27th July 2019.
The visit to this Veppathur Veetriruntha Perumal Temple was a part of Kumbakonam Heritage Walk organized by "Yaaooyaakay" - யாஊயாகே” and "Celebrate Kanchi" on 27th and 28th July 2019. In this walk 13 temples were covered, which includes 6 Padal Petra Shiva Temples. Will be postings the details of the temples which are not covered during my previous visits/ Paadal Petra Sthalangal Visit. The place Veppathur is on the banks of river Kaveri and in between Kaveri and river Palavar.
HISTORY:
This Veppathur Village was once a Vedic learning center compared to University of Prayag ( Allahabad ). This was mentioned by Maha Periyava in Deivathin Kural. He said the small hillock lying in the village is a submerged Vishnu temple of Pre-Pallava Period ( 560 AD) and wished someone to come forward for the renovation of this temple.
As per Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamikal, this Vishnu temple “Vittirunda Perumal Koil” might be belonging to Pre Mahendra Varman ( 560 CE ) Period. This brick temple constructed without using stone indicates its early phase and the remains of Pallava mural painting traces can be seen on the sanctum walls. The Veppathur Village was once a well established Chathurvedi Mangalams, that flourishes during Pallava, Chozha and Vijayanagara Period. This may be only known Pallava period brick temple in Chozha mandalam. Latter this temple was patronized by the Chozhas and Vijayanagaras. Chozhas converted all the brick temples with stone temples, but this was un touched. The traces of Mural paintings of the three rulers may be seen on the sanctum inside walls, one over the other.
As per the Rajendra-I ( 1021 CE ) inscription ( ARE 292 of 1908 ) at Thirukazhitittai, Sri Vedapurisvara Temple an Adjacent Village mentions this place Vempattur also called as Cholamartandachadurvedi Mangalam. Some people claims that this place was also called as “Avani Narayana Chathurvedi mangalam” and the temple was called as “Avani Narayana Vinnagar”.
The original stucco seated Vishnu idol was replaced with stone idols during 17th Century Vijayanagara period, probably the original idol found damaged. Latter why the temple was abandoned is not known. It was told by the villagers that the idols were brought down and kept in a small temporary temple during beginning of 20th Century. The idea of shifting the idols to another temple was abandoned by the Villagers as per the advice of Kanchi Mahaperiyava during his visit in 1990. He also advised the villagers to explore the possibilities of rebuilding the temple. The re-construction works has been started by R.E.A.C.H Foundation under the head of Dr Sathyamoorthy, the founder and the former ASI Official.
The sanctum and Vimana was rebuilt using specially made bricks and binding were done with lime mortar. The Original vimana inner core was bonded with lime and the outer core was bonded with a thin layer of mud, to look like joint less metal mould finish appearance. The present re-construction of the temple also adopted the same old ancient method. Due to this, whenever there were external shear thrust on the Vimana the outer core moved without transforming the force to the inner core. The newly rebuilt Vimana is about 90 feet high with 5 tiers.
HOW TO REACH:
Veppathur is about 4.5 KM from Thiruvidaimaruthur, 10 KM from Kumbakonam and 57 KM from Thanjavur.
Nearest railway station is Kumbakonam.
Traces of Mural paintings
Traces of Mural Paintings
Some more Information from my Face book page
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