16th November 2019.
The second visit to this Pathangeeswarar Temple at Palur was a part of Thirumukkudal temple’s visit scheduled on 16th and 17th November 2019. This visit was a mixture of Hindu and Jainism, Temples and Heritage Sites. On the way to Thirumukkudal from Chennai, we had planned to see a Tirthankara at Palur. On reaching there it was told that the Tirthankara idol was taken by Archaeological Department. The Place Palur is on the north side of River Palar. Had the dharshan of Sri Pathangeeswarar.
Moolavar : Sri Pathangeeswarar
Consort : Sri Bramarambigai, Sri Vandarkuhzali Mangai
Some of the important details of this temple are…….
The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. The Stucco image of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar is on the arch. Nandhi ( The mandapa lion pillars are of sandstone ) and balipedam are in front of a single tier 2nd level Rajagopuram. In koshtam Sri Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Vishnu Durgai. In the sanctum Moolavar looks cute with Nagabrana decoration. The stucco dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum.
In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Sri Murugan with Valli & Devansena and Nalvar. Murugan ( arumugar ) has six faces sitting on his vahana peacock with an Ohm arch/ thiruvasi, behind. All this are chiseled from a single sand stone. Murugan sannadhi is on the left side facing North ( A rare position). Latter addition of walls covering the sides of mukha mandapa, his vahana and balipedam are forced to install on the outer prakaram. The additional wall constructed also obstructs the direct Circumambulation path around moolavar Sanctum.
In the outer prakaram Sri Vinayagar, Ambal, Kalabhairavar, Navagrahas, Suryan and Vinayagar. Since Suryan worshiped Lord Shiva there was no Navagraha sannadhi in olden days and a Navagraha sannadhi was added latter period.
We found that in Nalvar, Sundarar idol is not matching the iconography, available in many temples. ( Headgear / Crown - is missing ). Gurukkal told us, that Nalvar was previously installed out side and brought inside during recent years, which are very old.
Amman Sri Vandar Khuzhali is in a separate temple facing east in standing posture with abhaya and Vara hastham. Her vahanam simham is in front with balipedam.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and arthamandapam. Entrance to the sanctum is from south side. The sanctum sanctorum is on the pathabandha adhisthana with tripatta kumuda. The prastharam is kabotha style with karnakood. Bootha Ganas are in valabi and Yazhivari is above the prastharam. A two tier stone vimana is above the prastharam. The sikaram is built with brick. The mukha mandapa was built during Vijayanagara period.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per the inscriptions this place was under Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Utrur kottathu Perumpalaiyur nattu Perumpalaiyur, Thirupalaiyur and Palaiyur. This place was also called as Rajendra Chozha Nallur. Lord Shiva was called a Perumpalaiyur Mahadevar and Thirupathangadudaiyar.
The inscriptions belongs to ParakesariVarman (a) Paranthaka Chozha-I ( 910 AD ), Kulothunga Chozha-I (1108 AD),Vikrama Chozha-I ( 1123 AD), Kulothunga Chozha-III (1202 AD), Rajaraja-III ( 1226, 1231 AD), 13- 14th & 15th – 16th Century Tamil inscription mixed with Grantha, Vijayanagara king Narasingappadeva Maharayar ( 1485 - 1490 AD ) and unknown 16th to 17th Century.
Paranthaka-I period inscription records that Thirupalaiyur Village head’s daughter by name Kadavi donated a perpetual lamp to this temple.
An inscription starts with Veera Rajendran’s meikeerthi and Kulothunga-I’s meikeerthi records the donation of perpetual lamp by a Mayyur Nattu Rajendrapuram Oil merchant Sankarapandyarkal.
Vikrama Chozha’ inscription records the donation of land at madapuram by Abimanameru Pallavarayan of Kuruchi Village in Chozhamandalathu Pandyakulasini Valanadu to feed food to the Brahmins at Acharaseelan madam, who came for dharshan of Lord Shiva of this temple.
The Kulothunga Chozha-III, period inscriptions records that as requested by Nandhiyarayan, an official, King Kulothunga gave an order to utilize the Tax income from the lands donated to this temple, Money and the oil by the oil extractors ( Chekku kudiyinar ) as a capital towards maintenance and Poojas.
Rajaraja-III period inscription records that Andar Akilanayakar (a) Sambandar donated 8 coins ( pazhangasu ) towards burning of 4 lamps to the Siva Bramanars. Also another inscription The Village head’s servant ( a paraiyadiyar ) Perunkadan gave money to burn lamps.
13th – 14th Century inscription states that a land was mortgaged to this temple governing body and the same was released from mortgage after getting an assurance not to mortgage again.
Vijayanagara King Viruppana Udayar’s inscription records that the land and housing plots belongs to the temple measuring 70 kuzhi, was sold to the Kaikolars ( weavers? ) and Devaradiyars.
A 15th to 16th Century Tamil mixed with Grantha inscription records the gift of land to Lord Shiva and Subramaniar for Naivedyam ( Curd, Vegetable, Sukku, yelam and pepper ).
Vijayanagara King Narasingadeva Maharayar’s inscriptions mentions that tax was withdrawn on the School lands. A 16th – 17th Century inscription records that the land ( Kollai & Kazhani ) donated to this temple by Krishnaraya Nayakar was gifted to the temple maintenance, Dance teachers and drum/ Thavil players.
LEGEND
Suryan ( Sun ) worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple to get rid of graha dosham ( dosh ) as per the advice of Lord Vishnu. The Sun is also called in different names like Suryan, Pathangan, Parithi, Baskaran, Aathithan etc,. Since Suryan as Pathangan, worshiped lord Shiva of this temple Lord Shiva is called as Pathangeeswarar and the place was also called as Thirupathangadu in ancient times.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 19.00 hrs. Since orukala pooja is conducted the closing and opening time are un-predictable.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Gurukkal Sri P S Ekambaram, Sannadhi street, Palur can be reached through his land line 044 27437011.
HOW TO REACH :
PALUR is on the Chengalpattu to Kanchipuram bus ( Get down at Railway station stop ) and train route. The Beach to Thirumalpur passes through Palur and the ticket is Rs 15.00 from beach. And Rs 5 from Chengalpattu both fares are in train.
Lot of buses both private and Govt buses available from Chengalpattu to Kanchipuram, Arakonam.
The lion pillars of sandstone
Dakshinamurthy - Kallalamaram
A Chozha period inscription
Hero Stone - Navakandam
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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