17th November 2019.
The visit to this temple was a part of Thirumukkudal Temples visit scheduled on 16th and 17th of November 2019. After visiting Thirunathar Kundru, the Jain monuments, thought of visiting this 7th century Pallava period Rock cut cave temple, which is about 2 KM from there. This place is called in different names like Simhachalam, Simhapuram, Vishnu Senji, etc,.
Moolavar : Sri Ranganathar
Consort : Sri Ranganayaki
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple is on the hill and can be reached through 163 steep steps neatly paved. A mandapa called oonjal mandapa is at the beginning of the steps with 4 pillars, of which one is original and three are of in concrete ( Perhaps the original pillars might have damaged ). At the start of the steps, the office is on the right and Ranganathar’s foot print ( Conch and Chakra are on both sides ) and 5 Hanumans as bas-reliefs on the left boulder. At the top of the hill is the 5 tier Rajagopuram. Sri Varadharajar temple is just after the Rajagopuram. Since this temple is not a constructed one, so the usual architecture norms cannot be applied to this temple. A Garudathoon / Deepasthambam, balipedam and Dwajasthambam are on the east side. Nagars are under a peepal tree.
Sannadhi for Chakkarathalwar, Hanuman, Garudan, Sri Ramanujar, Desikar and Thayar Ranganayagi are in the mandapams. A Vimana is on the Thayar sannadhi. A brick 3 tier Rajagopuram is on the moolavar sanctum. Lakshmi Varahar sannadhi is near the paramapatha vassal.
The sanctum sanctorum is a rock cut cave. The sanctum and arthamandapam are excavated. The sanctum is supported by two square pillars with octagonal shaft in between and two pilasters. The excavation of this cave reminds the Mandakapattu rock cut cave. On both ends of the caves are dwarapalakas. Vishnu as Ranganathar is keeping his head on the south side and legs are on the north side in Bhoga sayana on Adhisheshan, measuring 24 feet long. The Adhisheshan’s 5 headed hood is above his head and Ranganathar’s face is looking up. Brahma is seated on a Lotus flower which emanates from Vishnu’s naval. Ranganathar’s left hand is in kataka mudra and the right hand is stretched out, like patting Adhisheshan. On the right side of Brahma a flying gana holds a weapon and a sword is shown on the right. On the left of Brahma is the Garuda. His left hand is raised in suchi mudra and his right hand is on his waist. His wings are shown behind his body. On Garuda’s left are shown two demons Madhu and Kaitaba. One of them is holding a club and the right hand stretched towards Ranganathar. Another demon is also holding a club which rests on his thigh. This shows that both are planning to attack Vishnu and Garuda’s suchi mudra gives them warning. At the same time Adhisheshan is spitting fire on the demons. Below the adhisheshan are the Bhudevi, Naradhar, Prakalathan, Athri and Bhirugu Maharishi. Urchavars are Kothandaramar, Lakshmi Narayanar, Lakshmi Varahar and Alwars.
On the left side of the Dwarapalaka is Durga, shown as a bas relief. Durga is standing on buffalo’s ( Mahishasura ) head in tribhanga posture. While the upper hands holds Conch and Chakra, the lower hands are resting on her thigh and waist. She wears minimum ornaments. On both sides are two devotees in kneeling posture. One devotee is shown cutting his hand with knife to offer blood. The other devotee on the left is holding a flower in one hand and other hand keeping on his waist. This can be viewed through an opening provided on the right side of Thayar Ranganayaki’s sannadhi.
HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that Singavaram could be Simhapura, the capital of Simhapuranadu founded by Simhavishnu. The presence of Rock cut cave Vishnu temple and the Durgai on the same place, it is believed that the rock cut cave was excavated during Mahendravarvan-I’s period. But some scholars are of the opinion that it could have been excavated during Narasimhavarman-II, who was also called as Simhavishnu.
Kulothunga Chozha, Kopperunchinga and Vijayanagara inscriptions are found in front mandapam. The 1246 AD Kopperunchinga’s inscription records the gift of 30 Cows for burning a perpetual lamp.
During 1323AD Ulugh Khans’ invasion at Srirangam, Sri Ranganathar was brought to this temple. Gopanna, a Vijayanagara official who had taken this temple’s Urchavar during Muslims invasion to Tirumala. Subsequently brought back to Singavaram and reinstated in 1371AD.
Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 2010.
LEGEND
The King Raja Desingu, who ruled Gingee worshiped this Ranganathar as his kula Deivam. He used to speak with Singavaram Ranganathar. Once, Raja Desingu went to war without listening Perumal’s word, so Perumal got angry and turned his head towards South.
During Mahendravarman’s father Simhavarman period, a varaha was found eating the flower in their nandhavanam. When it was chased, it reached this Ranganathar Temple after climbing the hill and disappeared. Simha Vishnu had the dharshan of this Bhoga Sayana Ranganathar on this hill and Mahendravarman, his son named this hill as Simhachalam. The Hill also called as Tiruppanrikundru ( திருபன்றிக்குன்று ).
FUNCTIONS & CELEBRATIONS
Apart from the regular Poojas Vaikasi visakam, Garuda seva, Masi maha theerthavari festival, Pavithra urchavam, which starts from Adi month second Friday are celebrated in a grand manner. It was told that Urchavars were kept at Pondicherry during Muslims invasion, so during Masimaha festival Perumal used to Visit Pondicherry also.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
The following mobile numbers +91 8098329060 and +91 9345879028 may be contact for futher details.
HOW TO REACH:
Sri Ranganathar temple is on the top of a hill at Singavaram.
Singavaram is 4.7 KM from Gingee, 32 KM from Tindivanam, 103 KM from Kanchipuram and 204 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station is Tindivanam.
Chozha period inscription
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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