SRI BRAHMESHWARAR TEMPLE / ESWARAN TEMPLE, BRAHMADESAM, ERODE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

03^rd February, 2020.

This Brahmeshwarar Temple’s Visit was a part of Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones and Heritage sites around Anthiyur and Athani, scheduled on 03^rd February 2020. During Chozha’s rule, a Village will be gifted to a temple called as  Brahmadesam. By seeing the name of the Village as Brahmadesam, we thought that there must be an old temple, built during Chozha period. But to our disappointment, we landed in this temple which is not very old.

Moolavar  : Sri Brahmeshwarar

Consort    : Sri Brahmeshwari

Some of the important details are …

The temple is facing east with a Balipedam and Nandhi.   The sanctum sanctorum niches / koshtas are empty, But Dakshinamurti, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai are installed in-front of Koshtas. The thorana, above the niches are with Bootha gana heads with protruding teeth & various expressions. Ambal is in a separate temple like sannadhi facing east. A simha vahana is in front of the Ambal sannadhi.

In Prakaram Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena subramaniyar, Sandikeswarar, Shaniswarar, Bhairavar, Navagrahas, Suryan and Chandran.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum of Shiva and Ambals temples are constructed with padabandha adhisthana. Sanctum sanctorum, antarala and arthamandapama are on the adhisthana. The koshtas depth are less to accommodate the images. The thoranas above the Niches / niches are carved with bhoota ganas with various face expressions & protruding teeth. The prastharam is simple with alpa nasis and without images in the koodu. A Two thala Nagara vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Going by the architecture of the temple, the temple may be 300 to 400 years old and re constructed in the recent years. 19^th -20^th century inscriptions are found on the walls of arthamandapam.

Two times renovations has been carried out in 1999 and 2011and kumbhabhishekam was conducted.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since orukala pooja is conducted the opening and closing times are un predictable.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile 6381646716 and 7502845238 for further clarifications.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is about 250 meters from the Village.

Brahmadesam is about 21 KM from Bhavani, 34 KM from Erode,  124 KM from Coimbatore and 421 KM from Chennai

Nearest Railway station if Erode.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

A 19th to 20th century inscriptions

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

ANTHIYUR GURUNATHA SWAMY VANAM TEMPLE ( குருநாதர் கோவில் VANAKOVIL ), ERODE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

03^rd February 2020.

This Sri Gurunathaswamy Temple’s Visit was a part of Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones and Heritage sites around Anthiyur and Athani, scheduled on 03^rd February 2020. This is one of the 800 and odd years old temples  of Erode District.  

Moolavar  : Gurunathaswamy

Some of the important features of this temple…

This is an unique temple in which a boulder is worshiped as Lord Shiva and Mruga. It is believed that Muruga taught panchatchara manthra to Shiva. The other deities Kamakshi Amman, Vishnu, Veerabadra, Nava Kanniyars, Anjaneyar, Pavalamalai Eswaran, Siddheswarar, Bhandheswarar, Kundrudayar, Panchapandavas, etc, are in the form of Stones.

FESTIVAL

The annual 4 days cattle festival with indigenous breeds of cows and horses  will be held in the month of August ( Adi month ). People from various parts of India will attend. Breeds such as Alambadi and Bargur will also on display. Dwarf cows from Andhra Pradesh, goats, buffaloes, Ox will be sold. The locals will also gather to buy domestic goods. The local agricultural products will also in display

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs. This VanaKovil will be open always.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is about 2 kilo meters from Anthiyur Bus Stand.

Anthiyur is 18.5 KM from Bhavani, 25 KM from Erode, 23.8 KM from Gobichettipalayam, 108 KM from Coimbatore and 400 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Erode.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Sivagurunatha Swamy

 Panchapandavas

 Vishnu & Anjaneyar

 Navakanniyar

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

ANTHIYUR CHELLISWARAR TEMPLE, ERODE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

03^rd February 2020.

This Sri Chelliswarar Temple’s Visit was a part of Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones and Heritage sites around Anthiyur and Athani, scheduled on 03^rd February 2020. This is one of the 800 and odd years old temples  of Erode District. This temple has an inscription, in which The King had issued an order in favor of a community to abolish the restrictions imposed on them, by another community.

Moolavar  : Sri Chelliswarar

Consort    : Sri Chelliswari

Some of the important features of this temple…

The temple is facing east with a balipedam and Nandhi.  Vinayagar and Nagars are under a tree  on the out side of  the temple complex. The temple complex is about 3 feet below the out side ground level. Dakshinamurthy, Brahma and Durga are not inside the koshtam, but kept outside.

In prakaram Suryan, Chandran, Kannimoola Ganapthy, Arumuga Subramaniyar with Sri Valli Deva Sena, Veera Kala Bhairavar and Shaniswarar. Ambal is in a separate temple like sannadhi facing east like moolavar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, arthamandapam and a mukha mandapam. The 2 thala vimana is on the simple pathabhanda adhisthana and Vedhikai.  Since this temple was reconstructed many times, we do not know the original construction of this temple. The present temple looks like a 16^th to 17^th Century temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

There are two inscriptions recorded in this temple.  The 13^th Century Kongu Pandyar Veerapandyan period inscription on the west side wall records the abolition on restrictions imposed on 5 sections of Kammalars ( Acharis / Viswakarmas / Asaris ),( கொல்லர், தச்சர், கன்னார், கற்சிற்பி, பொற்கொல்லர் ), by an another community. The King’s order permits the 5 sections of Acharis can wear Footwear, plastering of their houses, to blow conch on Good and bad events /functions and playing drums ( பேரிகை ). The copy of this inscription is also available at Perur, Gudimangalam, Karur, Kadathur, Modakkur, Pariyur and Avinashi temples.

Another 13^th Century Kongu Pandyar Veerapandyan’s 11^th year rule  period inscription records the donation of 10 panam ( money ) towards burning of Sandya deepam by Vadakarai nattu Anthiyur Narambarkal Nattu Kamindan and Kasiba kothra Periya Thevan Pillai Theva Narayana Narpathennayira Nambi.

The 16^th Century Ummaththur Veerananjarayar period inscription records the donation of Land to this temple. It mentions that Ponnankattiyar Venkadanathar’s farm land after his death was sold to and purchased a new land for 20 panam and a Samadhi was built for him. The new land with Samadhi was donated to this Shiva temple. This was done by 5 persons, whose names are also inscribed.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is about 500 meters from Anthiyur Bus Stand.

Anthiyur is 18.5 KM from Bhavani, 25 KM from Erode, 23.8 KM from Gobichettipalayam, 108 KM from Coimbatore and 400 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Erode.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

Inscriptions on the adhithana

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI VEERABADRARAR TEMPLE / SRI VEERABHADRA TEMPLE, ANTHIYUR, ERODE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

03^rd February 2020.

This Veerabadra temple’s visit was a part of Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones and Heritage sites around Anthiyur and Athani, scheduled on 03^rd February 2020. When we are looking for a Hero stone, landed in this  temple. The Hero stone is installed in the temple complex, on the right side of the entrance with a separate entrance. The details of the Hero stone will be written separately. 

Moolavar : Sri Veerabadrar 

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a Nandhi in-front of the sanctum. Moolavar is Lord Shiva as Veerabadra in standing posture. A stucco image of Veerabadra is on the top of the front mandapam.

This is an old temple, renovated during recent period and Kumbhabhishekam was also conducted. The new temple is with sanctum sanctorum, antrala, arthamandapam and amukha mandapam ( a metacolour sheet shed ). The sanctum adhisthana was built like typical Kongu Village temple.  There is no koshtas in the sanctum walls. The Vimana is of ekathala vesara Vimana and east side maha Nasi is extended. The extended nasi has the image of Veerabadra and 5 kalasas in addition to that one at the centre. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy and Brahma are in the Vimana.

The temple may belongs to Vijayanagara Nayak  period or even earlier to that,  ie, 300 to 400 years old. The mandapa pillars, Capital or pothyals are strewn around the temple. The Pothyals are of pushpa pothyals. 4 Pillars with a Shiva Linga and Ambal are kept out side along with a Japanese Kubera / laughing Buddha. The Pillar omam or the base has beautiful images of Kali, Lord Shiva, Shiva Linga, Saints, etc,. In addition to this, there are  many stone balls scattered around this makeshift structure for Lord Shiva and the purpose is not known.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 10 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is about 500 meters from Anthiyur Bus Stand.

Anthiyur is 18.5 KM from Bhavani, 25 KM from Erode, 23.8 KM from Gobichettipalayam, 108 KM from Coimbatore and 400 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Erode.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Vimana with Suka Nasi above antarala ( extended maha nasi )

 Old temple's pillars - On the right is the Kubera Buddha

 Old Temple pillar capital / Pothyal

Old temple pillar capitals / Pothyals

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI KARIYAKALIAMMAN TEMPLE, PATLUR, ERODE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

03^rd February 2020.

This Sri Kariyakali Amman Temple’s visit was a part of Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones and Heritage sites around Anthiyur and Athani, scheduled on 3^rd February 2020. This temple is about 2 KM from Patlur. When we are in search of a Hero stone, happened to land in this temple. Many interesting features are found in this temple.

Moolavar : Sri Kariyakali Amman.

Some of the interesting features of this temple are…

This Kariyakali Amman is a Village guarding deity facing north. This temple also faces north, without any entrance arch / Rajagopuram.  A Terracotta Muneeswararn is before the entrance of the temple.

An asbestos sheet shed is in front of the sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum and an arthamandapam. In front of the sanctum are the Dwarapalakas, both male and female made of terracotta. In addition to this there are two terracotta horses donated by the devotees on a platform. Under the front asbestos sheet shed, an oonjal and a balipedam.

In addition to this there is a Pulikuthi Sati stone ( the details will be posted separately ) and an Amman’s  Head. A broken Kali statue, is lying on the west side of the sanctum. The Puikuthi sati stone belongs to 16^th to 17^th Century. The Compound walls are built with stone stacked in an excellent manner. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum and an arthamandapam. At the entrance of sanctum sanctorum the Dwarapalakas both Male and female, are made of terracotta. As per the experts, Terracotta Dwarapalakas, signifies that this is an extension of ancient worship. Hence considering the Terracotta Dwarapalakas, Pulikuthi Sati stone and broken Kali statue, the temple might be more than 500 hundred years old.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since oru kala pooja is conducted by the poojari a non Brahmin the opening and closing times are un predictable.  

HOW TO REACH:

This temple at Patlur is on the Bhavani to Vellithiruppur Road about a KM from Anthiyur – Ammapettai Road Junction.

The temple is 22KM from Bhavani, 40 KM from Erode, 120 KM from Coimbatore and 400 KM from Chennai.   

Nearest Railway station is Erode.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

Terracotta Dwarapalaka & Dwarapalaki

 Terracotta Horse

 A Beautiful wall

 Terracotta Ayyanar / Muneeswaran 

 A Kali sculpture broken in to pieces

 Terracotta Vinayagar

 Terracotta Dwarapalaka & Dwarapalaki

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI CHENDRAYA PERUMAL TEMPLE, PATLUR, ERODE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

03^rd February 2020.

This Chendraya Perumal Temple’s visit was a part of Heritage Visit to the temples, Hero stones and Heritage sites around Anthiyur and Athani, scheduled on 03^rd February 2020. This temple is very close to Sri Vageeshvarar Shiva Temple of Patlur.

Moolavar : Sri Chendraya Perumal.

Some of the important details are….

This temple is facing east with a dilapidated mandapa is in-front. The mandapa is a typical Village type house built with brick and sloped roof paved with mangalore tiles. A Kongu style Deepa sthamba with a mandapa is after the front entrance mandapa. Nagars ( Includes Shiva Linga and Krishna ) and donor sculptures are in front of the arthamandapam entrance.  Perumal is in standing posture. There is no images in the koshtam.

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and arthamandapam. Garudan is in the arthamandapam.  The Nayak period donor bas-reliefs on the pillars indicates that this temple may belongs to 16^th to 17^th century.  The total temple was built with brick on the stone pathabhandha adhisthana.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since oru kala pooja is conducted the opening and closing times are un predictable.  

HOW TO REACH:

This temple at Patlur is on the Bhavani to Vellithiruppur Road, about 500 meters from Anthiyur – Ammapettai  and Bhavani – Vellithiruppur Road Junction.

The temple at Patlur is 22KM from Bhavani, 40 KM from Erode, 120 KM from Coimbatore and 400 KM from Chennai.   

Nearest Railway station is Erode.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Naga bandham

 Nayak period Donors on the mandapa pillars - 

 Donors

Nagars & Donors

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---