Wednesday 9 June 2021

Sri Aaravamitheeswarar Temple / ஆராவமிதீஸ்வரர் கோயில், மேட்டு மருதூர், Mettu Marudur ( Marudur ), Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this temple was a part of “Trichy Heritage Walk” organised by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே- Group”, to the Historical Chozha period temples, in and around Trichy aka Tiruchirappalli, scheduled on 20th & 21st March 2021. Even-though they were contributed by the Pallava, Chozha, Pandya, Vijayanagara Kings and the present Nattukottai Nagarathars, they are less popular.  This temple & Place is on the banks of River Kaveri. The temple one popular is now in a dilapidated condition.

Moolavar : Sri Aaravamitheeswarar
                Sri Panneesvarathu Mahadevar
Consort      

Some of the salient features of this temple are....
The temple is facing east with a Rishabam and balipeedam. Moolavar in the sanctum is about 6 feet on a round avudayar. Vinayagar, Brahma, Chandikeswarar, Jyeshta Devi with Manthan and Manthi ( heavily eroded condition ) are found out side the temple. A Shiva Linga is in the ardha mandapa.   

ARCHITECTURE
The Temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum and artha mandapam and about 3 feet higher than the ground level.  With steps on the east side. The sobana was constructed during recent years. The artha mandapam is supported with 4 Vishnukantha pillars with Kalasam, Thadi, Kumbam, Pali, Palakai. The Pothyal are of Tharanga Pothigai. Out of 4 Pillars one was kept out side, might have fallen down. The Pothyals are made as an integral part of the beam.

The temple was constructed with stone from Adhisthana to prastaram. The adhisthana is of simple Padabandha adhisthana. Brahmakantha pillars with Kalasam, Kumbam, Palakai are supports the wall. The sala and Karna pathi are projected out side keeping aharai inner. No provision was given for the Koshtas. The prastaram is of kapotha style. Kapotha has the Nasikood with human / bhuta gana’s head images. The Nasis are spade type. Kodi karukku and Chandra mandalam are also shown of the prastaram. Bhuta ganas are shown in the valabi.

The Vimana was built with Chozha ( ..?) period bricks. The Vimana is of two thalas / dvithala. Since the Vimana was damaged very heavily, we couldn’t find further details. The Sanctum wall stones are also eroded heavily.      

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Experts are of the opinion that the original temple might have constructed by the Pallavas ( Iconography of Brahma is of Pallava style ) and reconstructed with stone during Chozha’s period. Rajaraja-I’s 21 line inscription is found on the door side stone slab and Rajarajan-II period inscriptions also found on the back side wall. Rajaraja-I inscription mentions as “Salaikala marutha Kovi Rajarajakesari – சாலை கலமறுத்த கோவி ராஜராஜகேசரி”. Experts are of the opinion that this mentions is to signify the victory  of Kerala Vizhinjam Fort and  Kanthalur Salai. 

As per the Rajaraja Period Inscription this place was called as Meeikottu Nattu Madhaana Marudur  ( The temple is about a KM from Marudur Village ) and Lord Shiva was called as Naga Panneeswarathu Mahadevar and Aaravamitheeswarar.

The Rajaraja-I period inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which a land was gifted on Solar eclipse day.

LEGENDS
The temple might have been a big, famous and popular temple in the Village Marudur and Meeikottu Nadu during Pallava and Chozha period. Looking at the majestic look of Moolavar Shiva Linga, many miracles might have taken place due to the grace of Lord Shiva.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Under stood that special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri day and the days sponsored by the devotees.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
Since regular poojas are not conducted, the opening and closing of the temple is unpredictable.
CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH
This temple at Mettu Marudur (mentioned as meetmardu  in Google map ) is 31.5 KM from Woraiyur, 36.00 KM from Srirangam Temple, 33 Km from Main Guard Gate, 36 KM from Central Bus stand and Railway station, 90 KM from Thanjavur, 133 KM from Kumbakonam and 351 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Pettavaithalai and Junction is Tiruchirappalli. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE











Vinayagar along with Bhuta Ganas



Brahma - Seems to be of Pallava style


Rajathiraja's inscription
Rajarajan-I's inscription
Jyeshta Devi
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

No comments:

Post a Comment