Sri Yamadhandeeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ எமதண்டீஸ்வரர் கோவில், ஆலக்கிராமம் / Alagramam, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this temple was a part of Villupuram Heritage Walk organized by History Trails on 24^th and 25^th July 2021. The temple is under renovation and the works are moving in a snail’s space due to shortage of fund. Temple authorities requested to donate liberally to this temple to spring back this temple to its original glory.

Moolavar  : Sri Yamadhandeeswarar

Consort    : Sri Thirupurasundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are..

The temple is under Palalayam during our Visit and Parivara sannidhis are under construction. The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram ( under construction ). A Soolakal ( Ashtra Deva ..?), Balipeedam and Nandi are after the Rajagopuram. Stucco Vinayagar, Lord Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar and Murugan are at the top of the entrance. Moolavar in the sanctum sanctorum is little big on a square avudayar. ( As per the Historians Moolavar belongs to Pallava Period ). In Koshtam Dakshinamurthy and Maha Vishnu. Dakshinamurthy’s hands are in broken condition.  In antarala, a 5^th Century Vinayagar, Arumuga and Urchavars. In Mukha mandapam, Lakuleesar, Veerabhadra and Vinayagar.     

In Praharam Nagars, Chandikeswarar, Saniswaran, Vinayagar, Murugan without consorts, Natarajar and a Jeeva Samadhi of a saint.

Ambal is in the Mukha mandapam facing south. Ambal Thiripurasundari is in standing posture with Abhaya and varada hastam. Upper hands are holding nilotpala flowers. Ambal is about 6 feet tall.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, Ardha mandapam and a newly built mukha mandapam. Stucco Dwarapalakas, Vinayagar and Murugan are in the Mukha mandapam.  The Adhisthana is of simple padabandha with threepatta kumuda. The walls and Vimana are constructed with Brick above stone adhisthana. A 3 tier nagara Vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. Vishnu kantha Pilaster and kapotha are built with brick.    

During 2015, thirupani, A bas relief Vinayagar, Maha Vishnu and Lakuleesar sculptures are unearthed. As per the historians these sculptures belongs to pallava period.

Vinayagar.. The Vinayagar’s base has inscriptions, which changes from Tamizhi to Vattezhuthu. This was identified by Mr Veeraraghavan and his wife Mangayarkarasi as older than Pillayarpatti Vinayagar and belongs to 4^th to 6^th Century. As per late Mr Iravatham Mahadevan, this Vinayagar may belongs to 5^th Century. The Vinayagar Panel is 75 CM high and 40 CM wide. Vinayagar is with 2 hands holding thandam and broken tusk. The inscription on the base reads as ..

“பிரமிறை பன்னூரு சேவிக…. மகன்…. கிழார் கோன்….. கொடுவித்து”. 

As per the historians, this inscription mentions the name of the sculptor, who had sculpted this Vinayagar. 

Mahavishnu…. Mahavishnu is in standing posture with Venkotrakudai and samara / whisk. Makuda is of pallava Style Greeda makuda. Mahavishnu’s upper hands holds Conch / sangu and Chakra. Lower right hand is in abhaya hastam and left hand is in kadi hastam. He wears ornaments in the ears, necks, Yagnopaveetha and a uthara bandham.  Sridevi and Bhudevi are shown on both sides of his feet in kneeled worshiping posture with flowers. This Mahavishnu may belongs to 7^th century.

Lakuleesar… This Lakuleesar / Lakulisar sculpture was unearthed during thirupani near the sanctum. Lakuleesar, who lived in 2^nd century is believed to be the 28^th Avatara of Lord Shiva. He established a sect Shaivam called Lakulisa pasupata  of worshiping Lord Shiva. This flat stone sculpture of Lakuleesar belongs to 5^th to 6^th Century Pallava period.  Lakuleesar is in sitting posture wearing ornaments like a King. The Jadamaguda is shown with a knot on the top. He wears ornaments, Padra kundala in the ears,  neck and Urethra Bandham.  Lakuleesar holds a dhandam on which a snake is coiled around it and left hand is on his thigh. The thandam is like lathe finished. His ankuri / penis is shown protruding out side. The dress frill is shown touching the ground after the right leg.

This Lakuleesar is one of the more than 10 Sculptures unearthed in Villupuram District. This indicates that Lakulisa Pasupata Shaiva was in peak during 5^th to 6^th Century around Villupuram District. The Inscription vattezhuthu records as ...ஆலக்கூரை .... லகுலீச... செய்வித்தது... Since the inscription is eroded heavily, couldn't further. ( Thanks to Mr Veeraraghavan, Villupuram who identified this Lakuleesar Sculpture. 

Arumugar… Arumugar is without his consorts Sri Valli Devasena. Arumugar is sitting on his vahana Peacock with 12 hands holding various weapons. Thiruvasi shown behind is an integral part of the sculpture looks beautiful.

Dakshinamurthy…  Looks beautiful even after the left leg and hand are broken, may be during Muslim invasion. He wears patra kundala in the ears, ornaments, Yagnopaveetha, Uthara bandham and Rudraksha mala. His upper hands are holding Lamp and snake ( similar to Kalakkad Temple ).

   

Mr Sundaramurthy, a care taker of the temple pointing one tree and claimed as  “Thiruvodu maram”. Actually the tree is not a Thiruvodu maram  and Botanical name as Crecentia Cujete calabash. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crescentia_cujete ). It has the origin of Africa.  Actual Thiruvodu maram is  the seed of a Palm tree and its origin is Male island. For the details please click these links.  ( http://namathu.blogspot.com/2020/06/2-calabash.html ).

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the Historians and researchers, the original temple was built during Pallava period with latter Chozhas and Vijayanagaras contributions. As per the inscriptions this place was called as “Arkamoor PaRRu” which was corrupted to the present name of Alagramam.

The available inscriptions reads as…

“ஸ்வத்திஸ்ரீ இக்கோயிலில் கார்த்திகைக்காக… ங்கொண்டு இந்த நத்த மாக்கரிய பெருமாள் திருமேனிக்கு….”

“மண்டலேசுவர மேதினி யீரகக்கண்டகட்டா ஆர்காமூர் பற்று நடக்கையில் இவ்வாண்டு….

“ஸ்வத்திஸ்ரீ திருமன்னி வளர….”

The inscriptions are in badly damaged condition and doesn’t have continuity. Rajendra Chozha’s inscription records the endowments for poojas, naivedyam etc, for which donations were made.

It was told that Kanchi Maha Periyava Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi swamigal paid visit to this temple in 1943, 1952, 1966, 1969 and 1972, during yathra in this side.

LEGENDS

This temple’s sthala purana is a continuation of Thirukadaiyur sthala purana.  Mrukandu Maharishi did a penance on Lord Shiva for a Child boon. Appreciating his penance, Lord Shiva asked the Maharishi, whether he wishes a child with longer life, but without any wisdom or with brilliant wisdom, who will live only 16 years. Mrukandu Maharishi had chosen the second option. When his son Markandeya was nearing 16 years, Mrukandu Maharishi told the truth to his son that his life in this world will come to an end when he completes 16 years.

Markandeya went many temples worshiped Lord Shiva and finally came to Thirukadaiyur when he was nearing his end. With the power of his penance, Markandeya knew that Yama is approaching him to take away his life. Markandeya prayed to Lord Shiva and embraced him. To Yama’s eyes, only markandeya was visible and threw the Pasarope on Markandeya. Since Markandeya was embracing Lord Shiva the rope also touched Lord Shiva. Angered Lord Shiva appeared in the form Rudra murthy and kicked  Yama with his leg, hence called as Kalasamhaaramurthy ( Yama is also called as kala ). Markandeya was blessed with 16 years ever ( Siranjeevi ).

To get rid of the dosha incurred for throwing pasarope on Lord Shiva, seek advice from his father Suriya. Suriya Suggested Yama to create a Shiva Linga on the banks of River Varaha, create Ganga Theertha and do a penance on Lord Shiva. Satisfied with the penance Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked what he wants. Yama requested Lord Shiva, to pardon him for the sin caused due to throwing rope on him. Lord Shiva Pardoned Yama and gave back his powers and Thanda. Hence Lord Shiva is called as “Yama Dhandeeswarar”. There is a Temple called, Dhandeeswarar Temple at Velachery, Chennai with a similar sthala purana. Saniswaran also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

Yama also requested Lord Shiva to bless all the devotees who offer worship at this temple. It is believed that Devotees worships Lord Shiva and Ambal of this temple to get rid of Chronic decease, to extend the life, to get childboon, to remove marriage obstacles.

It is believed that Ambal’s face changes every day to bless the Devotees, ie with a childish face on Pournami / Amavasya Days, beautiful face on Sundays, with a smiling face on Mondays and Tuesdays,    with ugra on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and With Sahanti & Peace on Thursdays and Saturdays. It is believed that those who worships with lighting Ghee lamps Ambal on 7 consecutive Fridays  will get a Child boon.   

It is believed that Nandi breaths during Pradosham abhishekam. To prove the same the nostles are little different from the usual posture. Also it is believed that Moolavar also breaths during Poojas and breathing sounds was heard by the Devotees.

There is a lone Shiva Linga installed in the Prahara. It is believed that this is a jeeva Samadhi of siddha purusha who served in this temple. Devotees expressed good vibrations observed from the Jeeva Samadhi / adhistanam.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, maha Shivaratri, Chithirai Maha nakshatra day when Lord Shiva gave darshan, Somavara Poojas.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oruka pooja is conducted the temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr Sundaramurthy, who posses a doctoral degree takes care of the temple. He may be contacted on his mobile +91 9629628900 and Venugopal +91 8825624566  for Further details. 

HOW TO REACH

Alagramam is about 4 KM from Mailam, 6.4 KM from Kooteripattu Road, 10.3 KM from Perumandur, 13.9 KM from Thiruvampatty, 14.6 KM from Tindivanam, 14.8 KM from Theevanur, 29 KM from Villupuram, 31 KM from Gingee, 52 KM from Pondicherry and 144 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Tindivanam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi

 Veerabhadra

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---