The visit to this Sri Somanatha Eswarar Temple at Thirumalaicherry was a part of Shiva, Vishnu Temples and Heritage sites at Thirumalaicherry, Gudimallur and Kaveripakkam. This is one of the surviving temples built by Rashtrakutas. My sincere thanks to Mr Ramesh Krishnamurthy for taking to all these places.
Moolavar : Sri Somanatha EswararConsort : Sri Tripura Sundari
Some of the salient features of this temple are…The temple is facing east with a Balipeedam and Rishabam / idabam. A Vinayagar is in a mandapam on the left side of the Rishaba/ Idaba mandapam. The balipeedam base has the bas reliefs of Vinayagar, Bhairavar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar and Veerabhadra. Moolavar is of swayambhu and short on a square avudayar. No images are found in the koshtam.
Vinayagar and Murugan are on the both side of the entrance of the sanctum. A small balipeedam and a Rishabam / Idabam are on a pedestal to match the level of the sanctum sanctorum. Sanga Nidhi and Padmanidhi are on the both side of the entrance in place of dwarapalakas. Siddhar Theraiyar’s jeeva Samadhi is on the north west corner of the praharam.
ARCHITECTUREThe sanctum sanctorum is on a pedestal. The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam, mukha mandapam etc. The sanctum sanctorum is on a padabandha adhisthana with jagathy, virutha kumuda and Pattigai. Bhitti is directly on the pattigai. Brahmakantha pilasters divides the salaipathi and karnapathi. The pilasters are with malaithongal, kalasam, kudam, thadi kudam, a plain mandi, veerakandam and Vettu / thanga pothyal.
The prastaram is with valapi, kapotham, and viyyalavari. The vimana is of two thalas. The greeva koshtams and maha nasis has the images of Lord Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Ardhanareeswarar and some other bas-reliefs. The sikaram is of vesara style. The total vimana from adhishtanam to stupi is constructed with stone. Green stones are used on some places.
Till recent years there was a 16 pillar mandapam existed on the right side of the Temple. The mandapam was collapsed and only few pillar stones are found at that place now.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSAfter Thakkolam battle in the year 949 CE, the Chozhas are defeated by Kannaradevan and ruled till 967 CE. The original temple was built during Kannaradevan period between 949 to 967 CE. During his period most of his inscriptions are inscribed in the local language ie in Tamil. In Local language his inscription starts with his meikeerthi as … "கச்சியும் தஞ்சையும் கொண்ட கன்னாரத் தேவன்". In contrary, some of the inscriptions are found in Hale Kannada also. In this temple his inscription is inscribed in Hale Kannada, which is found in front of the temple.
Rajaraja Chozha-I’s inscription on the wall of sanctum sanctorum and above Hale Kanada inscriptions starts with his meikeerthi as.. . திருமகள் போல பெருநிலச்செல்வியும்…". Both inscriptions are on the front wall, which is hidden under a painting.
Kannaradevan’s inscription records his victories over “ஆபீர மாளவ ஸிம்ஹள த்வீபம் கச்ச த்வீபம்”. It further records that he constructed temple for “Kalapriyar alias Keerthi Marthandar”, after destroying the Chozha Country and Chozha’s descendents. The Inscription mentions that he was called as Bhuvanaikaaraman. From the inscription it was concluded that “Kachatheevu” – Island was conquered by him.
It was told that the original Shiva Lingam was of Dhara Lingam with 16 flat surfaces and was stolen. The same was recovered and once again stolen.
The temple was reconstructed during recent years by Archaeological department.
Rajaraja-I inscriptions
Hale Kannada inscriptions - Painting was done on the inscriptions
Inscriptions on the back
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri, Siddhar Theraiyar Guru poojas on Kettai Nakshatra day in the month Thai. ( Kettai Nakshatra days ) and some important functions.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.CONTACT DETAILS
HOW TO REACHTo reach Thirumalaicherry, from Chennai just before the Kaveripakkam Toll gate turn left and travel on Anaicut Road towards Palar Anaicut Walaja Entrance. 4.6 KM from Madras – Bombay trunk Road / Chennai to Vellore Road / Mumbai Hwy.The temple is about 8.9 KM from Walajahpet, 10.3 KM from Kaveripakkam, 12 KM from Arcot, 12 KM from Ranipet, 33 KM from Vellore and 104 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway Station is Walajah Road Junction
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
Kannaradevan’s inscription records his victories over “ஆபீர மாளவ ஸிம்ஹள த்வீபம் கச்ச த்வீபம்”. It further records that he constructed temple for “Kalapriyar alias Keerthi Marthandar”, after destroying the Chozha Country and Chozha’s descendents. The Inscription mentions that he was called as Bhuvanaikaaraman. From the inscription it was concluded that “Kachatheevu” – Island was conquered by him.
The temple was reconstructed during recent years by Archaeological department.
Inscriptions on the back
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