A Wandering Heritager: Kariyamanika Perumal Temple/ Sri Kariya Manicka Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ கரிய மாணிக்கப் பெருமாள் கோயில், அயனாவரம் / Ayanavaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Saturday, 12 November 2022

Kariyamanika Perumal Temple/ Sri Kariya Manicka Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ கரிய மாணிக்கப் பெருமாள் கோயில், அயனாவரம் / Ayanavaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Kariya Manicka Perumal temple, at Ayanavaram was a part of “Shiva and Maha Vishnu Temples Visit” in Aminjikarai, Arumbakkam, Ayanavaram and Konnur, Villivakkam” on 04^th September 2022. This Kariya Manicka Perumal is on the Right side of Sri Parasurama Lingeswarar Temple.

Moolavar : Sri Kariya Manicka Perumal

Thayar : Sri Kanakavalli Thayar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam / Kodimaram and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctorum. Moolavar Sri Kariya Manicka Perumal is in abhaya & Varada hastam with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Utsava murtis are in front of moolavar.

In Praharam Chakrathalwar / Sudarshana / Narasimha, Sri Kanakavalli Thayar in sitting posture, Andal ( Andal’s pasuram is inscribed on the wall ), Nammalwar, Vaikhanasa Munivar Paramapatha Vasal, a Vijayanagara period pillar with Thulasi madam, Hanuman and Vahana mandapas. Ramar Sannidhi is on the left side of Kanakavalli Thayar Sannidhi.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and Maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Pada bandha adhistanam with a upanam. Brahma kantha pilasters are on the bhitti, with kalasam, kudam palakai and pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The Vimanam is of two tiers which includes adhi thalam. The Stucco images of Maha Vishnu is on the 1^st tala and greeva Kostas. Maha Nasis and alpha nasis are on the greevam. The Greevam is of Dravida style.

Bas relief of solar and Lunar eclipse is on the ardha mandapam ceiling.

Signifies Solar and Lunar eclipse

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is claimed that this Perumal temple was built along with Sri Parasurama Lingeswarar Temple and believed to be built during Pallava or Chozha period and believed to be of 800 years old.

The 13th Century damaged fragment Inscription records the land measurement, Soolakal etc,.

Another 13th century damaged fragment stone inscription records the gift of Thottam, well etc,.

A 13th Century inscription records the endowment of donations made for the early morning pooja and Ucha kala pooja to this Alwar temple.

The temple’s maha mandapam was built from the fund collected from public and samprokshanam was conducted on 15^th April 1985.

The Vimanam on the sanctum sanctorum was built with the fund collected from public and ashta bandhana maha samprokshanam was conducted on 10^th September 1986.

Noothana Dwajasthambam maha samprokshanam was conducted on 22^nd Aippasi Brahmothootha year ( 1990 ).

Kanakavalli Thayar Sannidhi thirupani was done by Sri Ganesh Industries, on 22^nd August 1999.

Chakkarathalwar sannidhi was built with the own fund of K B Balaji Mudaliar and ashta bandhana maha samprokshanam was conducted on 09^th September 2002.

Another inscription without date records the endowment of Loud Speaker by M S Narasimhan, a Well by Pattammal Veeraraghavan and posters by seven other.

LEGENDS

As per the legend Brahma also called as Ayan was washed in the temple tank and Shri Shiva saved him. Brahma worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Hence this place is called as Ayanpuram, the same has got corrupted to the present name of Ayanapuram, Ayanavaram, etc, But Still the latter period inscriptions mentions as Ayanpuram. The temple tanks also called as Brahma pushkarani. This place was also called as Brahmapuri.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas as per Vaikhanasa agama, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta ekadasi, Krishna Jayanthi, Hanuman Jayanthi, Rama Navami, Navaratri, Brahmotsavam, Pavithrotsavam, Vasantha utsava, Garuda Seva, Ramanujar Thirunakshatram day and monthly festivals like panchasashti utsavam.