Asalathamman Temple / அசலாத்தம்மன் கோயில், உக்கல்/ Ukkal, Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Asalathamman Temple at Ukkal, was a part of REACH Foundation’s Epigraphic field visit on 26^th February 2023. The Village Ukkal is on the banks of river Cheyyar a tributary river to Palar. This place Ukkal is about 12 KM from Magaral, a Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam. On the way to Sri Bhuvanamanicka Perumal temple, happened to see the Pallava period Squatting Lion Pillars installed in front of this Village deity Temple.

உக்கல் என்ற ஊர் திருவண்ணாமலை மாவட்டத்துல் பாலாற்றின் உப நதியான செய்யாற்றின் கரையிலும், பாடல்பெற்ற தளமான மாகரல் என்ற சிவன் கோயிலுக்கு 12 கிலோமீட்டர் தூரத்திலும் அமைந்துள்ளது. கிராம தேவதை அசலாத்தம்மனுக்காகக் கட்டப்பட்ட கோயில். பல்லவர்கால மணற்கற்களால் செய்யப்பட்ட சிம்மத்தூண்கள் கோயிலின் முன்பு காணப்படுகின்றன. இதை வைத்து இக்கோயில் பல்லவர் காலத்தில் கட்டப்பட்டு இருக்கலாம் என்று ஆய்வாளர்கள் கருதுகின்றனர்.

Moolavar  : Sri Asalathamman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing west with a balipeedam. Top of keerthi mukhas are installed under the Balipeedam, facing Amman Sanctum. A Vinayagar is on the right side of the entrance. The presiding deity Sri Asalathamman is in the sanctum Sanctorum in sitting posture.

 

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam. The temple may be reconstructed during recent years. The Ardha mandapam is supported with 4 nos of vrutha pillars & Vettu pothyal. Two vrudha Pillars and two squatting lion pillars are installed in front of the temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Bhuvana manicka Perumal temple, Rajakesarivarman’s period inscription speaks about the ancient name of Ukkal as … “Siva chudamani Mangalam”. Another name “Aparajita chathurvedi mangalam”, which is undoubtedly Pallava names. Rajasimha bore the name as “Sivachudamani” and Aparajita was the last Pallava King. Hence we may conclude that during 7^th Century this place was called as Sivachudamani Chathurvedi mangalam, in the name of Rajasimha and the same was changed as “Aparajita chathurvedi mangalam”, during Aparajita Pallava period and once again the same was changed as Sri “Vikrama bharana chathurvedi mangalam” during Chozha period. 

LEGENDS

It is believed that this Asalathamman is a village guarding deityof this Village Ukkal. The Villagers worships Asalathamman for Child boon and marriages.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

One kala pooja is conducted and special poojas are conducted on Fridays and Annual festival will be conducted during the month of Adi.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

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

HOW TO REACH

This place Ukkal is Kanchipuram to Vandavasi road, 18 KM south of Kanchipuram and 2.5 KM from Koolamandal, 51 KM from Chengalpattu, 66 KM from Tambaram and 95 KM from Chennai.

Nearest railway Station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---