The visit to this Sri Bhuvanamanicka Perumal Temple at Ukkal, was a part of REACH Foundation’s Epigraphic field visit on 26th 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.
உக்கல் என்ற ஊர் திருவண்ணாமலை மாவட்டத்தில் பாலாற்றின் உப நதியான செய்யாற்றின் கரையிலும், பாடல் பெற்ற தலமான மாகரல் என்ற சிவன் கோயிலுக்கு 12 கிலோமீட்டர் தூரத்திலும் அமைந்துள்ளது. ஸ்ரீ புவன மாணிக்க பெருமாள் கோயில் என்ற இக்கோயில் பல்லவர் கால கட்டுமானம் மற்றும் சோழர்கால கட்டுமானத்துடன் அதிட்டானம் வரை மட்டுமே காணப்படுகின்றது. 19ஆம் நூற்றாண்டுகளிலேயே சிதிலம் அடைந்துவிட்டதாக Hultzsch’s ( 1893 CE ) ஆவணம் கூறுகின்றது. பின்னாட்களில் சிதிலம் அடைந்த கற்களைக் கொண்டு கருவறை சுவர்கள் மட்டும் கட்டப்பட்டு உள்ளது. பதிவு செய்யப்பட்ட 17 கல்வெட்டுக்களில் முதலாம் ராஜராஜ சோழர் கால கல்வெட்டுகள் அவரின் மெய்கீர்த்தியுடன் காணப்படுகின்றது.
Moolavar : Sri Bhuvana manicka Perumal
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a mandapam in front. A balipeedam is in-front of the temple. A damaged in two parts Vishnu sculpture made of green stone is lying on the back side of Balipeedam. In sanctum sanctorum moolavar is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Alwars are in the ardha mandapam.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum with ardha mandapam and a meta colour Sheet mukha mandaapam. The structure adhistanam is intact, above adhistanam the sanctum sanctorum was constructed during recent years. The Adhistanam is of Pada bandha adhistanam with jagathi and threepatta kumudam. The koshtas are padra koshtas, little protruding out side.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple belongs to 8th to 9th Century Pallava Period. As per the inscriptions this temple was called as “Bhuvana Manicka Vishnu Graham”. This place was called Utkar / Utkal. About 17 inscriptions belongs to Pallavas, Chozhas, Rashtrakudas, Sambuvarayars and Vijayanagaras are recorded. Of these the Pallava King Kampa varman’s period ( 878 – 883 CE ) 10th and 15th reign year inscriptions are earliest. ( SII Volume III, Part – I ).
As per Hultzsch’s 1893 CE visit report records that “of the shrine itself, only the lower portions remain standing and the mandapa in front of shrine threatens to collapse at any moment. The bases of the shrine and the mandapa bear 17 inscriptions. Of these 14 inscriptions were copied and published and the remaining three were omitted as they are incomplete”. The Chozha king Rajakesarivarman’s period inscription speaks about the ancient name of Ukkal as … “Sivachudamani 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 7th 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 “Vikramabharana chathurvedi mangalam” during Chozha’s period. Regarding the name of the Moolavar / temple name as Bhuvanamanicka Vishnu grham, might have been obtained from the Queen of Nrpatunga varman as “Pritivimanickam”. The two names Pritivimanickam and Bhuvanamanickam goes, there is absolutely same and no difference. Hence if we study further the fragment inscriptions on the wall, it may throw some light on the name of moolavar. The Chozha inscription refers Moolavar’s name as “Thiruvoymozhidevar”.
Pallava King Kambavarman’s 10th reign year inscription records the endowment of feeding two Brahmins daily from the interest of 100 kadi paddy, for the same 400 kadi paddy was given to this temple’s sabha.
The Pallava King Kampavarman’s 15th reign year inscription records that the Sabha of Ukkal received 1000 kadi paddy from Sadayan ( The same person referred in the previous inscription ), and agreed to collect 500 kadi yearly as interest on 1000 kadi and hand it over to the annual committee ( Samvatsara Variya Perumakkal ), to an unspecified purpose / to excavate an eri. ( ?).
The Chozha King Aditha –II ( Karikala ) ( 964 CE ) ) 4th reign year inscription starts with his meikeerthi as Veerapandian Thalai koNda – வீர பாண்டியன் தலை கொண்ட - records that a cultivator named as Vellalan…. Puliyan’s son Senai granted one patti of land from the proceeds of which water ( 3 tubs through etram - ஏற்றம் ) and fire pans had to supplied to the mandapa frequented by Brahmanas. For the meritorious purpose of supplying to the Brahmasthana in this Village water during 6 months and fire pans 6 months and of constructing a water lever in front of the western of the mandapa.
The Chozha King Rajaraja Chozha-I’s 13th reign year ( 998 CE ), inscription starts with his meikeerthi as – salai kalamaruthu –சாலை கலமறுத்து.., records the endowment of Naivedyam to moolavar Thiruvaimozhidevar’s mid day pooja. For the same 550 kuli land was gifted to this temple by Chozha nattu Kaduvangudi Kadungudaiyan Narayanan Rajasimha.
The Chozha King Rajaraja Chozha-I’s 14th reign year ( 998 CE ), inscription records the gift of land of 530 kuli in two pieces after bought, to the sabha for maintaining the nandavanam by Chozha nattu Thenkarai Thiruvamunthur Nattu Kazhanivayal Village Kazhanivayaloorudayan PeRRan Adittan.
The Chozzha King Rajaraja-I’s 1(7)th reign inscription records that the men elected to take care of Tank are entrusted to levy a fine of one kalanju gold in favour of tank fund, on those who sells betel leaves in other places except Pidari Temple.
The Chozha King Rajakesarivarman’s 23rd reign year inscription records the endowment of feeding 12 learned Brahmins from the interest earned to the deposit of 200 Kalanju gold, Brahmadhiraja.
Another Parakesarivaraman alias Rajendra Chozha-I’s 4th reign year inscription records the maintenance of two boats plying in the Village eri for the same 3000 kuli land as irayili after sale and 5 water levers was gifted by Rajendra Chozha-I’s servant Komulan Araiyan balathevan, of Kuvalaikodu alias Anavarata Sundaranallur a village in Kuvalaikodu nadu of Venkuntra kottam.
The Rajakesarivarman alaias Rajaraja Chozha-I’s 29th reign year inscription records the excavation of a well in the name of the King, assigned an allowance of Paddy to the men who distributed water in a shed which was near the well at Ukkal Melaiperumvazhi by the King’s servant, who belongs to Chozha mandalathu Thenkarai Nattu, Nidha Vinotha valanattu Aavoor KooRRathu Aavoorudayan Kannan Aaruthan.
Rashtrakooda King Krishnan-III’s 16th reign year ( 956 CE ) inscription records that land owners are verified after exempting taxes. A Penalty of 108 Kanam will be levied to those who couldn’t produce the documents in their name.
This Rajaraja-I’s 24th reign year inscription records an interesting event. This interesting inscription records the issue of order from his capital Thanjavur on the 124th Day of the 24th reign year which was engrossed on the 143rd day of the same year. The order deals with defaulters of land revenue in villages held by Brahmanas, Vaikhanasas and Jainas in the Chozha, Thondai and Pandya countries. The Villagers were authorised to confiscate and sell the land on which no taxes had been paid for two full years.
The Chozha King Vijayalaya Chozha and grand father of Parantaka-I’s 16th reign year inscription records that the Villagers granted certain land to the temple at the request and the approval of the temple manager Chakrapani nambi. The land was gifted for Seven days festival and Poojas.
Parantaka chozha-I’s 37th reign year ( 944 CE ), refers this place as Kaliyur Kottathu thankootru Siva Soolamani mangalam alias Sri Vikramaparana Chathurvedi mangalam. This inscription records the endowment of burning two perpetual lamps, Deepa malas, poojas. For the same nandavanam, and Nansei & Punjai lands situated at Jothiambakkam on the north side of this Village. Any default occurs 108 kanaam penalty will be levied.
The Chozha king Rajakesarivarman’s 17th reign year inscription records the decision of the Village assembly, but was left unfinished for unknown reasons.
Another inscription records the naivedyam and lamps for 4 sandhis / kala was arranged to Maha sastha of the same Village by Kizhamaiyudaya Thattur Kizhavan Sadainakkayan.
The Chozha King Rajaraja Chozha-I’s 24th reign year ( 1009 CE ), inscription records, that the Village sabha passed a resolution that, receiving of Varagu, Paddy yield from Village’s common land of 1000 kuli, by the Village sabha. The taxes Kuzhivari collected lands are exempted from the resolution.
There is a measuring scale “Rajanarayana Nilaikol”, in the name of Sambuavaraya King Rajanarayanan, inscribed in the temple.
The Vijayanaga King Sadasiva Theva maharayar period ( 1543 CE ) inscription records the gift of Village Mepakkam to this temple moolavar Ukkal VeeRRiruntha Perumal.
Ref: SII – Volume 3 Part1, and The details give by the temple authorities.
LEGENDS
The Devotees prays Perumal, for marriages, Child boon etc.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Oru kala pooja is conducted and no important functions are celebrated.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.
CONTACT DETAILS
The Mobile numbers of thirupani kuzhu may be contacted for further details and donations for reconstruction of the temple. +919843732608, +919787433205 and +919943708131.
The temple authorities request for donation for reconstruction of the temple.
The Account No : 926676997, Indian bank Mamandur Branch, Cheyyar, Tiruvannamalai District.
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 ---
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