SRI SOMANATHESWARAR TEMPLE, KOLATHUR ( MAMBAKKAM ), CHENNAI

13^th April 2019.

When I was searching for Sri Somanatheswarar Temple at Kolathur near Villivakkam & Perambur on the net, the details of this Shiva Temple at Kolathur near Mambakkam on Vandalur to Kelambakkam route appeared. It was planned to Visit Sri Pozhchaleswarar Temple at Agaramthen after visiting Sri Chenganmal Shiva Temple Via Mambakkam. Since Kolathur is about 2 KM from Mambakkam, decided to cover the Shiva and Vishnu temples also.

Iraivan      : Sri Somanatheswarar

Iraivi         : Sri Amudhambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with Palipedam and Rishabamandapam are in front. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and open mukamandapam. A recently built two tier Vimana is on the sanctum. In koshtam Dhakshinamurthy, and Durgai.

Ambal Sri Amudhambigai is in a separate sannadhi facing south abutting the open muka mandapam. In the prakaram and mandapam sannadhi for Sri Selva Viyagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Sandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran and Chandran in worshiping posture with Shiva Linga. In the mandapam there is also an old Iryyanar worshipped as Iyappan ( This Iyyanar is the only proof that the original temple may belongs to 10th to 12th Century ). Nagars are under a peepal tree before the South side entrance.

The legend of this temple is associated with the Chandran who married 27 daughters of Thakkan ( Aswini to Revathi ). But he was very much affectionate with Rohini and Kiruthikai. When the other daughters complained, Thakkan cursed Chandran to looses his light slowly. As per the advise of Devas, Chandran worshipped Lord Shiva and he gave him to gain and loose of power for every 15 days. Hence Shiva is called as Sri Somanatheswarar.

As per the history, in 1917AD one Mr Gangadhara Chettiar’s Son Raju Chettiar who came from Kaliya Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars lineage,  found out a Shiva Linga with Ambal, when he tried to remove the bush at Kolathur. He conducted daily poojas to Ambal and the Shiva Linga. Raju Chettiyar decided to clean and deepen the well for Abhishek water.  During the process of cleaning the well, they found out, Nandhi, Iyannar, Durgai, Vinayagar, Valli Deivanai and Sandikeswarar. The statues were installed and Kumbhabhishekam was also conducted may be during 1917-18AD. Again Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1957 AD after installing Navagrahas. After Raju Chettiar, his son Jayavel Chettiar took over the temple’s reconstruction and Kumbhabhishekam was also performed in recent years 2018-19AD.

Mr Ki.Va. Jaganathan and Mrs Visalakshi both has sung hymn in praise of Sri Amudhambigai of this temple. Mr Mayilam Sivasubramaniyan had written a book called “Amudhambigai Pathikam”. Apart from regular poojas, pournami poojas and Somavara poojas are also conducted.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 09.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

Kolathur may be reached through town bus No M51V from T Nagar via Saidapet- Medavakkam.

About 2 KM from Mambakkam, which is on the Kelambakkam Vandalur Road.

Kolathur is about 18 KM from Vandalur and 8 KM from Kelambakkam through Mambakkam.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Ayyanar worshiped as Iyappan

Enthirakal ( Found at the east side entrance )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI CHENGANMAALEESWARAR TEMPLE, CHENGANMAL, OLD MAHAPALIPURAM (OMR), CHENNAI.

13^th April 2019.

During my last visit to Padur, I couldn’t visiting this temple, since I am not aware of this temple’s antiquity. This time after visiting Sri Bama Rukmani Krishnar Temple at Padur.

Iraivan      : Sri Chenganmaaleeswarar

Iraivi         : Sri Periya Nayagi.

Some of salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with temple pond ( Vishnu Theertham ) on the right. A peepal tree with Nagars are in front of the entrance arch cum Mandapam. Amabal Sri Periya Nayagi Amman is  immediately after the entrance, Temple like sannadhi facing south. Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are in front of the main sanctum Mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and Artha Mandapam. Vinayagar and Subramaniyar are in the arthamandapam. A Vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum. The Sanctum is of Padhabanda adhistanam. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthi, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai are in the Koshtam.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Thavvai ( Jyesta Devi ), Gajalakshmi, Sandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Bairavar and Suryan.

As per the Legend, after Jalantharan vatham, Vishnu worshiped Lord Shiva with 1000 lotus flower to get the Chakrayutham. Lord Shiva made the last flower to disappear. Vishnu removed one of his eyes and completed the pooja. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Chenganmaaleeswarar. This same legend is  also associated with  3 more Shiva temples.

12^th Century Chozha period Inscriptions are found on the adhistanam. Nayak period inscriptions are also found on the walls, who had done thirupani  at latter period.  But the temple authorities claims that the temple was built during 6^th Century by Ko-Chengat Chozha.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

Chenganmal is on the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), 6 KM before Thiruporur and 2.5 KM from Kelambakkam.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 The Chozha King who constructed the temple worships Lord Shiva 

Thavvai- Jyesta Devi 

12th Century inscriptions

Nayak period inscriptions

Nayak period inscriptions

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI BAMA RUMANI KRISHNAR TEMPLE, PADUR ON OLD MAHABALIPURAM ROAD ( OMR ), CHENNAI.

13^th April 2019.

While I was searching the inscriptions  for the Chozha period Sri Manikandeswarar Shiva Temple of Padur, I was told that there were about six inscriptions belongs to Nandhivarman (754AD ) Pallava period, was recorded from a Perumal Temple. So thought of visiting that Pallava period Perumal Temple.  Since I couldn’t locate that temple, the Locals guided me to this temple and I interacted with the archakar. He told there is no old Perumal Temple at Padur,  instead the Perumal at Sri Manikandeswarar  is the oldest. Hope the inscriptions recorded might be belongs to this Perumal Saandhi.

During Chozha period thus place Padur was called as Paduvur. In inscriptions it was mentined as Thondai Mandalam / Nadu, Jayakonda Chozha mandalathu  Aamur Kottathu, Paduvur Nattu Paduvur. Again Paduvur was also called as Anavaratha Sundara Nallur.

This Sri Bama Rukmani Krishnar temple is about 150 years old. Originally the temple was a Bajanai madam, people used to do Bhajans and worship a Bama Rukmani & Krishna Photo. Latter a temple was built and Bama Rukmani. Krishnar idols were installed. In koshtam Vinayagar, Hayagriver, Vishnu, Narasimhar and Durgai. An Anjaneyar sannadhi is in the muka mandapam. Palipedam and Garudalwar are in front of the sanctum. A 2 tier Vimana is above the sanctum.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

This temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 11.00 Hrs and 18.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Archakar M Kesava Ramanujadasan MA. MPhil, PhD,. 9003270773.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is on the west side of Old Mahabalipuram main road at Padur.

Padur is about 3 KM from Kelambakkam and 11 KM from Sholinganallur.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Sri Venkatesa Perumal at Sri Manikandeeswarar Temple Padur

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI GANGAI AMMAN TEMPLE, KARAPAKKAM ON OLD MAHABALIPURAM ROAD ( OMR), CHENNAI.

13^th April 2019.

On the way to Chenganmal, happened to see this colorfully painted temple on the east side with a big temple tank at Karapakkam.  This temple was built in the recent years and has lot of Shrines.

Iraivi : Sri Gangai Amman.

Some of the Salient features of this temple are…

It was told that the Amman is about 300 years old, installed under a Neem Tree. A new temple was constructed and kumbhabhishekam was performed in 2015. This Gangai Amman is also a Village guarding deity.

The temple is facing North with a 5 tier Rajagopuram and a Temple tank. Palipedam Soolam and Simha Vahanam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala and a muka mandapam. The Mukamandapam pillars are adorned with stucco images of deities. A 5 Kalasa vimana with a 3tier is above the sanctum.

In the mandapam stucco images of Kapila Munivar and Bakirathan on the base of the Rajagopuram. In the Muka mandapam sannadhi for Navagrahas, Saneeswarar, Kalabairavar, Anjaneyar, Durgai ( stucco), Vinayagar, Iyappan ( with a Kerala style Vimana ), Venkatesa Perumal, Valli Devasena Subramaniyar.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 05.30 Hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

This Gangai Amman Temple is at Karapakkam on the OMR.

All the town buses towards Sholinganallur Thiruporur and Mahabalipuram stops at Karapakkam.

35 KM from Mahabalipuram, 20 KM from Thiruporur and 3 KM from Sholinganallur.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

SRI KAPAKAMBAL SAMEDHA SRI KARPAKA ESWARAR TEMPLE.

This Shiva temple is on the back side of the Amman Temple. Temple is facing east with a Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and a Rishabam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and a mukamandapam. Naalvar Rishabam and Ambal facing south are in the muka mandapam. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai are in the koshtam. Sandikeswarar is  on the north side.

SRI ANJANEYAR AND VISHNU TEMPLE.

There is a Anjaneyar Sannadhi facing West with an entrance arch. Sri Rama, Lakshman and Seetha stucco images are in the entrance arch. On the right side of the west side is the Vishnu sannadhi.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI PEELI AMMAN ( BELI AMMAN ) TEMPLE, ANBAZHAKAN NAGAR, MAHATHMA GANDHI NAGAR, THARAMANI, CHENNAI.

12^th April 2019.

I used to pass through Tharamani bus Terminus daily to reach my office near Madhya Kailash. A barricaded temple pond  with a temple is on the east side of the bus terminus. Had the chance of visiting this temple on 12^th April 2019.

Iraivi         : Sri Peeli Amman

Some of the important details are…

The temple is facing north. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and a open muka mandapam. Palipedam and simha vahanam are in the open muka mandapam. Dwara balakis are on the mandapam pillars in the form of stucco images. Vinayagar and Balamurugan are at the entrance of the sanctum. In koshtam Abiramai, Dhakshinamurthy ( south side ) and Durgai.  Amman is in sitting posture with another small Amman at her feet. Unlike other Amman temples the Vimana over the sanctum is of two tiers with single kalasam is a unique feature of this temple. Saptha kannimars are on the west side of the prakaram.

It is told that this Peeli Amman is a ellai Pidari Amman to Tharamani. About 300 to 400 years old. Originally Amman was in a shed under a Neem tree. This new temple was built during recent years. Apart from Daily pooja, a 3 day annual festival is being celebrated during the Tamil month of Adi.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs.

HOW TO Reach

The temple is on the east side of the Tharamani Bus terminus and Route bus 5C  used to stop at the terminus.

Can also be reached from  IT park acentos and Tharamani Link Road.

LOCATION:

GPS Co-Ordinate 12.985156, 80.241185

 Saptha Kannimars

 Temple pond

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

C. S. I BROUGH MEMORIAL CHURCH, ERODE, TAMIL NADU

05^th April 2019.

This Indo-saracenic  style Church was started in 1927 and completed in 1930 AD. This Church was dedicated by the Bishop Asariya and named after Brough as “Brough Memorial Church”. It was told that the basement is equivalent to the depth of the wall height above the ground level. Only lime mortar instead of cement was used for constructing the Church. Plastering of the walls were done with a mixture of lime and polished using egg.    The required stone and doors and windows are brought from Karur, which is about 60 KM from Erode.  Since Brough’s wife Rosetta Jane died before completion of the Church, she was buried in side the Church Complex.

The word God is one “கடவுள் ஒருவரே” ( யாகுதா ) is written at the entrance of the Church in Tamil and Urdu.  These inscriptions and the Indo- saracenic style architecture adopted for  constructing this Church was to attract the Muslim population of Erode. It is worth to note that there is no cross or statue of Jesus / Mother Mary in the  Alter.  There is also anther inscription tablet, reads as “இயேசு கிறிஸ்து தாமே மூலைகல்”.

BRIEF HISTORY OF “ANTHONY WATSON BROUGH”.

Anthony Watson Brough, an Australiaan Protestant  born in 1861AD, joined in London Christian missionary after completing his priest training.  In 1894 AD he was appointed at Coimbatore and transferred  to Erode to take care of Mission activities in 1897AD. He came along with his wife Rosettajane Brough and his son Herbert Brough.

During his stay  he started 14 schools in Suburban and 80 schools in urban areas around Erode. In which one of the School  was a boarding school with hostel and food facilities.  He also holds a a higher position in Erode Town, maintenance saba. When an epidemic of Plaque, Malaria and smallpox  erupted at Erode, he brought Dr Miken C Rees from Vellore.   After She left Dr Miss Halda Bolard took charge of the medication, in a tent put up in front of Brough’s House.  He is also an instrumental for setting of a Hospital at Erode.

After his son’s death in world War, he started a hospital at Chennimalai and named after him. In 1934AD Brough retired from missionary and returned to Australia and died in 1936AD. In memory of Brough the Road Between Panneerselvam park to General Hospital is named as Brough Road and  Small Village near Thingalur is also named as Brough Nagar.  ( Now the Brough Road name is in controversial. Tamil Nadu Govt.  wants to change it as Meenakshi Sundram Road for which about 300 applications were submitted to the District Revenue Officer not to Change the name ).

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---