SRI GURU BAGAVAN TEMPLE AT PAIYUR ( PAYYUR ), NEAR VILLUPURAM, TAMIL NADU.

17^th April 2019.

It was suggested to visit a Guru Bagavan Temple built in the recent years at Paiyur, on the way to Thiruvennainallur from Sithalingamadam.  The Village Paiyur  and the temple are situated on the island formed by the river Thenpennai. This Dhakshinamurthy is one of the tallest in Tamil Nadu.  

Moolavar   : Sri Guru Bagavan

Some of the important details are…

The temple is facing east with a Rishabam and a Palipedam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum and a muka mandapam. In the Sanctum Moolavar Sri Guru Bagavan also called as Dhakshinamurthy  is about 15 feet tall carved out of single stone. Sri Guru is sitting under a kallala tree. His lower right hand is in abhaya mudra and left hand holds the Palm leaf, may be vedhas. Sanakatha munivars are at his feet. A Nandhi / Rishabam relief is carved at the base. There is a mahameru in front of Moolavar.

In the Mandapam top side walls are painted with Shiva leelas, and devotees worshiping, which includes, Vallalar, Avvai, Kirubanandha variyar. In the front top wall has stucco images of 7 rishis. Further on the top Shiva with sanakatha munivars sudhai statues.

The moolavar was installed in December 2010 and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was held in Jan 2013 in presence of Sri Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamiji.  The Temple is being managed by Sri Ganaguru Dhakshinamurthy  Guru Pedam.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is at Paiyur.

Paiyur is between Sithalingamadam and Thiruvennainallur.

Paiyur is about 27 Kms from Villupuram via Thiruvennainallur and Thiruvennainallur is about 6 KMs.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SITHALINGAMADAM ( SIRRINGUR), NEAR VILLUPURAM, TAMIL NADU.

17^th April 2019.

After witnessing Koovagam Koothandavar Temple Aravan Chariot procession, on 17^th April 2019, had been to this temple at Sithalingamadam. This place was called as Sirringur – சிற்றிங்கூர்- during Chozha period  and how it changed to Sithalingamadam is not known.

Iraivan      : Sri Viyakrapatheswarar

Iraivi         : Sri Neela Visalakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Temple pond is on the right side. Palipedam, Dwajasthambam, Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. Next is the vahana mandapa. The sanctum sanctorum is about 3 feet below the ground level. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam. Dwarabalakas are in the artha mandapam. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In the prakaram, sannadhi for Naalvar, Kalinga narthanar, a Donar idol, Dhakshinamurthy, Vinayagar, Sapthamathas, A Shiva Linga with Ambal, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Murugan, Nagars, Viyakrapatha maharishi, Gajalakshmi, Sani Bhagavan, Bairavar, Suryan and Chandran.  Ambal Sri Neela Visalakshi is in a temple like sannadhi with sanctum, antarala and Arthamandapam.

In the outer prakaram immediately after the Rajagopuram, on the right side there is a Lagulesar bas-relief panel. The Lagulesar is in leelasana sitting posture. He holds the laguda or dhandam in his right hand with a snake curled. This Lagulesa bas-relief indicates that Lagulesa Pasupatha cult in Shiva worship was practiced in this region.

Inscriptions: The temple has more than 80 inscriptions.  The presence of Madurai Konda Parakesari Varman Paranthaka-I ( 907 – 985AD) indicates that the temple was built before 10^th century.  As per the inscriptions Iraivan’s name is mentioned as Tiruppulippagavadevar   and Thiruppulisvara Mahadevar and the place as Sirringur, a brahmadeyam in Kurukkaik-kurram in Maladu also called as Jananatha-valanadu.

The inscriptions belongs to Paranthaka-I ( Mathirai Konda Parakesari varman),  Rajaraja-I, II & III, Rajendran-I, RajadhiRajan-II( 1173-74AD), Kannaradeva also called as Krishna-III, Kulothunga-I  & III,  Vikrama Chozha ( Parakesarivarman), Pandya Kings  Vikrama Pandydeva-II ( 1274 AD), Maravarman Virapanyan (1347AD), Konerimaikondan Sundara Pandyan, Sundarapandyan –I( 1263AD),  Vijayanagar Kings Virupaksha Maharaya (1485AD), Krishna Raya Maharaya ( 1513AD) and Rajanaraya Sambuvarayar. The inscriptions are mainly in Tamil. Kulothunga-I period sanscript inscription is also available.  The inscriptions mainly speaks about donation of tax fee land, money, Gold,  towards burning of Perpetual lamps ,  conducting regular poojas like Thirupalli yezhuchi, Arthajama Pooja,  etc. During Kannaradevan’s period a land was donated to a Thevaradiyar to conduct drama.

This temple  is one of the Thevara Vaipu sthalam. Vinayagar argued with Sundarar and made him to sing a hymn on this temple hence Vinayagar is called as “Vathadum Vinayagar”.  Viyakrapathar got Lord Shiva’s dharshan in this temple, hence Lord Shiva is called as Vyakrapatheswarar. Sri Gnanandha Swamigal, before settling Thirukoilure Thapovanam, stayed here for quite some time.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hra to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

The Place Sithalingamadam is between Thiruvennainallur to Thirukoilure.

11 KM from Thirukovilure and 13.1 KM from Thiruvennainallur, 33 KM from Villupuram.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Sapthamathas

 Lakuleesar in the outer prakaram

A sample inscription
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI VAIKUNDAVASA PERUMAL TEMPLE, THIRUVENNAINALLUR, VILLUPURAM, TAMIL NADU.

17^th April 2019.

During my visit to Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal, had been only to the “Sri Thaduthatkondeeswarar / Sri Kiruppureeswarar Temple”. This time before Koovagam Koothandavar Temples visit had been to this Perumal Temple.

Moolavar   : Sri Vaikundavasa Perumal

Thayar      : Sri Janakavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudalwar are immediately after the Rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sancttum, antarala, arthamandapam and muka mandapam. In sanctum Sri Vaikundavasa Perumal is in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Urchavars are in front. Alwars are in the antarala. Sannadhi for Narasimha Perumal and alwars in arthamandapam. Dwarabalakas Jayan and Vijayan are in the mukamandapam to arthamandapam entrance.

In the outer prakaram temple like sannadhi for Thayar Janakavalli and Andal alwars with amndapams.  The sanctum sanctorum is with patha bandha adhistana. The temple is under renovation and paintings are in-progress. The temple tanks is on the right side of the main temple.

The temple is under the control of Ahobila mutt. The Rajagopuram was renovated and Maha samprokshana was performed on 1996.  Apart from regular poojas, 10 days Bramotsavam will be celebrated with Temple chariot procession.

Inscriptions: As per the inscriptions the place was mentioned as Rajaraja valanattu thirumunaipadi Thiruvennainallur Nattu Thiruvennainallaur. The temple exists before 10^th Century. The inscriptions belongs to the period of Rajararaja-I, Kulothunga Chozha, Rajaraja-II, Koperunsingan, Thiruchitrambalamudayan Sundara Pandiya Brahmarayan, Kadavarayan. The inscriptions mainly speaks about donations of lands money, towards conducting of regular poojas and burning of perpetual lamps.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

S Sowmiyanarayana Battachariyar may be contacted on his mobiles 9787067175 and 9585323201 for further details.

HOW TO RREACH:

Thiruvennainallur is on the way to Villupuram to Thirukoilure.

25 KM from Thirukoilure, 22.5 KM from Villupuram, 23 KM from Ulundurpet.

The same distance from Villupuram and Ulundurpet Railway stations.

  

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

14th to 15th  Century inscriptions 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI MASHAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE ALSO CALLED AS SRI ULUNDANDAR TEMPLE AT ULUNDURPET, TAMIL NADU.

16^th April 2019.

This is the second temple visit after Elavanasur Sri Arthanareeswarar Temple on 16^th April 2019. The temple to be visited on 16^th and 17^th are not planned earlier. It was told this is one of the oldest temples in and around Villupuram. The temple is little away from the main city.

Iraivan      : Sri Ulundandar or Sri Mashapureeswarar

Iraivi         : Sri Logambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

This temple is facing east with a entrance arch. The temple tank is on the right side of moolavar. A mandapam ia immediately after the arch. In the open court palipedam, Risghabam and Dwajasthambam. These three are not in a staright line with the second level Rajagopuram and the moolavar. The second level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, Arthamandapam and a muka mandapam. The moolavar is Swayambu. The sanctum was built with pathabandha adhistanam and walls are supported by vishnukantha pilasters.  The sanctum was built with moat type. The pilasters consists of Kalasam, Kumbam, pali, palakai etc. Boothavari is on the top. The Vimana is the combination of Nagara and Vesara style.

In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar and Durgai. Ambal Sri Loganayagi is facing east in a separate sannadhi. In the prakaram sannadhi for Bairavar, Vishnu with his consort, Gajalakshmi, Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Maha Ganapathy, Saba mandapam and Naalvar.

As per the legend, A pepper merchant happened to pass through this place, had seen this swayambu Linga  and worshiped. Since it was getting dark, decided to stay in the temple itself. In that night, Lord Shiva wants to test his Bhakthi. He came in the form of old man and asked the merchant some pepper for his head ache. The merchant  lied and said the bag contains only “Ulundu” and not the pepper. Next day when he opened his bag at U. Keeranur Mariamman temple market area found the bag contained  only Ulundu. He heard a voice, this was changed by me said Lord Shiva. The merchant begged to pardon him. Lord Shiva asked him to come back the place where he stayed in the last night. After worship, the merchant found that the Ulundu changed to pepper again. Hence this place is called as Ulundurpet and Still we can see the Mariamman temple bears the name of Ulundu Mariamman. The place is also called as Ulundar Koil.

As per the  details provided, the temple was built during Malaadar Koman period. Since the period is not known, based on the architecture the temple might have been built during 12th Century latter Chozha period and expanded during Vijayanagars /Nayak period.

Suryan and  Agasthiya worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple. Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted during Pradhosham, Pancha paruva worship and Bramorchavam during Vaikasi with chariot procession.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between  06.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 3 KM from Ulundurpet Town.

Ulundurpet is on the Junction of Thiruvennainallur to Virudhachalam and Villupuram to Kallakurichi.

About 46 KM from Villupuram, 40 KM from Kallakurichi and 28 KM from Virudhachalam.

3 KM from Ulundurpet Railway station.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

ARULMIGU LAKSHMI NARASIMHA SWAMY TEMPLE AT PARIKAL NEAR VILLUPURAM, TAMIL NADU.

16^th April 2019.

After completing 4 Temples, it was around 18.30 Hrs, when we reached Parikal. We are happy to finish the 5 temples  on 16^th April 2019 before reaching Koovakam Koothandavar Temple, to attend festival.

Moolavar   : Arulmigu Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy 

Thayar      : Sri Kanakavalli 

Some the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a recently built 5 tier Rajagopuram.  Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudalwar is immediately after the Rajagopuram. Sanctum Sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, Arthamandapa and a Mukamandapam. Moolavar Narasimhar is in sitting posture. Sri Lakshmi is sitting on the left lap of Narasimhar. Urchavar Narasimhar is in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi, in front of Moolavar. Alwars are in the antarala.

In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Thayar Kanakavalli ( separate snnadhi ), Irattai ( Two ) Anjaneyars ( Bhaktha and Veera Anjaneyars) and Sridevi Bhoodevi samedha Varadharaja Perumal. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Anjaneyar, Vinayagar, Nagars and Urchava vahanas.

Legend.. A King Vasantharaja ruled this place keeping Virudhachalam as Capital. He wanted to built a Temple for Narasimhar and couldn’t do so due to the troubles given by Parakalasura a relative to Hiranyakasipu. The King undertook a penance  as directed by his Guru. To answer his prayers, Lord Narasimhar appeared and Killed Parakalasura. The King prayed lakshmi to calm down Narasimhar. She sits on the lap of Narasimhar and made him calm. Lord Narasimhar with Lakshmi gave dharshan to the King Vasantharaja, Devas and Rishis. The place was named after the asura, who gave the opportunity of Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar’s Dharshan as “Parikala” latter corrupted to the present name of Parikal. It was told that the moolavar is swayambu installed by Vyasaraja along with Anjaneyar idol in the sanctum.

Inscriptions: The temple has the inscriptions of Pallava King Koperunsingan. Rajara-I also contributed to this temple. Latter contributions are by the Pallava and Vijayanagara Nayaks.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The temple may be contacted through the mobile number 9677642002 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

There is an Anjaneyar statue on the Villupuran to Kallakurichi Highway, 1 KM before Kedilam Junction. From here the Village Parikal is about 3 KMs.

Parikal is about 18.5 Kms from  Ulundurpet, 25 KMs from Villupuram

About a KM from Parikal Railway station.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI PRASANNA VENKATESA PERUMAL TEMPLE, PADUR, NEAR VILLUPURAM, TAMIL NADU.

16^th April 2019.

After Ulundandar Temple’s visit our next destination was to Sri Narasinga Perumal temple at Parikal. On the way to Parikal, it was suggested to Visit an old Shiva and a Perumal Temple at Padur.  The Perumal temple is one of the Abhimana kshetram and is near to Perumal Temple at Thirukovilur, one of the 108 Divya Desams.

Moolavar   : Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal

Thayar      : Sri Alarmmel mangai.

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a Garuda sthambam and an entrance arch. The sanctum sanctorum is about 3 feet above the ground level. Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudan are in front of the sanctum. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala and arthamandapam. Moolavar Venkatesa Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Urchhavar is in front called Azhagar. In prakaram walls are adorned with paintings of Various avatharas of Vishnu.

Sannadhi/ deities are Navaneethakrishnan, Sudarsanaalwar, Anjaneyar,  Andal, Nammazhvar, Thirumangaialwar, Ramanujar, Desikan, Adivan Sadagopa Yathindra Mahadesikan ( the first Jeeyar of Ahobila mutt). There is also an old Anjaneyar, brought from the Pallava King Koperunsingan’s ruined fort ( not exist as on date).

The places where the Jeeyar / Acharyas  laid to rest are called Brindavans. The 36^th Jeeyar Azhagia Singar Vansadagopa Srinivasa Mahadesikan Swami of Ahobila mutt’s Brindavan is in side the temple.

History: It was believed that the temple existed before 10^th Century during the Rastrakuda King Krishna –II.  The Chozha King Kulothunga Chozha established  Chaturvdimangalam and presently called as Padur. Koperunsingan who ruled this area also contributed to this temple.  The original temple was reconstructed about 100 years before. Samprokshanam was performed in 1986.

The temple is under the control of Ahobila mutt. The poojas like Nithya, paksha, maasa, ruthu and Samvatsara  are conducted regularly. The Poojas are done as per Vaikanasa agama.  Apart from regular poojas, the 10 days annual brahmotsavam is celebrated  in the Tamil month Puratasi. Urchavar Azhakar will be taken in procession on various vahanas. On 9^th day temple chariot procession will also be held.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 19.30 hrs continuously.

HOW TO REACH:

Padur Village is on the  Villupuram to Kallakurichi Road.

The Temple & The village Padur is about 28 KM from Villupuram and 10 KM from Ulundurpet.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 PC: Web site

PC: Web site

 An old Anjaneyar, brought from the Pallava King Koperunsingan’s ruined fort ( not exist as on date).

The 36^th Jeeyar Azhagia Singar Vansadagopa Srinivasa Mahadesikan Swami of Ahobila mutt’s Brindavan

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---