SREE BEEMESWARAR TEMPLE, OMANDUR, NEAR TINDIVANAM, TAMIL NADU.

28^th April 2019.

After completing Irumbai Sri Mahakaleswarar’s dharshan, one of the Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam, we had decided to start our return jouney to Chennai. On the way visited this old Sri Bemeeswarar Shiva Temple at Omandur.

Iraivan      : Sri Bemeeswarar

Iraivi         : Sri Balambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing west with an entrance arch with mandapam on south. Palipedam and Rishabam in a mandapam are on the west side. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and a mukamandapam. In the sanctum Moolavar is 6 feet on a round avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. The Sanctum is on pathabandha adhistana with three face Kumudam. A three tier nagara Vimana is on the sanctum. In the mandapam sannadhi for Chandran Suryan, Adalvallan and Urchavars.

In the prakaram sannadhi for Vara Siddhi Vinayagar, Sri Valli devasena Subramaniyar, Nagars, Ambal Balambigai ( Facing east ), Navagrahas and Sandikeswarar.

LEGEND:

It was believed that one of the pancha Pandavas Beema  worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple and got back his kingdom. Hence if Lord Sri Bemeeswara will bless the devotees to get back their lost ones.

INSCRIPTIONS:

As per the inscriptions this temple was built during Chozha King Rajarajan-I, period in 11^th Century. Renovations were carried out during Vijayanagara Nayak period and 15^th to 16^th  century inscriptions are found on Kumudam.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 10 hrs and the evening is un predictable. Devotees are advised to contact before visiting, during evening hours.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The mobile numbers 9789424577, 9962928179 and 9789694225  may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The place Omandur is about 1.5 KM off, Omandur Bus stop on Manamthi Koot road & Chennai to Nagapattinam Highway.

Share autos are available from Omandur Bus Stop.

About 10 KM from  Tindivanam, Railway Station and 30 KM from Pondicherry.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Vijayanagara Nayak period and 15^th to 16^th  century inscriptions

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI VILVA VANA NATHAR TEMPLE ( வில்வ வன நாதர் ஆலயம்), VILVANATHAM, BETWEEN PONDICHERRY AND TINDIVANAM, TAMIL NADU.

28^th April 2019.

After Kiliyanur Sri Agastheeswarar’s dharshan one of the thevaram paddal petra Shiva sthalam, our next destination was to Sri Arasilishwarar Temple  at Olunthiyapatu an another Thevara Paadal petra Shiva sthalam. The temple was not open and on the way, had seen many direction boards  installed for this Sri Vilavana Nathar Temple at Vilvanatham, so decided to visit this temple. Direction sign boards are kept almost all the turning points of the road for easy access. Initially we thought, the temple may be an old one, but to our disappointment, the temple was built in the recent years, but in different style.

Iraivan: Sri Vilva Vana Nathar

Some of the salient features of this temple are..

The temple is on the banks of Vilvanatham Periya Eri. The temple is facing east with a sanctum and a Muka mandapam. The sanctum was built in round shape and a round 3 tier Vimana is  above the sanctum. The stucco images on the  vimana looks different.  In koshtam Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.  Ambal Sannadhi is yet to come up.

The Mandapa 8 pillar  are  attached with big size yazhi from floor to the ceiling. The Palipedam and Rishabam are in the mandapam. In the prakaram, 34 siddhar images are installed which includes, Vallalar, Pattinathar, etc.  The floors and sanctums are paved with polished granite stone slabs. Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 2018.

We are little puzzled, why so much money was spent towards construction of this temple, which is very much away from human habitation. During paddy cultivation this temple may have different view than the present situation. It was understood that Pondicherry former Chief Minister Mr N Rangasamy for responsible for construction of this beautiful temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple is being taken care off by an 80+ years old Pojari, who stays in the temple premises. The Poojari will help for the dharshan.

CONTACT DETAILS:

President of the trust 9940882996, Secretary 9788255501 and Treasurer 9791565616 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is on the banks of Vilvanatham Periya Eri and about 2 KM from Vilvanatham Village.

This temple is about 8.4 KM from Ozunthiyapattu Bus Stop  on Manamathi – Koot Road and share autos are available from bus stop.

26 KM from Pondicherry, 32 KM from Tindivanam and 29 KM from Marakkanam.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI BRAHMAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE, BRAHMADESAM, NEAR MARAKKANAM.

28^th April 2019.

After dharshan of Sri Bhoomeeshwarar, at Marakkanam, our plan was to visit Perumukkal. On the way there was a Place called Brahmadesam. I was little curious to know more about this place, Shiva temple  and is there any connection to Rajaraja Chozha.

Iraivan      : Sri Brahmapureeswarar

Iraivi         : Sri Periyanayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are..

The temple is yet to be completed. A small temple facing east. The damaged Rishabam and the Sandikeswarar seems to be old, don’t  know, whether it belongs to Chozha period. The other Idols are kept inside the temple.

It was told that this was the last temple started by Rajaraja Chozha-I. This was verified at Thanjavur Saraswathy mahal library, and Pondicherry French institute. But going by the iconography of the Sandikeswarar the temple may belongs to 7th to 8th Century Pallava period. The temple was reconstructed completely without any trace of old structures except Sandikeswarar and Moolavar. 

HOW TO REACH:

The Temple is about 1 KM off main road. Brahmadesam is on the Tindivanam to Marakkanam Road.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 The damaged original Rishabam

 Sandikeswarar

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI BHOOMEESHWARAR TEMPLE, MARAKKANAM, ECR ROAD, TAMIL NADU.

28^th April 2019.

This Bhoomeeshwarar Temple  visit was a part of temples visited on 28^th April 2019, from Thindivanam to Pondicherry, bus route.  Few weeks before Mr Ramesh of Munnur asked to visit the temples  in their Village, which are very old. When Mr Manoj and Shyam asked me to join with them for this trip,  I readily accepted  and travelled along with them  from Chennai. During our visit, visited some new temples and three Thevara Paadal petra Shiva Sthalangal.  Started on Saturday Evening, stayed at a hotel near Marakkanam  to save the travel time and to cover more temples.

On Sunday morning our first visit was to Sri Bhoomeeshwarar Temple on the Junction of ECR & Tindivanam to Marakkanam Road.

Iraivan      : Sri Bhoomeeshwarar

Iraivi         : Sri Girijambal 

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Before the entrance there is a mandapam with lot of Hindu deities reliefs on the base. The Mandapa belongs to Vijaya nagara Nayak period. A Deepasthambam, Palipedam, Dwajasthambam,  Rishaba mandapam and a Navakanda Nadukal are in front of the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, Antarala, arthamandapam, a Muka mandapam and two mandapas on North and south side. The sanctum is of Pathabandha adhistanam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai with 6 hands.

Chandran and Suryan are installed in a sannadhi on the right side immediately after the arch. In the front mandapam Karnapooshana Vinayagar, A Rishabam, Sri Lakshmi Vinayagar. Chozha Dwarabalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum. Urchavars are in the antarala. On the left mandapa, Naalvar, Ammans, Vinayagars (3 ), Sapthamathas, Iyyanar. In the prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Kotti room and Shiva Lingas.  Ambal is in a separate temple like sannadhi facing East. Navagrahas and Bairavar are in the arthamandapam.

LEGEND:

As Per the legend, Lord Shiva in the form of a Sage, came to a Devotee’s house. When the Devotee offered food, the sage said, he will take food only after performing Pooja. The Devotee kept his Marakkal ( a vessel to measure paddy or Salt.) kept upside down and decorated with flowers. After pooja the sage had the food and left. The dvotee tried to remove but couldn’t do so. Instead it disappeared. On seeing this the devotee ranout of his house, shouting Markkaal kaanom. Latter he found out his marakkal on the sea shore and Temple w‘built on that place. Somebody says that “Marakkal Kaanom", has turned to Markkanam.

      

INSCRIPTIONS:

There are 47 inscriptions in the temple. The Rajarajachozha-I, Rajendra Chozha-I, Vijaya Rajendran Rajadhiraja Chozha-I, Kulothunga Chozha-II and III and Vijayanagara Dynasty.

Lord Shiva was Called as Bhoomeeswara Thevar, Bhommeeswarathalwar, Thirubhoomeeswaramudaiya Nayanar, Bhoomiswaramudaiya Thambiran, Thirubhoomiyappa Thambiran ( Vijayanagara Period ).

As per the inscription the Place Marakkanam was mentioned as Rajaraja Peralam, Pattinam, Eyil Pattinam and Kandrathitha Nallur. Marakkanam Came under Pattina Naadu, during Rajaraja Chozha, Kandraritha Nallur in Pattina Nadu, Vijaya Rajendra Chozha Valanadu in Jayangonda Chozha mandalam. During Vikrama Chozha the Markkanam was gifted to Brahmins and called as Vikrama Chozha Chathurvedhi mangalam. Some of the Chozha inscriptions mentions this place as Manarkaanam, due to seashore sand and latter turned to Marakkanam.

The inscriptions mainly speaks about Tax relaxation on Salt Pan for burning 2 Lamps, gift of Sheep/ Goat for burning of a Lamp, Sale of Land for Nandhavanam. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Archakar Chandrakumar may be contacted on his mobile 9943911879 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is on the west side of East Coast Road (ECR) at Marakkanam.

All the buses from Chennai and Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry  passes through Marakkanam.

Marakkanam is 118 KM from Chennai, 62 KM from Mahabalipuram,  33 KM from Pondicherry and 47 KM from Tindivanam.

Nearest Railway station is Pondicherry.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Narashimhar in place of Vishnu in Vimanam

Dwara balakas

 Saptha mathas

 Mandapa Pillar relief - Narasimha moorthy

 Road side Mandapa reliefs - Dhakshinamurthy

 Road side Mandapa reliefs - Gaja samkaramurthy

 Road side Mandapa reliefs - Herdman

 Road side Mandapa reliefs - Krishna

 Road side Mandapa reliefs - Varunan

A Navakanda Nadukal

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI KOOTHANDAVAR TEMPLE AT KOOVAGAM, NEAR VILLUPURAM, TAMIL NADU – A TRANSGENDER THIRUVIZHA.

16^th April 2019.

It was a two days trip to Koothandavar  Temple at Koovagam, near Villupuram.   The annual 18 days festival was inprogress and wish to to attend the important functions on 16^th April 2019 night and 17^th morning Chariot procession ( on Chithra pournami day ). Even-though there are many Koothandavar temples from Cuddalore to Coimbatore, this Koothandavar temple festival is a special and popular. This temple is dedicated to Aravan also called as Koothandavar. The transgender  from various parts of India and abroad  used to assemble on the above two days to celebrate  and worship Aravan of this temple.

The presiding deity  : Aravan also called as Koothandavar.

    

Some of the salient features of this temple and the festival are…

The temple is facing east. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, arthamandapam and a open muka mandapam.  In the sanctum Koothandavar head is kept and worshoped. The arthamandapam has pillars seems to be of Nayak period.  Sudhai sirpam of Chariot with Arjuna is on the top of the mandapam.

Legend: Basically this temple is associated with Epic Mahabharatha. The story goes like this.. The war between Pandavas and Gouravas  is about to start. It was told that Pandavas to win, they have to sacrifice a Good looking, handsome, good character  man to Kali.  In Pandavas team, Krishna, Arjuna and Arjuna’s son Aravan who was born to Arjuna and Vettua Girl Nagakanni has the qualifications. Since Arjuna and Krishna are essential for the Mahabharat war and decided to sacrifice Aravan. Aravan accepted for sacrifice if three conditions are met. The three conditions are, to marry a Girl and live for a day as husband and wife. The second condition was, he must see the 18 days war scene. The third was, people should worship him in temples.

Nobody came forward to marry him for one day married life. So Krishna took Mohini form, marry Aravan  and lived for a day. Aravan was sacrificed before Kali and Krishna kept the head alone to see the 18 days war.

Transgender Thiruvizha: To Match with this 18 days Mahabharat war, the annual celebrations  in this temple will also be held 18 days. On 16^th day thousands of Third genders  assemble at the temple dressing themselves like bride and tie mangal suthra, through temple priests. This signifies that they consider themselves  as Mohinis and marry Aravan. ( Normal people also tie mangal sutra for prayers... like illness, marriage or Child birth etc ). Whole night the transgenders celebrate their one day married life by singing and dancing. 

At the same time the chariot will be assembled for which hand, legs, chest, body were brought from nearby villages. Head will be taken from The temple. The body of the Aravan will be built using straw and levees. The Chariot will be decorated with garlands and flowers.

On the next day morning,  the chariot procession will start from the temple. It will circumambulate the temple and then it will be pulled to Aazhikalam also called as Pandaladi. On reaching pandaladi, a pooja will be conducted. The head will be taken to the temple, signifies the sacrificing  Aravan. The transgenders will cut the mangal sutra tied on the previous day, break bangles  and remove the thilak & flowers. They form a group and cry & mourn the death of their husband  Aravan. Some used to wear white sarees to signify that they had become widows. Finally they disburse and proceed to their native  places.

HOW TO REACH:

Special buses will run  from Villupuram to Koovagam on festival days.

About 6 KM from Thiruvennainallur and 3 KM from Periyasevalai.

Share autos are available from Thiruvennainallur and Periyasevalai.

Nearest Railway station is Villupuram.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

  Decorated Aravan Chriot

 Decorated Aravan Chriot

 Prepration of Aravan Chariot

 Dress like a bride 

 Priest tie the mangal sutra  

 Normal people too tie mangal sutra  for pray.

Breaking bangles

 Mourn the death of Aravan

 Mourn the death of Aravan

 Mourn the death of Aravan

 Mourn the death of Aravan

 Mourn the death of Aravan

 The removed mangal sutras and flowers

Broken bangles 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---