SRI ADAVALLEESWARAR TEMPLE, MUNNUR MIDWAY BETWEEN TINDIVANAM & MARKKANAM, TAMIL NADU.

 28^th April 2019.

When Mr Manoj asked me to join with them for the temples visit on the route from Marakkanam to Tindivanam, which includes Munnur Shiva and Vishnu temples. Since I didn’t  covered any temples in this route, readily accepted to join. Mr Ramesh one of my face book friend, invited us to visit the temples of his native Village Munnur. Even though Mr Ramesh, lives in Chennai, came to Munnur, especially for us, during this temples Visit. After Perumukkal temples visit, we are little late, when we reached the Shiva temple at Munnur.

I extend my sincere thanks to Sri Munnur Ramesh, Dr Ko Uthradam and the trustees  of the Shiva and Vishnu temples  for their excellent hospitality extended to us

. 

Iraivan      : Sri Adavalleeswarar

Iraivi         : Sri Brahan Nayaki , Sri Periya Nayaki.

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing South with Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam on a raised platform to match with the height of moolavar under a metacolour sheet canopy. The temple tank is on the right side. The remains of Rajagopuram after the Rishabam. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam, Madhavarayan mandapam ( 16 pillar mukamandapam ), mahamandapam and a front muka mandapam.

The sanctum sanctorum is at an elevated level, since the floor level is maintained from the base of the upanam.( In most of the temples upanam will not be visible). The sanctum adhistanam is a padmabandha adhistanam. The Yazhivarai is just above the pattikai. The sanctum kumudam is virutha style, where as the mandapa kumudam is of three faced one. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Eventhough the temple is facing south, the deva Koshta moorthams are positioned in the clock wise direction from Vinayagra to Durgai keeping Vishnu on the back of the moolavar. On the top of the pilaster pothiyal Bhoothavari, Kabotham with nasi and Yazhivari. The three tier Vesara vimana is above the sanctum.

In the sanctum moolavar is on a round avudayar on a padma pedam and the komugam is on the east side instead of usual north side. In the prakaram sannadhi for Selva Periya Vinayagar ( mentioned in the inscription), Iyappan, Sri Valli Devasena  Subramaiyar (Arumugar), Kailasanathar, Eswari, 63var, Urchavars, the remains of Sapthamathar panel ( broken in to three pieces & belongs to 12^th to 13^th century ), Anjaneyar, Suryan, Bairavar, Kamakshi Amman ( facing east wrongly mentioned as Brahan Nayaki ) and Sandikeswarar. Ambal Sri Brahan Nayaki sannadhi in mukamandapam. ( Brahan Nayagi was originally in a separate temple, called Kamakotta Nachiyar, on the east side of the temple. The total with Ambal was destroyed during muslim invasion, a New Ambal with sannadhi was built in the mukamandapam during 1978 Kumbhabhishekam. The damaged Ambal is kept outside under a shed. The pillars are used for reconstruction of the front mandapam. ). Vinayagar and Nagars are under the sthala viruksham Vanni tree. There is a Panel which contains the reliefs of Brahma, Shiva Lingam, Parvathi, Murugan and Narasimha. After analyzing Dr Nagasamy told that the panel was  made out of soap stone and belongs to 7^th to 8^th Century. Further he told that the might have existed before 8^th Century.

In the front Mandapam, a statue of Navakandam ( Offering of head to Kali for the well being of the king or get a Victory in the war or to get cure from decease and offering his head to show his bravery) and a Thavvai Thai ( Jyeshta Devi – was under worship up to 11^th  Century  and latter it was discontinued. The reason is not known ). In one the pillars, a relief of a King, colorfully painted. It was told that this relief may be Rajendra Chozha-I, since the earliest inscription belongs to him. In front of Rajagopuram base there is Statue of Chandran. This Chandran, Jyeshtadevi and Navakanda statues are found out during cleaning of the Temple tank.

LEGEND:

The sthalapuranam was appeared in the 1978 Kumbhabhisheka souvenir, which was a mixture of poem and text. In that it was mentioned as Lord Shiva danced  for Sanakatha maharishis and Kulothunga Chozhan for his yeoman service.  Hence Lord Shiva is called as Adavalleeswarar.  Lord Shiva gave mukthi to the Tharukavana rishis after destroying their egos by taking the form of Pickshadanar. As per HR&CE, when Pandavas are in exile, lived in the place called “Munnutru mangalam”, they worshiped lord Shiva of this temple.

As per the advice of Vishnu, Parvathy came to this place Munnur created a Shiva Linga with neerazhi mandapam ( always to keep cool ) and worshiped Lord Shiva. Shiva gave dharshan to Parvathi with Anandha dhandavam.

Guru Bagavan who is the son of Angirasa Rishi and grand son of Brahma, supposed to be a master of 4 Vedhas, forgotten everything due to ego. As advised by Brahma, Guru came to Munnur, worshiped lord Shiva and regained his powers. So this temple lord Shiva facing south will bless his devotees who are weak in Guru palan and relieve from all illness.   Guru Bagavan is Guru for Devars and also one of the Navagrahas. He is also called as Prakaspathi. This Temple is considered as a Parikara sthalam for Guru.

A King by name Adavalli Koothan ruled this place,  noticed that the quantity  of milk given by the cow was very low. When the same was checked and found the  cow mulched on a Shiva Lingam in the forest.  Latter the King built a temple on that place.

The place is called as Munnur, since there were 300 temples once it had. Hence called as Munnuru latter corrupted to the present name of Munnur.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS:

The inscriptions mentions Lord Shiva, as Adavalleswarar, Adavallanayanar, Thirumoolasthanamudaya Mahadevar.

The place Munnur was called as Munjoor ( முஞ்ஞூர் ), Rajanarayana Chathurvedhi Mangalam, Purushothama Nallur and Singavananthal.  11^th to 12^th Century, this place was called as Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu Oyma nattu Vijaya Rajendra valanattu Munjoor ( முஞ்ஞூர் ) otherwise known as Rajanarayana Chathurvedhi mangalam.

During Sadayavarman Vira Pandyan’s period the place Vizhuvur was changed as Adavalla Kootha Nallur.

During Rajendran-I’s, period,

• A place called “Kidaram Konda Chozhan Salai”- in this as per experts, we may take it as Choultry for feeding food, or a School or Coin printing place, or a horpotal ( athura salai).
• An inscription mentions donation of 120 Saava moova peradu  in which 90 for Ghee and 30 for buttermilk to the Chathur Vedha Brahmins.  ( Saava moova peradu – sheep or Goats, the goats will be given after some time if the goats gives birth the baby goat to be surrendered to the Temple and incase any one dies  the temple will give one. This means at any point of time the quantity will be maintained as given )

During Kulothunga-II ‘s, period,

• A merchant by name Thamaiyan Ennayiravan bought a land of 200 kuzhi in exchange of gold from the temple  and created a street called Merchant street ( வாணிபர் தெரு ).
• One by Ganamurthy pattan donated a land in which the channel feeding water  name is mentioned as abimana meru.
• Thirukoyilur Eran was killed accidently by the son inlaw of Meekama Pallavarayan. As a punishment he gave 500 kuzhi land  for burning of perpetual lamp in this temple.
• For celebrating special poojas like Thaipoosam, Maha Shiva Rathri, Solar Eclipse day, No moon day, Kiruthikai day, Avani Thirunal, rice was offered as neivedhyam to this temple. 

During Rajaraja-II’s, period

• Chengony Ammaiyappan Seeyan Rajanarayan Sambuvarayan in the name of Ethirika narayan, allocated taxes towards construction, renovation and maintenance of prakaram.   

During Kulothunga –III, period….

• Sirupadi Village also called as Kulothunga Chozha Nallur was gifted to this temple.
• Samandan Adhiyaman raised a stone wall with door in Madhavaraya mandapam and sopana mandapam in front of Dhakshinamurthy Devakoshtam.  He also done Kumbhabhishekam to the moolavar vimanam after renovation and excavated a well for the Lord Shiva’s thirumanjanam.
• Iraiyur Balakannan Kaman bought a land from the temple and the money he spent for clearing the Periya Eri of Munnur.

The inscriptions mainly speaks about donation of land, gold, money, sheep, goat, cow, etc, towards burning of perpetual lamps, daily poojas, annual celebrations ( Thiruvizha) like Chithirai Thiruvizha, Avani Thiruvizha, Karthikai thiruvizha, Masi thiruvizha  and pounami pooja etc,. The food offered to Lord Shiva like Arisi amuthu ( rice ), thayirmuthu ( curd rice ), Neiyamuthu ( ghee rice), Kariamuthu ( vegetable rice) are also mentioned in the inscriptions.

During 1968, Mambalam Viyaragavalu Reddy, came for worship. At that time the temple was in dilapidated condition. In that night Shiva ordered him to  reconstruct the temple in his dream. He told this to Kanchi Mutt Maha Periyavaa. They visited the temple in 1969. On seeing the ruined condition of the temple Mahaperiyava asked Reddy to start the renovation immediately and gave Rs 1121, as Kanchi Mutt’s share towards renovation. Sri Kirubanda Variyar also contributed some amount  from the money received through discourse.  Sri-la Sri  Siddhar Sivanandha Swamikal Konikatti Swamikal also called as Mouna swamikal worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. After 10 years of hard work the Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 19^th June 1978.

TEMPLE TIMINIGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Archakar Seetharam Sivam may be contacted on his mobile 8098899927 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Munnur Village is about  3.1 KM off from Tindivanam to Marakkanam main Road. The Bus stop name is Alanguppam.

Alanguppam bus top is 18.4 KM from marakkanam, 19.3 KM from Tindivanam Railway Station and 36 KM from Pondicherry through Brahmadesam.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

                                  The base of the Rajagopuram

The view of front Mandapam.. built with the pillars of the destroyed Ambal Temple.

                        Believed to be Rajendra Chozha's relief

 Chandran found out from temple tank

 Saptha mathas

                                        Saptha mathas

                                         Saptha mathas

 63var 

  The main sanctum

                                        Sri Periyanayaki Amman

  Dwarabalakas

                       Jyesta Devi ( Found out from Temple Tank )

 Navakandam ( Savan Silai) Statue - Found out from temple tank

 inscription

 Rajaraja-II inscription

 The place Munjoor mentioned inscription ( a sample )

 A warrior in the yazhi's mouth 

 A warrior relief on the yazhi's mouth

 A Yazhi vari

A lizard relief on the corridor ceiling

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SRI MUKYACHALESWARAR / MUKTHIYALEESWARAR TEMPLE AND SRI KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE, PERUMUKKAL, NEAR TINDIVANAM IN TAMIL NADU.

28^th April 2019.

Since we had enough time to reach Munnur, as scheduled, after Sri Bhoomeeswarar dharshan at Marakkanam,  thought of Visiting the Perumukkal Shiva Temple on the hills, before the sun reaches the top. It was told that climbing the hill with 470 and odd steps, will take just 20 minutes. Steps were neatly paved since the temple is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ). While climbing up the temperature was favorable to us. On the middle of the steps we could find a Vijayanagara period temple in ruins. The pillars, lintels, roof slabs and even the idols are strewn around. Little above the temple was built inside a fort. Even-though, who built the fort was not known, the ruling power was shuttled between, Hyder Ali & Tippu Sultan  and Britishers. The remains of the fort, Vijayanagara Period Temple reminds the wars happened in 1760, 1780, 1783 and 1790. The granite quarrying also done enough damages to the Temple and fort structures. This was stopped now through court order. I sincerely extend my thanks for providing the details.

Iraivan      : Sri Mukyachaleeswarar, Mukthiyaleeswarar

Iraivi         : Sri Kamakshi Amman ( Base of the hill )

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The Shiva temple is on the top of the Hill facing east. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and Mahamandapam. In the mahamandapam palipedam and old & New Rishabams. There are two Shiva lingas Kept in front of the entrance.  In the arthamandapam the reliefs of “Periyan Thiruvana Siruthondan” “KakkumNayakan”, and the Archakar “ Thiruchitrambalamudayan Anbarkarasu Pattan”, who are involved in the reconstruction of this temple during Vikrama Chozha period. 

The sanctum adhistana is a simple padmabandha adhistana with three face kumuda. The Pilasters has the Thamaraikattu, Kalasam, Kumbam, Palakai, Kandam Pothyal etc. On the Top Boothavari is below the Kabotham is with nasis, but with out kudu. In the boothavari above Dhakshinamurthy koshtam /niche, the sculptures of Seetha in ashoka vanam scene. A Vinayagar idol and a Vijayanagara period Hanuman relief is on the south side wall of outer prakaram. On the top is the Yazhivari. There is no vimana over the sanctum.

A level below on the south side there is a shrine for Sri Anjaneyar with sanctum, antarala and arthamandapam.  This Anjaneyar temple was built during Vijayanagara period.  The Seetha cave with 7^th Century, vattezhuthu inscriptions and more than 6000 years old carvings / petroglyphs are on the east side of the hill.

LEGEND:

Seetha cave… it is believed that Sitha lived in this cave and Lava and Kusha was also born in this cave. Valmiki Maharishi worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple after a severe penance.   This hill was also worshiped as Thirumalai, Mukyasailam, Sanjeevi Malai, Ganamalai, etc,.

In 1906 When Kanchi mutt 66^th Peedathipathi Sankarachariyar was observing Chathurmasa viradh in this hill temple, he identified Swaminathan alias Sri Chandrasekarenthira Saraswathy Swamikal as 68^th Kanchi mutt peedathipathi.

Aasivakam one of the Saiva Bhakthi cult was in peak during 3^rd Century. In that one monk called Nandhasiriyan also called Nandhvaacha in Bali language lived here. Since he was an expert in astronomy and Science, he was called as Kaninandhaasiriyan. He worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple and attained mukthi. Hence Iraivan is called as Mukthiyaleeswarar.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS:

As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as Mukthiyaleeswarar, Thiruvanmigai Eswaramudiayar, Perumukkal Udaiyar, etc,. This place was under Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu, Oyma nattu, Vijaya Rajendra Vallanattu Perumukkal alias Gangaigonda Nallur. The historians of the opinion that this name “Gangaigonda Nallur” was given during Rajendran-I’s period after the  victory of Ganga region.

The temple has about 60 inscriptions belongs to Chozhas, Pandyas, Kadavarayas, Sambuarayas, Vijanagaras. The earliest inscription belongs to Uthama Chozha ( 970 AD), then Kulothunga Chozha ( 1070 -1122 AD) and Vikrama Chozha. During Vikrama Chozha’s period (1118−35 ), the brick temple was reconstructed as stone temple.  Kulothunga Period-II (1148AD ) inscription speaks about sale of land through auction and the money is utilized for burning of perpetual lamp. The inscription also throws light on the measurement scale & procedure. A 12^th Century inscription speaks about Munnur Munnutru kudipalli Sengoni Naalaayiravan Ammaiappan aka Samburarayan’s donation towards celebration of annual function / Thiruvizha.  From and another inscription, A Land was donated to a servant maid who lost her life to cure the contagious decease of Rajaraja Sambuvarayar.  The inscription also records that a group prayer exists during Chozha period.

In 2013 Rs 1 crore was allotted for renovation of Hill and base temples. Since the  allotted fund was not sufficient, the work was not carried out.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The opening and closing times are un predictable, so the devotees are advised to contact the pujari before visiting the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The Poojari Sampath 9786064598 and his son Ajith 9159395749 may be contacted for further details.

The following mobiles may also be contacted for further details 9442898395  and 9787703262

HOW TO REACH:

The Perumukkal Hill is about 1 KM off the Tindivanam – Marakkanam main road.

Perumukkal is about 12 KM from Tindivanam & Marakkanam, 42.5 KM from Pondicherry.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE   

Kamakshi Amman temple Rajagopuram

  The ruined Vijayanagara period Temple and mandapa

  Vijayanaga Sculpture - Herdman

 Seetha in ashoka vana scene in Bhoothavari.

 Anjaneyar Temple

6000 years old carvings / petroglyphs at Seetha Cave 

SRI KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE.

The Amman temple is mentioned as “Thirukamakotta Nachiyar” in the inscriptions. The Amman temple is also facing east at the base of the hill. There are two mandapas before the 3 tier Rajagopuram.   The base of the Rajagopuram has the reliefs of Hindu deities. On the left inside the Rajagopuram there is a Kotravai Sculpture. In front of the sanctum is the Rishaba mandapa. The sanctum sanctorum consists of a Shiva sannadhi and a Amman sannadhi. Inscriptions are found in Shiva Sannadhis sanctum adhistanam. The total temple, Vimana and Rajagopuram are in dilapidated condition.

Till the 3^rd quarter of 20^th Century, Lord Shiva Urchavar was taken to the base temple after arthajama pooja for palliayarai pooja and taken to the hill temple for palli yezhuchi pooja. Due to dilapidated condition of Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple, the practice was discontinued.

   

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The time of opening and closing are unpredictable devotees are advised to contact the Archakar before visiting the temple,.

CONTACT DETAIL:

The Archakar 9786260772 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The Perumukkal Hill is about 1 KM off the Tindivanam – Marakkanam main road.

Perumukkal is about 12 KM from Tindivanam & Marakkanam, 42.5 KM from Pondicherry.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

NEMINATH TIRTHANKARA AT SANGANAPALLE, NEAR GUDUR, ANDHARA PRADESH.

05^th May 2019.

After completing our Ahimsa walk at Siddalakona, near Gudur, out next visit was to this place called Sanganapalle. A Thirthankara statue was unearthed, while excavating  a foundation for constructing a House. The Tirthankara was kept on the road side. The Villagers called this Tirthankara as Neminath. The Tirthankara is in excellent condition. Body was painted with silver paint and mukkudai was painted in golden yellow colour. Latter a thatched enclosure was erected by the Villagers.

The Tirthankara is in sitting posture with mukkudai. Samaratharis / whisk bearers  are shown on both sides. On the back of his head ashoka leaves flowers and a prabai are shown. This Tirthankara’s back side was not smooth or  regular. No Lanchanam is found on the base. Neminath is not under worship. It was told that a very few people visits this place, especially from North Indian Community. As per the experts this Neminath may be 1500 years old.    A sum of Rs 45 thousand was collected from the Ahimsa walk participants towards construction of a new permanent structure and initiated the construction.

சங்கனப்பள்ளியில் ஒருவீட்டிற்கு அஸ்திவாரம் தோண்டும் பொழுது இந்த தீர்த்தங்கரர் பிம்பம் கிடைத்ததகவும் அதற்கு ஒரு கூரை அமைத்து அதில் அமர்த்தி இருப்பதாகக் கூறினர்.   தீர்த்தங்கரருக்கு வெள்ளி மற்றும் மஞ்சள் வர்ணம் பூசி இருந்தனர். இரு புறமும் சாமரதாரிகள் காட்டப்பட்டு இருந்தனர். அசோக இலை, பூக்கள் பிரபை காட்டப்பட்டு இருந்தது. வழிபாட்டில் இல்லை. ஒரு சில வட இந்திய மக்கள்  மட்டும் காணவந்ததாகக் கூறினர். அகிம்சை நடையின் சார்பில் அபிசேகமும் வழிபாடும் நடத்தப்பட்டது. இவர் நேமிநாதர் எனவும் சுமார் 1500 வருடங்கள் பழமையானவர் என்பது அறிஞர்களின் கருத்து. ஒரு நிரந்தர கூரை அமைக்கும் பணி அஹிம்சை நடை அன்பர்கள் மூலம் நன்கொடை சுமார் 45ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் பெறப்பட்டு  ஏற்பாடும் செய்யப்பட்டது.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE 14deg 7' 1,55 , 79deg 34' 24.87

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

TIRTHANKARAS WORSHIPED AS SIDDHESWARA SWAMY ( HINDU SIDDHARS), AT SIDDALAKONA , SYDAPURAM NEAR GUDUR, ANDHARA PRADESH.

  05^th May 2019.

The visit to this Tirthankara was a part of 65^th Ahimsa Walk organized by the Chennai  Tamil Samanars, at Siddalakona ( Siddalayya Kona / Siddalaiah Kona / Siddhulayya Konda ),  a small hill near Gudur  in Andhara Pradesh. This Tirthankaras are in a Natural cave, converted as a Hindu Temple, called Siddheswara Swamy Temple. The floors are paved with tiles and don’t know, is there any beds or not. The Tirthankaras are installed abutting the south side of the wall along with a sculpture of  Sarangadhara ( Chalukya King Rajaraja Narendran’s son, who  is believed to be joined with the Siddhars after the 10^th birth). The Tirthankaras are  called as Navakodi Siddheswara and Navanatha Siddheswara.

Both the Tirthankaras are in sitting posture  and whisk bearers are shown on both sides. Mukkudai and ashoka creepers are shown above Tirthankara’s head. The hair curls are clearly shown. The platform floor level was raised up to the base and the lanchanam is not visible out side. Hence Thirthankaras, couldn’t identified who they are.  A special abhishekam and arathi was performed  for us. As per the experts the two Tirthankaras are 1500 years old.

ஆந்திர மாநிலம் கூடூர் அருகே சித்துலகொனா என்ற  சிறிய மலை மீது 65ஆவது அஹிம்சை நடை நடத்தப்பட்டது. சமீப காலத்தில் கட்டப்பட்ட முன் மண்டபத்துடன்  கூடிய ஒரு இயற்கையாக அமைந்த குகை. தரையில் தளம் அமைக்கப்பட்டு இருந்ததால் சமண முனிவர்களுக்காக  ஏற்படுத்திக் கொடுக்கப்பட்ட படுக்கைகள் இருந்ததா என்று தெரியவில்லை. குகையின் தென்புறச் சுவரில் மூன்று பிம்பங்கள் வைக்கப்பட்டு வழிபாடு நடத்தப்படுகின்றது. அதில் முதல் இரண்டு மட்டும் சமண சமய தீர்த்தங்கரர் பிம்பங்கள். தீர்த்தங்கரர் பிம்பங்கள் முக்குடையுடன்  அமர்ந்த நிலையில் காணப்படுகின்றனர். தீர்த்தங்கரர்களின் இருபுறமும் சாமரதாரிகள், காட்டப்பட்டு இருந்தனர். தீர்த்தங்கரர்களின் சுருள்முடி மிகத்தெளிவாகக் காட்டப்பட்டு உள்ளது.

இருவரும் நவகோடி சித்தேஸ்வரர் என்றும் நவநாத சித்தேஸ்வரர் என்றும் அழைக்கப்படுகின்றனர்.  மூன்றாவது சிறிய பிம்பம் சாரங்கதாரா ( சாளுக்கிய மன்னன் ராஜராஜ நரேந்திரனின் மகன் பத்தாவது பிறவிக்குப் பிறகு சித்தர்களுடன் கலந்து விட்டதாக நம்புகின்றனர் ) பிற்கால சேர்க்கை.  அஹிம்சை நடை அன்பர்களுக்காக சிறப்பு அபிசேகமும், ஆராதனையும் நடத்தப்பட்டது. இந்த தீர்த்தங்கரர்கள் சுமார் 1500 வருடங்கள் பழமையானவர்கள் என்பது அறிஞர்கள் கருத்து.

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 Tirthankaras

 Sarangadhara

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---