SRI SHENBAKESWARAR TEMPLE, AYAPAKKAM, NATHAM MOOT ROAD, PARAMESWARAMANGALAM, KANCHIPURAM DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

01st December 2019.

Visit to this Shiva temple was a part of the Pallava & Chozha period temples between  Kalpakkam to Pulipurakoil in Chengalpattu / Kanchipuram District, scheduled on 01st December 2019. After Visit to Vijayanagara period Vittalapuram Vittalar temple, had been to this temple. Though this temple belongs to Pallava period, it was not added in the google map. The place Natham is on the banks of river Palar.

Moolavar  : Sri Shenbakeswarar

Consort    : Sri Soundarya Nayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a Balipedam and Nandhi are in front of the new mukha mandapam. Nandhi is also facing east like Lord Shiva under a mandapam with beautiful pillars. In 7 koshtams Vinayagar, Pichadanar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Sankaranarayanan and Durgai. In the Mukamandapam, Ambal is facing south ( Ambal is holding Nilothpala and lotus flowers on her hand instead of Pasa & Angusam ), Arumugar ( sitting on Peacock facing opposite direction- called asura peacock ), Brahma Sastha and Vinayagar. The other Sannadhis are under construction.

Even-though the temple is under renovation Lord Shiva is under worship.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antaraa, arthamandapam, Mahamandapam and a Mukhamandapam. The Sanctum sanctorum is on a pathabandha adhisthana.

The new sannadhis for Nalvar, Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Navagrahas, Bhairavar, Suryan and Chandran are under construction.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION

The temple was built during the Pallava King Nirupathungan ( 869- 880 AD ) and was extended during Chozhas, Pandyas and Vijayanagaras.  The inscriptions belongs to Kulothunga Chozha-I, Rajendra Chozha-I, Rajaraja-III, Pandyas, Maravarman Soundara Pandyan and Vijayanagaras, are  on the adhisthana and sanctum walls.

This place was called in the name of Rajaraja-I ( Also called as Nakaril Chozhan )  as “Nikarili Chozha Chathurvedi mangalam” As per Rajaraja-I inscription, this Village Saba was managed by 12 members called “Samvathsara Variyam”, elected in Ipasi Month. They assemble in “Rajendra Chozha Sathuschali” mandapa, once in a year.

This place came under Sembur Kottam in  Jayangonda Chozha mandalam. This inscription records the donation of paddy for the poojas.  The Pillar fallen down inscription records the gift of 90 goats for burning perpetual lamp.

Latter Rajaraja-III’s inscription mentions that this place was called as Chozhakula Chathurvedi mangalam. Another pillar inscription records a land was donated to this temple to celebrate Chitraivisu, Ipasi Visu and Masimaham for the benefit of Rajendra Chozha and Thandi Piratiyar, by the Thandi Piratiyar, Veerakosa Mangalamudayar and Udayapiratiyar.

The pandya period ( Maravarman Sundara Pandyan?)  inscription there is a note of “Pazhampattinam Perumantrathalwar”.

The temple first re-constructed during Uthama Chozha / Parantaka Chozha period. A 16 Pillard mandapa built during Rajendra Chozha period was brought down. The temple was in a dilapidated state  and reconstruction is in progress. The Mandapa Simha pillars with inscriptions and ordinary pillars, Dwarapalakas, Jyeshta Devi, Nadukal ie Hero stone, Sandikeswara, 5 Shiva Lingas with Nandhis are scattered around the temple. These Shiva Lingas and Nandhis are called as Panchabootha Lingas ie 5 elements.

One of the inscription belongs to Rajaraja-I, the Queen Lokamadevi donated money to convert barren land to fertile land.

LEGEND

There are interesting legends behind the Nandhi facing the same direction of Lord Shiva.

Sri Lakshmi came to this Shenbaka forest and done penance to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva asked Nandhi to Guard her. So Nandhi turned its back. At the end of penance Lord Shiva gave dharshan to Lakshmi.

Another interesting story is Lord Shiva went out of this place to nearby Palar River island and hid there. When Parvati searched Lord Shiva and climbed the island hill through her knees. Lord Shiva Blessed her as Kailasanathar and stayed in the island. So Nandhi is still expecting Lord Shiva’s arrival facing the Kailasanathar temple.   

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since orukala pooja is conducted, the closing and opening time is un predictable.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Sri Jambu +9199945 87182 and Sri Sivagnanam +9194430 67193 on their mobiles for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is in Ayapakkam village a part of  Natham, Parameswaramangalam panchayat.

The temple is 12 KM from Kalpakkam, 28 KM from Thirukalukundram, 40 KM from Chengalpattu and 77 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Pichadanar

 Dwarapalaka

 Jyeshta Devi

 A Arikanda - Hero stone 

 A Pallava period Sandikeswara

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

PREMIKA VITTALA TEMPLE / SRI PREMIKA VITTALESHWARAR KOVIL, VITTALAPURAM, ARAMBAKKAM, CHENGALPATTU DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

01^st December 2019.

The Visit to this temple was a part of  Pallava and Chozha Period Temples scheduled on 01^st December 2019.  We had a tough journey  throughout the day due to rain. After our Visit to Sadras / Sadurangapattinam / Sathurangapattinam, Sri Thiruvareswarar Temple and Malaimandala Perumal Temples visit, had been to this temple around 10.15 hrs, before the closure of the temple after morning pooja.

Moolavar : Sri Vittalar

Consort   : Sri Santhana Lakshmi Thayar

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

The temple is facing east with a Mottai gopuram ( Only with base ). Anjaneyar sannadhi is opposite to the temple or the mottai gopuram. Balipedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudan is after the mottai Gopuram.  Moolavar  Vittalar is with Rukmani and Styabhama ( Vittalar is old and Rukmini and Satyabhama are new ).  In the prakaram  Sri Santhana Lakshmi Thayar, Sri Srinivasa Perumal, Sri Varadharaja Perumal, Sri Ramanujar, Sri Viswaksenar and old head less Rukmani and Satyabama.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and Mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is about 4 feet above the ground level. A flight of 5 steps provided on south and north side of mukha mandapam.  The mukha mandapa is supported with 4 pillars with kabothabandha adhisthana. The main sanctum is on a upana and Padmabandha adhisthana.  The sanctum walls has koshtas /niches and there is idol. The prastharam is of kabotha style with karnakood.. The Mukha mandapa prastharam is with kodungai.  A Two tier stucco ( Brick & mortar ) vimana is above the sanctum without much stucco images.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

A Vijayanagara period inscription stone is installed on the north east side along with old damaged headless Rukmani and Satyabhama.  It was told that Vittalar is old recovered from a nearby pond and his consorts are new.

As per the inscription the temple was constructed during Vijayanagara King Krishnadevaraya (   1507 – 1529 AD ) period, by his representative / Chieftain Kondaiya Devachozha Maharaja in 1558AD. The Temple was renovated during  Sadasiva Rayar. A temple car / Chariot was also gifted to this temple for Urchavar procession.

During Mohuls and Nawab’s invasion the temple was without pooja and dilapidated. Again the temple was reconstructed with  effort of Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamigal and Pandurangan kaingarya sabha.  The Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 05^th September 2006, in presence of “Paranur Mahathma” Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal.

It is believed that this temple was constructed a replica to the Vittala Temple at Vijayanagara's Capital City ( Hampi ?). But this temple is not like that Vittala temple with beauty & elegance and Sculptures.

This temple is under the control of Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department declared as a protected monument and recent reconstruction was done  after getting approval from them vide order No 92, dated 11^th June 2002 issued by the Commissioner  Ra. Kannan.

     

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs and Poojas between 10.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 18.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The Bhattachariyars  may be contacted on their mobiles +91 8122579560 and +919600042690 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The Vittala temple at Vittalapuram is 9 KM from Kalpakkam, 33 KM from Chengalpattu, 18.2 KM from Mahabalipuram and 77 KM from Chennai

Nearest Railway station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 A

 Damaged headless Rukmini and Satyabama

 Vijayanagara period inscription 

The Adhisthana - Upana with Padmabandha adhisthana & Tripatta Kumuda 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

MALAIMANDALA PERUMAL TEMPLE, KALPAKKAM, SADRAS / SADURANGAPATTINAM ), CHENGALPATTU DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

 01^st December 2019.

மலையான் மண்டலத்தான் சதுரங்கமே

கோயில் கொண்டான் கொண்ட விரோத

மாட்சரியமான வகத்தை ஆட்கொண்டு

சீராக்குவான் குறை வாராது வுறவு காத்து கிடப்பனே

                                                                                    …..சித்தர் இராமதேவர்

The visit to this temple was a part of Pallava and Chozha Temples Visit scheduled on 01^st December 2019. This temple was not in our list, since we are diverted through Kalpakkam due to flood ( a part of Sadras / Sadurangapattinam / Sathurangapattinam ), happened to visit this temple. The temple is also an old temple. It was told that Moolavar is on a small hill, hence called as Malaimandala Perumal. This temple is also called as South Badrinath.

Moolavar  : Sri Malaimandala Perumal   

Thayar     : Sri Perundevi

Urchavar  : Girivaradhar with Sridevi and Bhudevi

Some of the Salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Anjaneyar and Deepasthambam are in front of Rajagopuram. Thumbikai Alwar and Nagar are at the entrance of Rajagopuram. Balipedam, Dwajasthambam and  Garudan. ( There are 8 snake reliefs on the body of Garudan, hence Garudan is called as Ashta Naga Garudan. Also, instead of Anjali hastha, holding a lotus in his hand. Positioned such that the height of his head is matches with the feet of Sri Malaimandala Perumal. )

Moolavar is Sridevi and Bhudevi in the sanctum on a small hill. Sridevi is taller than Bhudevi. Sridevi is looking down where is Bhudevi is looking straight. Yoga Narasimhar instead of Gajalakshmi is on the entrance top of the sanctum sanctorum is unique in this temple. No idols in the Koshtas. In the prakaram Sannadhi for Thayar Perundevi, Andal, Vishnu Durgai and Alwars. 

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum is about 3 feet higher than the arthamandapam. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on upana, padmabhandha Adhisthana. The prastharam is of kabotha style with karnakood. The Stucco Vimana is of two tiers. 

HISTORY

It was told that the temple is more than 1300 years old ( 850AD) built during Pallava Period. During Chozha period this place was called as Raja Narayana Patnam. During Vijayanagara Period it was called as Sathura-Vasam-Patnam and during Dutch period it was called as Sadras.

The village around the temple sank  about 1329 years before. The 16^th Century Raghavendra Tirtha, the madhva sect Saint visited this temples and some of his followers from Andhra Pradesh settled down here. There is Raghavendra temple near to this Perumal Temple.

The Rajagopuram wooden doors are gifted by the Telegu people during Viajanagara period and a Copper plate with 1603 AD inscription both in Tamil and Telegu is affixed on the door.

The Maha samrokshanam was conducted in the recent years, after renovations and addition of  Rajagopuram

LEGEND

Since Sridevi looking the ground all Graha doshas and Vasthu doshas will not affect if prayed to Sridevi. It is believed that Bhothath alwar  also stayed here.   

Prayers to Malaimandala Perumal are believed to remove enmity and disputes within family members and provide peace at home. It is also beleieved that they will get relieved from Billi sunyam / black magic, Eval and will get good job.

Since there are 8 snakes on the body of Garudan, this temple is considered as a Sarba dosha ( Naga dosha )  nivarthi sthalam. Pampatti Siddhar explains the  positions of  snakes on Garudas body is his poem. A snake on his head, Two are in his ears, one is on his neck as garland, two are on his shoulders and the last one on his waist as an ornament. The poem in Tamil goes like this

“அட்டமாம் ஆபரணமது வரமே

யாதலினிவரை யட்ட நாக கருட

னென சிரத்தேகமிருப்ப செவிக்கிரண்

டாமே, யஃதொடே ஆரமென மார்புந்

துவியாய், தோளிரண்டாய் அரை ஞான் என்

பொன் போலட்டமே யறி…”

                                                    ….. பாம்பாட்டி சித்தர்

Those Who pray Durgai Amman, there will be an improvement in their skill, they will flourish in their house, job, business and a good life partner.  

FESTIVALS
Masi magam theerthavar at sea and Vaikunda Ekadesi are celebrated in a grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Bhattar Sridhar may be contacted  on his mobile 95852 12797 and land line 044 27489064 may be contacted for further details. 

HOW TO REACH

This temple is in Kalpakkam part of Sadras also known as Sadurangapattinam/ Sathurangapattinam.

Kalpakkam is on the ECR and you have to divert to this Kalpakkam and this temple from Vengampakkam Junction.

Buses are available from Chennai (108 and 118 ), Chengalpattu Via Thirukalukundram. 

Share autos are available from Vengampakkam Junction.

Kalpakkam is 30 KM from Chengalpattu and  70 KM from Chennai ( Via OMR ).

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 The Sanctum Sanctorum is on upana, padmabhandha Adhisthana 

 Vijayanagara period inscription

 The inscription plate in Tamil & Telegu

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SHRI THIRUVARESWARAR TEMPLE / THIRUVATESWARAR TEMPLE (திருவாட்டீஸ்வரர் கோயில் ) SADRAS ( SADURANGAPATTINAM ), KALPAKKAM, CHENGALPATTTU DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

01^st December 2019.

The visit to this temple was a part of Pallava and Chozha Temples Visit scheduled on 01^st December 2019. This temple was not in our list, since we are diverted through Kalpakkam, happened to visit this temple. The temple is also an old temple.

Moolavar  : Shri Thiruvareswarar

Consort    : Sri Thiruvateswari

Some of the important details are as follows…

The temple is facing east. Balipedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are in a newly constructed mandapam. The temple consists of Sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and a mukha mandapam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai. In arthamandapam Ambal Sri Thiruvateswari is in a separate sannadhi facing south and Natarajar.

In the prakaram Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Sandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Suryan, Bhairavar and Nagars. A Vijayanagara Nayak period mandapa is on the right side of the temple entrance, which is not used now.

It was told that the temple exists more than 1000 years and looking at the structure the temple may belongs to 16^th  to 17^th  Century Vijayanagara or Nayak period.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH

This temple is in Kalpakkam part of Sadras also known as Sadurangapattinam.

Kalpakkam is on the ECR and you have to divert to this Kalpakkam and this temple from Vengampakkam Junction.

Buses are available from Chengalpattu Via Thirukalukundram and Chennai.

Share autos are available from Vengampakkam Junction.

Kalpakkam is 30 KM from Chengalpattu and  70 KM from Chennai ( Via OMR ).

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

Mandapa Ceiling Fish reliefs- people misunderstood that fish means belongs tp Pandya period. 

 A Beautiful pair of fishes on the outside prakaram wall

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

SHRI KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE / EKAMBARESWARAR TEMPLE, SADURANGAPATTINAM ( SADRAS ), KALPAKKAM, CHENGALPATTU DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

01^st December 2019.

The Visit to this temple was a part of  Pallava and Chozha Period Temples scheduled on 01^st December 2019. It was raining from the start of our journey through scooter. We had a tough journey throughout the day. Our plan of Visiting  the Koovathur temples was changed since we were diverted from Vengapakkam through Kalpakkam Township due to flood. ( Due to this we missed the Koovathur Temples is an another story ). This Kamakshi Amman temple is on the right side of the road.

Moolavar : Sri Ekambareswarar

Consort   : Sri Kamakshi

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

The temple is facing east with an entrance gate.  Balipedam and Nandhi are in front of the mandapam. In Koshtam Vinayagar Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Ambal Kamakshi is in a separate sannadhi with Koshtas similar to Shiva’s Sannadhi. In The Prakaram Vinayagar, Sri Vali Devasena Subramaniyar, Sandikeswarar, Bhairavar and Navagrahas.

The Sanctum Sanctorum of Shiva and Kamakshi Amman sannadhi are built with same style of pathabhandha adhisthana. Prastharam is of Kabotha style with karnakood. It was told that the temple existed before establishment of Kalpakkam atomic power station. Looking at the structure the temple may be 200 to 300 years old. The temple is under the control of HR& CE.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number 8775432678 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This temple is in Kalpakkam part of Sadras also known as Sadurangapattinam.

Kalpakkam is on the ECR and you have to divert to this Kalpakkam and this temple from Vengampakkam Junction.

Buses are available from Chengalpattu Via Thirukalukundram and Chennai.

Share autos are available from Vengampakkam Junction.

Kalpakkam is 30 KM from Chengalpattu and  70 KM from Chennai ( Via OMR ).

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

A Nandhi with two bodies installed on the Compound wall, ( Usually it will come at the corner of the walls)  and a similar Nandhi had seen in a near by Shri Thiruvereswarar Shiva Temple, Sadras.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---