Sunday, 28 November 2021

Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple / Sri Pattabi ( kothanda ) Ramar Temple / ஸ்ரீ கோதண்ட ராமஸ்வாமி திருக்கோவில் / ஸ்ரீ பட்டாபி ( கோதண்ட ) ராம ஸ்வாமி திருக்கோயில், and Dharba Sayana Sethuramar Temple / Pon Vilaintha Kalathur / P.V. Kalathur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple at P. V. Kalathur was a part of  Maha Vishnu and Shiva Temples visit at Singaperumal koil, Kolathur ( Appur, Vembakkam ), Mettu Pudupakkam  and Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, on 24th October 2021. The temple complex consists of Sri Pattabi ( Kothanda ) Ramar temple and Thirupullani Darba Sayana Perumal Temple.


SRI PATTABI ( KOTHANDA ) RAMAR TEMPLE.

Moolavar  : Sri Pattabi Ramar
Utsavar    : Sri Kothanda Ramar
Thayar     : Sri Sita

Some of the Salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with an entrance mandapam. Stucco image of Ramar and Sita in Pattabisheka kolam and Lakshmana and Anjaneyar are in the top of the entrance mandapam. A small Vilakku Thoon / Garudathoon, balipeedam Dwajasthambam / kodimaram and Garudan are after the entrance mandapam. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum.   Moolavar is in sitting Posture with Sita in Pattabisheka Kolam. ( The unique feature of this temple is Sita is on right side and Lakshmanan is on the left side, since Ramar is in Pattabisheka kolam.)  Lakshmana and Anjaneyar’s are in the Sanctum sanctorum. No deities are in the Koshta niches.

In Praharam, Thayar, Srinivasan with Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Alwars, Sri Bhaktha Anjaneyar, Sri Sudharsanar with Narasimhar ( sanctum is in Round shape ) and  Nagars / adhiseshan.

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and a open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a three anga upa peedam with a patti is shown. A 3 tier Nagara Vimana is on the adhistana. The Vimana koshtam’s too do not have images.

Three shallow koshta niches with makara thoranas are shown on the sanctum walls.




HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple authorities claimed that the temple is more than 1000 years old and reconstructed latter. During Pallava and Chozha period this place was called as Kalanthai, latter turned to Kalathur and after Desikan’s Visit this place was called as Pon Vilaintha Kalathur. As per the Thondai mandala sathagam, the Poet Pukazhenthi, who was born at this place holds the position of Royal Poet of Vikrama Chozha Pandyan. Also the 17th Century Anthakakavi Veeraraghava Mudaliar, a blind and a great poet belongs to this place. 

The inscription along with a Man and a woman, the Donors, are on the entrance mandapam records that Pattabi Ramar Koil Kaingaryam was done by Chakravarthiyasarirar.

On 24th May 1900, Anur Kuppusamy Mudaliar’s son Thiruvenkatasamy Mudaliar has  gifted some thing and the details are known.

On 23rd March 1958, the Dwajasthambam was renovated by Anur Thiruvenkada Mudaliar, Venu Gopala Mudaliar and Srinivasa Mudaliar.
The Bhaktha Anjaneyar Sannidhi was constructed by Sri Neeradi Ananthasiriya’s son K Srinivasa Raghavasari on 31st January 1963.

On 24th June 1984, Kalyana manimandapam construction was started in memory of P V Kalathur hereditary trustee Yagna Deekshithar’s son Narasimha Raghava Deekshithar’s 100th year.

It is believed that the original temple may be 1000 years old and reconstructed, by Jeer of Ahobila mutt and others.

On 09-10-1989, Utsava idols of Sita and Hanuman was burgled away by thieves and the same were got back. Since both were found in damaged condition new idols were made ( From Kumbakonam ) and installed back  on 16th March 2000, samprokshanam was also carried out.

During 16th March 2000, samprokshanam, dwajasthambam was repaired /renovated in memory of Urupattur Sri Srinivasachariyar, Uru. S Seshadri, Uru. S Kannan and Uru. Indra Sampath.

On 1st May 2000, Chakkarathalwar sannidhi was constructed by Tirunelveli Perungulam Kaviraya Venkatachariyar’s grand son and Sri Krishna Ayyangar’s son Sriman Pe. Ki. Maya kooththa Ayyangar’s family.

On 11th September palalayam was carried out for Dwajasthambam and new one was replaced after 113 years on 22nd November 2013. 12th March 2014, Dwajasthamba prokshanam and Maha samprokshanam was carried out.

The annual income of the temple as per the records of HR&CE is: for Fasli 1402 Rs.10, 442/-, for Fasli 1403 - Rs.11, 917/- and for Fasli 1404-Rs.17, 993/-. A Board of trustees manages it. The temple is under the control of Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments Department.

LEGENDS
As per the legend Sri Nikamantha Mahadesikan stayed one night in  this Village along with his daily worshiping Vigraha, Hayagreevar. On that night the farmers found that a horse was grazing in the paddy field. When they chased the horse out of paddy field, it ran in to the house where Desikan stayed and disappeared. Next day when the farmers reported, Sri Desikan went along with the farmers, to asses the farmers statement. At the paddy field He and the farmers found that all the paddy beads had turned in to golden beads. Sri Desikan concluded that the horse which grazed in the previous night was nothing but Hayagreevar. Hence this place was called as  Pon Vilaintha Kalathur ( Pon – Gold ).






SRI DARBA SAYANA PERUMAL TEMPLE.
Sri Darba Sayana Sethuramar temple is on the north side of Sri Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple with an interconnecting entrance through the Sri Pattabi ( Kothanda ) Ramar Temple. The temple is facing north. Moolavar is in sayana kolam.


ARCHITECTURE
Since Moolavar Sri Darba Sayana kolam ( Ramar is in sayana kolam on Darba grass ) similar to Thiruppullani near Rameswaram, the Sanctum sanctorum is of rectangular in shape. Stucco bas-relief images of Sri Ramar with Sita and Lakshman, Ramar in sayana kolam with Periya Thiruvadi Garudan and  Siriya thiruvadi Anjaneyar are on mukha mandapam facia walls. 

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. A three tier Stucco Vimanam is on the adhistana. The temple was constructed with stone from Upana to prastaram. The adhistanam is on a upana with lotus petals pedestal. The adhitana is a simple padabandha adhistana and prastaram is with Valabi. Koshta niches are empty. Koshta makara thoranas has the bas-relief images of Ramar in Sayana Kolan, Garudan, Ramar Pattabisheka Kolam etc,. The two Komukhas / pranalas on the west side looks cute. The temple was constructed in Vijayanagara style.








HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Sethuramar’s Utsava Vigraha was got from the well in front of the temple, about 60 years before. An inscription of “Danushkoti Ramar” was found on the greedam. This Darba Sayana Sethuramar Temple was constructed by C Vijayaraghavachariyar at a cost of Rs 50000.00. An additional amount of Rs 20000.00 was received from R T Parthasarathy and his Group and the Temple’s construction was completed. Maha samprokshanam was done on 03rd February 1977.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Rama navami, Hanuman Jayanthi, and Bramotsavam in the month May, Vaikunta Ekadasi,Pavithra Uthsavam, Navarathri and Parivettai.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.30 hrs to 08.30 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The Land line and mobile numbers +91 44 27441142 and Kasturi Rangan Bhattar +9194437 06842 may be contacted for further details.
Sri Rama Kaingarya sabha +91 44 27441112 and mobile number +91 9445307531 and +919500386319 may be contacted for temple activities.

HOW TO REACH
This place Pon Vilaintha kalathur is 10 KM from Chengalpattu, 44 KM from Tambaram and 71 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE


--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Friday, 26 November 2021

Thiruvalamudaiyar Temple / Sri Thiruvaleeswarar Temple, Thiruvanai Koil, Pudupakkam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Thiruvalamudaiyar Temple at Thiruvanai Koil near P.V. Kalathur in Chengalpattu District was a part of  Maha Vishnu and Shiva Temples visit at Singaperumalkoil, Kolathur ( Appur, Vembakkam ), Mettu Pudupakkam  and Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, on 24th October 2021.



Moolavar  : Sri Thiruvaleeswarar
Consort    : Sri Thiripurasundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Vinayagar, Nagar and Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai are on the right side, before the entrance. Moolavar is Short  and Swayambhu.  Balipeedam, Rishabam / Idabam and Chandikeswarar are in the praharam.

In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Ambal and Utsavars are in the ardha mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is square in shape, on a lotus petals upa peeda and Adhistana is of Padabandha with Three patta Kumuda.  Bhitti starts from Vedhigai. Brahma kantha / square pilasters supports the Bhitti with malaithongal, thamaraikattu, kalasam, thadi, kudam, mandi, palakai, veerakandam and vettu pothigai.  Prastaram consists of Valabi, kapotam and Bhoomidesam. Vyalavari is in the Bhoomidesam.

An eka thala Stucco Gajabirushta Vimana is on the bhoomidesam. The Vimana is with 3 maha nasis and a lalada nasi. The nasis and greeva koshtas are empty. The 5 Kalasas are also in stucco ( may be once in metal ).

The Koshta images Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu ( in makara thorana Maha Vishnu is in Sayana Posture ),  Brahma and Durgai are looks beautiful. The Makara thorana above the Koshtas also has the respective deities images. The Bhitti Kanda pada portions   has the miniature sculptures of a King and Cow worshiping Lord Shiva, Gajasamharamurthy, Kannappa Nayanar, Chandeswara Nayanar  and Markandeyar / Kala samhara murthy purana, A pregnant lady being assisted by other ladies, Elephants, Vali Sukreevan fight, etc,.  are beautifully carved.
 



HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple was constructed during Pallava period. Lattwer the temple received contributions from Chozhas, Sambuvarayars, Pandyas and  Vijayanagars.  As per the inscriptions this place was called as Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu, Kalathur Kottathu Kalathur Nattu, Thiruvalakoyiludaya Nayanar, Thiruvalakoyiludayar, Thiruvalayappan, etc,.

The Chozha King Rajarajan-I’s period inscription records that Parasivan Thazhuvakuzhainthavan of Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu Venkundra Kottam established an endowment of burning a lamp  to Alakoil Mahadevaar. The inscription also mentions the Kalamukha saints.  Also another inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a merchant of Mylapore ( a part of Chennai ).

The Chozha King Vikrama Chozhas inscription records the gift of land at Sirathandalam of Chembur Kottam, by Palaravar  ( many people ). One of the person belongs to Chembur kottathu Pattina nattu Kovur and another person belongs to Pattinam.

The Chozha King Kulothunga Chozha’s period inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a person belongs to Arur of Utrukattu kottam. The inscription also records the Kalamukha munivars.

Sundara Panyan period inscription records that a gift of lands to Kaikolar and Dancers in the village Viththoor, which was under Madurantaka Chathurvedi mangalam.

Sundara Pandyan’s period inscription records that Narayanapuram  Ramarasaiyan’s son Thimmarayan gave a gift of landa and House to a Dancer  to work in this Thiruvala Koil temple functions.

Konerimai Kondan period inscription records the order of the King. In that A land was gifted to Thondaiman of Nemeli. This place was referred as Thiruneetru Chozha nallur. This order was signed by Anabaya Chozha Mooventha Velan.

Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan-I's 3rd reign year ( 1340 CE ) inscription records the  endowment of ½ Nandha vilakku / perpetual lamp, by Kaikolar Ambalavar Venavudayar. For the same 15 Cows was received by Thiruvilakudi Mandradi Thaliayakon and agreed to supply one Azhakku ghee measured in “Rajakesari Nazhi”.

Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s 10th reign year ( 1347 CE ) incomplete inscription records that a land  was gifted to Ambala Venavudayan Devandai Gangarayan of Kaikolar community, by the Kalathur Nattu people. And it also mentions 13 pon / Gold which is incomplete.

Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s 12th  reign year ( 1349 CE ) records the gift of lands as sarvamaniyam ( without any taxes ) by the King for poojas with out stop.

Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s 12th  reign year ( 1349 CE wrongly mentioned as 1341 CE ) inscription records the  gift of 15 cows as surabi (..?)by Mallinathan Rajanarayanan Sambuvarayan and the same was handed over to Mallan’s son Ezhumbothakon.

The rest of Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan –I’s  11 inscriptions records the gift of land, collecting Taxes and given to this temple, Cows,    for conducting regular poojas and celebrations, burning perpetual lamps, houses  for Dancers, appointment of doing jobs at the temple,  also built a mandapa by Thimmarayan  for the wellbeing of Malaiyappan.

Vijayanagara King Viruppanna Udayar period inscription records the gift of a village Uthama Chozha Vilakam, after rectifying the destroyed place. It also mentions the name of Pundarika Rajendra Chozhan.

Vikrama Chozha's period inscription
Viruppanna Udayar's period Inscription

LEGENDS
Devotees prays Lord Shiva and Tripura Sundari for marriage, Child boon, to get peace in life.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from oru kala Pooja, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha shivaratri.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10. 00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The Gurukkal Siva and Dhayalan are residing in front of the temple and they are reluctant to share their  contact details.

HOW TO REACH
During Pallava and Chozha period this place Thiruvanai Koil was a part of Kalathur ie Pon Vilaintha kalathur.
The temple is now at Mettu Puthupakkam,  3 KM from Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, 8 KM from Chengalpattu, 43 KM from Tambaram and 70 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  CLICK HERE















--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Wednesday, 24 November 2021

Sri Vadamalleeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ வாடாமல்லீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Oragadam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

வஞ்சித்துறை
புராதனர் பூதிதேகர்
சரோருகர் மாற்குமரியர்
நிராமய நீடிருப்பார்
ஒரேகடத் தீசராமே
The visit to this Sri Vadamalleeswarar Temple at Oragadam near Thirukalukundram in Chengalpattu District was a part of  Maha Vishnu and Shiva Temples visit at Singaperumalkoil, Kolathur ( Appur, Vembakkam ), Mettu Pudupakkam  and Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, on 24th October 2021.



Moolavar  : Sri Vadamalleeswarar
Consort    : Sri Amirthavalleeswari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east on a small Hill with nearly 100 steps to climb up. The entrance to the temple from west side. Lord Shiva in meditation posture is on a small rock A small deepasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam / Idabam are in-front of the temple. Moolavar in the sanctum sanctorum looks cute in alangaram. In Koshtam, Nirai Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. In the  makara thoranam above the Koshtams, the  bas reliefs of Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma and Durgai with her Vahana Lion / Simham. The Koshta images are installed at a latter date. Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance of ardha mandapam.

Lord Shiva’s stucco image, Ambal Sannidhi, Nalvar, Chandikeswarar, Suriyan and Chandran are in the praharam. Ambal is in a separate Temple like sannidhi facing east on the north of the main temple.  Ambal’s images are in the Koshta niches.

ARCHITECTURE
The temple was constructed with Gajabirushta Vimana style. The Adhistana is of simple padabandha  adhistana on a Lotus petals pedestal as upana. The Adhistana consists of jagathy, Threepatta kumuda and Pattigai. The walls starts with vedigai and the walls are supported by Vishnukantha pilasters with Veetu pothiyal. The Prastaram consists of Valabi, kapotham and vyalavari. Lotus petals are in the valabi. The Kapotam has the nasikudus with various images. An ekathala Gajabirushta Vimana with three kalasas is on the sanctum sanctorum. A Temple structure with Lord Shiva is in the lalada Nasi. Stucco images of Natarajar with Sivakami, Vinayagar and Dakshinamurthy are in the South side Greeva koshtam, Maha Vishnu is in the West side Koshtam and Brahma, Saraswati and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar are in the north side greeva koshtam.

The front mandapam  was built during Vijayanagara Period. Subramaniyar, Vinayagar, Nandhiyam peruman, Maharishis, Donors of this Mandapam, Sanganidhi,  Krishna with Yasodha, Maha Vishnu as Varahamurthy, Herder,  sculptures are on the mandapam pillars. At the entrance both side Columns of the ardha mandapam has the bas reliefs of  Vyagrapadar, a King ( May be Chozha ), Ambal as Cow worshiping Lord Shiva, Ayyanar, Vinayagar and Murugan

A Lotus medallion is at the centre of the ceiling. In addition to that two lizards are also carved. Stucco image of Lord Shiva with Parvati as Rishabaroodar is on the top of the Mukha mandapam.








HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original Gajabirushta Vimana style temple  was constructed during 7th Century Pallava King Nandivarman-II, Period and latter reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozha period, between 10th to 12th Century. Rajarajan-I and Rajendra-I's period inscriptions are much damaged.

The Pallavamalla’s 7th reign year ( 731 - 796 CE ) inscription found on the rock is much damaged. This inscription belongs to Nandivarman-II. ( ARE 251 of 1913 ). As per the inscription this place was mentioned as Urodam alias Pallavamalla Chaturvedimangalam and the same was got corrupted to the present name of Oragadam. Pallavamalla is one of the title of Nandivarman-II.

Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 25th November 2018 after laying paver blocks and metacolour sheet shed in the praharam.

As per the HR & CE records, this temple has a land property of 2.55 hectares. The temple is under the control of Hindu Religious Chartable Endowments Department.


PC : Website
LEGENDS
As per the legend, Rama did a penance on Lord Shiva for his darshan. Even after many years Shiva didn’t gave darshan and further Lord Shiva asked to do pooja with various flowers. Will give darshan, when worshiped with a flower which didn’t shrink even after days or loose its fragrance. So Rama worshiped Lord Shiva  with various flowers and finally Lord Shiva gave darshan when Rama worshiped with Jasmine flower. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Vadamalleeswarar.

Devotees worships Lord Shiva with Jasmine flowers to get Child boon ( Husband and wife to take bathe in the temple tank, carries Jasmine flowers bundled in the saree and worship Lord Shiva ), to get their wishes fulfilled, to get flourish in the business, to get rid of problems between husband and wife, uterus problems,  etc,.

Nandi is with a tiger skin, which was once presented by Lord Shiva, which is an unique feature of this temple.







POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri and Amavasya days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The priest will open the temple during morning and evening and the time is unpredictable. ( The timing should be 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.30 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs )

CONTACT DETAILS
The temple may be contacted on the mobile number +91 9444346970 for further details.

HOW TO REACH
The Village Oragadam is about temple is about 3.2 KM from Chengalpattu to Thirukalukundram Road, 6 KM from Thirukalukundram, 12 KM from Chengalpattu, 43 KM from Tambaram and 70 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Nandi devar
Hayagreevar
Donors of the Mukha Mandapam
Durgai in Makara Thorana with Lion as Vahana
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---