Mahaveerar Jain Idol, Chettipatti, Pudukottai

Mahaveerar Jain Idol, Chettipatti, Pudukottai

Mahaveerar Jain Idol is a ninth century idol of Mahaveerar, a Jain Thirthankara located in Chettipatti Village in Kulathur Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. Chettipatti is also known as Samanar Kundu. Chettipatti was a flourishing medieval Jain center.

The Jain Idol

The image of Mahaveerar is found in seated posture. He is flanked by chauri bearers and found under an umbrella. The image is decorated with the semi-circular prabhavali and creeper designs. A stone slab containing inscription dating back to the reign of Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola can be seen next to the idol. 

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 7 Kms from Sooriyur Bus Stop, 13 Kms from Thuvakudi, 15 Kms from Keeranur Railway Station, 18 Kms from Kulathur, 21 Kms from Trichy Airport, 30 Kms from Trichy and 43 Kms from Pudukkottai. The temple is situated at about 7 Kms to the east of Sooriyur Bus Stop on the Kulathur to Thuvakudi route.

Location

Jain Temple, Chettipatti, Pudukottai

Jain Temple, Chettipatti, Pudukottai

Jain Temple is a dilapidated ancient Jain Temple located in Chettipatti Village in Kulathur Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is locally called Vattikoil. Chettipatti is also known as Samanar Kundu. Chettipatti was a flourishing medieval Jain center.

History

This temple is believed to be built in 7^th century CE. An inscription dated in 10^th century can be seen on the basement of this ruined temple. It records names of two persons namely Dayapaiar and Vadiraya as two disciples of Matisagaracarya. It might be inferred that Matisagaracarya was the principal monk looking after the administration of the temple.

The Temple

The temple is completely in ruins. Only, the base structure remains intact. The other components of the temple were completely lost to the vagaries of time. The temple might have consisted of sanctum and mandapa. Both these structures might have been enclosed by a prakara wall. Sculptures of Mahavira, Parsvanatha and chauri-bearers which once adorned the niches of the temple can be seen in the temple premises.

There are two pillars with a lion base that might have supported the roof of the mandapa can be found in the temple premises. Some of the notable sculptures found in the temple premises are Mahavira and head of Parsvanatha. There are also three partially carved individual sculptures of chauri-bearers and lion, the mount of Ambika Yakshi can be seen among the ruins.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 4 Kms from Sooriyur Bus Stop, 13 Kms from Keeranur Railway Station, 15 Kms from Thuvakudi, 17 Kms from Kulathur, 20 Kms from Trichy Airport, 29 Kms from Trichy and 39 Kms from Pudukkottai. The temple is situated at about 4 Kms to the east of Sooriyur Bus Stop on the Kulathur to Thuvakudi route.

Location

Thirumayam Fort, Thirumayam – The Fort Complex

Thirumayam Fort, Thirumayam – The Fort Complex

The fort was originally a ring fort with seven concentric walls, only three enclosures remain now. The construction of the fort is of inferior quality as small blocks of stone were used along with bricks for the building of the fortification. The fort spreads over an area of about forty acres. The fort has three entrances. One entrance is in the north, another in the south and third in the east. Originally, the main entrance to the fort was from the south side. There are six cannons mounted in the north, south and east gates.

The fort was much larger than the present structure during ancient times. This can be affirmed by the fact that the main entrance to the old fort lies about one kilometer south of the present-day fort. This entrance to the old fort still stands. There is an elevated bastion situated on the top of the hill. A canon of British origin can be seen in this bastion. There is a natural pond situated to the south of this platform. There are ponds situated to the north east and south east of this platform.

There is storage area of ammunition on the right side halfway to the top of the fort. The fort also contain the remains of an abandoned jail. There is a moat around the lower wall. There are natural shelters and a rock boulder with prehistoric rock arts on the rocky hill. The shrines dedicated to Hanuman, Sakthi, Ganapathi, Karuppar (guardian deities of the fort) can be seen on the southern side and shrine dedicated to Bhairava can be seen on the northern side of the fort complex.

The temple found in the hill and the fort complex are listed below;

1.    Sathyagirisvarar Temple

2.    Sathyamurthy Perumal Temple

3.    Rock Cut Shiva Cave Temple

4.    Kottai Bhairavar Temple

5.    KaruppuswamyTemple

Thirumayam Fort, Thirumayam – History

Thirumayam Fort, Thirumayam – History

Thirumayam was part of the northern outpost of the Sethupathis of Ramnad in 17^th century CE after the fall of Vijayanagara rule. However, it was administered by the Pallavarayans. This fort was built by King Vijaya Ragunatha Sethupathi of Ramnad Kingdom in 1687 CE. Vijaya Ragunatha Sethupathi is popularly known as Kizhavan Sethupathi. Later, the fort and the surrounding region of Thirumayam was handed over to his brother-in-law Raghunatha Raya Thondaiman (1641–1730 CE), the founder of the Pudukottai state.

Tanda Deva, the great-grandson of Kizhavan Sethupathi conferred the town to the Thondaimans in 1723 CE in return for the military help Thondaimans provided against Bhavani Shankar, a rival claimant to the throne of Ramnad Kingdom. The Thanjavur Maratha general, Ananda Rao, invaded Pudukkottai in 1733 CE and besieged Vijaya Raghunatha Raya Thondaiman I at the Thirumayam Fort for over a year destroying its defences and ravaging the town before returning to Thanjavur.

The fort is locally known as Oomayan Kottai (fort of the dumb). The dump (Oomayan / Oomaithurai) refers to the younger brother of Kattabomman, the chieftain of Panchalankuruchi, who fought against the British and was executed by the British. There is an unconfirmed tradition that the fort played an important role during the Polygar wars. Oomaithurai took refuge in this fort. However, he was betrayed by the Thondaiman King and handed over to the British.

But the presence of British-era cannons in the fort suggests one more player in its history and a past drenched in bloodshed and executions. After his death, the British took over the fort, destroying and looting large parts of it. Six surviving English cannons can still be seen in this fort. They are mounted over the three entrance gates on the north, south and eastern sides of the hill respectively. The fort has been extensively renovated by Archaeological Survey of India in 2012.

Kottai Bhairavar Temple, Thirumayam, Pudukottai

Kottai Bhairavar Temple, Thirumayam, Pudukottai

Kottai Bhairavar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Bhairava located in Thirumayam Town in Thirumayam Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is situated the on the northern wall of the Thirumayam fort. This temple is a favorite among the vehicle-owners who traditionally halt and pray at this temple for a safe journey.

Legends

It is believed that Lord Bhairavar of this temple safeguards the Thirumayam fort. Hence, Lord Bhairava is praised as Kottai Bhairavar.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards the north. This temple is abutting the northern wall of the Thirumayam fort. This temple enshrines an image of Bhairavar in standing posture with his mount dog at its back.

Prayers

Devotees pray here for relief from any kind of doshas. Those who are born in Vishaka star should worship at this temple for prosperity.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 750 metres from Thirumayam Bus Stand and 1.5 Kms from Thirumayam Railway Station. Thirumayam is located at about 10 Kms from Kanadukathan, 14 Kms from Viralimalai, 19 Kms from Pudukkottai, 22 Kms from Karaikudi, 25 Kms from Tirupattur, 28 Kms from Ponnamaravathi, 37 Kms from Aranthangi, 62 Kms from Trichy Airport and 72 Kms from Trichy. Thirumayam is situated on Pudukottai to Karaikudi route.

Location

Karuppuswamy Temple, Thirumayam, Pudukottai

Karuppuswamy Temple, Thirumayam, Pudukottai

Karuppuswamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to village deity, Karuppuswamy located in Thirumayam Town in Thirumayam Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is situated on the eastern façade of the Sathyamurthy Perumal Temple. Karuppuswamy is considered as the guardian deity of Thirumayam.

The Temple

This temple is square in plan. The temple is designed in such a way as to worship the shrine from top to bottom.

Festivals

Vaikunda Ekadasi is the most famous festival celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 750 metres from Thirumayam Bus Stand and 1.5 Kms from Thirumayam Railway Station. Thirumayam is located at about 10 Kms from Kanadukathan, 14 Kms from Viralimalai, 19 Kms from Pudukkottai, 22 Kms from Karaikudi, 25 Kms from Tirupattur, 28 Kms from Ponnamaravathi, 37 Kms from Aranthangi, 62 Kms from Trichy Airport and 72 Kms from Trichy. Thirumayam is situated on Pudukottai to Karaikudi route.

Location

Rock Cut Shiva Cave Temple, Thirumayam, Pudukottai

Rock Cut Shiva Cave Temple, Thirumayam, Pudukottai

Rock Cut Shiva Cave Temple is a Hindu Cave Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirumayam Town in Thirumayam Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is situated in the higher level inside the Thirumayam fort.

History

This cave temple might have been excavated in 6^th century CE by the Pallavas.

The Cave Temple

This cave is excavated on the western facade of the hill. It is situated at about 10 metres height from ground level. The cave can be reached through a ladder provided by ASI. It is a simple cell with its entrance door having three bands with rectangular bordered panel at the jambs. There is a rectangular panel located to the north of the door. This panel is probably for the label inscription similar to the one found in the Satyagireeswarar Cave Temple. However, the label inscription is absent here. The cell enshrines a rock cut Shiva Linga placed over a square avudaiyar, excavated from the mother rock. The water outlet spout is situated in the north and is supported by a bhoothagana.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Thirumayam Bus Stand and 1.5 Kms from Thirumayam Railway Station. Thirumayam is located at about 10 Kms from Kanadukathan, 14 Kms from Viralimalai, 19 Kms from Pudukkottai, 22 Kms from Karaikudi, 25 Kms from Tirupattur, 28 Kms from Ponnamaravathi, 37 Kms from Aranthangi, 62 Kms from Trichy Airport and 72 Kms from Trichy. Thirumayam is situated on Pudukottai to Karaikudi route.

Location

Sathyagirisvarar Temple, Thirumayam – The Temple

Sathyagirisvarar Temple, Thirumayam – The Temple

The temple consists of rock cut cave shrine and maha mandapam. Balipeedam, Dwaja Sthambam and Nandi can be seen facing towards the sanctum. The rock cut cave shrine consist of sanctum, ardha mandapam and a façade. The rock cut cave shrine is excavated on the southern façade of the Sathyagiri hill. The façade has two pillars and two pilasters. The pillars and pilasters have cubical base & top and intervening octagonal section. The cubical faces at the top and bottom are carved with lotus medallions.

The eastern lateral wall of the ardha mandapa is carved with an image of Lingodbhava. The image represents Lord Shiva emerging from the pillar of flames. He is shown with two arms. One hand shows varada hastha and another resting over his waist. Nandi can be found seated on a platform facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum is excavated on the western lateral wall. The sanctum can be reached after a flight of four steps. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum is guarded by dvarapalas on either side.

The southern dvarapala is two armed. The right hand rests above the club and the left hand is in lola hasta mudra. A protrusion seen above his headdress suggests that this dvarapala might represent the ayudha-purusha of Shiva, trisula (trident). The northern dvarapala is two armed and does not carry any weapon. His one hand rests over his waist while another hand is raised up with palm facing front. He is shown standing in tri-bhanga-mudra. A protrusion seen above his headdress suggests that this dvarapala might represent another ayudha-purusha of Shiva, parasu (axe).

Idols of Vinayaga and Murugan can also be seen at the entrance of the sanctum on either side. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Sathyagirisvarar in the form of Shiva Lingam. The Shiva Lingam is a rock cut Linga placed over a circular yonipitha. There is a separate east facing shrine for goddess Venuvaneswari situated opposite to the cave shrine. Her shrine consists of sanctum, artha mandapa and mukha mandapa. Pandyan era dvarapalikas can be seen guarding the entrance of the sanctum of her shrine.

The pillars of the mukha mandapa has sculptures of Vilakku Nachiyars (girls holding the lamp). Shrines and Idols of Bhanu Umapatheeswarar, Rajarajeshwari, Durga, Gajalakshmi, Murugan, Bhairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Vinayaga, Nataraja and Navagrahas can be seen in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this temple is Sathya Pushkarini. Sthala Vriksham is Bamboo Tree.

Sathyagirisvarar Temple, Thirumayam – History

Sathyagirisvarar Temple, Thirumayam – History

This temple was built by the Pallava Emperor Mahendravarman I (590 – 630 CE). This temple is considered older than the adjacent Sathyamurthi Perumal Temple due to the presence of musical inscription, now mostly obliterated, written in the Pallava Grantha script similar to the celebrated musical inscription of Kudumiyamalai. Inscriptions dating to Chola Emperors Rajaraja Chola I & Rajendra Chola I and Pandyan Kings Maravarman Sundara Pandya II & Parakrama Pandya can be found in thistemple.

Lord Shiva was called as Nayanar Thirumeyyamalaiyalan / Thirumeyyattu Mahadevar in the inscriptions. The present name, Sathyagirisvarar, might have been influenced from the name of the presiding deity of the adjacent Vishnu temple. There is an inscription dated to 7^th century CE found on the north wall of the cave. It was written in Sanskrit and Tamil using Pallava grantha script. It records the method of playing the musical instrument Parivathini (Veena with seven strings, mentioned in Amarakosa, Raghu Vamsam and Buddha Charithiram) and praises the divine qualities of the instrument.

There is another inscription of Pallava Emperor Mahendravarman I dated to 7^th century CE found on the north and south wall of the cave. It was written in Sanskrit using Pallava grantha script. It records the names of the musical notes in a certain order. However, the majority of the inscription is defaced. This inscription might be the exact copy of the celebrated musical inscription found at Kudumiyamalai.

An incomplete inscription dated to the 19^th regnal year (1004 CE) of Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I can be found on the left side of the entrance to the cave. A damaged inscription dated to the 21^st regnal year of Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola I (1033 CE) can be found on the left side of the entrance to the cave. An inscription dated to the 7^th regnal year of Pandyan King Maravarman Sundara Pandya II (1245 CE) can be seen on the south side of the cave mandapam. This inscription is written in Tamil in 47 lines. This inscription records the settlement of long-standing dispute regarding the sharing of property between the Shiva and the Vishnu temples.

This settlement meeting was held in the presence of the Shaivites, Vaishnavites, village assembly and the officials. This meeting was presided over by Appanna Dandanayaka, the brother-in-law of Ravideva Dandanayaka who was one of the Dandanayaka of Hoysala King Veera Somesvara. It was resolved that 3/5 portion of the share was given to Sathyamurthy Perumal Temple. The inscription also records the removal of the old inscription, since it was written in an unknown language.

The Pallava era musical inscription on the southern side of the cave was chiseled out to engrave this inscription. The duplicate of the above inscription is engraved on the rock to the north of the tank. Another inscription of Pandyan King Maravarman Sundara Pandya II can be seen on the rock to the west of the cave temple. An inscription dated to the 8^th and 11^th regnal years of Pandyan King Maravarman Sundara Pandya II records a grant of land for the rituals and administration of the temple.

Sathyamurthy Perumal Temple, Thirumayyam – The Temple Complex

Sathyamurthy Perumal Temple, Thirumayyam – The Temple Complex

This temple complex is facing towards south with five tiered rajagopuram. The temple complex is completely enclosed with in a compound wall. There is a long mandapam connecting the rajagopuram with entrance of the inner prakaram. The pillars of this mandapam are carved with sculptures of the scenes of Maduraiveeran abducting Bommi, Kuravan, Kurathi, Nayak soldiers, female dancers, etc. Shrines of Chakrathazhwar, Andal and Krishna can be seen in the western side of this mandapam.

All these shrines are facing towards east. Balipeedam and Dwaja Sthambam can be seen immediately after the entrance of the inner prakaram. There is a long platform enshrining the images of Azhwars, Madhurakavi and Ramanuja in the south eastern corner of the inner prakaram. Sculptures of Dasavathara can be seen in the pillars opposite to this platform. Sculptures of Rama and Vamana can be seen in the pillars near to Dwaja Sthambam.

The compound wall separating this temple with the Sathyagireeswarar Temple can be seen on the western side of the inner prakaram. Pallikonda Perumal Cave shrine can be seen at the end of the western side of the inner prakaram. Shrines of Bhoo Varaha Perumal, Vishwakasena, Rama, Lakshmi Narasimha and Anjaneya can be seen in the temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Banyan Tree. The temple complex has two presiding deities namely Sathyamurthy Perumal and Pallikonda Perumal (Azhagiya Meyyar).

Palli Konda Perumal Cave Shrine:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2025/03/sathyamurthy-perumal-temple-thirumayyam-palli-konda-perumal-cave-shrine.html

Sathyamurthy Perumal Shrine:

The Sathyamurthy Perumal shrine consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and Sundarapandyan mandapam. Dvarapalas can be seen guarding the entrances of the ardha mandapam. Garudan shrine can be seen in the centre of the Sundarapandyan mandapam facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum enshrines an image of the presiding deity, Sathyamurthy Perumal. He is about seven feet tall and is facing towards east. He is shown in standing posture flanked by his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. He is four armed.

He holds discus and conch in his upper hands. His lower right hand shows abhaya hastha and his lower left hand shows kadiyavalambitham. Images of Pururava Chakravarthy, Garudan and Sathya Maharishi can be seen in the sanctum. Utsava idols of Azhagiya Meyyar, Sridevi, Bhoodevi and Andal can be seen in front of the presiding deity. Images of Vishnu in standing postures can be seen in the koshtas located around the sanctum wall. The vimana over the sanctum is of single tier and follows dravidian style of architecture. The vimana is called as Somachandra Vimana.

Uyyavantha Nachiyar / Ujjeevana Thayar Shrine:

There is a separate east facing shrine for goddess Uyyavantha Nachiyar / Ujjeevana Thayar in the second prakaram. Her shrine is situated on the western side immediately after the entrance to the second prakaram. She is considered padi thaandaa pathini (one who does not cross her limits or the doorstep). Hence, she does not come out during temple processions. Her shrine consists of sanctum, antrala and mukha mandapa. The sanctum enshrines an image of Uyyavantha Nachiyar / Ujjeevana Thayar in ardha padmasana posture. The vimana over the sanctum is of three tiers.

Sathya Pushkarini:

Theertham associated with this temple is Sathya Pushkarini. It is situated on the eastern side of the temple premises. This tank is octagonal in shape representing the ashtakshara mantra of Lord Vishnu. This tank was excavated in 1919 CE by Ramanathan Chettiar, son of Karaikudi Murugappa Chettiyar. It is said, all the rivers in the country came along to this pushkarani to make the people get out of the sin and their bad thoughts. It is believed that on the month of Vaikasi on the full Moon day, all the rivers combine and merge together and they themselves get purified by the Sathya theertham.