Avanibhajana Pallaveshwaram Temple (Stambeswarar Temple),
Seeyamangalam, Thiruvannamalai
Avanibhajana
Pallaveshwaram temple also called Stambeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated
to Shiva,
located in the town of Seeyamangalam,
Thiruvannamalai district in Tamilnadu, India. The temple is
constructed in Rock-cut architecture by the Pallava king Mahendravarman
I (600-630 CE) during the 7th century. The cave temple had
later additions from the Chola and Vijayanagar Empire. One of the pillars has a
sculpture of Nataraja, believed to be the earliest representation of the deity
in South India.
The
temple has a small three-tiered Rajagopuram, the entrance tower. The
temple is declared as a heritage monument and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as
a protected monument. A few hundred meters north of this temple in the slopes
of hillock Jain relief works were carved in the Pallava age. The other side of
the hillock houses the Jain beds established in the 9th century during the
reign of Ganga King Rajamalla II.
From a Chola inscription
of this temple, it is found that Seeyamangalam would be belonging to Tennarrur-nadu (region
named after Tennattur), a subdivision of Palagunra-kottam, a district
of Jayamkonda-Chola-Mandalam. The temple itself was then called Tirukkarrali,
‘the scared stone temple’. A foundation inscription of Mahendravarman I name
this cave as Avanibhajana-Pallaveshwaram.
Etymology
This
rock cut Shiva temple was built by Mahendravarman I in 7th century C.E.
The main deity Shiva, is called here as Thoon Andar in Tamil and
Stambeshwara in Sanskrit. "Thoon" means pillar and
"Andar" refers Lord and hence thoon Andar means Lord of Pillars. This
name is because of the presence of two pillars in front of this cave temple.
Stambeshwara
name was perhaps given due to a high boulder standing on the floor of dry tank
near this temple. As per a legend, when the tank was full of water, only the
tip of this free standing boulder was visible which is revered as Shiva
lingam in the water, hence the name Stambeshwara.
History
Stambeswarar
temple was built during the reign of Pallava king
Mahendravarman I (600-630 CE) during the
8th century. It is one of the earliest representations of Rock-cut
architecture. The place is called Avanibhajana Pallaveshwaram temple as Avani
is one of the titles of King Mahendravarman. Though the image of the lions
in the pillars lead to an assumption that the temple might have been possibly
been initiated by Simhavishnu, the father of Mahendravarman, the
view is not accepted.
The inscriptions,
accounted in Epigraphica Indica, are written in Sanskrit
with Grantha-Pallava alphabet. The inscriptions indicate that it was dug out by
Lalitankura, which is similar to that of cave temple in Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort indicating
Mahendravarman. The temple had later additions from the Chola and Vijayanagar Empire. The gopuram,
the gateway tower is believed to be an addition by the Vijayanagar kings. The
other side of the hillock houses the Jain beds established in the 9th century
during the reign of Ganga King Rajamalla II.
Architecture
The
temple has a three-tiered Rajagopuram a set of scattered shrines. The
shrine of Stambeswarar is housed in the circular sanctum in a rock cut cave.
There is a large pillared hall and narrow pillared Ardhamandapam leading to the
cave sanctum. The shrine for Nandi is
located outside the pillared hall axial to the central shrine. The main deity Shiva,
is called here as Thoon Andar in Tamil (Tamil: தூண் ஆண்டார்) and Stambeshwara
in Sanskrit.
"Thoon" means pillar and "Andar" refers Lord and hence
thoon Andar means Lord of Pillars. This name is because of the presence of two
pillars in front of this cave temple.
Two dvarapalas are
located on the either side of the entrance of Sanctum
sanctorum of the shrine. The interesting feature of these dvarapalas is
the presence of trisula prongs in them. Unlike other temples, here the main
deity Thun Andar is facing the west direction. Lord Shiva was carved in the
temple pillars as Natarajar and Vrishabhantika. This is the first temple in
Tamilnadu having
the image of Lord Natarajar. Also, the dwarf Muyalaka is
missing from the Natarajar image. The sanctum houses the image of Shiva in
the form of lingam.
In the pillars, lotus is carved on the upper portion, while images of lion are
seen in the lower half.
One of
the pillars in the temple has one of the earliest representations of Nataraja (the
dancing form of Shiva) in Ananda Thandava posture. There are two attendants of
Shiva ganas of Nataraja, with one of them playing Miruthangam (a
percussion instrument) and other in praying posture. The pillared hall has
images of yalis, the mythical creatures representative of Vijayanagar Art. The
images of other attendant deities of Shiva are housed in smaller shrines around
the sanctum. As the temple, has seen quite a few extensions so the cave is
mostly obscured from outside.
Nataraja
Dance Posture
Nataraja is
the cosmic representation of Shiva's different dance forms. The temple has the
earliest representation of Nataraja in sculpture. As per Hindu mythology, Shiva
is a violent dancer and while he dances, a snake named Karkodaka winds in his
legs, leading to Shiva performing the Bhujamgatrasa, the snake fight
posture. The sculpture of Nataraja in the temple depicts the posture. Shiva is
sported with four hands, with his one of the left hands showing dola hasta posture, parasu in
the second left, Abhaya mudra (protecting posture) in the first right hand
and fire in the second right hand.
Archeologist
Dr.R.Nagaswamy believes that the hooded snake at the foot of Nataraja is the
proof of Bhujamgatrasa. It is believed that all forms of dance are derived
from Natya Sastra by sage Bharatha and
Mahendravarma's knowledge of delicate postures are exemplified in the
sculpture. He also affirms that by the image Mahendra shows the connection
between bhujangatrasita and that the dance of Nataraja, the cosmic form of
Shiva leads to the Ananda.
Worship
and Religious Practises
The
temple is declared as a heritage monument and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as
a protected monument. Though it is an archaeological monument, the temple
is active in worship practises, where the temple priests perform the puja (rituals)
during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are similar to that
of other Shiva temples.
Inscriptions
There
are about 27 inscriptions recorded from Pallava regime to the Pandya rule in
this Temple. There is a foundation inscription of Mahendravarman I written
in Sanskrit, engraved in Pallava Grantha script and this is engraved
on the right pilaster of the front row. Another Inscription is engraved on the
left pilaster of the front row.
Connectivity
Seeyamangalam is
located about 2 km from Desur. It can be reached via Gingee and Vandavasi.
Seeyamangalam is located 25 kilometres (16 mi) southwest of Vandavasi,
21 kilometres (13 mi) southeast of Chettupattu and
63 kilometres (39 mi) northeast of district headquarters Thiruvannamalai.
In the
Vandavasi-Chetpet road, you have to travel for about 15 kms and at Mazhaiyur
cross road, take a left turn (south) and travel further for around 8 kms via
Desur to reach Seeyamangalam.
From Vandavasi,
town buses No: 144, to Gingee and No: W2 to Magamaai Thirumeni go through
Seeyamangalam. One private bus named V.M. from Desur to Gingee also
goes through Seeyamangalam. However, frequency of buses to this village is
less. Hiring auto from Desur is a good option to reach.
References
