Pancha Mukheswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikoil, Trichy

Pancha Mukheswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikoil, Trichy

Pancha Mukheswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thiruvanaikoil near Trichy City in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Pancha Mukheswarar and Mother is called as Thiripura Sundari.

Legends

Vishrawas had two sons, Kubera and Ravana. Their mothers were different. They were against each other since childhood and this enmity too grew to dangerous proportions when they grew. Kubera lost all his wealth including his Pushpaka Vimana aircraft. Kubera prayed to Lord Mahadeva – Lord Shiva for relief and recovery of his wealth. A voice said that Lord Maha Vishnu would be born to Emperor Dasharatha as Sri Rama who would kill Ravana and that his riches including the Pushpaka aircraft would reach him back. Kubera built a Shiva temple on the banks of Cauvery, worshipped Lord Shiva as Raja Rajeswara. With the grace of Lord Shiva, he got back his riches after the end of Ravana at the hands of Lord Sri Rama.

The Temple

Presiding Deity is called as Pancha Mukheswarar. Lord Pancha Mukheswarar graces the devotees from the sanctum sanctorum in Shiva Linga form with four faces facing four directions and the Linga is accounted for the total of five faces. As Lord is facing all directions, it is explained that he protects devotees from all directions. The four Vedas are behind the Lord in the form of Salagrama stones.

Lord Shiva is praised by the Panchakshara – five letter Mantra – Na Ma Shi Va Ya representing His five faces – Sadashiva, Eeshana, Tatpurusha, Vamadevam, Agoram and Satyojatham. The Adhomukha is upward which is invisible. Mother is called as Thiripura Sundari. Mother is holding conches in both upper hands and the lower two hands offer Abhaya – protection from fear – to the devotees.

The shrines of Lord and Mother are opposite to each other, a rare feature in this temple. As they are opposite to each other, devotees can have the darshan of both simultaneously. It is believed that this darshan ensures timely wedding to the devotee. Conch abishek is dedicated to both Lord and Mother on Karthikai Mondays in November-December.

There is a shrine for Lord Rajarajeswarar, the prominent deity of the temple. There is Nandhi and Bali Peeta before this sanctum sanctorum. People worship Lord Rajarajeswara seeking wealth boon, as he was worshipped by Kubera, the God of Wealth. The devotee also would get back what he/she lost earlier.

Special abisheks are dedicated to Lord Kala Bhairava in the east prakara on the Ashtami day – eighth day – following the full moon day. The Linga, praised as Chatus Sashti Kaleswara and the Chatus Sashti Kaleswari are nearby – that is the power of 64 (Chatus Sashti) are in a single Shivalinga placed on a lotus shaped Avudayar – the stage or platform on which the Linga is installed – in a hexagonal form.

There are 64 lines on the Linga representing the Chatus Sashti philosophy. Devotees praise this form as Maha Sadashiva Murthy and Ashtashta Linga Murthy. Sthala Vriksham is Maha Vilwa. There are 16 petals in a single leaf of the Maha Vilwa tree.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 6.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Festivals

Monthly Shivrathris; Maha Shivrathri in February-March; monthly pradoshas; Conch Abishek on Karthikai Mondays in November-December and Aippasi Annabishekam in October-November are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Prayers

People pray to Lord and Mother for wedding, child, health and wealth boons. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer vastras.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 300 meters from Thiruvanaikoil Jambukeswarar Temple, 1 Km from Thiruvanaikoil Bus Stop, 2 Kms from Srirangam, 3 Kms from Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, 3 Kms from Srirangam Railway Station, 5 Kms from Trichy Chathiram Bus Stand, 9 Kms from Trichy, 13 Kms from Trichy Central Bus Stand, 13 Kms from Trichy Railway Station and 14 Kms from Trichy Airport.

Location

Angala Parameswari Temple, Thuraiyur, Trichy

Angala Parameswari Temple, Thuraiyur, Trichy

Angala Parameswari Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi located at Thuraiyur Town in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Angala Parameswari. This temple is approximately 300 years old. The temple is situated in the Chandai road of Thuraiyur.

Legends

Angala Parameswari:

It seems, a son of Goddess Parvathi called Kathava Rayan was guarding her house, but he was very mischievous and when the seven maids complained to Lord Shiva, he came there to punish Kathavarayan. Being a mother, the Goddess wanted to protect her son and gave the boon of immortality (His body would never be burnt in cremation ground). Shiva got further enraged and cursed Goddess Parvathi to leave his left side of the body and to be born in earth. Lord Vishnu who was her brother came with her to help her. Kathavarayan also got reformed and started helping her. The Goddess then became Angala Parameswari and started protecting people around Thurayur.

Pechiamman:

The region was once under the rule of a miser king named Vallala Raja. He was stingy to the core that he covered even the fields with a net so that crows and sparrows could not touch the grains. He had no progeny to succeed him to the throne. At last the king came to this temple for his prayers. Answering his prayers, the queen became pregnant. But though 15 months were over, she did not deliver the child.

With great pain in the heart, the king and queen came to this temple and begged the Goddess to help them. Immediately the goddess took the form of an old woman came before them and took out the child from the queen with bare hands. Then old woman took the fierce form of Pechiamman and listening to the prayers of the royal couple took the form of the peaceful Angala Parameswari. The king got reformed and started helping all people generously.

The Temple

The Temple is having three tiered Rajagopuram and is facing east. Agora Veera Bhadra, Kuthirai Veeran, Pavadai Rayan, Esakki Amman, Periyannachami, Muthu Karuppannasami, Thengu Perumal and Rahu kala Durga on the left side immediately after the entrance. Madurai Veeran with his wife can be seen on the right side immediately after the entrance. Sanctum is situated next to Madurai Veeran.

Lord Ganesha and Murugan can be seen at the entrance of the sanctum. Sanctum is also guarded by Dwara Palakis. Sanctum houses the presiding deity, Angala Parameswari. She is sitting posture with four hands and having everlasting smile on her face. She is accompanied by Maheshwari, Mahishasura Mardini, Vaishnavi, Brahmi and Durga Idols. In the sanctum.

There is also a shrine for Pechi Amman in the Temple premises. Goddess Pechi Amman appears in this shrine with a child on her lap while at the other side Goddess appears in a furious form tearing the stomach of the queen to take out the child.

There is a shrine for Periyanayaki in a lying (Sayana) form. The length is 8.75 feet. To see Goddess in a lying form (Sayana) is very rare in Shakti temples. Quite a few are there. Koniamman in Coimbatore and Vandi Maricha Amman in Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli district are in this form. The temple tree is the ber tree (Ilandhai tree) and nearby is the Karuppa Sami who is in standing pose playing the flute.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Festivals

Shivarathri is an important festival in this temple. 9-day Mayana Kollai festival beginning the next day of Shivrathri is celebrated in the temple. On Deepavali and the first of Chithirai month, special worship is done to the Goddess.

Prayers

Majority of the devotees visiting the temple are women seeking child boon and marriage. Women pray in the Pechiamman shrine and tie toy cradles in the tree nearby. Pregnant women have the faith that the delivery of the child would be normal even if they pray to the Goddess sitting in their home and places. Devotees offer abishek and cloths (vastras) to the Goddess as prayer commitment.

Contact

Angalaparameswari Temple,

Thuraiyur,

Trichy District – 621 010

Phone: +91 90422 14140

Connectivity

This temple lies in the heart of the Thuraiyur Town. The Temple is located at about 700 meters from Thuraiyur Bus Stand, 33 Kms Samayapuram, 38 Kms from Srirangam, 42 Kms from Perambalur and 46 Kms from Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located at Trichy (49 Kms) and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy (50 Kms).

Location

Mari Amman Temple, Manapparai, Trichy

Mari Amman Temple, Manapparai, Trichy

Mari Amman Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Rain Goddess located at Manapparai Town in Trichy District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Manapparai Mari Amman / Veppilai Mari Amman.

Legends

The place was earlier dense with tall bamboo trees. There were neem trees also in a particular spot. While the bamboo trees were removed, it became necessary to remove a neem tree also in the middle. People found a stone under the tree. While trying to remove the stone with a crowbar, it began to bleed. The villagers gathered there. One gentleman possessed by a divine spirit shouted that “I am Mahamaayi (Mari Amman). I am under this tree for a long time. If you build a temple and worship me, I shall be the caretaker of your place and families”. They built the temple and installed the stone in the sanctum.

This sacred stone is still in the temple. Aarati is offered to the present idol Amman only after pujas dedicated to this stone. As she was found under the neem tree, She was named Veppilai Mari Amman. As Amman was found with the smell of Veppilai and in Manaparai, devotees praise her as Veppilai Mari Amman and Manaparai Mari Amman. Manam in Tamil also means wedding; hence this also may be the basis for the name Manaparai Mari Amman.

The Temple

Manapparai Mari Amman is celebrated as the younger sister of Samayapuram Mariamman. It is noteworthy that the younger sister is on the southern bank of Cauvery and that of the elder in Samayapuram is on northern bank.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Festivals

Tiruvilakku Puja on the Tamil New Year Day falling almost on April 14, Milk Pot carrying on the second day and Purattasi Navarathri in September-October are the festivals observed in the temple.

Prayers

Devotees pray to Mother Mari Amman for timely rain and farm yields carrying germinated seeds - Mulaipari in Tamil and conduct a ritual called Vedarpari with Amman on the horse vahana. Those facing delays in marriage tie a yellow thread in a neem tree behind the Ambika shrine. They tie bangles and Vel (leaf shaped spear) in the tree for child boon. They tie the yellow thread and bangles in the tree again on realizing their wish.

Besides following the above prayers for marriage and child boon, devotees carry milk pots in procession on the 15th day Chithirai festival in April-May seeking the grace of Amman for total salvation from the cycle of births and deaths, for healthy life free of diseases, family unity, progress in trade and farm yields, education, longevity and a loving wife/husband.

Contact

Mari Amman Temple,

Manapparai,

Trichy District – 621 306

Phone: +91 4332 260 998

Mobile: +91 98420 80312

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 600 meters from Manapparai Bus Station, 600 meters from Manapparai Railway Station, 14 Kms from Thogaimalai, 46 Kms from Trichy and 43 Kms from Trichy Airport.

Location

Mukkombu Dam (Upper Anaicut), Trichy

Mukkombu Dam (Upper Anaicut), Trichy

Mukkombu Dam, also known as Upper Anaicut is a dam built on the Kaveri River, situated near Trichy City in Trichy District of Tamil Nadu. The Dam is built at a point where River Kollidam branches out from the main river, Cauvery. It breaks into two channels at the Upper Anaicut to form the island of Srirangam.

History

The regulator dam was constructed between 1836 and 1838 by Sir Arthur Cotton, a British irrigation engineer who was inspired by the architectural beauty of Grand Anaicut canal built by Karikala Chola in Kallanai of Trichy District in the second century. On 22-23 August 2018, nine of the forty-five shutters had washed away due to the heavy flow of water and the weakened piers.

The Dam

Mukkombu Dam is about 685-meter long (2283 foot). The Dam is built at a point where River Kollidam branches out from the main river, Cauvery. It is lovely picnic spot skirting acres of verdant greenery. The place also has a well-manicured park. This place has a small toy train, some joy rides for kids and a small island in the middle of the river. Beware of monkeys. Few of them snatching food from various visitors. It is open for people on all days including public holidays from 10 AM-5 PM.

Connectivity

Mukkombu Dam is located at about 650 meters from Elamanur Railway Station, 1 Km from Kodiyalam Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Andanallur, 4 Kms from Jeeyapuram, 20 Kms from Srirangam, 19 Kms from Trichy Central Bus Stand, 20 Kms from Trichy Railway Junction and 15 Kms from Trichy Chatiram Bus Station and 25 Kms from Trichy Airport.

Location

Kallanai Dam – History

Kallanai Dam – History

Karikala Chola is known as the man responsible for the Kallanai dam. As King of the Chola Dynasty during the Sangam period, Karikala came into power sometime around 190 AD. Karikala’s reign was defined by trade, war, and construction. He filled his kingdoms coffers by expanding trade with the Roman empire. He then took the wealth gained through that trade and used it to fund wars and construction projects. Stories tell of Karikala fighting many battles and expanded the territory controlled by the Chola dynasty into the territory known as Ceylon, but his most lasting contribution to the area is the Grand Anicut.

His goal was to shift the flow of water from the Kaveri river to help irrigate the dry areas around the Cauvery Delta. Historical and physical evidence suggests that construction of the Grand Anicut took place around 200 AD. It was following the wars in which Karikala lead his forces to conquer the Sinhalese kingdom. Captured Sinhalese soldiers were brought back to Chola and forced to build the dam. It’s a dark history for a beautiful structure, but it’s important to remember that such practices were all too common throughout the ancient world.

The idea behind the construction of the dam was to divert the river to the delta districts thereby boosting irrigation. The dam was re-modeled by the British during the 19^th century. In 1804, Captain Caldwell, a military engineer, was appointed by the British to make a study on the Kaveri river and promote irrigation for the delta region. He found that a large amount of water passed onto the Kollidam leaving behind a small volume for irrigation purposes. Caldwell initially proposed a solution by raising the dam and hence raised the dam stones to a height of 69 centimeters (27 in), thus increasing the capacity of the dam. 

Following this, Major Sim proposed the idea of under sluices across the river with outlets leading to the Kollidam River (Coloroon) thus preventing formation of silt. The Lower Anaicut built by Sir Arthur Cotton in 19^th century CE across Coleroon, the major tributary of Cauvery, is said to be a replicated structure of Kallanai. Remembering Karikalan contribution, The Karikala Chozhan Memorial Building was built on the Eastern side of the Grand Anicut by Tamil Nadu Government in 2014.

Kallanai Dam, Trichy

Kallanai Dam, Trichy

Kallanai (also known as the Grand Anicut) is an ancient dam, which is built (in running water) across the Kaveri river in Trichy District in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. The dam was originally constructed by the Chola King Karikalan in 2nd century AD. Kallanai Dam is the fourth-oldest water-diversion or water-regulator structures in the world and the oldest in India which is still in use.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/06/kallanai-dam-history.html

Geography

The Kaveri river splits into two at a point 20 miles (32 km) west of Kallanai. The two rivers form the island of Srirangam before joining at Kallanai. The northern channel is called the Kollidam (Coleroon); the other retains the name Kaveri, and empties into the Bengal at Poompuhar. On the seaward face of its delta are the seaports of Nagapattinam and Karaikal.

The Dam

Kallanai is considered as one of the oldest water diversion or water regulator structure in the world which is still functioning. The purpose of the Kallanai was to divert the waters of the Kaveri across the fertile delta region for irrigation via canals and to its northern delta branch Kollidam / Coleroon. Downstream of the barrage, the river Kaveri splits into four streams known as Kollidam Aru, Kaviri, Vennaaru and Puthu Aru. However, the flood waters can be allowed, by opening the barrage / Anaicut gates, to pass through the other three delta branches also to join the sea. 

It is constructed from unhewn stone spanning the Kaviri and is 329 m (1,079 ft) long, 20 m (66 ft) wide and 5.4 m (18 ft) high. The dam is still in excellent condition, and supplied a model to later engineers, including Sir Arthur Cotton's 19^th century dam across the Kollidam, the major tributary of the Kaveri. The area irrigated by the ancient irrigation network is about 69,000 acres (28,000 ha). By the early 20^th century, the irrigated area had been increased to about one million acres (400,000 ha).

The dam was constructed in an elegant way to see the dam from any point. The original dam was built as a check dam. It was built using unhewn stones that were laid against the flow of the river water to divert the flow. The dam would limit the water that flowed from the Kaveri into the Kollidam most of the year while allowing excess water to flow into the Kollidam during floods. This would allow more water to continue down the Kaveri and into tributaries and manmade irrigation canals.

The main genius of the original design is that it worked with the natural flow of the Kaveri and the Kollidam, achieving its results by making small changes rather than trying to force nature to dramatically change its course. That allowed the dam to continue to do its work for a thousand and a half years with minimal upkeep. The Kallanai dam has stood the test of time, continuing to perform its intended purpose more than 1800 years after its original construction.

However, the dam hasn’t stood untouched all that time. As with any modern dam, the Grand Anicut required upkeep. The biggest changes occurred in the 1800s when the British decided that the dam needed modernization. The main change was the addition of more stones to raise the dam and increase the amount of water being diverted. This shouldn’t take away from anyone’s appreciation of the dam, most ancient dams that are still standing today have gone through similar updates at some point in their history.

The fact that the original design lasted for around 16 centuries is a testament to the incredible minds of the ancient Indian engineers who designed the structure. Also, it is said that famed British irrigation expert Sir Arthur Cotton modeled his own dam designs after the Kallanai. Today the Grand Anicut is a functioning dam, a tourist destination, and a symbol of Indian history.

During the years of British rule, it was common for the intelligence and ingenuity of the Indian people to be downplayed by their colonial rulers. In truth, the ancient Indians were ahead of their European counterparts in many ways, and structures like the Kallanai dam have become important reminders of the region’s rich history. The dam is a source of pride for residents of Tamil Nadu in particular and Indians in general.

Connectivity

Kallanai Dam is located at about 2 Kms from Thogur, 8.5 Kms from Lalgudi, 9 Kms from Lalgudi Railway Station, 9 Kms from Lalgudi Bus Station, 12 Kms from Sarkarpalayam, 17 Kms from Trichy Chatiram Bus Station, 18 Kms from Srirangam, 23 Kms from Trichy Central Bus Stand, 24 Kms from Trichy Railway Junction and 24 Kms from Trichy Airport. From Sarkarpalayam village, one can take the Sarkarpalayam – Kallanai road and 2 Kms after reaching Thogur village, lies the Kallanai Dam. Taxis can be hired from Trichy and Lalgudi.

Location

Karikala Cholan Manimandapam, Kallanai, Trichy

Karikala Cholan Manimandapam, Kallanai, Trichy

Karikala Cholan Manimandapam (memorial hall) was built in honour of the Chola King Karikala who built the Grand Anicut. Karikala Chozhan Memorial Hall was located on the Eastern side of the Grand Anicut. It was built by Tamil Nadu Government in 2014.

Life History of Karikala Chola

Karikala Chola was a Chola king who ruled in southern India during the Sangam period. He is recognized as the greatest Kings of the Early Cholas.

Sources:

The story of Karikala is mixed with legend and anecdotal information gleaned from Sangam literature. The only sources available are the numerous mentions in Sangam poetry. The period covered by the extant literature of the Sangam is unfortunately not easy to determine with any measure of certainty. Pattinappalai, Porunararruppatai and a number of individual poems in the Akananuru and Purananuru have been the main source for the information that is attributed to Karikala. No authentic records of Karikala's reign have been found so far. However, many rulers and petty chiefs who came after him claimed him as their ancestor and decorated themselves as belonging to the solar race of Karikala and of the Kashyapa gotra.

Early Life:

Karikala Chola was the son of Chola King Ilam Chet Chenni. The name Karikalan has been held to mean "the man with the charred leg" and perpetuates the memory of a fire accident in the early years of his life. Some scholars also hold the view Kari and Kalan are Tamil words meaning "slayer of elephants". 

Porunararruppatai describes the back-formed origin legend of this incident as follows:

The king of Urayur Ilam Chet Chenni married a Velir princess from Azhundur and she became pregnant and gave birth to Karikala. Ilam Chet Chenni died soon after. Due to his young age, Karikala's right to the throne was overlooked and there was political turmoil in the country. Karikala was exiled. When normality returned, the Chola ministers sent a state elephant to look for the prince. The elephant found the prince hiding in Karuvur. His political opponents arrested and imprisoned him.

The prison was set on fire that night. Karikala escaped the fire and, with the help of his uncle Irum-pitar-thalaiyan, defeated his enemies. Karikala’s leg was scorched in the fire and from thence Karikala became his name. Old Sangam Age inscriptions and also Sthala puranam of great ancient Saiva shrine at Parasalur, near Mayavaram says that in order to escape the murder plot hatched by conspirators Karikal Valavan stayed there in disguise of a Vedic and agama Sastra lecturer for eight years. 

Pattinappalai, written in praise of Karikala also describes this incident, but without mention of the fable of the burnt limb. Like the Tiger cub with its sharp claws and its curved stripes growing (strong) within the cage, his strength came to maturity (like wood in grain) while he was in the bondage of his enemies. As the large-trunked elephant pulls down the banks of the pit, and joins its mate, even so after deep and careful consideration, he drew his sword, effected his escape by overpowering the strong guard and attained his glorious heritage in due course.

Military Conquests:

Battle of Venni:

According to the Porunararruppatai, Karikala Chola fought a great Battle of Venni in which both Pandya and Chera kings suffered a defeat. Although we know very little about the circumstances leading to this battle, there can be no doubt that it marked the turning point in Karikala’s career, for in this battle he broke the back of the powerful confederacy formed against him. Besides the two crowned kings of the Pandya and Chera countries, eleven minor chieftains took the opposing side in the campaign and shared defeat at the hands of Karikala. 

The Chera king, who was wounded on his back in the battle, committed suicide by starvation. Venni was the watershed in the career of Karikala which established him firmly on his throne and secured for him some sort of hegemony among the three crowned monarchs. Venni is also known as Vennipparandalai and now it is known as Kovil Venni and is situated near Thanjavur. The battle is considered historical and dated approximately to 190 CE.

Further Wars and Conquests:

After the battle of Venni, Karikala had other opportunities to exercise his arms. He defeated the confederacy of nine minor chieftains in the battle of Vakaipparandalai. Paranar, a contemporary of Karikala, in his poem from Akananuru mentions this incident without giving any information on the cause of the conflict. According to legends Karikala was one of the few Tamil kings who won the whole of Ceylon (Lanka).

The Grand anicut was built after his conquest over the Sinhalese kingdom and he used Sinhalese war prisoners for the hard task of moving stones from the mountains to the river bed of the Kaveri. The Pattinappalai also describes the destruction caused by Karikala’s armies in the territories of his enemies and adds that as the result of these conflicts, the "Northerners and Westerners were depressed and his flushed look of anger caused the Pandya’s strength to give way".

Grand Anicut:

The Grand Anicut, also known as the Kallanai was built by Karikala and is considered one of the oldest water-diversion or water-regulator structures in the world which is still in use. A later Chola record from Thiruvaduthurai refers to this event that is raising the banks of the Kaveri by Parakesari Karikala Chola. Later Chola kings attributed the building of dikes along the banks of the Kaveri to Karikala. The raising of the banks of the river Kaveri by Karikala is also mentioned by the Melapadu plates of Punyakumara: karuna – saroruha vihita – vilochana – pallava – trilochana pramukha kilapritvisvara karita kaveri tira (he who caused the banks of the Kaveri to be constructed by all the subordinate kings led by the Pallava Trinetra whose third eye was blinded by his lotus foot).

Karikala Cholan Manimandapam

Karikala Cholan Manimandapam (memorial hall) was built in honour of the king who built the Grand Anicut. The hall designed as per Tamil architecture style was built at a cost of Rs. 2.10 crore. It features a bronze statue of the king seated on elephant.

Connectivity

Karikala Cholan Manimandapam is located at about 2 Kms from Thogur, 8.5 Kms from Lalgudi, 9 Kms from Lalgudi Railway Station, 9 Kms from Lalgudi Bus Station, 12 Kms from Sarkarpalayam, 17 Kms from Trichy Chatiram Bus Station, 18 Kms from Srirangam, 23 Kms from Trichy Central Bus Stand, 24 Kms from Trichy Railway Junction and 24 Kms from Trichy Airport. From Sarkarpalayam village, one can take the Sarkarpalayam – Kallanai road and 2 Kms after reaching Thogur village, lies the Karikala Cholan Manimandapam. Taxis can be hired from Trichy and Lalgudi.

Location