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Sunday, October 23, 2022

Melakkoil Cave Temple, Kudumiyanmalai – The Temple Complex

Melakkoil Cave Temple, Kudumiyanmalai – The Temple Complex

The rock cut cave temple complex consists of a rock cut cave shrine with structural mandapas in the front and two structural shrines. The rock cut cave temple is excavated on the eastern slope of low rising hillock and is facing towards east. The rock cut cave temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapa, mukha mandapa and maha mandapa. The maha mandapa was built in a raised level and can be reached by flight of steps on the northern and southern side.

An inscription on the basement of the outer wall of the mandapa near the steps records that the mandapa was built by Raghunatharaya Thondaiman. Few Chola period fragment inscriptions and a miniature sculpture of Nataraja can be seen on the southern side of the exterior wall of the mandapa. Nandi can be found in the maha mandapa facing towards the sanctum. Sculptures of Somaskanda and Chandeswara can be seen in the maha mandapa.

The sanctum, ardha mandapa and mukha mandapa is excavated from the rock. The mukha mandapa is supported by two pillars and pilasters. The pillars of the mukha mandapa resemble early Chalukyan style. The ardha mandapa is wider than the mukha mandapa. The ardha mandapa has niches on its lateral walls. The niches are carved with images of dvarapalas. Both the dvarapalas are shown standing in tribhanga posture, with one hand at their waist and another resting over a huge club. Both are shown with a third eye over their forehead.

The southern dvarapala is shown wearing a yajnopavita while the northern is without it. There is a label inscription in Pallava grantha script on the southern lateral wall of the ardha mandapa. This inscription reads as parivadinida. It refers to a stringed musical instrument. It seems that the notes in the musical inscription would have been meant to be played on this musical instrument. A rock cut niche enshrining an image of Valampuri Vinayaga can be seen below this label inscription.

He is four armed with his trunk turned towards right. His two upper hands holds the broken tusk and lotus and  one of his lower hand holds a modak and other lower hand rests over his waist. The western wall of the ardha mandapa is fully with inscriptions. The doorway to the sanctum is flanked by two pilasters. There are four Bhootaganas seen above the lintel of the sanctum door. Two ganas are in opposite direction just above the sanctum door, while the other two ganas are shown moving away are placed at the corners of the lintel.

All the four are depicted in flying posture. The sanctum is situated slightly above the ground floor of the ardha mandapa and can be reached after a flight of three steps. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Thirumetrali Mahadevar in the form of Linga housed in a square avudaiyar. The Linga and the avudaiyar was excavated from the mother rock.

Soundaranayaki / Malai Mangai Amman Shrine:

This structural shrine is situated on the south side of the rock cut cave shrine. This shrine consists of sanctum, ardha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is a closed pillared structure with entrances on eastern, northern and southern side. The eastern and northern entrances were provided with steps, but the southern entrance is without steps. The sanctum enshrines an image of Soundaranayaki / Malai Mangai. She is shown in standing posture. She is four armed. The upper hands holds neelotpala & lotus and lower hands show varada and abhaya hastha. There are niches on the three sides of the sanctum walls. All the niches are empty.

Ganesha Shrine:

This structural shrine is situated on the on the northern side of the rock cut cave shrine. This shrine is facing towards east. It consists of sanctum and entrance porch. The sanctum enshrines an image of Vinayaga. He is shown seated on a pedestal in maharajalilasana. He is four armed. His lower hands holds modaka & tusk and upper hands holds the pasa & angusa.

Musical Inscription:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2022/10/shikanathar-temple-complex-kudumiyanmalai-musical-inscription.html

Idampuri Vinayaga:

There is a niche enshrining Idampuri Vinayaga can be seen immediately to the southern side of the celebrated musical inscription. He is four armed with his trunk turned towards left. His two upper hands holds the ankusa & pasa and one of his lower hand holds the broken tusk and the object on the other lower hand is not identifiable.

Bas relief images of 64 Nayanmars:

Bas relief images of 64 Nayanmars with Lord Shiva and Parvati seated on Nandi at the center can be found above the cleft on the slope of the hillock. It is situated to the north of the cave temple. It is unusual to see the arrangement of Nayanmars in this fashion as the images of 63 Nayanmars are generally seen in the prakara of Shiva temples.

Inscriptions:

There are about forty-five inscriptions found in the rock cut cave temple. Out of 45, 26 inscriptions are found in the mukha mandapa and its pillars, 18 inscriptions are found in the walls of the mandapa and one inscription is found in the pilaster of the sanctum. Most of the inscriptions belonged to the Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas and Thondaiman Kings.

Shikanathar Temple Complex, Kudumiyanmalai – Musical Inscription

Shikanathar Temple Complex, Kudumiyanmalai – Musical Inscription

This temple is known for its celebrated musical inscription of Mahendra Pallava I. It is a rare treatise on musical notes. This inscription can be seen on the living rock to the south of the rock cut cave shrine. This inscription was discovered by Mr. Krishna Sastri in 1904 and was first edited by P R Bhandarkar in Epigraphia Indica volume XII. This inscription is written in the Grantha script and in Sanskrit language. It is carved on 13 feet by 14 feet wall and is in good state of preservation.

The wall and basement of the mandapam in front of the rock cut cave shrine hide parts of the last section of the inscription. The inscription is divided into seven sections and  starts with Sitham Namasivaya. Each section consists of a collection of groups of four notes (svaras), arranged in sub-sections of sixteen. Each sub-section takes up one line of the inscription. The seven sections are arranged in a specific manner and mentioned under specific heading, namely,

1.    Madhyamagrame Chatushprahara Svaragamah,

2.    Shadjagrame Chatushprahara Svaragamah,

3.    Shadave Chatushprahara Svaragamah,

4.    Sadharite Chatushprahara Svaragamah,

5.    Panchami Chatushprahara Svaragamah,

6.    Kaisikimadhyama Chatushprahara Svaragamah and

7.    Kaisike Chatushprahara Svaragamah.

There are two colophons at the end of the inscription, one in Sanskrit and one in Tamil. The Sanskrit colophon reads, “Texts of notes made for the benefit of pupils by the King, who is devotee of the Supreme Lord (Lord Shiva) and a pupil of Rudracharya and the Tamil colophon reads, “These are appropriate to eight or seven”. There is a single label inscription, written in the Pallava Grantha script, is inscribed near this musical inscription. This label reads, ‘Parivadini’. Parivadini is a big vina with seven strings. This inscription describes the notations for this seven-stringed musical instrument.

Shikanathar Temple Complex, Kudumiyanmalai – Legends

Shikanathar Temple Complex, Kudumiyanmalai – Legends

Kudumiyanmalai:

As per legend, a Pandyan king used to visit this temple daily in the evening to offer his worship. The priest used to give flowers as prasada to the king after his worship. The priest had a lover who would visit the temple for worship as well as for meeting his lover. One day, the priest was waiting for the king and the king did not turn up, but his lover came for the worship. The priest gave the flower intended for the prasada to the king to his lover. After her worship, both were talking happily about themselves. When she was about to leave, the king entered into the temple for his regular worship.

The priest got scared and hurriedly took the flowers from the head of his lover, offered to Lord and gave as prasada to the king. The king noticed a strand of hair in the flowers and enquired about the strand of hair in the flowers. The terrified priest lied to the king that the hair might have come from the Kudumi (tuft) of Lord Shiva. The king got curious and wanted to see the tuft by himself. The priest promised to show the tuft next day. The king locked the priest inside the temple and said that he would come tomorrow to see the tuft of Lord Shiva.

The frightened priest prayed to Lord Shiva whole night to save him from the impending danger. The king arrived next day and found a tuft on the Linga. When the king tried to pull the tuft, the blood started oozing out from the Linga. Thus, Lord Shiva came to be called as Kudumiyar / Shikanathar and the place came to be called as Kudumiyanmalai / Shikanallur. Kudumi means mount in Tamil. As the temple was located near a mount, he might have been praised as Kudumiyar.

Thiru Nala Kundram:

As per legend, Emperor Nala suffered from the malefic effects of Saneeswarar worshipped Lord Shikanathar for relief. Thus, the place came to be called as Thiru Nala Kundram. Those facing the adverse aspects of Sani Bhagwan pray here for relief. 

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Malligarjuneswarar Temple, Kanchipuram – Connectivity

Malligarjuneswarar Temple, Kanchipuram – Connectivity

The temple is located at about 750 metres from Kanchipuram East Railway Station, 1 Km from Kanchipuram Bus Stand and 1.5 Kms from Kanchipuram Railway Station. This temple is situated behind the Madha Koil. Kanchipuram is located at about 18 Kms from Walajabad, 31 Kms from Sriperumbudur, 40 Kms from Chengalpattu, 60 Kms from Chennai Airport, 67 Kms from Mahabalipuram and 72 Kms from Chennai.

By Road:

Kanchipuram is most easily accessible by road. The Chennai – Bangalore National Highway, NH 4 passes the outskirts of the city. Daily bus services are provided by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation to and from Chennai, Bangalore, Villupuram, Salem, Tirupati, Thiruthani, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Coimbatore, Tindivanam and Pondicherry. There are two major bus routes to Chennai, one connecting via Poonamallee and the other via Tambaram.

The Tamil Nadu state government operated transport corporation runs buses from Kanchipuram to most major towns in Tamil Nadu. Buses from Chennai leave for Kanchipuram every fifteen minutes from the Koyambedu interstate bus terminal. There is also an air-conditioned bus service numbered Z576 from 5.00 AM to 6.00 PM, which departs from the T-Nagar bus terminal every hour. Buses from Bangalore leave for Kanchipuram seven times a day.

By Train:

The city is also connected to the railway network through the Kanchipuram railway station. The Chengalpattu – Arakkonam railway line passes through Kanchipuram and travellers can access services to those destinations. Daily trains are provided to Pondicherry and Tirupati, and there is a weekly express train to Madurai and a bi-weekly express train to Nagercoil. Two passenger trains from both sides of Chengalpattu and Arakkonam pass via Kanchipuram.

By Air:

Nearest domestic as well as international airport is Chennai International Airport.

Malligarjuneswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Malligarjuneswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Malligarjuneswarar is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Malligarjuneswarar and Mother is called as Kamakshi. This temple is situated behind the Madha Koil.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. Balipeedam and Nandi can be found facing the sanctum. The temple consists of only sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Malligarjuneswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. As in other temples in Kanchipuram, there is no separate shrine of Parvathi as it is believed that Kamakshi of Kanchipuram Kamakshi Temple is the common Parvathi shrine for all Shiva temples.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2022/10/malligarjuneswarar-temple-kanchipuram-connectivity.html

Location

Kamala Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Arasar Koil – The Temple

Kamala Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Arasar Koil – The Temple

This temple is facing towards west with an entrance arch. Balipeedam, Dhwaja Sthambam and Garudazhwar can be seen immediately after the entrance arch, facing towards the sanctum. Only the base of the Dhwaja Sthambam exists. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, maha mandapam and pillared mukha mandapam. The sanctum enshrines an image of Kamala Varadaraja Perumal with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. 

The image is believed to be of Salagrama. He is seen in a standing pose and holds a lotus in his right hand which is rare. The vimana over the sanctum is called as Pranava Kodi Vimanam and is of two tiers. The Utsava (processional) idols is also called as Kamala Varadaraja Perumal. He is four armed and in standing posture. His upper arms holds the conch and discus, his lower right hand holds a lotus and lower left hand rests on a mace.

Mother is called as Sundara Mahalakshmi / Perundevi Thayar. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Sundara Maha Lakshmi enjoys the prime importance in this temple. The temple is also famously called as Sundara Maha Lakshmi Temple. It is a general practice in this temple to worship her first and then proceed to the Vishnu shrine. Her shrine consists of sanctum and mukha mandapam. She is four armed.

Her upper hands holds lotus and lower hands show abhaya & varada hastha. She is seated in the padmasana pose. It is unique to notice six toes in her right foot. She is seen in everlasting smile with chubby cheeks. The pillars of the mukha mandapam are intricately carved and made of resonant stone as they emit musical notes when tapped. Hence, these pillars are called as musical pillars.

The corbels of these pillars bear the plantain flower motif very characteristic of the architectural style of the Vijayanagara Empire. There is a hole at the top of the pillars. If anyone passes a thin stick through this hole, the stick comes out cut into four pieces. The vimana over her shrine is called as Shukra vimana.

There is a sculpture of Palapazha Siddhar carrying Jack fruit on his head can be seen in one of the pillars. It is said that Mother Sundara Maha Lakshmi has a preference over Jack fruit and the Siddhar used to offer jack fruit to Mother daily as nivedhana. Yoga Narasimha, Kubera, Kalinga Nardana, Paramapathanathar, and Trivikrama are the koshta idols located around the walls of her shrine.

There is an east facing shrine for Andal in the temple premises. The vimana over her shrine is called as Vasthu vimana. Shrines of Thumbikai Azhwar, Vishwakasena, Vedanta Desikar, Manavala Mamuni and Anjaneya can be seen in the temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Peepal tree. Theertham associated with this temple is Palar River.

Kamala Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Arasar Koil – Legends

Kamala Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Arasar Koil – Legends

Kamala Varadaraja Perumal:

As per legend, Lord Brahma sought the advice of several sages for relief from a curse. They informed him that his curse would be relieved where Lord Vishnu, ruler of the heavenly world and a king ruling over the earth appear together in earth for your worship. As per their advice, Lord Brahma came to earth searching for the place where his curse would be relieved. Lord Vishnu already decided to provide relief to Lord Brahma at this place and appeared in this place.

Meanwhile, King Janaka Maharaja, who was on pilgrimage all over the world, was passing through this place. He heard about the presence of Lord  Vishnu and came to this place for darshan. Brahma heard the news of Lord Vishnu and Janaka together at this place and not wanting to miss the opportunity, rushed to this place and worshipped Lord Vishnu & King Janaka and got relief from his curse.

As Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Vishnu, ruler of the heavenly world and King Janaka, ruling over the earth, the place came to be called as Arasar Koil (King’s Temple). It is also said that this temple was the first time constructed by King Janaka. Janaka decided to stay in this place for some time for worshipping Lord Vishnu. During his stay, he used to visit the temple daily for worship.

One day, Janaka didn’t visit the temple due to his official duty. Lord Vishnu himself went to the residence of Janaka. Lord Vishnu found Janaka was not at residence. Lord Vishnu went and sat on the throne of Janaka and performed the poojas as Janaka did to himself. Lord Vishnu informed the guards that the poojas which need to be performed today by Janaka had been completed. After a while, Janaka returned and astonished to hear that Lord Vishnu himself did the poojas in place of him.

Mother Lakshmi was upset over Lord Vishnu behaviour of visiting the residence of Janaka. Lord Vishnu pacified her and informed that the first right would be given to her in this temple. Pleased with Lord Vishnu assurance, Mother Lakshmi requested him to appear with lotus (Lotus represents Lakshmi) in his hand at this place. Lord Vishnu accepted and appeared as per her wish. Hence, Lord Vishnu came to be called as Kamala Varadaraja Perumal.

Older than Varadaraja Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram:

As per legend, Lord Brahma was in the process of collecting sand from Palar river at this place to make the sacrificial altar at Kanchipuram. He unearthed the idols of Kamala Varadaraja Perumal and his consorts Sridevi & Bhudevi during the process and installed these idols in this temple and worshipped them. Hence, this temple is considered as older than Varadaraja Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram.

Navagrahas worshipped Sundara Maha Lakshmi here:

It is believed that each of the nine Navagrahas along with their consorts worshiped Mother Sundara Maha Lakshmi at this temple in nine different Lakshmi forms.

Kubera worshipped Sundara Maha Lakshmi here:

As per legend, Lord Kubera got back his lost wealth by praying to Sundara Maha Lakshmi here.

Aadhi Lakshmi Thayar:

It is believed that she is considered as the earliest Thayar formed in the world. Hence, she came to be called as Aadhi Lakshmi Thayar.

Friday, October 21, 2022

Maheswarar Temple, Thandalam, Chengalpattu

Maheswarar Temple, Thandalam, Chengalpattu

Maheswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thandalam Village near Thiruporur Town in Thiruporur Taluk in Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu Presiding deity is called as Maheswarar and Mother is called as Maheswari. The temple is situated on the banks of the temple tank.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. It is completely newly built temple. The temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam are open mandapam. Idols of Vinayaga and Murugan can be seen at the entrance of the sanctum. Presiding deity is called as Maheswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam. Mother is called as Maheswari. The vimana over the sanctum is in the shape of Shiva Lingam. Idols of Chandikeswarar and Jyestha Devi dating back to the Pallava period were found near the temple and were installed in the temple premises.

Contact

Maheswarar Temple,

Thandalam – 603 105

Thiruporur Taluk,

Chengalpattu District

Mobile: +91 87544 01805 / 97908 15110 / 95662 67461

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 250 metres from Thandalam Bus Stop, 1 Km from Thiruporur Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Thiruporur, 15 Kms from Mamallapuram, 25 Kms from Chengalpattu, 27 Kms from Chengalpattu Junction Railway Station, 42 Kms from Chennai Airport and 46 Kms from Chennai. The temple is situated on Thiruporur to Mamallapuram (OMR) route. All buses going to Mamallapuram in OMR passes through this village. Buses are available from Tambaram, Thiruporur and Chennai.

Location

Veera Vara Nathar Temple, Kinar – The Temple

Veera Vara Nathar Temple, Kinar – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with a mandapa style entrance arch on the southern side. The entrance arch has stucco images of Rishabaroodar flanked by Murugan and Vinayaga. Deepa Sthamba, Balipeedam, Dhwaja Sthambam and Nandi can be found facing towards the sanctum through a window. The temple consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam.


Presiding deity is called as Veera Vara Nathar / Veeravaneswarar / Nethrapureeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). The Lingam is said to be one of the biggest in Tamil Nadu. There is large sculpture of Somaskanda (Lord Shiva & Parvathy with Lord Murugan) flanked by Vishnu on the left side and Brahma & Chandikeswara on the right side on the wall behind the Lingam.


This representation is usually seen in the temples built by the Pallavas. Nardana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Indra can be seen between the Nandi and the presiding deity. He is seen sitting on his mount Airavata, white elephant. He is two armed holding his Vajrayudha and in worshipping posture. It is a unique feature nowhere to be seen.


Mother is called as Amba Nayagi / Kamba Nayagi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated to the right side of the Dhwaja Sthambam. She is about five feet tall. There is a shrine for Varadaraja Perumal along with his consorts Sridevi & Bhoodevi in the maha mandapam. There is a south facing shrine for Nataraja along with his consort Shivagami in the maha mandapam. There is a Navagraha shrine near to the mother shrine.


Navagrahas are depicted with their respective mounts in the shrine. Shrines of Karpaga Vinayaga, Bala Subramanya, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Nalvar, Bhairava, Suryan, Chandran and Nagas can be found in the temple premises. There is a large temple tank situated in front of the temple. There is a large Peepal tree with Naga idols below it. Inscriptions dating back to the Pallavas and Vijayanagara Kingdom can be found in this temple.