Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Ambal – Religious Significance

Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Ambal – Religious Significance

Mada Kovils:

Kochengat Chola was an early Chola king and one of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints) of Saivism. He is believed to have attained spiritual rebirth of a spider that fought with an elephant in its previous birth over the worship of the Lord Shiva. He had red eyes during birth as he remained in his mother’s womb a little longer. His mother, looking into the baby red eyes said Kochengkannano (in Tamil Ko=king, Cheng=red, Kan=eyes), which literally means king with red eyes and hence he was named Kochengat Cholan. After becoming a king, he followed Saivism and built 70 Maadakovils,temples with elevated structure where elephants cannot reach the sanctum, in the Chola empire. It is believed that this temple is one of the temple built by him.

Paadal Petra Sthalams:

This temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram hymns. This temple is the 171^st Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 54^th sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. 

Thirupugazh Sthalam:

Lord Murugan of this temple is praised by Saint Arunagirinathar in his revered Thirupugazh hymns. Hence, the temple is considered as one among the Thirupugazh Sthalams.

Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Ambal – History

Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Ambal – History

The temple is believed to be built in 3^rd Century CE. It is believed that this temple is considered as one of the Mada Temples built by Kochengata Chola, an early Chola Emperor. The temple was reconstructed in granite by the Later Cholas and extensively renovated by Pandyas, Vijayanagara Kings, Marathas and Nayak rulers. There are about four inscriptions in this temple.

The inscription found on the Somaskandar Temple dates back to the 10^th regnal year of Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I. This inscription is the only complete inscription in this temple. It records the endowment of burning two perpetual lamps to Uyyakondar Valanaattu Ambar Nattu Vaikavur Ethirili Chozha Nerkundram Ethirili Chozheeswaram Udayar temple by a merchant of Ambar.  The other three inscriptions are either damaged or incomplete.

The two fragment inscriptions dating back to the fifth and ninth regnal years of Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I records the sale of lands through auction. The other fragment inscription dating back to Chola King Kulothunga III records his conquering of Madurai, Sri Lanka, Karuvur and Pandyan crown. It also mentions a place called Melur (Arithuva Nerkundram), existed during the Chola period. 

Patcheeswarar Temple, Cheyyar, Thiruvannamalai

Patcheeswarar Temple, Cheyyar, Thiruvannamalai

Patcheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Cheyyar Town in Cheyyar Taluk in Thiruvannamalai District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Patcheeswarar and Mother is called as Parvathy. This temple is considered as one of the oldest temple located at the heart of the Cheyyar Town. This temple is situated on the northern banks of Cheyyar River.

Legends

As per legend, Garuda, the mount of Lord Vishnu, worshipped Lord Shiva here. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Patcheeswarar.

History

The Temple is believed to be built by Pallavas in 7^th century CE.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with five tiered rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dhwaja Sthambam and Nandi can be found in the mukha mandapam facing the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The mukha mandapam connects the rajagopuram with the maha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Patcheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.

Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. There is a south facing Nataraja sabha in the maha mandapam. The Nataraja sabha enshrines the bronze sculptures of Nataraja with his consort Shivagami and Sekkizhar. Mother is called as Parvathi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Shrines of Vinayaga, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Garuda, Gajalakshmi and Nalvar in the temple premises.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 06.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 04.00 PM to 09.00 PM.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 750 metres from Cheyyar Bus Stand, 21 Kms from Vandavasi, 28 Kms from Kanchipuram, 33 Kms from Kanchipuram Railway Station, 41 Kms from Arcot, 61 Kms from Chengalpattu, 82 Kms from Thiruvannamalai and 90 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Temple is situated in Cheyyar Town on Arcot to Vandavasi route.

Location

Vedapuriswarar Temple, Cheyyar – The Temple

Vedapuriswarar Temple, Cheyyar – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with seven tiered rajagopuram. The temple covers an area of about five acres and has two prakarams. The temple is completely enclosed within compound walls. There is a mandapam immediately after the rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwaja Sthambam and Nandi can be found after this mandapam. Nandi is facing towards the rajagopuram i.e. outside. It is an unusual feature as the Nandi in other temples always faces the sanctum.

There is a five tiered gopuram at the entrance of the inner prakaram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Presiding deity is called as Vedapureeswarar / Vedhanathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam in a square avudaiyar. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy (self-manifested). The sun rays fall directly on the Shiva Lingam every day.

Nardana Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Utsava idols of Bikshadana, Chandrasekarar with goddess Parvati, Arumugam with his consorts Valli & Devasena can be seen in the maha mandapam. Mother is called as Balakujambigai / Ilamulai Nayagi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. She is about three feet tall and in standing posture.

She is four armed and holds rudraksha mala & lotus bud in her upper hands and shows varada & abhaya hastha in her lower hands. An image of Ganapathy can be seen in the koshta of her shrine. The speciality of this temple is that one will be to have darshan of the Lord Shiva, goddess Parvati, Murugan, Vinayaga, Navagrahas and Palm tree standing in particular spot in maha mandapam. There is a huge palm tree made of stone in the south east corner of the inner prakaram.

The half of this stone palm tree depicts a male palm tree and the other depicts a female palm tree. A Shiva Lingam can be seen under this tree. An idol of Thirugnana Sambandar can be seen next to the Shiva Lingam. The idol of Sambandar looks like he is reciting the pathigam depicting the legend of converting male palm tree to female palm tree. There is a separate shrine for Nagalingam in the inner prakaram.

Navagraha shrine is situated in front of the Nagalingam shrine. Special Poojas are performed to Nagalingam and Navagrahas during Rahu Kala and Saturdays. There are five shrines representing Pancha Bhootha Sthalams of India namely Chidambaram, Thiruvanaikaval, Kanchipuram, Kalahasthi and Thiruvannamalai in the inner prakaram. Devotees will get the benefit of praying at all these places here itself.

There is an east facing shrine for Arumugam in the north western side of the sanctum. He has six faces and is twelve armed. He is seen sitting over his peacock mount flanked by his consorts Valli and Devasena. Lord Murugan of this shrine had been praised in Thirupugazh hymns of Saint Arunagirinathar. Idols of all the four Santhana Kuravarkal namely Meikandar, Arulnandhi Sivam, Maraignana Sambanthar and Umapathi Sivam can be seen in the temple premises.

Shrines & Idols of Vinayaga, Balamurugan, Nataraja, Veerabhadra, 108 Lingam, Naalvar, 63 Nayanmars, Valampuri Vinayagar, Nagas, Bhairava, Suryan, Adhi Kesava Perumal, Sapta Matrikas and Chandran can be seen in the inner prakaram. Theerthams associated with this temple are Cheyyaru river and Kalyana Kodi Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Palm Tree. It is situated in the northern outer prakaram.

Vedapuriswarar Temple, Cheyyar – Religious Significance

Vedapuriswarar Temple, Cheyyar – Religious Significance

Sthala Vriksham as Palm Tree:

This temple is considered as one of the few temples where palm tree is the Sthala Vriksham. The temples are;

1. Aruna Jadeswarar Temple, Thiruppanandal, Thanjavur

2. Soundareswararswamy Temple, Thiruppanaiyur, Thiruvarur

3. Thalapureeswarar Temple, Thiruppanangadu, Thiruvannamalai

4. Panangaateeswarar Temple, Panaiyapuram, Villupuram

5. Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple, Thirumazhapadi, Ariyalur

6. Valampuranathar Temple, Melaperumpallam, Mayiladuthurai

7. Vedapuriswarar Temple, Cheyyar, Thiruvannamalai

Paadal Petra Sthalams:

This temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams (Shiva Sthalams) glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems. This temple is considered as the 8^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.

Thirupugazh Sthalams:

Lord Murugan of this temple had been praised by Saint Arunagirinathar in his Thirupugazh hymns. Hence, this temple is considered one among the Thirupugazh Sthalams.

Vedapuriswarar Temple, Cheyyar – History

Vedapuriswarar Temple, Cheyyar – History

The temple is said to have been in existence from 6^th century CE. The temple might have been reconstructed completely in granite by the Cholas. There are about five inscriptions in the walls of the Chidambareswarar shrine. Two of the inscriptions are dated to the reign of Parantaka Chola I, one of the inscription is dated to the reign of Rashtrakuta King Krishna III and another one is dated to reign of Rajaraja Chola I.

The final inscription is the foundation inscription without mentioning the name and the regnal year of the reigning king. It records that the Sankaranarana Isvaragriham was built by Aditta Kuttiyar in memory of his elder brother Sankaranaranar. This shrine has earlier Chola inscriptions than the main shrine. This shrine might have been built by Aditya Chola I or Parantaka Chola I.

Inscriptions dating back to the reigns of Parantaka Chola I, Rajaraja Chola I, Rajathiraja Chola I, Virarajendra Chola, Kulothunga Chola I, Vikrama Chola, Kulothunga Chola II, Rajathiraja Chola II, Kulothunga Chola III, Rajaraja Chola III & Rajendra Chola III, Pothapi Chola, Rashtrakuta King Krishna III, Kadava King Kopperunchinga, Pandyan Kings Sundara Pandya & Veera Pandya and Rajanarayana Sambuvarayar can be found in this temple.

Lord Shiva was called as Vothur Udaya Nayanar and the place was called as Jayankonda Chozhamandalathu Kazhiyur Nattu Thiruvothur as per the inscriptions. These inscriptions records the gifts & grants made to this temple, burning of perpetual lamps, gifts made for the worship & offerings of the deity, tax exemption, creation of Nandavanam for the temple and renovation activities carried out in this temple.

Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu – History

Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu – History

The temple might have been in existence from 1^th century CE. The temple was completely reconstructed in granite during the reign of Aditya Chola I in 9^th century CE. Most of the present structures and bronze images in the temple are a contribution of the Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I. Vikrama Chola built the Vikrama Cholan Tirumandapam (1118 – 1135 CE). The temple received extensive patronage from Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagara Kingdom, Nayakas and Marathas. There are about 100 inscriptions recorded in this temple.

Inscriptions dating back to reigns of Chola Kings Aditya Chola 1, Aditya Karikala, Uthama Chola, Rajaraja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I, Veera Rajendra Chola, Kulothunga Chola I, Vikrama Chola & Rajadhiraja Chola II, Pandyan Kings Kulasekara Pandya, Koumara Pandya, Jadavarman Sundara Pandya, Vikrama Pandya, Parakrama Pandya & Vallabha Deva and Vijayanagara King Krishna Devaraya & Viruppanna Udaiyar, son of Harihara II and Maratha ruler Thukoji can be seen in this temple.

Inscriptions records the various endowments made to this temple, names of the kings, queens & officials of various dynasties, gifts of several images of deities, worship practices, festivals, land grants made to the learned people, musicians and vedic priests, feeding the devotees, burning of perpetual lamps, establishment of mathas & Nandavanam, confiscation of properties of the enemy of the state and renovation activities carried out in this temple.

Lord Shiva was mentioned as Thiruvenkadar, Tiruvenkattu Devar, Tiruvenkattu Udaiyar and Tiruvenkattu Peruman in the inscriptions. This temple is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana and Silapathikaram. Thiruvenkadu is considered as birthplace of Pattinathar, Meikandar and Tiruvenkattu Nangai, wife of Saint Siruthonda Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars. The temple is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu – Literary Mention

Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu – Literary Mention

This temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram hymns. This temple is the 65^th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 11^th sthalam on the north side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. This temple is considered as one of the 44 Paadal Petra Sthalams where the Moovar (Thirugnana Sambanthar, Appar and Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams. The temple finds mention in Periyapuranam written by Sekkizhar. The temple also finds mention in Thiruvasagam written by Manikkavasakar. Hence, the temple is considered as Thiruvasaga Sthalam. Pattinathar, Kabilar and Paranar have also rendered their hymns here.

Sambandar Hymns:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2023/05/swetharanyeswarar-temple-thiruvenkadu-sambandar-hymns.html

Sundarar Hymns:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2023/05/swetharanyeswarar-temple-thiruvenkadu-sundarar-hymns.html

Appar Hymns:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2023/05/swetharanyeswarar-temple-thiruvenkadu-appar-hymns.html

Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu – Appar Hymns

Swetharanyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu – Appar Hymns

05.049:

பண்காட் டிப்படி

யாயதன் பத்தர்க்குக்

கண்காட் டிக்கண்ணில்

நின்ற மணியொக்கும்

பெண்காட் டிப்பிறைச்

சென்னிவைத் தான்றிரு

வெண்காட் டையடைந்

துய்ம்மட நெஞ்சமே.  1

கொள்ளி வெந்தழல்

வீசிநின் றாடுவார்

ஒள்ளி யகணஞ்

சூழுமை பங்கனார்

வெள்ளி யன்கரி

யன்பசு வேறிய

தெள்ளி யன்றிரு

வெண்கா டடைநெஞ்சே.  2

ஊனோக் குமின்பம்

வேண்டி யுழலாதே

வானோக் கும்வழி

யாவது நின்மினோ

தானோக் குந்தன்

னடியவர் நாவினில்

தேனோக் குந்திரு

வெண்கா டடைநெஞ்சே.  3

பருவெண் கோட்டுப்பைங்

கண்மத வேழத்தின்

உருவங் காட்டிநின்

றானுமை அஞ்சவே

பெருவெண் காட்டிறை

வன்னுறை யும்மிடந்

திருவெண் காடடைந்

துய்ம்மட நெஞ்சமே.  4

பற்ற வன்கங்கை

பாம்பு மதியுடன்

உற்ற வன்சடை

யானுயர் ஞானங்கள்

கற்ற வன்கய

வர்புரம் ஓரம்பால்

செற்ற வன்றிரு

வெண்கா டடைநெஞ்சே.  5

கூடி னானுமை

யாளொரு பாகமாய்

வேட னாய்விச

யற்கருள் செய்தவன்

சேட னார்சிவ

னார்சிந்தை மேயவெண்

காட னாரடி

யேஅடை நெஞ்சமே.  6

தரித்த வன்கங்கை

பாம்பு மதியுடன்

புரித்த புன்சடை

யான்கய வர்புரம்

எரித்த வன்மறை

நான்கினோ டாறங்கம்

விரித்த வன்னுறை

வெண்கா டடைநெஞ்சே.  7

பட்டம் இண்டை

யவைகொடு பத்தர்கள்

சிட்டன் ஆதிஎன்

றுசிந்தை செய்யவே

நட்ட மூர்த்திஞா

னச்சுட ராய்நின்ற

அட்ட மூர்த்திதன்

வெண்காடு அடைநெஞ்சே.  8

ஏன வேடத்தி

னானும் பிரமனும்

தான வேடமுன்

தாழ்ந்தறி கின்றிலா

ஞான வேடன்

விசயற்கு அருள்செயும்

கான வேடன்றன்

வெண்காடு அடைநெஞ்சே.  9

பாலை யாடுவர்

பன்மறை ஒதுவர்

சேலை யாடிய

கண்ணுமை பங்கனார்

வேலை யார்விடம்

உண்டவெண் காடர்க்கு

மாலை யாவது

மாண்டவர் அங்கமே.  10

இராவ ணம் செய

மாமதி பற்றவை

இராவ ணம்உடை

யான்றனை உள்குமின்

இராவ ணன்றனை

ஊன்றி அருள்செய்த

இராவ ணன் திரு

வெண்காடு அடைமினே.

06.035:

தூண்டு சுடர்மேனித் தூநீ றாடிச்

சூலங்கை யேந்தியோர் சுழல்வாய் நாகம்

பூண்டு பொறியரவங் காதிற் பெய்து

பொற்சடைக ளவைதாழப் புரிவெண் ணூலர்

நீண்டு கிடந்திலங்கு திங்கள் சூடி

நெடுந்தெருவே வந்தெனது நெஞ்சங் கொண்டார்

வேண்டு நடைநடக்கும் வெள்ளே றேறி

வெண்காடு மேவிய விகிர்த னாரே.  1

பாதந் தரிப்பார்மேல் வைத்த பாதர்

பாதாள மேழுருவப் பாய்ந்த பாதர்

ஏதம் படாவண்ணம் நின்ற பாதர்

ஏழுலகு மாய்நின்ற ஏக பாதர்

ஓதத் தொலிமடங்கி யூருண் டேறி

ஒத்துலக மெல்லா மொடுங்கி யபின்

வேதத் தொலிகொண்டு வீணை கேட்பார்

வெண்காடு மேவிய விகிர்த னாரே.  2

நென்னலையோர் ஓடேந்திப் பிச்சைக் கென்று

வந்தார்க்கு வந்தேனென் றில்லே புக்கேன்

அந்நிலையே நிற்கின்றார் ஐயங் கொள்ளார்

அருகே வருவார்போல் நோக்கு கின்றார்

நுந்நிலைமை யேதோநும் மூர்தா னேதோ

என்றேனுக் கொன்றாகச் சொல்ல மாட்டார்

மென்முலையார் கூடி விரும்பி யாடும்

வெண்காடு மேவிய விகிர்த னாரே.  3

ஆகத் துமையடக்கி ஆறு சூடி

ஐவா யரவசைத்தங் கானே றேறிப்

போகம் பலவுடைத்தாய்ப் பூதஞ் சூழப்

புலித்தோ லுடையாப் புகுந்து நின்றார்

பாகிடுவான் சென்றேனைப் பற்றி நோக்கிப்

பரிசழித்தென் வளைகவர்ந்தார் பாவி யேனை

மேக முகிலுரிஞ்சு சோலை சூழ்ந்த

வெண்காடு மேவிய விகிர்த னாரே.  4

கொள்ளைக் குழைக்காதிற் குண்டைப் பூதங்

கொடுகொட்டி கொட்டிக் குனித்துப் பாட

உள்ளங் கவர்ந்திட்டுப் போவார் போல

உழிதருவர் நான்தெரிய மாட்டேன் மீண்டேன்

கள்ள விழிவிழிப்பார் காணாக் கண்ணாற்

கண்ணுளார் போலே கரந்து நிற்பர்

வெள்ளச் சடைமுடியர் வேத நாவர்

வெண்காடு மேவிய விகிர்த னாரே.  5

தொட்டிலங்கு சூலத்தர் மழுவா ளேந்திச்

சுடர்க்கொன்றைத் தாரணிந்து சுவைகள் பேசிப்

பட்டிவெள் ளேறேறிப் பலியுங் கொள்ளார்

பார்ப்பாரைப் பரிசழிப்பா ரொக்கின் றாராற்

கட்டிலங்கு வெண்ணீற்றர் கனலப் பேசிக்

கருத்தழித்து வளைகவர்ந்தார் காலை மாலை

விட்டிலங்கு சடைமுடியர் வேத நாவர்

வெண்காடு மேவிய விகிர்த னாரே.  6

பெண்பா லொருபாகம் பேணா வாழ்க்கைக்

கோள்நாகம் பூண்பனவும் நாணாஞ் சொல்லார்

உண்பா ருறங்குவார் ஒவ்வா நங்காய்

உண்பதுவும் நஞ்சன்றே ஓவி யுண்ணார்

பண்பா லவிர்சடையர் பற்றி நோக்கிப்

பாலைப் பரிசழியப் பேசு கின்றார்

விண்பால் மதிசூடி வேத மோதி

வெண்காடு மேவிய விகிர்த னாரே.  7

மருதங்க ளாமொழிவர் மங்கை யோடு

வானவரும் மாலயனுங் கூடித் தங்கள்

சுருதங்க ளாற்றுதித்துத் தூநீ ராட்டித்

தோத்திரங்கள் பலசொல்லித் தூபங் காட்டிக்

கருதுங்கொல் எம்பெருமான் செய்குற் றேவல்

என்பார்க்கு வேண்டும் வரங் கொடுத்து

விகிர்தங்க ளாநடப்பர் வெள்ளே றேறி

வெண்காடு மேவிய விகிர்த னாரே.  8

புள்ளானும் நான்முகனும் புக்கும் போந்துங்

காணார் பொறியழலாய் நின்றான் றன்னை

உள்ளானை யொன்றல்லா உருவி னானை

உலகுக் கொருவிளக்காய் நின்றான் றன்னைக்

கள்ளேந்து கொன்றைதூய்க் காலை மூன்றும்

ஓவாமே நின்று தவங்கள் செய்த

வெள்ளானை வேண்டும் வரங் கொடுப்பார்

வெண்காடு மேவிய விகிர்த னாரே.  9

மாக்குன் றெடுத்தோன்றன் மைந்த னாகி

மாவேழம் வில்லா மதித்தான் றன்னை

நோக்குந் துணைத்தேவ ரெல்லாம் நிற்க

நொடிவரையில் நோவ விழித்தான் றன்னைக்

காக்குங் கடலிலங்கைக் கோமான் றன்னைக்

கதிர்முடியுங் கண்ணும் பிதுங்க வூன்றி

வீக்கந் தவிர்த்த விரலார் போலும்

வெண்காடு மேவிய விகிர்த னாரே.  10