Temples near Vrudhachalam

Vridhachalam Temple

According to me, the blogs need to be written with good purpose. Hence blog-writing need not necessarily be a hobby.It is not meant for showing the talent / wisdom for others. Sharing the pictures should not end with undesirable consequences. The sole aim is to take the viewers for a short journey which can inspire them to think over the message conveyed in each post. Though one can not expect a positive result over night, yes, it can make the reader think for a while. The purpose of life can be truly reflected through the blogs. Frankly speaking, I never believed in writing travelogues as people are likely to go through them the way they read stories and conveniently forget instantly. Of course, a negligible segment do read them seriously and try to see the places covered in the posts by expressing their willingness to visit the places covered in the posts. It is noteworthy to mention here that there are readers who live abroad have been kindled by these posts that they look forward to  their next visit to India as early as possible. Among the seven blogs I write, I was surprised to find that  Sivasankaravijayam , the travelogue has crossed  75000 viewers so far. But the  statistics did not please me much as the  travelogues did not seem to help in the way I wanted.  The less known temples continue to be rarely visited and ignored. When I was determined to drop the travelogue from my blog list, some of my friends prevented me by saying that it was enough if it had touched the hearts of few readers. I changed my mind,temporarily though, and continue to write the travel specific blog, sivasankaravijayam just to avoid disappointment for those few readers. With these words, I go ahead with the narration of my recent visits.

Vrudhachalam is a railway junction between Chennai and Tiruchirappalli on the Chord line of Southern Railway. It is well connected by road and provides good lodges for stay. However the foreign tourists would prefer to stay at Kumbakonam which has better lodges. They may be too happy to cover Ganagai Konda Cholapuram on the way. 

Vrudhachalam,the Sanskrit word means old Hill as the legend says that the place is just on top of the Oldest Hill of the earth. Thevaram Hymns call this place as " Mudhu Kundram ". It is a delight to watch the temple from a distance, that too from the Manimuthar bridge from where all the five Gopurams are seen. Vrudhachalam is considered superior to Kasi and the river Manimuthar on par with Ganges. The Temple has five prakarams,five flag posts, five Nandhis, five Theerthams (Ponds),five Ganapathis, five inner Mandapams and five outer Mandapams. 

Sivagama Sannadhi

Another Unique feature of this Temple is the presence of a shrine in the Prakaram  for Sivagamas which is not found anywhere. The 28 Agamas are represented as Siva Lingas and Lord Subramanya with His consorts is seen in the middle. The Temple authorities should show more attention to maintain cleanliness of this place. 

One of the breath taking Gopurams is named as Kandaradhithan Gopuram, named after the great Chola Emperor and Siva Bhaktha, Kandaradhitha who was also the husband of Sembiyan Madevi. While taking a round of the outer prakaram, we are thrilled with the beauty of each Gopuram on each side. There is a shrine for Sthala Ganapathi under the ground. It is known as "Aazhathu Pillayar" which indirectly means that He is seated  in His  devotee's heart at its bottom. 

The annual festival is held in the Tamil month of Masi when the deities are taken around the streets and Theerthavari is held. The sixth day of the festival is famous one as the " Periya Nayakar " is escorted by both Vrudhambika and Balambika. 

When Sundaramurthi Nayanar, one of the four Saiva Saints(Gurus) came here and worshipped by singing Thevaram Hymns, The Lord gave him 12000 coins of Gold. As Sundarar asked the Lord to suggest the way to carry the same safely to Thiruvarur, Vrudhagiriswara asked him to put it in Manimuthar to receive the same at Kamalalayam tank of Thiruvarur. Sundarar obliged immediately and got back The  Gift at Thiruvarur. Sekkizhar's Periya Puranam mentions about this miracle. 

Thirunel vennai (Neivennai)

We move on to the next temple called Thiru Nel Vennai, about 8 km from  Ulundurpet. Transport facilities to this place are less  and it is better to make own arrangement to save time. Now known as Nei vennai, this village remains as sleepy and backward. It has to be mentioned here that many temples of Villupuram are rarely visited and Nel Vennain is one among them. Only those Siva Bhakthas who recite Thevaram make it a point to visit here despite poor commutation.

Thevaram Padhigam on the wall

The Temple does not have a Raja Gopuram in the front . A big Nandi is seen outside the entrance. One can guess that the outer compound comprising the Nandi has gone and no attempt has been made to reconstruct it. Leaving it as such will invite encroachment and expose the temple. It has got one inner prakaram which houses the shrines of Ganapathi, Subramanya, The Goddess and Chandikeswara. Sambandhar who visited the Temple in the 6th century sang in praise of The Main Deity . The Child prodigy is seen here in the dancing posture . People offer butter on Monday mornings to be adorned to The Murthi at Sanctum. 

 

Inner Prakaram- Nelvennai

We once again appeal to the visitors to help the priests of such remote places liberally as they toil with poor income . Please remember that they will be forced to move out of these places in search of better income which will be detrimental for the running of the Temple. No outsider will be willing to take over the pujas at these places because of paltry income. 

Ilavanasur Kottai Ardha Nareeswara Temple

It is always desirable to read/learn/listen something about the legend and location of the temple before taking a pilgrimage. It was for the first time I came to know about a place called Ilavanasur Kottai in this region. The visitors are assured of awesome temples which are more than 1500 years ago. Historians may put the date that belong to Chola and Pallava era. Murthis on flat surfaces can be seen without being as crisp as those that belonged to later period. 

Maadak Koil

About half an hour drive from Nel Vennai towards Ulundurpet take us to Elavanasur Kottai. I should thank my friend for including this place during our trip which was not originally there in our iterinery.  A Raja Gopuram welcomes us at the entrance of Elavanasur Kottai. Since the priest was not available at that time, there was nobody to tell us the sthalapurana, and the meaning of "Elavanasur" , the presence of "Kottai"( Fort) etc. We could get some details written on the wall of the Prakaram.  

Ardhanareeswara Temple of Elavanasur Kottai is perhaps the one of the huge "Madakkoils" ,  ( built on a raised platform ) of Villupuram district. We reach the Swami Sannadhi after taking the steps. The Maha Mandapam in front of The Lord has many carved pillars of Murthis and dancing postures. The west facing Swambu Murthi, Ardhanareeswara has three Nandis in front of Him, all facing the opposite direction( West), the explanation may be given only by the priest. 

Vinayaki

The prakaram around the Madak koil offers many idols of Ganapathi. Vinayaki can also be seen here which may be new to many of us.  Finally we reach the Goddess Brahan Nayaki's sannadhi ,also  facing west . The upkeep of this Temple is very poor obviously due to poor mobility of the priest who seems to be very old. Moreover, poor turnout  of visitors should definitely cause displeasure mentally to any priest. It is not known why the locals nearly abandon these marvels and allow them to crumble. They raise hue and cry only when the Temple faces extinction. Will good sense prevail?