Nisumba soodhini Temple, Thanjavur:

Nisumba soodhini Temple, Thanjavur: War Deity of Imperial Chola



Many travelers may come to Thanjavur (தஞ்சாவூர்) solely to visit the Big Temple (பெருவுடையார் கோயில்) (‘ராஜராஜுச்சுரம்’) (Rajarajeswaram temple), an outstanding example of Chola (சோழர்) architecture and one of the UNESCO World Heritage Monuments. Over a total of 30,000 foreign tourists and 4.10 lakh domestic tourists passing through Thanjavur, making it the fastest growing tourist spot in Tamil Nadu, India. Thanjavur, an important pilgrim centre and a major tourist destination of Tamil Nadu, also includes many other interesting heritage temples.

Cult of Kali in Thanjavur

Thanjavur is also popular for the cult of 'Kali' (காளி) (the mother goddess - specific Sakthi cult). In Thanjavur there are eight Kali temples as guardian deities with different names:

1. Nandhi Makali; 2. Selliamman; 3. Ugra Kali (Nisumba soodhanai); 4. Kodiamman (Karanthai); 5. Vanchiamman; 6. Samavarthiniyamman; 7. Vada Bhadra Kali (Nisumba soodhani); and Kunthalamman. Kali is an incarnation of Parvati 'Kali' means black or kala (Hindi). Kali is a warrior goddess, who protects humanity and the gods from horrible demons, but she is also a deity of feminine energy, creativity, fertility, guardian, protector, ruler of eternal time, goddess of death and doomsday.

Hindu iconography depicts Kali all the more gruesome and she appears in absolute rage, with lolling tongue and protruding fangs as well as with her ornaments of necklace of snakes, skulls and heads of her sons and a belt from, which hangs demon's hands. The deity often appear with the number of arms being four (Kali, Ruthra Kali), eight (Chamundi), ten (Bhadra Kali), twelve, fourteen (Mahakali), eighteen (Bhadra Kali) or even one hundred (Bhadra Kali) and each of hand holding weapon or other objects including a sword, dagger, trident dripping with blood, cup, drum, chakra, lotus bud, whip, noose, bell, and shield. She is the destroyer of demons such as Mahisasura, Chanda, Munda, Shumbha, Nishumbha as well as Madhu and Kaitabha.

History

It is also interesting to witness the cult of Nisumba soodhini (நிசும்பசூதினி), a form of Kali in mythology and the war deity of Imperial Cholas associated with war, combat or bloodshed. The cult of Korravai was present during Sangam period and the Tamil kings of Sangam period worshiped Korravai (கொற்றவை), a local presiding deity of war and victory in the Tamil region. Perumpidugu Mutharaiyar II (c. 705 - 745 A.D.) (பெரும்பிடுகு முத்தரையன் சுவரன் மாறன் II) ruled over Cauvery Delta Region - Mutharaiyar Nadu (முத்தரையர் நாடு) before the Cholas. The cult of Pidari (பிடாரி) (a form of Kali and the protecting deity as well as war deity) probably evolved in the sixth and seventh centuries AD and is generally restricted to southern India. The feudatory king was a formidable Warrior and was engaged in 12 battles with Pandya and Chera and was victorious in all the battles i.e., Kodumbaalur, Manalur, Thingalur, Kaandhalur, Azhindhiur, Kaarai, Maangur, Annavoil, Semponmari, Thanjaisembulanattu Venkodal, Pugazhi and Kannanur. He built the temple devoted to Pidari at Niamam (நியமம் பிடாரி அம்மன் கோயில்). The four pillars erected by the king bears the inscriptions (27 stanzas) reciting the wars, victories and other accomplishments. Inscriptions found at mandapam of Sundareswarar temple, Senthalai states:

செந்தலை சுந்தரேஸ்வரர் கோயில் முன் மண்டபத்தில் காணப்பெறும் .செந்தலை கல்வெட்டுகளில் "சுவரன் மாறன்னானவன் எடுபித்த பிடாரிகோயில் அவநெரிந்த ஊர்களும் அவன் பேர்களும் அவனை பாடினர் பேர்களும் இத்தூண்கள் மேலுழுதின இவை "என அக்கல்வெட்டு கூற்கின்றது.

Goddess Pidari was also worshiped by Pandya king Maranchadaiyan Paranthaka Veeranarayanan alias Nedum Chadayan (பாண்டியன் மாறன் சடையன் பராந்தக வீரநாராயணன் என்ற நெடுஞ்சடையன் ( 866 - 911 A.D.), Nandivarman II (Pallavamalla) (இரண்டாம் நந்திவர்மன் (பல்லவமல்லன்) (720–796 CE) and Aditya Chola I (பரகேசரி முதலாம் ஆதித்த சோழன் (கி.பி 871 - 907 A.D.).

In the same tradition Vijayalaya Chola (848-891 A.D.) aka. Parakesarivarman (விசயாலய சோழன் என்ற பரகேசரிவர்மன்) built the temple for goddess Nisumba soodhani to commemorate his victory. The Chola king was once a feudatory of the Pallavas. This Thirupurampiyam (திருப்புறம்பயம் போர்) (Near Kumbakonam) war hero captured Thanjavur in 848 A.D. from Elango Mutharayar (final ruler of Mutharaiyar dynasty) and established as a semi autonomous state. He became the real founder of the Chola dynasty of Thanjavur and his dynasty rose to its prominence during the middle of the 9th century A.D. The Imperial Cholas believed that goddess Nisumba soodhini as the personification of valour and would bless them with victory in the battle. This faith made them to pray for goddess 'Nisumba soodhini' before leaving for the battle field. This information was recorded in Thiruvalangadu copper-plate inscriptions:

“தஞ்சாபுரீம் சௌத சுதாங்காராகாம
ஐக்ராஹ ரந்தும் ரவி வம்ச தீப:
தத:பிரதிஷ்டாப்ய நிசும்ப சூதனீம்
சுராசுரை:அர்ச்சித பாத பங்கஜாம்
சது : சமுத்ராம்பர மேகலாம் புவம்
ரஹாஜ தேவோ தத்பராசதந”

Meaning: The idol of Nisumba soodhani, who conquered and annihilated the demons Shumba and Nishumba, was consecrated in Thanjavur. With the grace of the worshipful feet of Nisumba soodhani, the king ruled the earth surrounded by ocean with the ease, as if wearing like a garland.

The original temple built by Vijayalaya Chola is not existing at present. Now there are two temples devoted goddess Nisumba Soodhani located in the heritage town Thanjavur.

Present Temples

Vada Bhadra Kali Amman Temple (வடபத்ரகாளி அம்மன் கோவில்), Poomal Rauther Koil street in Keezha Vaasal.

The 1160 years old deity (!) comes under Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) administration and well maintained by Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam.

The temple was built by Vijayalaya Chola (848-891) aka. Parakesarivarman, once a feudatory of the Pallavas. The temple has the sanctum sanctorum, ardhamandapa and the mahamandapa (temporary tin sheet shed). The deity of goddess Nisumba soodhini

The temple is 2 km away from Old Bus stand of Thanjavur and there are number city buses and auto rickshaws available from here.

Temple Timings: 07.00 am - 11.00 pm and 05.00 pm - 08.00 pm. Temple popularly known among the local people as "Ragukaala Kali Temple".

Ugra Kali Amman Temple (உக்ரகாளி அம்மன் கோவில்), Kuyavar street in Keezha Vaasal.

The 1160 years old deity (!) comes under Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) administration and well maintained by Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam.

The temple was built by Vijayalaya Chola (848-891) aka. Parakesarivarman, once a feudatory of the Pallavas. The temple has two sanctum sanctorums, ardhamandapa and the common spacious mahamandapa. In the main sanctum the 19th century idol of goddess Nisumba soodhini appears seated. The priest told that this deity belongs to Maratta period. All poojas are performed to this deity in the main sanctum. The other sanctum sanctorum on the left side of the main sanctum lies another sanctum housing the 9th century CE idol of Nisumba soodhini.

The iconography of seated Nisumba soodhani depicts annihilation of the Nisumba with her right and left legs engaged pressing against demon. One of her right hand holds the Trident (Trishul) and pointing towards Nisumba. The goddess also appears seated on the bodies of four demons (Chanda , Munda, Raktha Bheeja, and Shumba) with head slightly tilted.

The temple is 2 km away from Old Bus stand of Thanjavur and there are number city buses and auto rickshaws available from here.

Temple Timings: 06.00 am - 12.00 pm and 05.00 pm - 08.00 pm. Temple popularly known among the local people as "Ukkira Kali Temple".

Legend

According to Devi Mahathmyam (Chandi), Raktha Bheeja, the commander of Shumbha and Nishumba opposed to goddess Parvathi. Goddess Parvathi created 'Kaushiki.' Kaushiki was spotted by Chanda and Munda, Shumbha Nishumba's two assistants and reported about Kaushiki. Shumba and Nishumba sent proposals of marrying Kaushiki through a messenger. Kaushiki invited both for a fight and the winner could marry her. There was fierce fighting between the demons Chanda and Munda and the goddess Kaushiki and killed them. Hence the name (Chamundi (Chanda+Munda). On seeing the death of Chanda and Munda the demons attacked the goddesses Kaushiki. At that moment, from the bodies of the various devas, women forces began emerging and took the form of Kali. Among the asuras there was one commander known as Raktha Bheeja. Every drop of blood oozing from the body of Raktha Bheeja turns another demonic form of Raktha Bheeja. Kali was instructed to drink all the blood that oozes from the body of Raktha Bjeeja. On hearing death of Raktha Beeja, Nishumba assaulted Kaushiki and the goddess retaliated with a weapon known as 'Khura' and made him unconscious. Shumba came to the rescue of Nishumba and fell unconscious. At the end of the fight both Shumba and Nishumba were annihilated and the goddess Kaushiki became victorious.

Comilla Jagannath Temple in Bangladesh built by King of Tripura

Comilla Jagannath Temple 

In the Comilla district of Bangladesh is an ancient temple of Lord Jagannath. Following its long and interesting history, the story of this temple is of particular interest because it is now under the seva administration of the local ISKCON devotees.

Comilla Jagannath Temple, also known as Saptaratna ('seven jewels') Mandir, is dedicated to the worship of Lord Jagannath. The temple was built in the 16th Century by Sree Sreejoktou Moharaja Rada Kishor Manikuo Bahadur, the King of Tripura. This is one of the oldest temples in Comilla, which is located in eastern Bangladesh along the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway. Comilla is one of the three oldest cities in Bangladesh. The temple complex resides on the southeast sides of Comilla City (also known as Kandirpar) at Jagannathpur village, five kilometers east of the city on the Comilla-Bibir Bazar Road.

Comilla Jagannatha Temple is believed to have been built during the century, if not during the lila period of Sri Krsna Chaitanya, under the patronage of King Ratna Manikyo Bahadur. The exact time of construction is not known, but the temple is generally dated by its terracotta architecture. At the time of King Badhadur's reign, Comilla was known as Tippera (or Tripura).

The princely State of Tripura, including all of the Comilla region, was ruled by the Deva dynasty in the 8th Century, then came under the reign of the kings of the Harikela in the 9th Century. It came under the rule of East India Company in 1765.

Tripura, an ancient seat of Vaisnavism, was bordered by Bangladesh to the north, south, and west, with Assam and Mizoram to its east. Tripura is mentioned in many Vedic texts, including the Mahabharata and Puranas. It's also mentioned in the Edicts of Ashoka, stone pillar inscriptions from the 3rd Century B.C. In ancient times, Tripura was known as Kirat Desh ("The land of Kirat").

There seems to be little information available about the Deities of this temple, except that Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were originally installed in another temple located in 'hilly Tripura'. Once the new temple construction was completed, Their Lordships were moved and installed at Their new Comilla abode.

The architecture of Lord Jagannatha's Temple at Comilla is striking and beautiful, as seen in the circa 1843 sketch above, and current photographs. The temple is approx. 60 feet tall, being a four-storied conical shape built of brick on an octagonal base-stone. This is said to be the only octagonal shaped temple of its time in Bangladesh.

The temple is ornamented with various terracotta designs like flowers, leaves, etc. The Department of Archaeology renovated portions of the outer ground and first floors, and apparently some of the terracotta did not survive the process.

On the west side of the temple premises there is a tank, said to be as old as the temple itself. A tank is also depicted in the sketch above.

Lord Jagannatha's Rathayatra has been celebrated in Bangladesh for several centuries. Car festivals are held in Comilla, Chittagong, Dhaka, Damraj, Khulna, Barisal, Gopalganj, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur. (see Bangla Rathayatra). At Comilla, there are three Chariots for Their Lordships' annual outing, which has traditionally gone out around the last week of June or first week of July each year.

Comilla Jagannath Temple is now listed as a Heritage Site by the Bangladesh Department of Archaeology. A new temple structure and ashram has been built beside the ancient one for temple activities.

Talang Tuwo-7th-century Srivijaya inscription in Tamil in Bukit Seguntang near Palembang.Indonesia.

Translation of the inscription Talang Tuwo

The translation according to George Cœdès.

“ On 23 March 684, on that day the park named Śrīksetra was created under the order of Sri Baginda Śrī Jayanāśa. his majesty intention is: May all (plants) planted here, coconut tree, Areca catechu, Arenga pinnata, sagoo, and all kinds of trees, the fruits are edible, as well as haur bamboo, waluh, and pattum, et cetera; and may all other plants with the dams and ponds, and all of good deed that I've gave (contributed) can be enjoyed for the benefit of all creatures; the one that can moved around and ones that can not, and may this would be the best path to achieve happiness. If they were hungry, or need a rest during their journey, may they find foods and drinks. May all the orchard that they have opened be abundance (the harvest). May all kinds of animals that they have kept were fertile, and also their slaves. May the misfortunes would not befell upon them, not being tortured because can not sleep. What ever they done, may all the planets and stars favour their fortunes, and may they be spared from sickness and old age during their efforts. And may all their subjects are loyal and devoted, also may all their friend would not betrayed them, and may their wive are faithful. Moreover, may wherever they were, there will be no thieves, or people that using violence, killers and adulterers. Next to all those (good wishes), may they have a (faithful) friends; may from themselves born the thought of Boddhi and friendship (...) from three Ratnas. And may they always (acted) generous, following the rules, and be patience; may from themselves grew strength, diligence, knowledge of all kinds of arts; may their attention be focused, have knowledge, good memory and intelligence. May they have tenacious thought, with diamond body just like the Mahāsattvas with incomparable power, glorious, and remembering their previous lives, with complete senses, fully (beautiful) formed, happy, smiling, calm, have pleasant voice, the voice of Brahmā. May they be (born as) man, with very existence were (a blessing) because of themselves; may they become the vessel of cintamani sacred stone, have power of (cycle of) births, power upon karma, power upon stains, and may they finally achieved the perfect and grand (spiritual) enlightenment.

If we see the inscription closely the script which was used is Tamil.
Tamil is a very ancient language which is equally old to Sanskrit. We have learned that Tamil kings build Angkor Watt in Cambodia, Tamil kings had a country called Kadaram and Ganganagara in Malaysia, Tamil Kings also built temples in Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. It is undeniable truth that many Asian countries used Tamil letters as their official script. After the arrival of Islam in Asia, specifically in Indonesia and Malaysia, they have lost their Tamil script. Due to Islam civilization Kings in those countries started to use Arabic scripts. Today both countries lost their Tamil identity and scripts. They are just using Modern Latin alphabet.

At least Indonesia still preserving their Hindu temples and inscriptions but Malaysia is totally in the state of denial. The denial state Malaysia is trying to demolish all the Hindu evidence which they have. The Country which called Ganganagara was fully destroyed by the current government. Historically Indonesia and Malaysia had a big connection with Tamil culture and scripts.

Kubera,in Mongoliya

sKubera, the lord of the Yakhas, with Yakshas and the directional Devas, from ancient Mongolia.
प्राचीन मंगोलिया देश से प्राप्त यक्षराज कुबेर की प्रतिमा यक्षों तथा दिशाओं के अधिष्ठात्री देवताओं के साथ।
Please compare the features of this Mongolian Kubera with the Indian one... The big stomach is only found in the deities of Ganesha (who is therefore also known as Lambodara, the one with a big stomach) or then Kubera. No other deity in the Vedic pantheon has a huge stomach like that. Furthermore, if local traditions call him Bayan and Namsrai, and when scholars of Buddhism have informed us that they are the local/vernacular names of Vaishravana or Kubera, then it is clearly a Vedic Deva, because the name of Vaishravana comes for the first time in the Vedas. In any case, we often fail to appreciate the fact that most Devas in Buddhism worshiped as far as Japan are from the Vedic origin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vai%C5%9Brava%E1%B9%87a?hc_location=ufi

The "Indianizers" of Kambuja Desha (modern day Cambodia

The "Indianizers" of Kambuja Desha (modern day Cambodia). Thousands of years ago these men were among the intrepid pioneers who took India's culture to far away lands. We need to remember their names and be inspired by the great work they did, so that we can reawaken this spirit in our younger generation. These were the great souls who inspired the Vedic culture in ancient Cambodia, which eventually led to the construction of the largest Hindu temple complex in the world: The Angkor Vat temple which was dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This is also the largest religious structure in the world. Remnants of a glorious Hindu past, such as great temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and river-beds in which thousands of Shiva Lingas have been carved, are found all around Cambodia even today.
ये कुछ उन श्रेष्ठ भारतीय महामना धर्मप्रचारकों के नाम की सूची है, जिन्हें शायद हम आज भारत में भूल चुके हैं, लेकिन जिन्होंने प्राचीन काल में सैकड़ों मील दूर की यात्रा करके कम्बुज देश (आधुनिक कम्बोडिया) में वैदिक सनातन धर्म की स्थापना की थी, जिसके परिणाम स्वरूप आज भी हमें कम्बोडिया में जो वैदिक सनातन धर्म से जुड़े ध्वंसावशेष उपलब्ध होते हैं,वे वास्तव में आश्चर्य जनक हैं। कम्बोडिया का ९०० वर्ष प्राचीन विष्णु मन्दिर 'अंकोर वट' विश्व का सबसे विशाल हिन्दू मन्दिर ही नहीं, विश्व का सबसे विशाल धार्मिक स्थान है; अन्य कोई भी धर्म इससे विशाल धर्मस्थान न बना पाया। इसके साथ ही भगवान् सदा शिव आदि भारतीय विभिन्न देवी-देवताओं को समर्पित अनेकों विशाल मन्दिरों के ध्वंसावशेष आज भी कम्बोडिया में खड़े हैं। सबसे आश्चर्यजनक मुझे लगी क्बाल स्पिएन नदी, जिसके तल में पत्थरों पर हजारों शिवलिङ्ग तथा अन्य देवी-देवताओं की मूर्तियां प्राचीन काल में उकेरी गयी थीं। एक बार ध्यान दें इन महामना मनीषियों के नामों की ओर, शायद इनका शुभ संस्मरण ही हमारे अन्दर उस सोई हुई वैदिक आत्मा को जागृत कर दे, जिसके कारण ये मनीषी सैकड़ों मीलों की यात्रा करके इस वैदिक ज्योति के महान् ज्योतिवाहक बने॥

Thousands of Lingas in river bed in Combodia

Thousands of Lingas and other Vedic deities carved into the river-bed of the Kbal Spean river in Cambodia. 
कम्बोडिया की क्बाल स्पिएन नदी के तल में प्राचीन काल में उकेरे गये सैकड़ों शिवलिङ्ग तथा वैदिक देवी-देवताओं की प्रतिमायें॥

Natural Shiva Linga-Hinduism in Indonesia

Natural Shiva Linga, Lingga Islands, Indonesia.
Natural Shiva Linga on top of Mount Daik in the Lingga Islands of Indonesia. Obviously, the Indonesian Lingga archipelago gets its name from this natural structure. The archipelago lies in the south of Singapore. It must be noted that Shaivism was the form of Hinduism which was most popular in Indonesia before the advent of Islam.
प्राकृतिक शिवलिङ्ग, लिङ्ग द्वीपसमूह, इण्डोनेशिया..
इण्डोनेशिया के लिंग द्वीपसमूह में विद्यमान डाईक पर्वत की चोटी पर दिख रहा प्राकृतिक शिव लिङ्ग। इसमें कोई संशय नहीं कि इण्डोनेशिया के लिंग द्वीप समूह का नामकरण प्राचीन काल में इसी पर्वत की चोटी पर दिख रहे प्राकृतिक शिवलिङ्ग के कारण ही किया गया होगा। यह द्वीप समूह सिंगापुर के दक्षिण में विद्यमान है। इसलाम के आगमन से पूर्व शैव सम्प्रदाय ही इण्डोनेशिया में सबसे अधिक फैला हुआ हिन्दू सम्प्रदाय था।