Kabilar Kundru
Kabilar Kundru or Kabilar rock is a hill rock in the middle of the
Ponnaiyar River near Tirukoilur in Viluppuram district, Tamil Nadu,
India.
It is known for Tamil poet Kapilar did Vadakirrutal
(fast unto death) here, after his friend Vēl Pāri killed in a battle. It
is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu by the Archaeological
Survey of India.
East of the
Tirukoilur has the Siva Temple situated on the banks of River Pennar.
Near to the temple on the banks of the river, there exists
Kabilar(Saint) Kundru (tiny mountain).
Tirukoilur is one of the "Ashta Veeratanams" [Ashta - eight Veeratanam - Place of Bravery].
Lord Shiva took various forms(incarnations) to destroy evil and
establish justice, of which eight Avatars(forms) are very famous and
Tirukoilur is one of them.
Kapilar was refliterature Sangam
poet. He was a contemporary of Karikala Chola, Irunkōvēl and Vēl Pāri.
He was the close friend and confidant of Vēl Pāri, one of the Vēlir
kings. He was born in Thiruvadhavur in the Pandyan Kingdom. Initially a
poet at the Pandyan court, he would leave at an early age and show his
talent at various places before finally ending up at the court of Vel
Pari.Kapilar would hear about the generosity and virtue of Vēl Pāri, a
powerful Vēlir King who ruled over Parambu nādu, a heavily fortified
kingdom that comprised about 300 villages, and pay him a visit. They
would go on to become the thickest of friends. He would be his confidant
and stay with Vēl Pāri until the latter's last breath.
During
this period the three crowned Tamil kings were in the process of
expanding their empires and turned the independent Velir chiefs into
sub-ordinates or eliminated them. When the three crowned Kings besiege
the kingdom of Parambu, Vēl Pāri a warrior like no other will refuse to
bow and face them head on. Kapilar would sing some of the most notable
poems in praise of his patron during this time. In the end, Vēl Pāri
would finally be killed by treachery after defying them for years.
Kapilar, a true friend, would then take the two daughters (Angavai
& Sangavai) of Vēl Pāri and go in search of appropriate grooms. He
would knock on the doors of the other Vēlir kings and unsuccessfully
plead with each before finally giving up. He would be let down each time
as the other Vēls would fear retribution from the 3 crowned kings. The
most notable of these encounters is when he sings to Irunkōvēl and the
latter would throw an insult and shut the door on the great poet. He
would finally leave the two princesses in the care of Brahmins.
The death of his friend will affect him so greatly that he would
perform vadakirrutal, one of the Tamil acts of committing suicide. He
would sit facing north and starve himself to death. The place where
kabilar committed suicide by starving is now called as Kabilar Kundru.
It is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Mandagapattu (Thirumurthy Temple)
It is 20 kms from Villupuram and 17 kms from Gingee in the Villupuram –
Gingee road. This shrine, called the Trimurti Temple, is generally
considered as the first of the Pallava cave-temples and was commissioned
by Mahendra I in the early 7th century on a 100ft hillock. The Pallava
temples along with a similar group by the Chalukyas of Badami represent
the earliest Hindu stone temples in
southern India. The temples were a significant architectural innovation
as they marked the transition from wooden structures to stone. An
inscription on the temple calls it the Laksitayatna and dedicates it to
Brahma, Isvara, and Vishnu. “Mahendravarman showed leanings towards
Jainism before he gravitated towards Hinduism — which is probably why
one finds Jain settlements near his cave temples.
Steps at the
end of a wide stone courtyard lead up to an uncovered porch before a
simple rectangular mandapa with four massive equidistant pillars. The
pillars of the mandapa facade have square bases, octagonal central
sections and square capitals with curved corbels. Inside, another row of
similar pillars divides the mandapa into three aisles. The aisles lead
to the Trimurti shrines, deep plain niches cut into the rear wall.
Satrumalleswarar Temple (Dalavanur)
At Thalavanur, close to Mandagapattu, The central mandapa pillars have
large medallions carved on each face of the square sections at the base
and top. Steps lead to the entrance between these pillars. Above the
entrance is an elaborately carved lintel. The temple houses door
guardians flanking a linga. Above this, a gently curved eave has a row
of equally spaced candrasalas with carved faces. On either side of the
mandapa facade are deep niches with gently-leaning Dvarpalakas.
A small flight of rock-cut steps carved on the hill takes us to the
shelters of Jain monks who probably meditated and rested there.
Candi Bima
Located in the village of Dieng Kulon, District Batur, Banjarnegara,
Central Java, temple is situated in the southern most complex
enshrinement Dieng. Large and impressive, C. Bima is located about 1 km
south on the road from C. Gatotkaca. The roof, its most remarkable
feature, displays numerous sculpted Shiva heads looking out from
horseshoe arches. The decoration originates in South India, for example, the Pancha Rathas in Mamallapuram and Galaganatha in Pattadakal.
The back of the temple (west side) is shown here; its central kala
arch, with garlands dropping from the kala's mouth, is still intact.
Just above is a band of swags, below a row of dentals that transitions
to the first course of the roof, a simple band of rectangular elements
beneath a lotus petal overhang. Above this rests the lowest course of
arches, each framing a head of Shiva. The arches are lined with lotus
petals. The arches of the second course contain kalasa pots, symbolizing
abundance. Above, on the sides, rounded and ribbed amalaka capitals sit
upon very short columns. The course above contains one arch with a (now
missing) Shiva head, in front of a rectangular facade with lotus petal
overhang that imitates the first course of the roof.
The
projecting central facets are both wider and taller than the facets on
the side. This imparts a strong verticality and momentum to the upward
thrust of the structure, a tour de force of the builder's art.
Galtaji Temple
Location : Near Sisodia Rani ka Bagh, On Jaipur-Agra Highway
Built by: Diwan Rao Kriparam
Built in: 18th Century
Dedicated to: Sun God, Lord Hanuman/Balaji
Highlights: Fresh Water Springs
Galtaji is a holy pilgrimage of India, located 10 kms away from Jaipur
in Rajasthan. The vast complex of Galta Ji has several temples in it.
The Temple of Galtaji is famous for its natural water springs. Set
amidst the beautiful landscape, Galtaji Temple offers a picturesque view
of the city. Galtaji is considered holy place, as Saint Galav spent his
life meditating here. However, the temple was built much later by Diwan
Rao Kriparam, a courtier of Sawai Jai Singh II, in the 18th Century.
The outstanding structure of the Temple looks more like a mansion or
Haveli.The complex of Galtaji has numerous temples, pavilions, natural
springs and holy 'kunds'. Built in pink sandstone, Galtaji Temple
appeals to the aesthetic sense of the visitors. The temple, dedicated to
the Sun God, is the most famous temple built on the top of a hill. The
temple is decked with rounded roofs, exquisitely carved pillars and
painted walls. Out of all other temples, Hanuman temple stands out,
being surrounded by hundreds of monkeys. Besidesall other attractions,
Natural water springs draw special attention of the visitors.
The water of these springs is accumulated in the tanks or 'kunds'. In
all, there are seven tanks, holiest being the Galta Kund, which never
goes dry. It is considered auspicious to take bath in the holy waters of
Galtaji. Thousands of people come every year to take a dip in the tanks
to rinse out their sins. Makar Sankranti is regarded as a special day
to take bath in the holy waters of Galtaji.
Galtaji Temple is a
prehistoric pilgrimage location, in a lush green landscape of nature.
The location of temple is such that it provides awe-inspiring views of
the surrounding plains. The Galtaji Temple is a souvenir of the former
age and a sacred pilgrimage of the Hindus. The tranquility of the
Temple, attracts people from far and near, to visit it again and again.
KUMARAN KOIL
‘Wherever there is a hill, there is an abode for Lord Murugan.’ True to
this saying, there is a beautiful temple for Lord Murugan at the
foothill of Velimalai, on the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent,
fifteen kilometers northwest of Nagercoil on the road to
Thiruvananthapuram, bordering the town of Padmanabhapuram.
Set in scenic surroundings, the temple is renowned among all
the Murugan temples in Kanyakumari District. There are many versions as
to how the hill derived its name veli malai. Vel was the surname for
the Ay rulers. The Ay kingdom was a medieval Hindu feudal kingdom on the
Malabar coast of South India. The hill that belonged to the Ay rulers
came to be called as Velimalai. It is also known as Velvi Malai since
Lord Murugan performed a yagna of sublime love, for the purpose of union
of jivatma with Paramatma.
Kumarakovil is also known as Kumara
Kshetram and Subrahmanya Sthala in Malayalam. The early Tamil epic
Cilappatikkaram refers to the temple as Chera Nattu Aeragam.
Kumarakovil is a very ancient temple, as attested by the massive
sculpture of Lord Murugan in a style dating from the Buddhist period.
Buddhism probably flourished from 650-850 CE in Kerala. However, the
available inscriptions about the temple date from from the 18th century
CE only.
The temple is accessed through a flight of forty steep
steps. Lord Murugan graces the devotees with His consort Valli. He is
faces the east and said to be facing Sthanumalayan (Lord Siva) of
Suchindram. The idol of Lord Murugan is a monolithic sculpture measuring
eight feet and eight inches in height. Its long ears indicate that it
belongs to the Buddhist period. Goddess Valli who adorns the sanctum is
six and a half feet tall. Nandipadam and Murugan Padam on the top of the
hill are believed to be the imprints of Nandi and Murugan.
Kalyana Vinayakar, who aided His brother in His marriage with Valli is
in the right side of the entrance to the inner circumambulatory path. On
the western circumambulatory path there is a shrine for Kasi Lingam and
on the southern circumambulatory path there are shrines for Mahadevar,
Sivakami and Chadikeswarar. The unique feature of this temple is that
there is a shrine for Daksha, the maternal grandfather of Lord Murugan.
The sacred tree of the temple is a venerated vengai tree that is a
hundred years old. Here, Arumuga Nayinar (Lord Murugan) is flanked by
both His consorts, Valli and Deivayanai. This temple is associated with
the legends of Valli’s marriage with Murugan. This is said to be the
birth place of Valli.
Valli guhai is on the top of the hill
which is two kilometers off the main temple, Valli sunai, a pond where
Valli took bath, Valli colai, the millet field that Valli guarded, and
kizhavan colai is where Murugan came in the disguise of an old man to
woo Valli. The protocol of worship offered here is Kerala Tantram.
Celestial Wedding
The divine wedding of Valli and Murugan is celebrated with great fervor
in the Tamil month of Panguni (March-April) and is attended by
thousands of pilgrims all over the state. Kuravar Patukalam, the war
waged by Valli’s relatives against Murugan, is colourfully re-enacted
during the divine wedding. The seven-day festival begins in the star of
Anuradha in the month of Panguni. On the day of the wedding
Manavalakkumaran (processional deity) seated in a palanquin proceeds
towards Tiru Kalyana Mandapam which is at a distance of two kilometers
from the temple. After the celestial wedding the deities are taken in
procession back to the temple.
En route we witness the
ceremonial Kuravar patukalam. Kuravas (tribal folk of the hill) wage a
war against Lord Murugan in line with the legend associated with Murugan
and Valli’s marriage. When the wedded couple reaches the rear entrance
of the temple, Kuravas surrender to Lord Murugan and happily consent to
the marriage. Then Lord Murugan is propitiated with abhishekam and
deeparadhanai and a formal wedding is celebrated at night in the
decorated temple mandapam bedecked with flowers. During the marriage,
Valli colai, Vatta colai, Kizavan colai...etc are given as gifts to Lord
Murugan from the bride’s side. This gift list is read aloud in the
assembly. Kum-kum, honey and millet flour are given as prasadam after
the divine wedding.
Festivities
Kanda Sashti, Vaikasi
Visakam and Thaipusam are the other festivals celebrated here. About
two hundred years ago a severe draught affected this area, so the
erstwhile Maharaja of Travancore ordained his security guards to offer
kavadi worship to Kumaraswami. Lord Murugan answered their prayers and
prosperity restored in the region. To this day, the police offer kavadi
worship to Kumaraswami on the last Friday of the Tamil month of
Karttikai.
Nakkeerar’s Tirumurugatruppadai mentions about the
unique worship offered to Kumaraswamy. Devotees cover the lower part of
their body with wet clothes and enter the temple with flowers to have
darshan of Lord Murugan. This unique worship continues till date. The
gruel offered in this temple as prasadam is believed to be a cure for
many diseases. Other prayer commitments are milk abishekam, sandal
kaappu and tonsure
Kumaran Koyil Kalambagam and Kumara Koyil
Pillaith Thamizh sing the glory of Kumaraswamy. During Navarathri
festival Velimalai Kumaran on a decorated silver horse is taken to
Tiruvananthapuram along with Padmanabapuram Saraswati and Suchindram
Munnoottinanka (Goddess Shakti). After Navaratri the idols are escorted
back to the temple.
Since Murugan married the tribal girl Valli
here, marriages performed here are considered very auspicious.
Velimalai Kumaraswami Temple, packed with natural beauty and divinity,
is a place everyone must visit at least once in their lifetime.
Description:
This ancient temple to Murugan known as Kumaran Koyil is located at
Padmanabhapuram, home to the palace of the erstwhile Maharaja, on the
slopes of the Veli hills. It is located in a commanding position,
visible for miles around.
Legend has it that Murugan married Valli here and hence the name Velimalai, Manamalai or Kalyanamala.
Deities:
The main deities worshipped here are Subramanyar and Valli. A majestic
ten feet high image of Subramanyar of great workmanship adorns the
sanctum. The festival image of Murugan here is Manavaala Kumaran and
this image is taken in procession every year during Navaratri to
Thiruvananthapuram, along with Saraswati and Bhagavati from the
Padmanabapuram Palace. Manavaalakumaran is also taken in procession to
take part in the annual festival of the Suchindram temple.
Festivals:
Kerala Tantram is a protocol of worship offered in this temple along
the lines of most other temples in Kanyakumari district. Fridays,
especially the last fridays of every tamil month are considered to be
very sacred here. The Kanji which is distributed here on fridays as
prasadam is believed to have miraculous healing properties.
Murugan's and Valli's marriage is celebrated with great splendor in the
month of panguni. This Tirukkalyanam is an enactment of the divine
wedding and is attended by thousands of pilgrims from allover the state.
The seven-day festival begin in the star of Anuradha in the month of
Panguni. Vaikasi Visakam is celebrated for ten days and as in other
Murugan temples Skanda Sasti is celebrated for six days.
Pushpabishekam is celebrated on the last Friday in the month of aavani
when the image of Kumaran is completely covered with hundreds of baskets
of flowers contributed by the congregating pilgrims.
Just one kilometre from Kumarakoil Temple on the same mountain road one finds Ramji Ashram.
The sculptures at Pullamangai temple speak volumes of artistry during the Chola reign
Pullamangai, a temple dedicated to Lord Siva, located near
Pasupathikoil in Papanasam Taluk near Kumbakonam, is an architectural
marvel. A series of icons here depict scenes from the Ramayana. One such
is the 6” x 6” square where a touching scene is sculpted - the deceased
Vali surrounded by other grieving vanaras after he is hit by Rama. The
stone surface is somewhat rough, but that does not affect the
profoundness of the relief. There are several such squares which show
scenes from the Epics and Puranas and each one has a stunning appeal.
The trip came about when the principal of the College of Fine Arts
suggested that we visit the Pullamangai temple. It may have a simple and
uninspiring façade, but each piece inside is a visual treat. Every
little space is filled with carvings the largest not more than four ft
tall and many of them are not carved from a single block of stone. But
the blocks have been piled up so neatly that the outlines of the
sculptures are perfectly aligned.
The temple is believed to
have been built during the reign of Parantaka Chola-I (907-953 AD).
Those days, it was the practice to remodel old brick temples suing
granite. Even frequent wars did not deter such religious activities. The
Saivite saint Thirugnana Sambandar has sung verses on many Siva temples
in this region, including this one. It is said that his hymns on
Thiruvalanthurai Mahadeva temple at Pullamangai could refer to this
temple if one were to go by epigraphic evidences.
Situated on
the banks of Kudamuruti river, the temple was also referred to as
Alandurai. The sthalapuranam says Lord Siva rested here after he had
consumed the poison following the churning the paarkadal. Another
version states that Goddess Parvati worshipped the Lord here in the form
of a chakravaka bird, and hence it is known as Pullamangai. The shrine
is considered as one of the best examples of architecture from the
Parantaka Chola period. The present condition of the temple may defy
that opinion, though!
The high relief sculptures such as the
lingodhbavar, Lord Siva seated on the snake or the standing female form
on the tower, all have a smooth finish. But those made up of more than
one block of stone on the vimanam or in the small panels appear rather
rough. It could either be due to the ravages of time or they might have
been left untouched in the beginning for some valid reason.
Nevertheless, great care had been taken to include details in every
scene, be it a dancing Siva, Rama taking an aim with an arrow or a
relaxed Siva.. The dancing figures and the Mahishasuramardhini sculpture
emanate grace. In one panel Siva is seated with His right leg crossed
over the left, both turned towards His left, while his torso faces
straight, His right arm is seen resting on a cushion.
Every
sculpture is a reminder of the superb craftsmanship of artisans of those
times. Indeed, we must celebrate those unknown artists who have
sculpted each piece with such precision and style.
LINK
Othi Malai Aandavar Temple
Location: Punjai Puliam Patti, Sathyamangalam(Tk), Erode(Dt).
The temple has 2000 steps
Specialty of the Temple: Lord Muruga having “Eight (8)” hands and “Five
(5)” faces. It's so nice place and a loveable atmosphere.
