Pondicherry Tourism

Friday, July 19, 2019

Bhoomeeshwarar Temple, Marakkanam – History

Bhoomeeshwarar Temple, Marakkanam – History

It is believed that the Temple was built by Rajaraja Chola ever before Tanjore Big Temple. There is also another belief among the researchers that there exists an older temple got completely submersed in sea due to tsunami. Rajaraja Chola I excavated and built the new Temple in the same place where the older temple exists. Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas have renovated the temple in their periods. Bhoomeshwarar was called by different names during the reign of different kings.

During Rajaraja Chola I period, the Temple was called as Bhumeeswara Devar, Bhumeeswarath Azhwar. During Rajendra Chola I period, the Temple was called as Thirubhumeeswaramudaiyar, Bhumeeswaramudaiya Mahadevar. During Kulothunga Chola III period, the Temple was called as Bhumeeswaramudaiya Nayanar. During Vijayanagara Kings, the temple was called as Bhumeeswaramudaiya Thambiran, Thirubhumiyappa Thambiranar.

The inscriptions found in the Shiva temple (Bhoomeeshwarar temple) of Marakkanam mentions a variety of names of this sea port (Marakkanam) like Rajaraja Peralam, Pattinam, Eyir Pattinam, Vikrama Chola Chaturvedi Mangalam, Kandarathithan Nallur, Vijaya Rajendra Chola Valanaadu. Excavation was conducted here in the year 2005-2006 to explore the antiquity of this place; as this place has been referred in Sangam literatures of 'Sirupanarrupadai' and 'Perumpanarrupadai'. Exploration near Bhoomeshwarar temple yielded terracotta pipes and coarse red ware potsherds.

On account of this, trenches were laid in and around Bhoomeshwarar temple and antiquities pertaining to medieval period were collected. The unearthed antiquities include copper coins, gold coin, terracotta spouts, smoking pipes, terracotta utensils, iron objects, porcelain sherds and copper rings. Present excavation at Marakkanam has revealed two cultural periods namely Medieval and Modern periods, which has been arrived from the findings.

In the Sangam age, a lot of trade was being carried out with the Greek and Roman kingdoms. Among the major ports around this time that Ptolemy mentions are Mylarphan (Mylapore), Poduke (Arikamedu), Soptana (Marakanam), and even Comari (Kanyakumari). This port even features in Tamil works such as Sirupanatrupadai and Perumpaanaattruppadai as Eyirpattinam. In Sirupanatrupadai, the place was mentioned as Eyir Pattinam (Marakkanam) is one of the fortified cities of Oyma Naadu.

The region between Tindivanam and Marakkanam was ruled by Nalliyakodan who was praised by Nallur Nathanaar (Nallur of Kanchipuram). The 'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea' (now Bay of Bengal) is a book by Alexandrian Merchant in the first century AD. He mentions that on the east coast of India there were 3 market towns and harbours namely Canara (Poompuhar), Poduke (Arikamedu, Puducherry) and Soptana (Marakkanam).

After many invasions the importance of this place has been reduced. This place was mostly occupied by Fishermen after the advent of the Christians in this area. The earlier names found in records have vanished. The sea port has become a place where Fishermen landed their wooden boats used for fishing. They did not know the name of this place, but this place was full of wooden boats of Fishermen. This place was identified as a place where wooden boats stood. Therefore, the place came to be known as 'Marakkalam' (meaning wooden boat) which have been changed to Marakkanam in common usage.

Bhoomeeshwarar Temple, Marakkanam – Legends

Bhoomeeshwarar Temple, Marakkanam – Legends

Bhoomeeshwarar:

Once upon a time there lived a Shiva devotee in Marakkanam. The Lord came in the form of a Sage to the devotee's house. The devotee wanted to provide food to the Sage. The Sage said that he wanted to Perform Shiva pooja in a Shiva temple and only then he would have food. Since there was no Shiva temple in that place the devotee took a 'Marakkal Padi' (a cylindrical vessel used for measuring grains) and turned it upside down, placed it on the ground and decorated it with flowers. The Sage (Shiva) performed Pooja and had food and left the place.

After the Sage departed, the devotee tried to move the vessel, but he could not. He brought some device to remove the Marakkal Padi, but it had disappeared. He came out of his house shouting Marakkal Kaanom (some people say that the name Marakkanam has derived from this dialogue) and he ran towards the sea in search of his vessel. Near the Bay of Bengal, he found a Shiva Linga which indicated him which was his vessel. Since, the Lingam was found from the earth, it came to be called as Bhoomeeshwarar. He started performing pooja to the Linga and later a big temple was built for this Linga by the Cholas.

Marakka Kaanom:

The myth goes that a devotee, on his way to Kasi on a pilgrimage, stayed in the area for a while. He placed a Marakka, a pot used to measure rice and grains, and prayed to it considering it Shiva. Over the years, the Marakka disappeared, some say stolen, while others claim it was buried. While digging up the place where it was known to stand, they discovered a lingam. The word Marakka Kaanom, which means the Marakka is missing, became ‘Marakkanam’.

Marakkanam:

Maram means Tree and Kaanam means Coastal Area in Tamil. Since the place had groves of trees near the coastal area, the place came to be called as Marakkanam.

Manalkanam:

Manal means Sand and Kaanam means Coastal Area in Tamil. Hence the place came to be called as Manalkanam and later got corrupted to Marakkanam.

Brahma Theertham:

It is believed that Brahma Theertham was created by Lord Brahma while he came here to worship Lord Shiva of this Temple.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

Sage Kanvar and Manmadha had worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.

Bhoomeeshwarar Temple, Marakkanam – Inscriptions

Bhoomeeshwarar Temple, Marakkanam – Inscriptions

There are 47 inscriptions available in the temple. Majority of the inscriptions belongs to Chola Emperors. Most of the inscriptions can be found around the main shrine. Rajaraja Chola I inscription talks about the gift of perpetual lamp to the Bhoomeeshwarar temple at Rajaraja Peralam (Marakkanam) in Pattina Naadu. There are 2 inscriptions in the period of Parakesari Rajendra Chola I. One inscription talks about the gift made of taxes due to a salt pan for 2 perpetual lamps to be burnt in the temple. The second inscription is about the gift which was made of Sheep for a perpetual lamp.

King Rajakesari Vijaya Rajendran Rajadhi Raja Chola I inscription talks about the sale of Land for the Nandavanam (garden) of the Bhoomeeshwarar temple by a Sabha of Eyir Pattinam (Marakkanam). There are also inscriptions talks about the gift of land in the period of Rajakesari Varman Kulothunga Chola II. The inscriptions of Kulothunga Chola III is also found in the Temple. A Chola inscription states that the name of the place was called Manarkaanam since the place was full of mud (sea shore). The same inscription states that Marakkalam has changed to Marakkanam.

The inscriptions found in the temple mentions a variety of names of this sea port (Marakkanam) like Rajaraja Peralam, Pattinam, Eyir Pattinam, Vikrama Chola Chaturvedi Mangalam, Kandarathithan Nallur, Vijaya Rajendra Chola Valanaadu. The inscriptions of the Vijayanagara Kings state the name of Marakkanam as Kandarathithan Nallur in Pattina Naadu and Vijaya Rajendra Chola Valanaadu in Jayamkonda Chola Mandalam.

Bhoomeeshwarar Temple, Marakkanam – The Temple

Bhoomeeshwarar Temple, Marakkanam – The Temple

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. There is a mandapam with reliefs of various deities on the base before the entrance. The Mandapa belongs to Vijayanagara period. Deepastambam, Balipeedam, Dhwaja Sthambam, Nandi Mandapam and a Navakanda Nadukal can be found in front of the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, Antarala, Arthamandapam, a Muka mandapam and two mandapas on North and south side.

The sanctum is of Pathabandha Adhishtanam. Presiding Deity is called as Bhoomeeshwarar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Bikshadana (in place of Vinayaga), Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum wall. Durga (with 6 hands) is seen with an umbrella, garland and 2 Dwarapalakis beside her. There are many inscriptions around the main shrine.

There is a shrine housing Chandran and Suryan situated on the right side immediately after the entrance arch. Karnapooshana Vinayagar, Nandi, Lakshmi Vinayagar can be found in the front mandapam. Chola era Dwara Balagas can be found at the entrance of the sanctum. Utsava Idols (Somaskanthar, Chandrasekarar, Nataraja, Amman Girijambiga and Kaali) are located in the antarala. Naalvar, 3 Vinayaga Idols, Sapthamathas, Ayyanar can be found on the left Mandapam.

Navagrahas and Bhairavar can be found in the Arthamandapam. There are twisted serpents on the body of Bhairavar with serve hairs, earings, bracelets and anklets and other ornaments of the body. The Bhairavar is dressed in Tiger skin with human bones on his body with his dog Vahana. Mother is called as Girijambal / Girijambikai. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. She is gracing the devotees in Abhaya Hastha.

This temple unusually has Nandhi in front of the Amman and a Pavai Vilakku in front of Shiva. There are shrines for Vinayaga, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena and Shiva Lingas in the prakaram. Sculptures of Vishnu worshipping Shiva and sculpture depicting history of Siruthonda Nayanar are examples of Chola masterpiece.

There is a sculpture showing dance posture of 3 women in the temple. Only 4 legs have been carved for 3 women but when you notice individually, you will find each woman with 2 legs. This is a wonderful sculpture of the Cholas. Theertham associated with this Temple is Brahma Theertham. It is situated to the west of the temple.

Subramaniya Swami Temple, Mailam, Villupuram

Subramaniya Swami Temple, Mailam, Villupuram

Subramaniya Swami Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan located in Mailam near Tindivanam in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is located on small hillock at Mailam is a famous place for of pilgrimage. Though, this is a Shiva temple with Viswanathar and Visalakshi in the sanctum, but the importance is given to Subramanya Swamy. Arunagirinathar had praised Lord Murugan of this Temple in his Thirupugazh hymns. This Hindu temple is controlled by the Bommayarpalayam Mutt.

Legends

For brief details, kindly refer below link;

https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2019/07/subramaniya-swami-temple-mailam-legends.html

History

For brief details, kindly refer below link;

https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2019/07/subramaniya-swami-temple-mailam-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, kindly refer below link;

https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2019/07/subramaniya-swami-temple-mailam-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 06.00 AM to 12.30 PM and 04.00 PM to 08.30 PM

Festivals

The Panguni Uthiram festival held in March - April fascinates a large crowd of devotes from all over Tamil Nadu. Karthigai days coming in the Tamil months of Adi, Karthikai, Thai and Panguni are considered more auspicious and on these days more devotees converge at the Mailam temple.

Singers

Arunagirinathar had praised Lord Murugan of this Temple in his Thirupugazh hymns.

Connectivity

For brief details, kindly refer below link;

https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2019/07/subramaniya-swami-temple-mailam-connectivity.html

Location

Subramaniya Swami Temple, Mailam – Connectivity

Subramaniya Swami Temple, Mailam – Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Mailam Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Kootteripattu Junction, 6 Kms from Mailam Railway Station, 15 Kms from Vikravandi, 17 Kms from Tindivanam, 31 Kms from Villupuram, 32 Kms from Puducherry, 32 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 125 Kms from Chennai Airport and 146 Kms from Chennai.

By Road:

The Temple is situated off the GST Road connecting Trichy and Chennai. When you travel on GST road from Chennai to Villupuram, after Tindivanam before Villupuram, take a left turn at Kootteripattu Junction. The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from this Junction. There are frequent bus services available to Various places in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Pondicherry states from Tindivanam. To reach the temple on the top of the hill we can climb by footsteps by bare foot (750 meters) or by the vehicle (1 Kms).

By Train:

Mailam is located on the Chennai–Tindivanam main line of the Southern Railway. Mailam Railway Station (MTL) handles over 8 trains daily (up/down) and serves about 12,000 passengers every day. There are trains which pass through Mailam Railway Station and are given below.

1. Train 56041 (Tirupati – Pondicherry)

2. Train 66045 (Melmaruvathur – Villupuram)

3. Train 66046 (Villupuram – Melmaruvathur)

4. Train 56042 Pondicherry to Tirupati)

5. Train 16186 Velankanni Express

By Air:

Nearest Airports are located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Subramaniya Swami Temple, Mailam – History

Subramaniya Swami Temple, Mailam – History

The temple, situated on a small hill is connected with a village on the Coromandel Coast, Bomayapalaiyam, very near Pondicherry, where a Vera Saiva mutt is found According to the name, Bomma or Bomme, derived from Brahmana. This was a village donated to Brahmans, as is confirmed by the Sthala Purana in which Bomayapalaiyam is also named Brahmapuram. The temple atop the hill was built by Bomayapalaiyam Mutt. The Mutt established at the foot of the hill looks after the temple administration.

It is known from the private diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai, the dubash under Dupleix, that Dupleix visited, in 1744, the head of the mutt and offered him a few yards of cloth and bottles of rose water. In another passage, dating from 1746, Ananda Ranga Pillai mentions that the swami of the mutt cites three pontiffs during this twenty-four-year period. First, he states that a certain Turaiyar Pachai Kandappaiyur, who was leading an ascetic life in Palani, was installed as head of the mutt.

However, four days later, he corrects himself to say that Turaiyur Pachai Kandappaiyur, who had come to install the new pontiff of the mutt, desired to visit Pondicherry before returning to Turaiyur. This shows that Palani had control over the mutt. All the heads of the Bomayapalaiyam mutt are named Sivagnana Bala Siddha, which calls clearly to mind that Palani is a hill inhabited by siddhas and devoted to Murugan, or more specifically, to Murugan in his form of ascetic and young (Bala) god.

Subramaniya Swami Temple, Mailam – Legends

Subramaniya Swami Temple, Mailam – Legends

Mayilamalai:

The legend of this place begins with the end of Surapadman atrocious rule and his tearful appeal to Lord to accept him as his mount. According to Sthalapuranam, Surapadman, though fought against Muruga, was routed in the end. When he was about be slain, he appealed to the Lord to accept him as his vehicle, and he would serve him with fidelity.

Moved by the tearful appeals, the Lord ordered him to do meditation taking the shape of peacock (Mayil in Tamil) on the bank of Varaha near Mayilamalai. Nodding, he continued his appeal to the Lord to dwell for ever on the same hill. It was granted. Thus, came into existence this Mayilamalai and the place called Mailam, for short.

Sankhakannar:

There is another long legend associated with the life Sankhakannar, one of the Sivaganas of Kailash. Due to incurring displeasure to Lord Siva, he was cursed to be born as man in bhuloka and to get emancipation after due penance only. According to the Sthala Purana of Mailam, it was the duty of Sankhakannar, a gana in Siva’s following, to stand guard at the grove where Parvati was bathing. He failed in this task as he did not prevent Siva from entering and, because of this, he was cursed by Siva, who announced that he would have to fight with Murugan and teach the vedasaivagamas for many years.

Having been thus cursed, the gana, in the form of a young child named Balasiddha, descended to earth, to the village of Bomayapalaiyam. Knowing that he could be liberated only by Murugan, and following the advice of Narada, he went to Mailam, the hill whose name is linked to the peacock of the god (Mayil), for it was there that the Asura Surapadman assumed the form of a peacock so as to obtain liberation from Murugan. Despite the intervention of his consorts, Valli and Devasena, Murugan refused to relieve the curse upon Sankhakannar because it had come from Siva.

Angered by his refusal, Murugan’s consorts slipped away from him and became Siddha Kannis, taking refuge in their palace. Disguised as a hunter, Murugan attempted to enter the palace and confronted Sankhakannar. The guardian very soon recognized the god, who immediately rid him of the curse. He asked Murugan to always remain present at Mailam with his wives in the form of bridegroom (Kalyana Kolam).

Srilasri Sivagnana Palaya Swamigal:

It is said that Srilasri Sivagnana Palaya Swamigal was in yoga nishta for 100 years here drinking the milk of Kalli plant and merged with Lord Shiva.

Bomayapalaiyam:

The temple, situated on a small hill , is connected with a village on the Coromandel coast, Bomayapalaiyam, very near Pondicherry, where a Vera Saiva mutt is found. This Mutt is maintaining the Temple. According to the name, Bomma or Bomme, derived from Brahmana. This was a village donated to Brahmans, as is confirmed by the Sthala Purana in which Bomayapalaiyam is also named Brahmapuram.

Subramaniya Swami Temple, Mailam – The Temple

Subramaniya Swami Temple, Mailam – The Temple

The Temple is located on a small hillock. The Temple is having 5 tier Rajagopuram. This small hill can be either climbed by steps or can drive up to the main Rajagopuram. The entrance is how ever through the south side via a small gopuram. The temple is fairly of recent origin with records from 1750’s. Though, this is a Shiva temple with Viswanathar and Visalakshi in the sanctum, but the importance is given to Subramanya Swamy. Lord Subramanya is present in the sanctum with four arms in a standing marriage posture with Valli & Deivanai facing East.

Majestic Vel and Peacock can be seen in front of the sanctum. There are three Utsava Idols in the Temple. Chief Utsava idol is Lord Bala Subramanya along with his consorts Valli & Deivanai. Others are Muthu Kumara Swamy along with his consorts Valli & Deivanai and Six faced Shanmuga Peruman. Utsava Idol of Veerabhagu can also be found. There is a Vinayagar shrine situated very near to the Murugan Shrine. Jeeva Samadhi of Bala Siddhar is situated between these two shrines. There is a separate Navagraha Shrine in the temple.

Theertham associated with this Temple is Varaha River. The temple tank, Bala Siddhar Agni Theertham Kulam, is situated one the way to the main temple nearby a small temple of Lord Ganesha. Nearby the tank, a separate place has been allocated for the devotees for undergoing Tonsure for the children or the elders. Sthala Vriksham is Punnai Tree.

The temple possesses two processional chariots, used for the Brahmotsavam in Panguni. They are decorated with sculpted panels representing diverse forms of Siva: Bikshadana, Gaja Samhara Murti, Kalantaka, Sarasvati, Manmathan, Krishna and other deities of the Hindu pantheon. The other panels, linked with local history, are of two types. First panels connected with both Murugan & the mutt and second panels relating solely to the mutt.

Two panels represent episodes of Sankhakannar fighting against Siva, and then against Murugan. In the first scene involving Siva, the representation deviates singularly from the story. Siva, bearded and wearing a turban, is in the process of copulating with his consort, while Sankhakannar, the guardian's club in his hand, reaches up to save the latter and pulls her by her hair. The second scene is more allusive and the wives of Murugan do not appear: only Murugan seizes the guardian who joins issue, his arm raised as a sign of combat.

It is certainly because Sankhakannar is reincarnated as a young child that the birth of Murugan is represented. This is a rare scene, with the exception of Darasuram where amidst reeds; his place of birth, the baby god is taken by Siva, who returns him to Parvati. In the next scene, she is giving him her breast. In Mailam, the Krittika-s holds six small Murugan’s in their arms, seated on lotuses. On a third panel, between Parvati and Nandikeswara as worshippers, Siva is standing, bearded and armed with his trident, the kettle-drum and fire, and holds the child Murugan on his arm.

Another type of representation, also quite rare, is Murugan teaching, a form of the god related to his activities as well as those of the head of a mutt. One scene is on Ganapati chariot and another on that of Murugan. In one case, Murugan is seated on a pedestal with a book in his hand, giving a lesson to Siva, who is standing with joined hands. In the other, Subrahmanya, again on a pedestal, is making the gesture of teaching in front of Siva, who stands in respectful attitude of listening, one hand before his mouth.

A third representation is the illustration of a passage from the Tamil Skanda Purana recounting the incarceration of Brahma as a consequence of his inability to recite the Vedas. The prison is a frame spiked with thorns in which Brahma is held, kept watch over by a moustached guard, dagger in hand. Next to this, a walking Subrahmanya is in the process of imprisoning Brahma. Five panels bear Veera Saiva figures. On the first panel, the identity of one of them, who is wearing a tiara and seated on a throne beneath a canopy, is engraved in Tamil on a step of throne: Alamma Prabhu. The latter was a spiritual master from the twelfth century known for his ascetic rigour and was contemporaneous with Basava.

On the adjacent panel, three men standing with joined hands are certainly worshippers of Alamma Prabhu. The inscription, Prakasa Pravesa Valaya, must be the name of the central personage, who is larger than the two others. On the third panel, a sage is seated on a throne beneath a canopy. He has a beard and moustache and long hair scattered on his shoulders and wears around his neck a necklace of Rudraksha and a Linga. One hand is in abhaya-mudra and the other holds the Linga of the Veera Saivas. Beneath is an inscription: Bala Siddha Sankhakannar, confirming the assimilation of the two personages. It is dated to 4245 of the Kali era, i.e. 143 A.D, this is obviously a mythical date suitable for a founder.

On the fourth panel, a Siddha, flanked by two worshippers, is seated with crossed legs on a throne in the form of recumbent lion. He has the chignon of an ascetic, a moustache and beard and wears a Linga around his neck. The inscription gives his name: Pavala Swami and the date are 3245 of the Kali era, or 1143 AD, which is more or less the period of Basava and of Alamma Prabhu.

On the last panel, a figure is standing, dressed in a dhoti, shoulders covered by a large scarf. He has Rudrakshas and a Linga around his neck and is wearing the sandals of an ascetic. He is holding the staff of the pontiffs and near to him are offerings placed on a low table. The inscription indicates that it is matter of the installation (Makuta Abhisheka) of the eighteenth Balaya Swami. The date in Arabic numerals is 25.2.28, quite obviously 1928, as it is known from the documents of the mutt that he died in 1965 and that he was succeeded by the present pontiff, the nineteenth, who was installed in 1965.

The temple at top the hill was built by Bomayapalaiyam Madam and managed by a trustee known as ‘Mailam Sivagnana Balaya Swamigal’ whose house is situated just nearby the temple on the hill. The Mutt established at the foot of the hill is looking after the temple administration.

Arulala Perumal Temple, Munnur, Villupuram

Arulala Perumal Temple, Munnur, Villupuram

Arulala Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Munnur Village in Marakkanam Taluk in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Arulala Perumal Temple and Mother is called as Perundevi Thayar. Munnur is also known as Darukavanam, Veera Narayana Puram, Purushotama Nallur, Chaturvedi Mangalam and Tirisathapuram. The Temple is situated very close Munnur Adavalleeswarar Temple.

Legends

Nalliyakodan:

The lord appeared on one night in the vision of King Nalliyakodan who was scared of losing a battle. He then requested the lord to be present there itself for all to see him. He won the war by the grace of Lord. Later, he built this Temple.

Communication with Adavalleeswarar:

There is a belief that the lord here communicates with Adavalleeswarar (Shiva) from the nearby temple below a banyan tree hereabouts between 1.00 am and 2.00 am through the goddess Vaishnavi.

History

A King, called Nalliya Kodan who ruled over these areas is believed to have built Arulala Perumal Temple in 1645. Inscriptions of Chola and Pallava era have also been found here indicating that the original temple could be much older and later rebuilt by Nalliyakodan.

The Temple

This is a west facing Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Arulala Perumal and he is facing west. He is gracing the devotees with his consorts Sreedevi and Bhoodevi. Mother is called as Perundevi Thayar. She is housed in a separate shrine facing west. There are shrines for Aandal, Anjaneya, Yoga Narasimhar, Chakrathalvar, Vaishnavi, Adi Kesava Perumal, Alwars and Acharyas in the Temple premises. The Yoga Narasimhar is of special significance and was found while digging the ground on a Saturday of September 2009 on full moon day and Swathi Nakshatram (star) combination. Unusually Lakshmi is in a standing posture as Vaishnavi as worshipped in North.