Arulmigu PachaiAmman Temple, Tiruvannamalai
“After undertaking severe penance, the events that followed occurred at Umayammai, where she performed her penance in Tiruvannamalai. This strongly emphasizes the truth that she received a divine boon from here.
The deities, along with sages like Gautama, spoke appropriate verses and established a new temple on the eastern side of Arunachala, surrounded by protective guardians. Eight powerful beings guarded the four entrances, while Vinayaka and Subramanya stood watch on either side, and Durga also provided protection. With hair tied in a bun and adorned with garlands of Rudraksha, they offered sacred offerings and performed intense meditation on the Supreme Being both day and night.
Upon witnessing this severe penance, Saraswati Devi was overcome with exhaustion and submerged in water. Lakshmi, in her lotus pose, became distressed and wept. Brahma, Vishnu, and the gods approached the penance site, which was filled with Vedic hymns.
In remembrance of this penance, the Annamalai Hill is home to the Pachai Vazhi Amman temple. In this temple, the goddess is seated in a lotus pose within the sanctum. A statue of the sage Gautama, who designated the location for the goddess’s penance site, is also present. Shiva, who reveals himself to the goddess, is depicted holding a deer and a trident in his right hand, with a bull by his side. Subramanya is shown with Valli and a divine elephant, holding a bow in another hand. The Sapta Rishis are depicted as seven sages here, and within the sanctum, forms like Kathi Amman and Poonguruthi Amman are also present.
On the platforms attached to the sanctum wall, seven maidens, Nagas, and divine forms from the celestial realms (previously created using a mixture of clay and herbal extracts and later adorned with cement) can be seen.
To the right of this temple, in the southeastern area, is the Pachai Amman sacred pond. On the eastern side, in the northern direction, are the Saraswati and Vediappan sacred ponds, while the southern direction features the Lakshmi sacred pond.
From the hymns sung in praise of Pachai Vazhi Amman, one can understand the significance of this temple.”
Adhi Kamakshi Amman Temple
Tiruvannamalai has many beautiful Temples dedicated to the Divine Mother, notwithstanding the glorious Unnamulai Shrine at the Arunachaleswarar Temple, there are also the renowned and powerful; Durga Amman Temple, two Kamakshi Temples, Pachaiamman Temple, Pavala Kundru Temple, Karumariamman Temple and the unique and precious Rajarajeshwari Temple. Previously I viewed photographs taken at the Kamakshi Temple near North Street, but always assumed that the Temple was a recent minor Temple at Tiruvannamalai. I have visited the beautiful Kamakshi Temple on Thirumanjana Gopura Street (near Thiruvoodal Street), and supposed that that was the more ancient of the two. So I was surprised when I visited the Thavasu Adi Kamakshi Temple near North Street for the first time a few days ago, and learnt that it is in fact one of the most ancient Temples in the District. History dates its age to be around 1,500 years old, and the statue of the Goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is also extremely ancient. The Temple is very powerful and the Goddess Kamakshi is renowned as a boon giver as she is an aspect of the shakti of Lord Shiva, and grants all the wishes of those who invoke her.
The goddess Kamakshi is a form of Tripura Sundari or Raja Rajarajeshwari, an embodiment of Universal power, an incarnation of Parashakti. She is also known as Lalitambika or Tripurasundari. As the Goddess that sits on the Sri Chakra, she is defined as the supreme Goddess of beauty.
Legend states that the Goddess Kamakshi appeared when Kamadeva (god of love) was burnt to ashes by Lord Shiva’s third eye. Lord Chitra Karma (god of art) collected the ashes and drew a picture of a man. When Lord Shiva glanced at the ash figure, it breathed into life. Chitra Karma advised the man that as he was born due to the glance of Lord Shiva’ s merciful eyes hence he should do penance to Lord Shiva and recite Shiva mantras. The man born from the ashes of Kamadev was able to please Shiva by his penance and the Lord blessed the man with lordship of the world for sixty thousands years. Hearing this Lord Brahma feared that there would be chaos in the world and cried out in despair ‘Bhand! hey Bhand!’ Therefore the man was known as Bhanda.
Armed with boon of near invincibility, Bhanda defeated Lord Indra and caused great chaos on earth. In response Indra performed a yajna dedicated to the Shakti Goddess. From the sacrificial fire arose the Sri Chakra and on it appeared the beautiful Goddess Kamakshi.
Promising to restore Dharma on earth, the Goddess engaged Bhanda in battle and defeated him on the fourth day. As she appeared to annihilate the demon that arose from the ashes of Hindu God Kama, her name is Kamakshi.
One of the most unique features of the Goddess at the Kamakshi Temple, North Street, Tiruvannamalai, is that she is holding a Shiva Lingam in her hand which is pressed against her heart, whilst standing in a sea of flames to represent the austerity (thavasu) she had to perform in reparation for her sin in killing Mahisha, a Shiva devotee.
“The Goddess pierced Mahisha with Her trident. His body was as big as a mountain range but he could not withstand the valour of the Goddess. He fell and rolled on the ground but could not extricate himself from the trident. He looked like a red sea with blood flowing from his face and limbs. The Goddess cut off his head with a sharp sword and stood dancing upon him. Seeing this the siddhas, gandharvas and Maharshis hailed Her as Goddess Durga. Indra, the king of the devas, bowed down before Her and with folded hands he praised the Goddess. He prayed that Her form as Mahishasura Mardhani (the destroyer of Mahisha) should be a source of prosperity and happiness for all creation.
When the Goddess was praised in this manner and worshipped by Indra and adored by the rishis, She complied with their request and said, “Let it be so”. She created an image bearing all kinds of weapons and installed it in the world of the devas. Then She took Her place here again assuming Her tranquil form surrounded by Her companions. She looked at the severed head and neck of Mahisha. Seeing a lingam there She quietly took it with the object of worshipping it. She looked at the blood smeared lingam carefully for a long time. When She did so the lingam stuck to Her hand. She could not remove it! She exclaimed:
“Why has this happened?” In distress She went to Maharshi Gautama and said: “This devotee of Siva was killed by me. I am therefore overcome by sorrow.” Pained at what She had done She continued: “O Sage! You know all the dharmas! I wanted to protect the devas. So I assured them of my protection. While fulfilling my promise, though meant for protecting dharma, I have committed an act of adharma. This lingam which was around his neck clings to my hand. How shall I expiate the sin of killing a devotee of Siva? Until I obtain the Grace of Siva I shall go on a pilgrimage with this lingam and do penance. Afterwards I shall bathe in the holy waters flowing at places sacred to Siva and expiate my sin.”
Gautama who was well-versed in the dharma of Siva said: “Gowri! Do not fear that you killed a devotee of Siva by mistake. Mahisha could not be conquered by the devas not because he had the good fortune to possess the lingam, but because he had to be killed only by you, the beloved of Siva. He roused the anger of Maharshis who were the devotees of Siva, hated them and scorned them. Consequently he was cursed by them thus: ‘As you behave like a buffalo you shall become a wild bison.’ And he immediately became Mahisha (bison). But when he bowed to them, praised them and begged for release from his curse, they were pleased to give him the following advice: ‘Although you have become a bison, by Siva’s command, you will be slain by the Goddess herself. You need not be depressed at your plight. Who is not punished for scorning the siddhas who are actually Siva? Although you have, on account of your sin become a bison, you will be released from the curse through the grace of the siddhas.’
“O Gowri, Mahisha has been killed by you because of your penance. If necessary you may for the sake of pleasing Siva, have darshan of Arunachala, the Effulgent Lingam. Mahisha was a devotee of the Lord of Arunadri in his previous birth. Afterwards he became a wild buffalo but somehow he acquired a lingam. Who is there in the three worlds who can kill the wearer of a lingam? “It is said that a lingam which is worn without proper initiation will bring ruin upon the wearer. Or perhaps, he swerved away from the virtuous path by evil counsels. There is no doubt that he has been liberated by coming into contact with your lotus feet, as a result of the austerities performed by him in his former lives, by the remembrance of his real nature and the wearing of the lingam. In any case, the sight of this noble Hill is the sure means of expiating all sins.
Lord Arulmigu Renugambal Temple – Padaivedu:
LEGEND OF A LAND OF DIVINITY THE TEMPLE OF THE MOST GRACEFUL GODDESS RENUGAMBAL Once upon a time. all the Sarunakathi sages assembled in theVishnu Forest. From there they went and met the great sage Sudha. After paying their customary respects. they presented a question to him. They wanted to know which was the most sacred of all sacred places and sacred ponds on earth capable of redeeming anyone instantly from all his ther sins and offering him there an abode in heaven. And they also expressed their desire to get enlightened upon the greatness of such a graceful place and its divinecharacter. On hearing their request. the sage Soodha agreed to let them know the exact location of that holy place and allthe details relating to its greatness .He informed them that there was a place on the banks of a river by name Kamandalam ro the south of palaru (a river) and to the north of seyaru (another river) It is a town bearing the name Kundali. and that is one of the several abodes of the Goddess Renuga. Staying there. she is performing her duty as the saviour of all the worlds. Once. she. in association with her own illusionary form Chamundi. began to live in the hermitage of a sage called Jamathagni. Jamathagni is one of the later descendents of the dynasty of the sage. `Bhrugu&bull. He performed penance for one thousand years and married Renugadevi and thus was blessed with immortality. Here, Renugadevi halved herself into two different forms, one to offer joy to her devotees and the other to offer them sufferings. Both forms can still be seen there as deities. There are one thousand and eight siva temples and one hundred and eight Vishnu temples in that local. Once. a king by name `Vivaswan`, scared of his enemies, reached Kundalipuram which remained surrounded by twenty five hills. and sought asylum at the divine feet of Renugadevi. Then Renugadevi appeared before him sitting on Her Lion as Vahana (vehicle) and offered him her blessings. On hearing this narration from sage Soodha. Savunakathi sages asked him to explain to them her origin and thos that followed her birth and the greatness of Kundalipura. and also the history of sage Jamathagni and that of Vivaswan too.Sage Soodha conceded to their request and started his discourse. Vivaswan. a descendent of Surya dynasty was ruling Ayodhya. When he was defeated by a king called Virusltaparva. he ran away from his country and started to live in a forest. At that time he reached the abode of Vasishtar and greeted him. The sage could perceive through his `wisdom eye&bullthe past happenings in the King`s life and told him that he had fled the country in fear of a demon. Hence he was ordered to go to the holy land. Kundalipuram, which was situated near the mountain •Javvadhi` which was stretched for a distance of ten yojanas in the south – north direction and one yojana distance in the east – west direction and seven yojanas from eastern ocean. The greatness of the place is beyond the realm of words. There. he would find the temple of Renuga Devi. He could seek the blessings of the God­ dess and conquer the demon.. tie was told. On hearing that, the king wanted to know that significance and greatness of that divine place. The sage complited with his request and started lecturing him. ADVENT OF UMADEVI When the sage Jamathagni was performing his thousand­ year penance in the city of Kundali near Javvadhi hills, a king by name Fraivadhr was ruling a country called Vidharba Desa. At the request of Brahma. Umadevi appeared before the king as a child. The king named her as Renuga and brought her up in his palace. When she attained her marriageable age. she said to her father. “I have reached the age of marriage. So I am going in search of my partner along with the•’sathuranga Army. When I find my would be husband. I will marry him. So please allow me to depart”. lravadha gave his consent and bid adieu. Then Renugadevi,. after journeying through a number of countries. reached the hermitage of Jamathagni which was situated on the banks of Kundalipuram When she reached that place she heard a divine announcement from heaven that Brahma had already fixed the sage Jamathagni as her groom. On hearing this, she searched and found out the abode of Jamathagni which was serving as a monastry of sages. In the midst of tho abode was the Sathurveda pond and it was surrounded by the four Vedas. Renugadevi camped with her army at a place called Santhavasal near the hermitage. Even now, that sage with his power of penance is serving as a sentinel at the nor thern gate in the form of •Kailasa Pillayar. That camp is now protocted by the four Vedas and a number of angels and Upanishads. JAMATHAGNI WAGES A WAR AGAINST RENUGA On seeing Renuga camping with her army, the four Vedas went and informed the sage about her arrival and also narrated to him her beautiful features and her real intentions. The sage ordered them to catch her by her hair and drag her to his home. For this purpose he gave them a weapon called `Brahmadhandam•. lmmediately the servants reached Santhavasal alias Sandaduvaram where Renugadevi, was staying with her army lighting up all directions around her with her powerful glow and surrounded by a number of princesses. At the sight of Renugadevi. a soldier by name Agirthavirunam lifted his Dhandam and aimed at her. Powerful warriors carrying arms emerged from that Dhandam and began fighting. While the battle was in progress Renugadevi spoke to her officer and ordered Chamundi Devi to start battling and to kill all tile enemy soldiers. 0n receiving her order. Durga alias Chamundeeswari attacked the army of Jamathagni with arrows and burnt thom alive with her`Third Eye•. Soon the remaining soldiers of Jamathagni went and told their guru about the happenings on the battle held. CREATION OF THE RIVER KAMANDALAM On hearing the message brought in by his warriors, the sage Jamathagni collected tha holy waters from all the three worlds and squeezed them into his kamandalam and ordained it to go, quench the fire d by Chamundeeswari. That water turned into a big river and flowed with tremendous speed It put out the fire caused by Chamundeeswai and then flowed 0n along the northern sides of Vellur. Sambuvarayanallur. Kamakur. Mullipettu. and Arani, and finally reached there sea near Valapandal. PUSHPAGIRI NAMED AFTER THE GARLAND MADE OF RED LILY FLOWER Then the sage called one of his disciples by name Agirdhavtruna and gave him the garland of red lily flowers which had the power of destroying the enemies. He ordered him to force and bring chamundeeswai to his ashram. That disciple acted accordingly, tied Chamundeeswi with Red lily garland, brougt her to the bank of kamandalam and made her stay there permanently as a deity. Since then Chamundecswari started to offer blessing to her devotees from the bank of Kamandalam (now the place is called Pushpagiiri). And then. Renuga Devi called her associate and addressed.•0h friend ! what a surprise! This is an ashram of a sage. But here his sage-disciple who have renounced the worldly life are fighting on their own! Therefore I want to see their Guru Jamathagni because he is one I am both go to him and request him to accept our demands”. On hearing this her associate whose name is “Uttami” asked her army to remain there and accompanied Renugadevi to that garden during the time of makha star in the month of “Aani” . Since then, that place is being regarded as a holy land and got the mane Senavidham ( padai veedu). From there Renugadevi. advanced. towards the abode of the sage by annihilating his armies and humiliating his disciples. When she was nearing his hut. Agirdhaviruna collected the grass. `Dharbai. tied them. made a weapon out of it and threw it towards her chanting a mantra. These dharbha took the form of a mountain causing a fear all around (Since then this place assumed the name of city of Kundali). At that instant Renugadevi who had assumad an invisible form surveyed all the four sides of the town along with Uthami and crossed over Kundalam and reached the Ashram breaking all the obstacles placed by the sage. The very sight of Renuga Devi caused the entire army of the sage to fall flat stupour. The sage got furious and chased her away and ran after her carrying dharbha grassin his hands. Renuga Devi, on seeing the sage following her, grows fearful of him. Began to run faster than before and reached the north-eastern corner ot the town. At seeing the sage following her so furiously. she got into the hole of a mound of ants and sought reluge there. By seeing this the sage made deity of her associate Uthami,in that very place and reached the muddy mound where Renugadovi sought refuge. RENUGA ASSUMING THE FORM OF A STONE Renuga, who was slaying inside the ant mound converted herself into a stone below her neck and appeared before the sage. At seeing her, the sage asked her for her identity and wanted to know who she was. who`s daughter she was and the name of her country. He also wanted the know the purpose of her mission into his dwellinmg. Renuga started to reply to his queries in the following manner: My name is Renuga Devi,. I am the daughter of the king lravathan. I went around the whole world in search of my would be husband and finally reached here with the intention of acccpting you as my husband. Detailing like this. she demanded that ho has to marry her. Growing furious at knowing her real mortive, he asked her Exacrty why then she terrorized his disciples, took an illusionary form and finally turned herself into a stone and again showing off as an earthly woman. After questioning her like this he cursed her to attain the state of the meanest woman and be the leading woman` deity for all cities of the world. Then Renuga Devi followed the sage. On reaching the crowd of sages, she could know that all of them were afraid of her. She took out her musical instwment called Udukai and started playing it. On hearing the sound coming out of udukai all the sages regained their strength and got up afresh as if waking up from a long restful sleep. By witnessing this amazing episode. the sage Jamathagani expressed his admiration of the great power of Renugadevi and asked her with elation. Hey! Renuga I appreciate your all power nature. Ask me what you want. I will arrange to get you. Pleased to hear these words from the sage. Renuga bowed to the sage lifting her hands in folded form above her head as a mark of respect. And said. Please have mercy on me. marry me in accordance with vedic rulos and take back the curse you had inflticted on me• DESIRE FOR MARRIAGE After hearing her request the sage began to reply •0h! The dear daughter of Iravadha! I will never go back on my words. In order to serve the humanity. you split yourself into two forms. One form will enjoy the pleasures of the material world in association with me in the heaven and the other form will spread all over the world in the name of maya. There need not be an iota of doubt in it Having stated this, he thought over the idea of marrying her. Then he decided that the time was ripe enough to marry her. So he let everyone around know about his decision to marry her. Bound by the sage`s power of penance. all the three Gods assembled there along with their dear and near. Like wise the king lravatha also arrived there along with his son. Brahma fixed Uthra-natchatram of Panguni as the auspicious occasion for the celebration of marrage and accordingly performerd the function too. Once the marriage ceremony is over, the sage Jamathagni offered a grand feast to all the guests with the help of the giving cow Kamadhenu and gave away gifts to them in accordance with their status and bid farewel1. The guests blessed the couple and departed. Then the sage started his happy family Iife with Renugadevi and performed plenty of yagas (sacrificing ceremonies) The King lravatha presented his daughter with lots of gifts and asked his son Chandrakedu to stay back to look after the couple. Then he left for his palace. Chandrakedu fought with the southern part of that land and built a city of his own and started to rule. FORMATION OF THE CITY OF KUNDALI Chandrakedu was engaged in the process of establtshing the city Kundali and consolidating his power for 10 thousand years of kirudha yuga. His rule extended from kanchi to Kaveri. At that time, he was blessed with a male child called Maruthuvan. On his attaining the required age. the king handed over the throne to him and left for the forest in order to engage himself inpenance. While Maruthuvan was ruling from Kanchipuram to Rameswaram. Renuga Devi gave birth to a child who was the reincarnation of God vishnu and named him as Parasuram. She took tile cluld to her sage husband. On receiving the child, the sage completed all the necessy rituals meant for the child. Parasuram on allainment of adult hood took leave of his parents. went to the Mount Mahendra and started to perform a sovore penance. When the sage Vashistar completed telling this story, the king Vivaswan wanted to know the entire story of Renuga Devi. Vashishtar agreed to tell him the entire story
Lord Arulmigu Pandurangan Thirukovil, Thennakoor:
Arulmigu Raghumayi Sammetha pandurangan temple in Thennakoor Village is an example of nagara style of architecture in North India. As per hindu puranas it is a place where Goddess Lakshmi Devi live and they maintain the gardens well. The enterance gopuram is very tall and the vimanam present inside are in nagara style of architecture and it has a huge mandapam with a lots of paintings and we can seek blessings of the 10.5 ft tall Pandurangan and 8.5 ft tall Raghumayi idols from here. The deities are adorned by different styles of clothes and ornaments in 6 days a week. The place is located in Vandavasi to Kanchipuram highway, 5 Km from Vandavasi.
Lord Arulmigu Periyanayagi Thirukovil, Devikapuram:
It is the next biggest temple next to Tiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar temple and a best example for Vijayanagar architecture. Periyanayagi Amman temple located at the foot hill and Ponmalainathar temple is located at the hilltop. It has more than 10000 statues and 60 stone inscriptions. It was a famous trading point and spiritual place during Vijayanagar reign and the temple was administrative centre in ancient time. The compound walls of Periyanayagi ammman, marriage hall, Garbha griha were inscribed with the stories of saivisam and vaishnavism. Devara statues, avatars of Lord Vishnu and sthalapurana statues are few notable ones. Thirukameshwarar Sammeda Kokilambal temple is located at the backside and Ponmalainathar temple situated at a distant of 500 feet are known for their architectural beauty.
Enthira Sanishvara Temple, Erikkuppam:
Enthira Sanishvara temple is located at Erikkuppam Villagein Arni-Padavedu road. It is one of the navagraha stalas dedicated to sanishvara, who blesses in Linga form. It is very famous during sanipeyarchi which occurs once in every two and half year. The 5 feet tall and 2 feet width Lord Sri Sanishvarar in open Garbha griha yandra has hexagonal structure at the centre and has thirusulam at its 6 edges and has Mahalakshmi and Lord Hanuman at the bottom, it also has Surya and Chandra structures in the forehead and a crow inbetween. There is a statue on Sanibhagavam in a chariot ridden by crows at the entrance. There is also a painting depicting all the navagrahas with their vehicles at the front mahal.
Arulmigu Vedapurishvar Temple, Cheyyar:
Tiruvothaur temple is sung by Thirugnanasambanthar, one of the savaikuravargal. The miracle of transformation of the male palm tree into female palm tree by the songs of Thirugnanasambanthar occurred in this place. This place is currently known as Cheyyar. The Rajagopuram in Veedpureeshwarar temple faces east direction with 6 levels is full of sudai structures. The temple has wedding hall on right, temple pond on left and garden next to it. New structures of murugan, Vinayagar, Natarajar, Gnanasambanthar and palm tree are seen in the front mandapam.
Right side of the temple has Ambal sanidhi and her lion straight opposite to her along with kodimaram, palm tree, Gnanasambanther & Sivalinga statue are present next to it.
Garbha griha has Vedapureeshwarar facing east with Vimanam on the top. Sandeeshwarar is present in the left side Balagujmbal has a separate temple for herself. Navagraham are present in the left side of the temple. The grand festival happens on every thai month on every year.
Ramachandra Perumal Temple:
The famous Yoga Ramachandra temple is present here. Statues of perumal has his left hand over his heart and Hanuman reading vadas opposite to him can be seen here. Very artistic Dwarabalagars statues can be present next to it. The front mandapam has Ramayanan, Dasaavathars of Vishnu, Gishnalelai, Krishnadevarayar statues special Structure of Krishnadevarayar is notable are seen.
Hanging lotus statue, Raman – Valli fight scenes Krishnalelai statue of Sukkirivan Valli, statue of Krishnadevarayar are few notable structures. The temple was constructed during Vijayanagar reign is famous for great Architectural & historically important stone inscription. It is located in Chetpet Vandavasi Highway 5 Km from Chetpet.
Lord Vallisvarar temple Kronkinalmootam :
It is 6th among the songs sung in Thondainadu. as valli as monkey Indran as squirrel, yeman as muttam (Crow) workshipped the lord, hence the place is called kuranganilmuttam. The front entrance of the temple has statues of squirrel & crow. God – Valleshwarar, Koyamalai nadir, Goddess – Vallaiyamman, Sthalaviritcham – Elandai,Theertham – Kakkaitheertham and has small garbbha griha facing west and Ambal sanidhi faces south. The temple also has sanidhis for Vijayagar, Murugar, Vishvanathar, Visaalatchi durai, bramman navagraha, Thirumal, Bairavar Nalvar Sandeshvarar and Sapda Mathars. cave temple of pallava period is present next to this temple.
Pachaiyamman Sameda Mannarsamy Temple Munugapattu:-
Munugapattu pachaiyamman Manarsami temple is one of the oldest temple. It functions as family temple for thousands of families thousands of devotees gave their offerings from first 10 Mondays from Tamil month of Aadi. The east facing goddess Pachiyamman blesses her devotees with a graceful face and in standing posture. Sudai structure in sitting posture can be seen at the backside.
The Mahamandapam has the Goddess along with her friends and angels. Kaval Deivangal are seen at the entrance..
Parvathamalai:
As per the opinions of the historians, the place ruled by the king Nanan Sei nanan during ancient period is Navira hills, presently called as Parvathamalai. It is present in the foothill of javadi hills and Abidagujambal – Maligarjunar temple is locaed in the hill top. The temple is a boon for mountain treckkers with natural scenaries and gentle breeze. This hill is known as Thenkailayam and workshipped by many saints. This place can be reached either from Thenmadhimangalam or from kadaladi. It is at a distance of 25 km from Polur and 30 Km from Tiruvannamalai.
Jain Temple, Thirumalai
It is a famous Jain temple. The 18 feet statue of Neminadhar, 23rd theerthangarar is present in the hilltop. The thirupathangal and Kundavi nachiyar inscription are present here. The Mahavir temple located at the foot hill has 5 feet sudhai statue, statues of theerthangarar’s, cave paintings, stone inscription. The temple is present at a peaceful and proper ventilated place. This temple can be reached from vadamathimangalam Via Polur, Arni or from Mattapiraiyur or Kommanandhal Via Devikapuram.
Mamandur Cave Temple;-
This temple is one of the biggest cave temples of Tamilnadu. There are 4 Cave temples located in Narasamangalam – Mamandur Village hill. These temples were constructed by the king Magendiravarma and his successors. The 1st and 2nd cave present at the extreme right are for Vishnu and Shivan, respectively and there is no idol in the third cave at the hill top. The 4th cave present at the southern end is an incomplete one. The pallva grantha inscription which says about the special names of King Mahendiravarma and the 10th century stone inscription which says about the chitramega thadagam which is present at the back of the hill are historical treasures. Valeeswarar and Bairava temples are situated at the hill top.
Seeyamangalam cave temple:-
The cave temples like Avagibagana palavaneshwaram, Simha Vishnu are just cave temples during Pallava period. Later kings extended these into artha mandapam, Muga mandapam, kopurams The name of the idol is Thunandar. The historians mentioned that the natarajar statue in the pillar is the first natarjar statue. More than 30 stone inscriptions present here contains rare and important historical news. The hill present at the opposite to the temple has Jain bed and various statues. This temple located at a distance of 2 km west to Desur .
MADAM Temple
This temple was constructed during the chola period, the main deity is Thadakapurishwar. The place was mentioned as Jeyankonda Cholamandalathu palkundrakottathu thennattur nattu kulathur in the temple stone inscription. The main deity eas mentioned as Agneeshwaramudaiyar during Kulothunga I (1072 cen CE), as mudal kulanthai Aandar during Rajarajan II (1166 cen CE) and currently as Thadakapuriswar. The stone inscriptions in Rajakkal rock and Sarukum rocks mentions about administration and details about the land donations and few more. The raja gopuram eas erected as a remembrance of the victory of Vijayanagar emperor over Sambuvarayars. The temple is a unique one which contains sagaskara lingam which has more than 1000 lingams on it, marriage hall, statues, stone inscription which is located at the centre of the place Madam. It is located at a distance of 5 km from Enthal junction in Chetpet – Vandavasi road.
Gangaikonda Choleeswarar temple, kuzhamandal.
This is a stone temple built by Eesana Siva pandithar, guru of the King Rajendra chola during his period. The place was mentioned as Jeyankonda chola mandalathu kaliyur kottathu Aakkur oor adutha Bagur nattu nagaram vikrama chola mandalathu choleeswaram. The east facing temple is with two story Vimana and artha mandapam next to it followed by muga mandapam. The name of the Lord Shiva is Gangaikonda Sozheeswarar. The stone built temple is a classic example for Chola’s architecture. It is maintained by Tamilnadu archeological department. The temple is located in vandavasi – Kanchipuram highway, 500 km east to Kuzhamandal village.
Chandramoulishwarar temple, Brahmadesam
The 3 storey Chandramoulishwarar temple was built using sandstone during later pallava kings in Brahmadesam, Vembakkam taluk. The stone inscription mentions this place as Rajamala sathurvedi mangalam. It is also known as Karaikoodu Bharammatheyam and the name of God called as Thirupoondai Aandar. Poondai means palm tree and Bharammandhasam is known as the land donated to well educate Brahmins.A people sabha known as Perunguri mahasabha and it was used to take important decisions like donations of land. The temple has more than 90 stone inscriptions which has details like establishment “thaneer pandal” remembrance of Queen Veeramahadevi W/o. Rajendra Chola I, who underwent sati after the death of the king, functions of math, celebrations. Rudra Koteeshwarar temple is another temple present here. The temple stone inscription gives us details about the land donated by Kulothungam II. This temple is situated in Brahmadesam, natteri village in Kanchipuram – Arcot highway, Vembakkam taluk.