Tamilnadu- Kooduthurai (2015)
The album covers our first visit to Kooduthurai (2015)
Description to be added later.
Kooduthurai is 10 miles from Erode in TamilnaduIt is called Prayag of South due to the confluence of Bhavani, Cauvery and mythical Amutha rivers
Kooduthurai has a famous temple- Sangameswarar Temple which also contains a Perumal complex within the same campus.
Five Storey (tier) construction
Raja GopuramNorth Entrance to Temple
Temple is in the good books of Nayanmar (Thirugnanasambandar, 7th century A.D.)
Philanthropists have been active since 1640 to take care of this Siva-Vishnu Temple; late Mr. Pollachi N Mahalingam took an active role
Temple Renovation: 1640-1967
Temple Renovation: 1973-2000
Parts of a Gopuram
As you enter thru Rajagopuram, Adhikesavaperumal Temple complex is on your right (west)
Perumal Sannidhi
Soundharavalli Thayar and Adikesava Perumal are at two ends; in between Narasimhar and Venugopalsamy deities
Temple top has various Gods
Lakshmi
Two of the Ten Avatars:Vaamana and Parasurama
Two more: Rama and Balarama
Temple Car storage
Sun shines early on Vedanayaki Amman (Bhavani))
Amman Temple has a bed room (Palliarai); an ivory cradle was donated by a British collector to Bhavani Amman in 1804 for saving his life miraculously!; interesting sculpture in the MantapaamThiruponnoosal - swing songs are sung by devotees during prayer time
Notice the smiling statue on your right and a cry woman in the left pillar (hidden in dark). When water or milk poured on the head, one smiles and the other sheds tears!
The woman looks like smiling when water is poured
The damsel in close up
What a smile!
Inscription on 1804 curious incidentA little girl (Bhavani Amman by legend) saved the life of a British Collector in 1804; The collector presented a cradle made of ivory to Amman and watched prayers from outside the compound
Holes in the outside compound wall for the non-Hindu British collector to see Bhavani Amman!
Shanmuga Subramaniar- praised by Arunagirinathar (15th century) in his Tiruppukazh
Shanmuga Subramaniar
Actual Sangameswarar Temple
Sangameswarar - Nayanmar hailed the templeThirugnanasambandar called it Thiru Naana in Pillai ThamizhSins do not approach (naanaathu) you when you pray here
Parvati and Eswarar with their sons Vinayakar and Murugan
View of Sangameswarar and Vedanayaki templesFront lamp post for Amman and one behind is for Eswarar
Sangameswarar- flag, lamp post and pali peedam
Looking at Sangameswarar from flag and lamp post side (east)
Eswarar (Utsavamurthy) is taken in a palanquin from Vedanayaki Sannidhi to his abode. Note the handheld torch for light and simple musical instruments and chanting of hymns (last year photo)
Procession proceeds to Sangameswarar Sannidhi(last year photo)
Procession enters the main temple
Procession ends in Sangameswarar sannidhi. A delightful experience.(last year photo)
One side of surrounding Compound (Prakaaram)
Plenty of Space- Veli-Ambalam for devotees to relax
Another side of Prakaaram to walk around
In one side, Temple Elephant shelter and book store are located
Visiting the uncrowded temple at uncrowded times (early morning and late night) and participating in various prayers in the nayanmar style is pure joy-
Third side of Prakaaram contains the temple tree (Sthala Viruksham), Ilandai
The tree gives fruits at all seasons which is offered to the temple Gods daily
Triveni Sangamam of SouthConfluence of Bhavani-Cauvery- Amutha RiversKeep the site clean- message is largely ignored by public!
Bhavani from other side
Cauveri comes from one side
Meeting Place of two real rivers with imaginary Amutha(elixir) riverSevere vortex forms during high water flows; a wall separates the area for safetyAncestor rites are done here for loved ones....
