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Temples in Tamilnadu
Thousands of temples with
lofty towers dot the skyline of the southernmost state of Tamilnadu
in India. These temples are torchbearers of the glorious heritage of
the Tamil speaking region, and are
repositories of the magnificient art forms that evolved over several
centuries.
The Cholas (900-1250 AD) have a number of monuments to their credit.
Mention must be made of the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tanjavur. The
Cholas added many ornate mandpams or halls to temples and
constructed large gopurams - towers.
The Pandya Style (Upto 1350 AD) saw the emergence of huge towers,
high wall enclosures and enormous towered gateways. The Vijayanagar
Style (1350 - 1560 AD) is noted for the intricacy and beauty
especially for the decorated monolithic pillars. The Naik style
(1600 - 1750 AD) is noted for the addition of large prakarams
(circumambulatory paths) and pillared halls.The above is a rather
terse description of the Dravidian temple styles found in Tamilnadu.
The age of a temple could be determined from the architectural
features
exhibitied by it, as well as from references to it in ancient
literature.
The Sangam period literature of the pre Christian era refers to some
temples. The songs of the revered Saivite Saints (Nayanmars) and the
Vaishnavite Alwar Saints that date back to the period 7th to the 9th
century CE provide ample references to the temples of those days,
and these are a valued source of reference in estimating the age of
temples.
PALANI :
(Pazhani - Tiruvaavinankudi) is one of the six padai vedu shrines of
Murugan, representing the sites where Murugan the valiant commander
of the gods sojourned, while he proceded to battle against the demon
Soorapadman. Palani is probably one of the most visited and the most
endowed temples in the state of Tamilnadu. The Dhandayudapani
Temple is located on the 450 feet high Palani malai in the town of
Palani near Madurai. 690 stone steps line the mountain passage and
an electric winch also takes pilgrims up the hill.
This temple is refered to
in the Tamil work Thirumurugatruppadai of Nakeerar of the Sangam age
(pre Christian era). Arunagirinaathar, the saint poet has composed
95 verses on Palani in his Thirupugazh. The Palani malai hill temple
and the Thiruvavinankudi temple at the foot hills form a composite
unit. The Thiruvavinankudi temple is refered to as
Kuzhandhaivelayudar temple and the Saravanpoigai tank is located
near it.
RAMESWARAM :
This Shivastalam is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in
India.
It represents the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlingams of India. A.
huge temple in the island of Rameswaram (reached via the Pamban
bridge across the sea), Rameswaram is known for its long ornate
corridors and towers and 36 theerthams. Rameswaram is one of the
most visited pilgrimage sites in India & is referred to as the
Banaras of the south. Rama's worship is commemorated in the month of
Aani (June 15-July 15); two annual Bhrammotsavams are celebrated in
Aadi and in Maasi.There are 36 Theerthams in Rameswaram of which 22
are in the temple and these waters are said to possess medicinal
properties.
CHITHAMBARAM :
is one of the foremost
Saivite shrines; the very name Kovil refers to Chidambaram, where
Natarajar is enshrined in the ChitSabha or the Hall of
Consciousness, in the Ananda Tandavam (Dance of Bliss) pose.
Chidambaram is one of the Panchabhoota Stalams signifying the 5
elements of wind (Kalahasti), water (Tiruvanaikka), fire (Tiruvannamalai),
earth (Kanchipuram) and space (Chidambaram). The Moovar (Sambandar,
Appar and Sundarar) as well as Manikkavacakar have sung praises of
Chidambaram. Several literary works praise the glory of Chidambaram.
Chidambaram is one of the 5 dance Halls of Shiva (Kanakasabhai).The
five dance halls are Chithambram, Madurai, Tiruvalankadu,
Tirunelveli and Kutralam.
KANYAKUMARI :
Kanyakumari is at the southernmost tip of India and off its shores
meet three seas; the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of
Bsengal. It derives its name from the virgin Goddess Kanyakumari
whose temple is situated here on its shore.
MADURAI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE :
The Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple is one of the greatest
Shiva temples in India, known for its sprawling landscape filled
with sculptural wonders; halls, pillars and lofty towers with lavish
artwork in all forms. Madurai is a vibrant cultural center speaking
of the glorious traditions of the region. It is the siite of the 64
Tiruvilayadalgal of Shiva (Tiruvilayadal puranam and
Halasyamahatmiyam) and is one of the 5 Pancha Sabhais of Nataraja -
Rajata (Velli )Sabhai - where Shiva dances with a raised righ food.
The other dance halls are Chidambaram, Tiruvalankadu, Tirunelveli
and Kutralam. In terms of the richness of the legends, the abundance
of literature & the stunning architectural& sculptural
splendour,Madurai is second to none in representing the rich
cultural traditions of India.
Papanasam : The
river Tamravarni flowing from the Western Ghats reaches the plains
at Papanasam where it drops to form a small waterfall. This
waterfall which is believed to absolve all sins from people who
bathe in it has made Papanasam (meaning absolution of sins) an
important pilgrim centre.
Sri Rangam : Sri
Rangam, the largest Vaishnavite temple in Tamilnadu, is dedicated to
Sri Ranganatha Perumal. This temple is as holy and venerable to
Vaishnavites as Chidambaram temple is to Saivites.
Tirukkudandai Sarangapani
: The
Sarangapani temple is of great religious significance, considered to
be second only to the temple. The Vaideeka Vimanam of this temple
is considered to be an offshoot of the Sreerangam Pranava vimanam,
and a replica of the vimanam presented to Vibhishana of Sri Lanka by
Rama. It, is conceived of, as a chariot with wheels drawn by horses
and elephants, in a scale grander than that of the Melakkadambur
temple built by Kulottunga I (early 12th century).
This vimanam has two
gateways (as in Tiruvellarai),
the northern gate, or the Uttarayana vaasal, open on Makara
Sankaranti, and the Dakshinayana Vaayil, opened on Aadi perukku, the
18th day of the tamil month of Aadi. The earliest of the Alwars
Peyalwar and Bhutattalwar have sung of this temple. So have
Periyalwar, Andal and Tirumangai Alwar (8th century). Tirumazhisai
Alwar spent his last years and attained salvation here. Nammalwar
has also sung of this temple. It is at this temple that the
Vaishnavite savant Nada Muni, was inspired to compile the works of
the Alwars, upon listening to the tamil hymn 'Aaravamude' composed
by Nammalwar. Nadamuni spent his last years at the Chola capital of
Gangaikonda Choleeswaram.
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