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Ennapadam Bhagavati
Ennapadam Bhagavati
- 25 October 2011 - Durgadevi
- 21 October 2011 - Durgadevi
- 19 October 2011 - Durgadevi
- 19 October 2011 - Durgadevi
- 30 September 2011 - Durgadevi

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Bhagavathi at Ennapadam Temple at Kerala

Thursday, February 17, 2011

THIRUMUKKOODAL, THE TRIVENI

OF THE SOUTH AND
PAZHAYASEEVARAM
V.SUNDARAM I.A.S.

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There is no sound or sign more

powerful than OHM. It is neither a
letter nor a word, hence there is
nothing semantic about it. It is not
even Sanskrit, nor exclusively Indian.
All religions of Indian origin, including
Jainism and Buddhism (also Tibetian,
Chinese, Korean, Mongolian and
Jananese versions) hold it in the
highest esteem especially in
upasaana, saadhana, askesis or Yoga.
It is described in the Upanishads as
the "ONE UNDYING SOUND" and is
considered as holy as the Brahman. It
is the picture and symbol of the
transcendental reality.The underlying
reality is that the supreme reality is
beyond words; it is to be found in
silence, in wordlessness. But it is the
seed-sound, the beejakshara from
which all other sounds are formed,
and in which all the word-meanings
can be found. If it is taken as a word
(paada), then the word is devoid of
any transactional meaning. There is
no word beyond it; it is in this sense
the ultimate word (paramampadam), the supreme position. The
goal of all meanings. It is the bridge
(sethu) that the Upanishads locate
between the words and the silence.
It is Anaahata (unstruck,
inarticulate).

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Magh Snan at Triveni, Allahabad

MAGH FESTIVAL AT TRIVENI, PRAYAG

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Magh month 2011 starts on 20 January 2011 and ends on 18

February 2011 according to the Hindu Calendar. Taking a holy
dip in the Triveni Sangam at PRAYAG (Allahabad) during the
period from Magh Amavasya Day (New Moon Day-3rd February
2011) to Magh Poornima Day (Full Moon Day-18th February
2011) is considered as very sacred and auspicious by all the
Hindus of India. Each man has his Dharma. One must
accomplish ones destinyor, better, surmount it. Life is of
consequence only in the mind, by the liberating power of the
mind.
Asceticism
prepares
the
way
for
spiritual
enfranchisement; knowledge procures it. But what is this
knowledge? Knowledge for India is action. Sensation and

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March (4)
February (3)
SRI MAHALASA DEVI UTSAV (JATRA)By
V.SUNDARAM I.A.S...
THIRUMUKKOODAL, THE TRIVENI OF
THE SOUTH AND PAZHA...
THE GLORY AND THE RADIANCE OF
RATHA SAPTHAMI V SU...

January (3)

2010 (19)

About Me
Durgadevi

Shri V. Sundaram is an I.A.S officer of

the Tamil Nadu Cadre. He took
voluntary retirement in 1994.
Currently he is a freelance journalist.
His detailed profile is available here
Also visit our other blogs:- 1 2
View my complete profile

imagination are something dynamic; understanding and will

are not distinct. The norms have always been successful
creation, right conduct. When all is said and done, the
essential contribution of the Indian genius to mankind is a
psychical and spiritual element, the value of which must be
neither underestimated nor exaggeratedthe sense of
creative activity. INDIA THROUGH THE AGES HAS NOT BEEN
INTERESTED IN FACTS. Through the ages it has pursued
transcendental ends.
What is the transcendental religious and spiritual
significance of having a holy bath in the Triveni Sangam at
Prayag? Triveni Sangam is believed to be the same place
where drops of Nectar fell from the pitcher, from the hands
of the Gods. So it is believed that a bath in the Sangam will
wash away all one's sins and will clear the way to heaven.
Devout Hindus from all over India come to this sacred
pilgrimage point to offer prayers every day and take a dip in
the holy waters. The sacred Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years
on the banks of the Sangam. According to hoary myth and
tradition, the Prakrista Yajna was performed here by LORD
BRAHMA. That is why Allahbad was known as Prayag in ancient
times. Prayag is also called Tirtha-Raja or Prayag Raj, King of
all holy places. It is said that Lord Rama visited Prayag
when he was in exile.
Prayag is one among the four spots where Garuda, the
winged steed of the Hindu God Vishnu, is believed to have
rested during a titanic battle with demons over a pitcher
containing the divine nectar of immortality. Garuda's epic
battle lasted 12 divine days, or 12 years of mortal time,
leading to the celebration of the Maha Kumbh Mela every 12
years. Legend says that the gods and the demons fought a
celestial war, spilling heavenly nectar at the confluence of
three-rivers in Prayag.
Mauni Amavasya or Mauna Amavasya is the auspicious day to
observe Mauna Vrata or the vow of silence on Magh Amavasya
or New Moon day in Magh month. In 2011, Mauni Amavasya
date is 2 February 2011. Mauna is a word derived from Muni,
which refers to a great saint endowed with transcendental
knowledge and wisdom forming the bedrock of his luminous and
resplendent self-realization. Mauna vrat is the symbolic identity
for
the
spiritual
practice.
According
to
Jagadguru
Shankaracharya, Mauna is one of the three essential aspects
of a sanyasi or sadhu. The other two aspects are Balya and
Panditya. Balya is the childlike nature whereas Panditya is
wisdom.
Magh Purnima, or Magh Poornima, is the full moon day in
month of Magh (January February) in traditional Hindu
calendar. In 2011, the date of Magh Purnima falls on February
18. Magh Poornima is considered highly auspicious in Hinduism

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and thousands of Hindu devotees take a holy dip at Sangam in

Prayag. The annual Magh Mela takes place at Sangam in Prayag
during that time. It is believed that Vishwamitra II performed the
ritual bath during the Kumbh Mela on a Magh Purnima Day in
2382 BCE.
Magh
Purnima
Bath
at
the
confluence
of
MAHI, SOM AND
JHAKHAM
RIVERS
in
Banswara
District
in
Rajasthan.
Magh Purnima is
an important day
at
the
Baneshwar Fair
held
at
the
confluence
of
MAHI, SOM AND
JHAKHAM
RIVERS
in
Banswara
District
in
Rajasthan.
Tribals
and
other
communities
from Rajasthan,
Chhattisgarh,
Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat gather here to pay homage to
the dead ancestors and relatives.

Eternal IndiaIndia of the agesis a great land of real and

solid underlying cultural unity amidst apparent diversity.
Corresponding to Triveni at Prayag (Allahabad) in Northern
India, we have a holy Triveni at Thirumukoodal in
Kancheepuram District in Tamilnadu. At this spot we have the
confluence of 3 SACRED RIVERS PALAR, CHEYYAR AND
VEGAVATHI and taking a bath at this Triveni during the period
from 3rd February 2011(New Moon Day) to 18th February
2011 (Full Moon Day) is considered as sacred and auspicious
as taking a dip in the Triveni at Prayag.

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Confluence of 3 Rivers at Thirumukkoodal

At the confluence of three rivers near Kanchipuram in Tamil
Nadu lies the village of Thirumukkoodal. An ancient Chola
temple adorns this village, at the sangam of the rivers PALAR,
SEYYAR, AND VEGAVATHI. As all the three rivers are clearly
visible at the confluence at THIRUMUKKOODAL, this sangam
can be considered almost as sacred as the Triveni Sangam at
Prayag where at the confluence of three rivers only the
Ganga and the Yamuna are visible and the third Saraswati
River is believed to have gone underground and hence is not
visible.
As in Prayag, so also at Thirumukkoodal, in Kanchipuram
District, we find the vital and living tradition of thousands of
pilgrims having a bath at the confluence of 3 Rivers PALAR,
SEYYAR, AND VEGAVATHI on the day of Magh Amavasya. This
year the pilgrims had their bath on Magh Amavasya Day
(New Moon Day) at this sacred spot on 3rd February 2011.
Likewise, the pilgrims will be having their bath on Magh
Poornima Day (Full Moon Day) on the 18th February 2011.

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Trimurti Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram

District

The Temple at Thirumukkoodal (Thirumukkudal) is known as

the Trimurti Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple, or Sri
Venkatesa Perumal Temple. The presiding deity here is the
Trimurti, embodied in a single form as Appan (Brahma), Shiva,
and Venkatesa Perumal (Narayana). While Trimurti Appan
Venkatesa Perumal is understood to be the original deity here,
temple epigraphs reveal that the deity was called Vishnu Bhatara
in Pallava times, Tirumukkudal-Azhwar and Mahavishnu in
the Chola period, and Venkateswara Swami at a later date.
The tiny village of Thirumukkoodal in Kanchipuram district,
lies about 75 km from Chennai and dates back to the Pallava
era. It gets its name from its picturesque location --- the
confluence of the Palar and two of its tributaries, the
Vegavathi and the Cheyyar. We understand from an
inscription engraved in this shrine that the Trimurti Appan
Venkatesa Perumal Temple, or Sri Venkatesa Perumal
Temple existed at Thirumukkoodal village overlooking the
confluence of 3 rivers as early as the 9th Century AD.
The Trimurti Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple, or Sri
Venkatesa Perumal Temple at Thirumukkoodal is maintained

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by the RCHAEOLOGICAL Survey of India (ASI). Since this

temple is very close to the river bank, there is every possibility of
flood waters entering the temple during the North-East Monsoon
every year. And yet this temple has withstood the ravages of
nature for several centuries mainluy because of the fact that the
original architects of this temple made a special provision for a
suitable drainage system for the flood water to drain away quickly.
This temple is about 1200-1500 years old.
This Pallava style temple is quite large, and is constructed in
an unusual style. Devotees enter through a side entrance
near the perimeter of the temple compound. A mandapa with
large pillars leads the way to the sanctum sanctorum, which
faces north. The pillars have exquisite bas-relief sculptures.
Various inscriptions speak of endowments and gifts made to
the temple during the Chola reign.

Thirumukkudal mandapam

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Thirumukoodal Sannidhi

In the sanctum, Sri Appan Venkatesa Perumal is found in a

standing position with His consorts Boomadevi (Bhudevi) and
Sridevi meditating at His feet, and the sage Markandeya
(Karumanickar) beside Him on one side, with Sudarshan Chakra
on the other.

Sri Appan Venkatesa Perumal

The Lord at Thirumukkoodal is considered to be a

manifestation of the HINDU TRINITY Lord Siva, Brahma and
Narayana. His crown looks like the matted locks of Siva and
He has a third eye on HIS forehead. He wears the Shanku
and Chakra like Lord Narayana on His left and right hand and
a lotus in one of His hands. He also stands on the lotus
which is the symbol of Brahma.
To the right of the presiding deities is a small shrine for the
Goddess Alamelumanga, which faces east. 'Alamelumanga' is

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Tamil for Padmavati, a representation of Laksmi Devi. Other

murtis located nearby include Garuda, Hanuman, and others.
There are also stone murtis of many of the Azhwars.

A spacious courtyard houses several mantapams, the pillars

ornately carved with bas-relief sculptures done in
Vijayanagara style, depicting various incarnations of the
Lord, Mahalakshmi, Rama, Garuda, Hanuman and Ramanuja.
This temple which once reverberated with the sound of
Vedic chanting and the recitation of Sanskrit texts now
stands a mute testimony to the glorious times of the
Pallavas and the Cholas, whose kings, besides being great
conquerors and administrators strove for the propagation of
learning and literature.
The main sanctum sanctorum of this temple, which faces
North, houses the imposing image of Lord Venkateswara,
also known as Appan Venkatesa Perumal in a standing
posture with sage Markandeya and Goddess Boomadevi seen
meditating at his feet. The way to the sanctum sanctorum is
through a large-pillared mantapa.

Large-Pillared Mantap
According to the epigraphs in this shrine, Thirumukkoodal
was situated in the ancient territorial sub-division called
Madhurantaka-Chaturvedimangalam which was a part of
Kalatur-kottam, a district of Jayamkonda-chola-mandalam.
Luckily, this shrine as well as the inscriptions here have
been preserved well. The temple is a protected monument
under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Another striking feature of this ancient Sri Venkatesa

Perumal Temple lies in its rare wealth of copious and
informative inscriptions dating back to the days of the
Pallavas and the Cholas. The walls of the main sanctum as

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well as those of the second prakara are studded with

numerous epigraphs in the ancient Tamil script, the oldest of
which is datable to the reign of the Pallava ruler,
Nripatungavarman of the 9th century A.D.
There are also many Chola inscriptions of the reign of
Rajaraja-I, Rajendra-I, Vira-Rajendra and Kulottunga-I
which speak of endowments and gifts made to this shrine,
thus showing that this temple enjoyed an immense
popularity during the Chola reign. Interestingly, these
epigraphs reveal that this deity was called Vishnu Bhatara in
the Pallava times, as Tirumukkudal-Azhwar and Mahavishnu
in the Chola period and as Venkateswara Swami at a later
date.

Temple Epigraphs

Among these records, the most important and interesting

one is engraved on the east wall of the first prakara and
belongs to the period of Vira-Rajendra Chola (1062-1070
A.D.). This long epigraph records the existence of a VEDIC
COLLEGE located in the JANANATHA-MANTAPA inside this
temple in the 11th century A.D. where eight subjects
including the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda and Grammar were
taught. The number of students enrolled in this educational
centre, the number of teachers for each subject and the daily
remuneration paid have been detailed in this inscription.
This well-preserved record also mentions that these
students lived in a hostel attached to this college where
cooks and servants were employed to take care of the needs
of the inmates.

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Temple Epigraphs at Sri Venkatesa Perumal Temple

In addition, this inscription speaks about a Hospital (athurasalai) attached to this temple where students and temple
staff were treated. This Hospital, called VIRA-CHOLAN, had 15
beds and a large staff comprising a physician named
Kodandaraman Ashvathaman-Bhattan, a surgeon who
performed surgical operations, many nurses who attended
on the patients, servants who fetched medicinal herbs and
also a barber. The payment given to the hospital staff and
the names of about 20 Ayurvedic medicines stored in this
hospital are given in detail in this informative epigraph. This
ancient Chola Hospital followed the Tamil model of Siddha
System of Medicine.
IN MANY OF THE VISHNU TEMPLES IN THE TAMIL COUNTRY
DURING THE CHOLA TIMES, PROVISION WAS MADE FOR

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THE RECITATION OF NAMMAZHWAR'S `TIRUVOIMOZHI'

AND THE TIRUMUKKUDAL TEMPLE WAS NO EXCEPTION AS
THE CONTENTS OF THIS INSCRIPTION REVEAL.
Other inscriptions mention Rajendra-I, Vira-Rajendra and
Kulottunga-I, referring to endowments and gifts made to
Thirumukkoodal temple, which clearly enjoyed great
popularity during the Chola reign.
Thanks to these ancient epigraphs, Thirumukkoodal Temple
is considered as a monument of national importance. I have
already referred to some of the longest Chola inscriptions on
record in this ancient temple. More than a thousand years
old, these inscriptions contain some of the earliest known
definitions on record for DOCTOR and NURSE.

I am furnishing below the Texts of one of the Chola

Inscriptions relating to the functioning of a Hospital at this
spot.
Text no. 1
 

 
    

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 + '* ,*
-* ./ * 0
-1* 2

- 0

30 5-*6 0
8

 

)* *  396

  

)*  1',

3* 1' -  *

3911 0

  

* 0 3* 

3* * 3 1'* 311
 0
0

  

)* 

* * ,*

-1* 3* ;)* 0 16

0

  

3011' =>* 1

+0

* +  + 3*

A-  +3* A
+0

*   +0

+0

* 3B*

* 3* %)*

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/* %)* =.- 3*

%)* 3* %)* .. * 1*
*  1* * 3C*
38* 5- 38* '-
38* /* %*
* % * 
3* 1',* ;)* D* E .
31* F..  5; * E
52*  )* 
0

 3 E 80H2



3; 2-'  3I*..
0 06 K -* K
F 1-D* *L 3

' -M ;0 16 0

 



 E N23 

38* -* M-* 

1 3* 3  P*
2 1K;*  % 1
8 8M* Q )
0 0 - F 1-
E * * 3 0 #D*
A- 1N2


2- 8 1%

 8M* 5

1H21- 3 D* 5
-+ 0

 3 0*

05  D* +3 
'* ;+ ''* #'
1 * 0
I have given a detailed description of the spiritual significance of
Thirumukkoodal and the glory and the grandeur of Trimurti
Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple. Very near the sacred spot,
on the other side of the Palar River perched on a hillock lies
another famous Temple of Pazhaya Seevaram LaksmiNarasimha Swamy Temple.

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Laksmi-Nrsimha Temple on hillside

Front Entrance of Laksmi-Nrsimha Temple, Pazhaya

Sheevaram
Lord Nrsimhadev is a very large Santha-murti (sweet and
charming), and is very beautiful indeed. In His home temple, Sri
Laksmi-Nrsimha sits facing Kanchipuram. His temple is at the
place where Goddess Mahalaksmi is said to have pacified the
Lord.

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On the day following Sankranthi (Mattu Pongal day in the Tamil

month of Thai), Lord Varadarajaswami leaves his abode in
Kanchipuram and crosses the Palar River and goes to meet Lord
Lakshmi Narasimha at Pazhaya Seevaram. Then Lord
Varadarajaswami and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy go
together to Thirumukkoodal to visit Sri Appan Venkatesa
Perumal. The 3 deities together proceed from one temple
mandapa to the next, and devotees throng to the Sri Appan
Venkatesa Perumal Temple to get their darshan. This religious
observance is known as Pazhaiya Seevaram Paarivettai, which
celebrates the Lord's destruction of demonic forces. A similar
festival is held in many Vishnu temples in the area.

CONCLUSION:

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Let me quote the words of Sri Aurobindo: what can one

possibly say of a country that believes in not just a God, but
a God that lives in the heart of men, a god that works
through the hazy networks of life after life, waiting, hoping
and eternally confident that one day we will arrive --- what
words can possibly fit to describe such fervour, such
conviction, such immensity of plan and purpose? What can
be said of those who relentlessly shy away from Darwinian
Theories of Evolution to spew forth their own? What can be
said of those who believe this land to have been struck by
Gods own arrow, giving birth to Gods own country, not just
a mere push and shove of glaciers? Ancient Bharata --where does she begin? When did she end? Or has she even
ended? There are those who say, NO. They say She has no
beginning, no end, like the Brahman that She loves and
swears by, which begins from Nothing and ends into
Nothing. Timeless. But what if all our imagination is
empty and meaningless? What if She is truly just another
piece of land, nothing more? What if that strange Echo that
one hears inside the womb of silence is only our madness
and not Her Eternal Spirit, throbbing, pulsating, living? What
if Her Chroniclers, the ones that chisel stones and paint
dreams are only eking out a living, not in tune with the
life-force that runs underneath the stone, unable to put a
finger on the pulse that beats in the heart of brick-walls? If
this is true, then all the more do we hang to our imagination,
empty or not? And if madness is all it is, then who is to say
whether madness is not but a step closer to the Divine? In
that case, it is a step we shall gladly take!
Posted by Durgadevi at 12:54 PM

1 comment:

Anonymous December 31, 2011 1:51 PM

Thirumakudal - Please visit this temple. This is really very
good. You can contact the priest of the temple. His phone no.
is 9444915722 & 9443778352 to perform any pooja offerings.
Reply

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