MALLIKARJUNESHWAR TEMPLE - KOTTAI KOVIL - DHARMAPURI - TAMILNADU
Arjuna did penance to Lord Shiva,for acquiring heavenly weapons including the Pasupathartha, for fighting the Kurukshetra war. Lord Shiva wanted to test the resolve of Arjuna and hence took the roopam of a Kirata - Hunter warrior with his horses and Parvathi reached the place where Arjuna was in meditation.
Post meditation Arjuna went on a hunt, he saw a huge wild boar and let an arrow from his bow Gandiva. However, Lord Shiva himself released his arrow at the same time and both the arrows found their mark at the same time. Both claimed victory and in the tuzzle, a battle ensued between lord Kiratamoorthy and Arjuna.
Arjuna's arrows were consumed by lord Shiva's arrows. Finally Arjuna realised that he was battling against the almighty Lord and fell at his feet. Shiva gave the Pasupathartha to Arjuna and blessed him. Since Arjuna had prayed to the lord with Jasmin( Malligai) flowers. The lord is known as Mallikarjun Eshwar.
The presiding deity in the temple is Lord Mallikarjuna in the form of a lingam (facing east)with square Avudayar or Pindika, showing the Significance of his consort Kalyana Kamakshi in this temple. In fact rarely do you find a bigger garbhagriha of Parvathi sitting on a raised platform than the lord, that too in the centre of the temple complex.
The temple is entered through a southern entrance, without a Gopuram or tower. This leads to a big courtyard of 1.5 acres.Straight In to the courtyard, you can enter into the Ardhamandapam of the lord and to your left you will find the Lord in all his splendor in the garbhagriha.
The Ardhamandapam Mandapam has four pillars, with one of the pillars in suspension (Hanging) with out touching the ground. The four pillars are intrinsically designed with motifs of the culture prevelant during that period. The ceiling of the Ardhamandapam consists of a square, neatly carved with the Ashthadigapala (gods of th eight cardinal directions) with lord Nataraja in the centre in his cosmic dance.
Th courtyard has other dieties in lord Vinayaka,(Selva Ganapathy) on the left and Lord Karthikeya on the right backside of the temple. At almost the end of the circumumbulation there is a shrine for Kalabhairava,carved in a round Tablet form.
There is another shrine with a Lingam inscepted on the compound. In between the two Lingam's is the temple of Parvathi as Kalyana Kamakshi on a raised platform, with 18 steps leading to the sanctum. The Vimanam on this Temple is higher than that of the Lord. Climbing the steps you reach the Ardhamandapam with a Nandi and again on the ceiling is another marvel of Ashthadigapala with Somasundara being the centre diety.
The Goddess stands beautifully on Mahishasura, with the left hand holding the horn and the right hand spearing the rakshasa.(Demon). She is also known as Raja Durgambika and is on a high pedestal signifying the importance of motherhood, as per the locals.
The Sanctum of the goddess is lined with Panels from the Ramayana at its base in an anticlockwise direction.( See Photos).
The temple is in existence for more than 1300 years and seems to have passed many a dynasty including, the Hoysala, Vijayanagara, Athiyamaan, Cheras,Cholas and other dynasties. Saint Puri Siddha requested Kulothunga Chola to renovate the temple in the 11th century. The temple known as ThiruValiswaram, post renovation came to be known as "Chanayiram Muzhamayiram " Built in an area known as the Kottai or fort, the temple is also known as Kottai Kovil( Temple).
Timings : 6 AM to 11 AM & 4 PM to 8.30 PM.
Contact : Muthusai Mahesh Gurukkal - 9994362652
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uZvnixic6x9k6cHR6
https://goo.gl/maps/dZryo5Fwxx5rXCXE7
https://www.facebook.com/murali.natarajan.7/posts/10215930478710818
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| Vishnu, Mahadev and Brahma on a panel. |
Arjuna did penance to Lord Shiva,for acquiring heavenly weapons including the Pasupathartha, for fighting the Kurukshetra war. Lord Shiva wanted to test the resolve of Arjuna and hence took the roopam of a Kirata - Hunter warrior with his horses and Parvathi reached the place where Arjuna was in meditation.
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| The Kalyana Kamakshi Sannidhi on a raised platform than the Lords. |
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| Duel Between Lord Shiva & Arjuna for the boar |
The presiding deity in the temple is Lord Mallikarjuna in the form of a lingam (facing east)with square Avudayar or Pindika, showing the Significance of his consort Kalyana Kamakshi in this temple. In fact rarely do you find a bigger garbhagriha of Parvathi sitting on a raised platform than the lord, that too in the centre of the temple complex.
 |
Kalyana Kamakshi on Mahishasura, Utsavamurthy |
The temple is entered through a southern entrance, without a Gopuram or tower. This leads to a big courtyard of 1.5 acres.Straight In to the courtyard, you can enter into the Ardhamandapam of the lord and to your left you will find the Lord in all his splendor in the garbhagriha.
 |
Temple courtyard |
The Ardhamandapam Mandapam has four pillars, with one of the pillars in suspension (Hanging) with out touching the ground. The four pillars are intrinsically designed with motifs of the culture prevelant during that period. The ceiling of the Ardhamandapam consists of a square, neatly carved with the Ashthadigapala (gods of th eight cardinal directions) with lord Nataraja in the centre in his cosmic dance.
 |
| Ashtadigapala with Nataraja in the centre |
 |
| Pillar in the Mukhamandapam |
Th courtyard has other dieties in lord Vinayaka,(Selva Ganapathy) on the left and Lord Karthikeya on the right backside of the temple. At almost the end of the circumumbulation there is a shrine for Kalabhairava,carved in a round Tablet form.
 |
| Kalabhairava |
There is another shrine with a Lingam inscepted on the compound. In between the two Lingam's is the temple of Parvathi as Kalyana Kamakshi on a raised platform, with 18 steps leading to the sanctum. The Vimanam on this Temple is higher than that of the Lord. Climbing the steps you reach the Ardhamandapam with a Nandi and again on the ceiling is another marvel of Ashthadigapala with Somasundara being the centre diety.
The Goddess stands beautifully on Mahishasura, with the left hand holding the horn and the right hand spearing the rakshasa.(Demon). She is also known as Raja Durgambika and is on a high pedestal signifying the importance of motherhood, as per the locals.
The Sanctum of the goddess is lined with Panels from the Ramayana at its base in an anticlockwise direction.( See Photos).
 |
| Vanaras helping Nala Build the Ramsetu |
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| Birth of Shri Ram |
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| Birth of Bharat, Lakhman & Shatrughan |
The temple is in existence for more than 1300 years and seems to have passed many a dynasty including, the Hoysala, Vijayanagara, Athiyamaan, Cheras,Cholas and other dynasties. Saint Puri Siddha requested Kulothunga Chola to renovate the temple in the 11th century. The temple known as ThiruValiswaram, post renovation came to be known as "Chanayiram Muzhamayiram " Built in an area known as the Kottai or fort, the temple is also known as Kottai Kovil( Temple).
Timings : 6 AM to 11 AM & 4 PM to 8.30 PM.
Contact : Muthusai Mahesh Gurukkal - 9994362652
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uZvnixic6x9k6cHR6
https://goo.gl/maps/dZryo5Fwxx5rXCXE7
https://www.facebook.com/murali.natarajan.7/posts/10215930478710818
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