Kallanai - The Majestic Anicut..

Kallanai is a Tamil word which means Stone Dam. Located 20 Kilometers away from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. Kallanai Dam is one of the oldest irrigation dams in the world and was built around 2000 years ago.

This Grand Anicut built by the Chola King Karikalan around 1^st century A.D. This massive dam of stone is of 329 meters long and 20 meters wide!

This dam breaks into two channels at the island Srirangam.The northern channel is called Kollidam; southern channel - Cauvery and this empties into Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar, Nagapattinam District.

It was initially built  for water storage, later its water is being diverted to delta region for irrigation.Kallanai diverts the Cauvery River into six sub rivers that irrigated about 282 Sq KM (69000 acres) and now more than 4000 Square Kilometers.

One of the oldest water-regulator structures in the world that is still in use.

One of the majestic anicut of our Nation!

Koodal Alagar Temple - Madurai.

We are going to enter into Koodal Alagar Perumal Temple, located at Madurai. Before entering, let me introduce some terminology to begin better!

108 Divyadesam!  Refers to the 108 Vishnu Temples that are mentioned in the traditional Tamil poems of 12 Alwars. Of the 108 temples, 105 are located in India, one in Nepal and two outside of the Earthly realms. Starts from Srirangam and ends at Thirupparkadal. 

Madurai - It is the third largest city in Tamil Nadu. Located in the banks of River Vaigai. The city was formed around Madurai Meenakshi Temple. Rich in tradition, culture, tourist attractions and the city never sleeps! Madurai was the capital in Pandya kingdom. It had been ruled by Pandyas, Cholas, Nayaks, British and more. In third century, Tamil Sangam was formed in order to develop the language. 

Temple - Our Koodal Alagar Perumal Temple is just a kilometer away from Railway Station. Madurai is well connected by trains, buses and flights with major cities. 

"Koodal" the Tamil term means joint / junction. The joining / junction of things provided the name Koodal to denote this place. Being a sacred place, it is called as Thirukoodal.  

The Lord is found in three postures in  this Temple. (Which is a rarity!)

1. Koodal Alagar (Vyuga Sundarrajan) is in sitting posture (Vetriruntha Thirukkolam under Aadhiseshan) in the lower portion of the Temple. 

2. In the second portion, we can see Sri Ranganathan (Andhara Vaaanthu Empiraan) in sleeping posture. (Palli Konda Thirukkolam.)

3. In the final portion the Lord Surya Narayanan appears in standing posture. (Ninra Thirukkolam)


Architecture - Like Periya Kovil tower , (Brahadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur)  shadows of Ashtanga Vimanam do not fall on the ground! Large Monolithic Yali sculptures can be found here. There are musical pillars too! In pragarams, you can see the paintings of 108 Divyadesam Lords. There is a Unjal Mandapam (Swinging Mandapam) with artistic wooden works!

Specialities of this Temple!

The only Temple among 108 which has sannadhi for Navagrahas. 

We can find Perumal Temple with Ashtanga Vimanam (Eight Angle Vimanam)  in two temples. One is here; another Thirukoshtiyur. 

Pandiya Kings used to worship Vyuga Sundarrajan  before war. He bestowed victories!

Like Srirangam, this Temple is also lies between two rivers. (Vaigai & Krudhamala). 

Temples in proximity - Meenakshi Amman Temple, Kalamega Perumal Temple, Kalla Alagar Temple.

There are many significant histories associated with this Temple. Whatever I have stated here are not even 10%.  

Visit and share your experience!

   

Raja Gopuram.

Ashtanga Vimanam.

Sculptures in front of Thayar Sannidhi.

Stone pillars has Yali sculpture.

View from terrace.

Sculptures associated with Painting.

Hello World..!

Hi Friends, 

Who Am I? 

Srivathsan from Chennai. Human Resources Professional. Humorous but sensible, Simple yet spendthrift! Loves traveling, reading, writing,music,cricket and much more....

Why Blogging?

Started Blogging in Tamil since August 2008 onwards. (4+ in blogging, in HR parlance!) My Tamil blog is about the significant places I've been visiting. (mostly Tamil Nadu!) One fine day, thought of penning down the wonderful, wonderful places of our Nation in English too. 

Though I am not having a good command over English, I have decided to write! (Like without knowing the nuances of photography, I am taking and exhibiting in blog!) I may become a successful writer in future. Who knows? So blogging buddies, you are gonna be treated with eye-capturing images of our ever-beautiful Country! Your suggestions are always welcome! 

My Tamil Blog!

http://enthamizh.blogspot.com   Visit and let me know your views.

Being raised and live in Tamil Nadu, down south of our Nation, seldom get chance to visit other states. I have been to Kerala, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh. Planning to see the length and breadth of our wonderful Motherland. Come with me! I can guide to special places of Tamil Nadu! Let's get a glimpse of Tamil architecture and design!

Tamil Architecture!

Like Tamil Language, architecture's age is also too ancient and unpredictable. Approximately, more than 1000 years before!! Thank God! Even after many intrusions had happened, most of the sculptures, temples, monuments and many stone poems are still alive to enthrall us. Tamil Nadu is blessed with many significant places like temples, museums, dams, parks, zoos,churches, mosques and much much more. You name it! we have it.

Tamil architecture is mostly based on stone. But, style and techniques had significantly varied in every kingdom. Chola's works are different from Pallavas! We are all going to witness on following months. I have given the samples of Tamil Architecture at various kingdoms to get a better understanding! See you soon! Hope, you won't forget to write your suggestions / comments!

Koodal Alagar Perumal Temple, Madurai. (Pandya Kingdom).

 

1000 Pillar Mandapam, Srirangam Ranganathan Temple. (Chola Kingdom.)

Projected Sculptures, Mahabalipuram. (Pallava Kingdom).

Kailayanathar Temple, Kanchipuram. (Pallava Kingdom).

Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, Madurai. (Nayakkar Kingdom).

Kallapiran Temple, Srivaikundam,Thoothukudi. (Pandya Kingdom.)

Aamaruviappan Temple, Therazundur, Mayiladuthurai. (Chola Kingdom.)