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Birth Place of Kolanjiappar |
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The benevolent Lord Siva so as to liberate the entire living being has incarnated himself
in many holy Shrines in the so called Middle Country. (Nadu Naadu). Vriddhachalam (means
age old holy hill) is the best among such holy shrines. Two Mile west of this, there is a
small village namely Manavalanallur. Where there is abundance of flowery trees bristling
with humming of birds and insects. It is known
as Manavalanallur because Lord Skantha, the Manavalan (Eternal Bridegroom) has embodied
himself here. In the words of Arunagirinathar. “He
is the Manavalan residing in the monkeys inhabited hill”. |
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| An Historical Note
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In such a famous village the place of present temple consisted of only thick bushes nearly
200 years ago. Among bushes there was a small
stone altar on which Lord Skantha resolved to embody himself for the benefit of people. So as to reveal his presence, he arranged a cow to
shower Himself with its milk. The people
understood that there is a holy God and began worshipping. |
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But the question arose which God is residing in
that holy stone. On research it was learnt
that once the divine propagant Sundaramoorthy Nayanar started from Chidambaram reciting
humans and on reaching Vriddhachalam he came to learn that the name of that of both
deities denotes agedness, he decided to bypass that place and that of both deities denotes
agedness, he decided to bypass that holy abode thinking that there would be no benefit in
eulogizing them. Also it was learnt that then
God Easwar ordered his son Lord Muruga to stand as sentry on the four directions of
Vriddhachalam to block the propagant Sundaramoorthy. So
then it was confirmed that it is none other than Lord Muruga (Skantha) who revealed
himself on the altar pedestal in the West of Vriddhachalam. Then
he was solemnly named as Shree Kolanjiappar, since he revealed himself among Kolanchi
shrubs and through the paws of a cow.
It is also a historical fact that divinely
benevolences would be rich in a land where saints and Siddhas wandered. Agappai Siddhar the teacher of Pambatti Siddhar has
eternal Samadhi in this holy place. Also it is
one of the 12 places where Korakka Siddhar has his eternal Samadhi. A shrine becomes famous because of its connection
with some holy saints. Hence this holy place
had become a prayer place where prayers of prayees will be fulfilled. In this temple together with Shree Vinayaga and Shree Kolanjiappar resides as a prayer God
and sentry God, and a judge and as a holy Doctor who heals Chronic Diseases.
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| The Structure of the
Temple
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Shree Kolanjiappar’s Sanctum which began as a small tiled building 100 years ago in
course of time developed much and now it is one of the best holy shrines of Lord Muruga. As the fame of Shree Kolanajiappar extended,
so also the temple developed and now it has a structure of ancient temples.
At present this temple is situated in six acres of land with a compound wall. The sanctum Santorium and the inner halls are made
of stones. Facing east the Sanctum Sanctorum
has windows on other three directions which can't be seen in any other
Temple. Above
this a beautiful architectural roofing
(Vimana) is provided and inside Shree Kolanjiappar bestows his goodwill upon the human
beings in the shape of an altar. At right
side, within a similar structure Shree Sidhivinayaga with a huge body has embodied
himself. In front of the around Sanctum
Sanctorum the Maha Mandapam and Prahara Mandapam (the great hall and court yard) are
erected with huge pillars. In the Maha
Mandapam the sculptures of two big horses ready for hunting
and four soldiers are constructed with lime mortar in a pompous
attractive manner. In the south west corner Idumban and Kadamban have
been installed in a separate sanctum.
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Vinayagar |
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Two Horse |
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Temple Main Tower |
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Shree Muniappa has embodied himself in a
separate roofed sanctum in the northern side of Maha Mandapam in front of the
Main
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front of Lord Muniappa in an enclosed area there are many spears fixed on the ground where the written complaints are to be tied. The Urchave ldols that are being taken in
procession are placed in a roofed Sanctum in a big hall, adjacent to Lord Muniyappa. In front of main Sanctum Sanctorium a five storied
stone Rajagopura of 64 feet with beautiful architectural embellishments had been erected. Shree Veeranar has been installed in separate
roofed sanctum facing north. This is the structure of the temple with ancient looks.
Apart from these, In front of Gopura a big
office building and two marriage halls with all facilities of 21 rooms lodging house and
guest house having 6 rooms are also built. A
big hall had been built for the holy submission of hairs and modern bath rooms and modern
lavatories are also there and water is available in plenty. Shree Kolanjiappar temple is the Vanguard in religious and social service in
the Cuddalore District.
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