virarajendra
14th April 2011, 03:26 PM
Author - Virarajendra
Brief ‘historical study’ of "Chithamparam Aadavallaan (Nadarajar) Thirukkoyil" - Part 2
continued from part - 1
He was followed by his son Mahendravarman - 1 (A.D.575-630) on the Pallava throne at Kanchipuram. It was during this time 'one of the foremost of the four' of the 63 - Tamil Saiva Saints namely the Saint Thirunaavukkarasu Naayanar (A.D.568-649) lived in Tamil Nadu. During the latter part of his life we find the 'other among the foremost four' Tamil Saiva Saints the Saint Thirugnanasampantha Naayanaar (A.D.641-657) too lived in Tamil Nadu.
Both these great Saints of "Tamil Saivaism" have made references to the shrine the 'Thillai Chittrambalam" in their Thevarems (religious hyms) while Saint Thirunaavukkaraser refers also to the shrine Ponnambalam within this complex. From the Tamil Thevarems of these two Saints it is also gleaned that Thillai was also known as Puliyoor and Perumpattrapuliyoor during their time. Here too we get special reference to the Saivite Priests - the Tamil Anthanar of this temple who lead a virtuous devoted life. They were specially referred to as the "Thillaivaal Anthanar".
Among the Thervarams (availabe to us today) the Saint Thirugnanasampanthar has sung two Thirupathikamgal and Saint Thirunaavukkarasar has sung eight Thiupathikamgal. (Pathikam - 10 four lined verses) in praise of God Siva at Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil.
Important Note:
It is very pathetic to note that the 'Othuvars' were prevented from reciting Thevaarems at the 'Cittrambalam Shrine' of Chithamparam Nadarajar temple by the present 'Deekshithars' of this temple, stating it is unholy to recite Tamil Thevarems - but only Sanskrit Vedic hyms to be recited at this shrine. It should be noted that the "very composers of these "Tamil Thevaarems" the Saint Thirunaavukkarasar and Saint Thirugnanasampanthar stood at this Chittrambalam shrine nearly 1360 years ago - "composed and sung these pathikams" in praise of God Siva (Aadavallan).
This was continued by the Tamil Saiva Saint Sunderamoorththy who too composed and sung "Tamil Thevaarems" on God Siva at this very Chittrambalam shrine, nearly 1167 years ago followed by others among 63 - Tamil Saiva Saints of Tamil Nadu for many years thereafter. This may be the reason why one of the Chithamparam Temple Inscription of Vikkrama Chola refers as "Sen Thamilar then Koyil" Pon meinthu thikkaai pukal veinthaan....
During the period of the late Pallavas of Tamil Nadu there was a Prince named Hiraniyavarman who was the 'decendent' of Bhimavarman the younger brother of Simhavishnu from whom the ‘Kanchipuram Pallava dynasty’ commenced.
Hiraniyavarman was holding much authority under Pallavas during the period of king Paramesvaravarman - 2 (A.D.705-710). Hiraniyavarman some time thereafter fell with grave illness, and with his intense worship to Adavallan at Thillai Moothoor was cured of same. He in gratitude and with great piety to God Siva at Chittrambalam, converted the earlier brick and temple in to a granite stone shrine. He also built a Royal Palace (Mani Maalikai) at Thillai Moothoor.
With the end of the rule of the Pallava king Paramesvaravarman - 2, and in the absense of any heirs to the throne, Hiraniyavarman using the influence of his position installed his son Nanthivarman - 2 (A.D.710-775) as the next Pallava king. The coronation of all Pallava kings from Nanthivarman - 2 onwards took place at the Royal Palace at Thillai officiated by the Thillaivaal Anthanar Muvaayiravar.
It was during this time around A.D.750 he brought forth many Vedic Priests from the Gauda Desa (present Orissa) and settled them at Thillai promoting Vedic rituals with the existing Saiva Agamic rituals under his royal patronage. This gradually paved way to the amalgamation of Saiva Agamic rituals with the Vedic Rituals, and the gradual loss of control over the temple rituals by the original Saivite Priests the Tamil "Thillaivaal Anthanar" at this temple.
With the death of the last Pallava king the Aparajithavarman (A.D.880-900) in the year A.D.900 came the end of the Pallava dynasty in Tamil Nadu, and with no more royal control over their activities the Vedic Priests at this temple became more independent and completely replaced the original Saivite Priests - the Tamil Anthanar from this temple.
The original Tamil Thillaivaal Anthanar of Thillai Cittrambalam 'up to this time' had maintained a library within the temple, where the 'erttu suvadikal' (Ola manuscripts) of the Tamil Thevaarap Pathikams of the 'Tamil Saiva Saints who lived prior to this period', namely, Saints - Thirunaavukkarasu Naayanaar, Thirugnanasampantha Naayanaar, Sunderamoorthy Naayanaar, Maanikkavaasakar Swamikal, and Kaaraikkaal Ammaiyaar were collected, preserved and recited at the time of the religious rituals at Aadavallaan temple.
The practice of Vedic rituals and recitation of Vedas over years at this temple, eventually made Vedic priests in very great number of "Three Thousand" (Muvaayiravar) to gain a superior position at the Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil with the royal patronage of Pallavas, and to assume to themselves the new title as "Thillaivaal Anthanar Muvaayiravar".
With the Vedic Priests gaining complete freedom with no royal control also put an end to the earlier practice of recitation of the Tamil Thevaarap Pathikams in this temple, with the 'erttu suvadikal' kept locked in a room without much care for them at Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil.
During the Pallava period, not only Thillai Adavallaan Thirukkoyil but also many other Saivite & Vaishnavite Temples too met their 'first phase' of intense Sanskritisation of temple worship and rituals in Tamil Nadu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUb31Zq9IHg=player_detailpage
(5) The period of Chola dynasty of Tamil Nadu
The Cholas from their earliest period from time to time had their losses and gains in ruling their territorial region. The Cholas of the medieval period came to limelight after a spell in obscurity with the accension of Vijayaalaya Chola (A.D.848-881). With his son Aathiththa Chola (A.D.871-907)coming on Chola throne, he conquered many adjacent lands and expanded the existing Chola territory.
It was during this period the region of Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil too came for the first time within the new territory of the medieval Cholas, after being encompassed in the Pallava territory for nearly 325 years. With this change the 'Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil drew the attention of Aathiththa Chola who developed much faith in the 'Aadavallaan at Thillai Chitrambalam' (God Siva) and became his ardent devotee. With his gains in his victorious war at Kongu Nadu (part of present Tamil Nadu) he adorned the Thillai Chittrambalam shrine with a golden roof.
He was succeeded by his son Paraanthaha Chola (A.D.907-955) on the Chola throne. He expanded the Chola territory more than the limits that existed during the period of Athithha Chola, and being a strong devotee of Aadavallaan at Thillai with his gains in wars paved the Ponnambalam shrine with golden tiles.
Note:
With Cholas developing much faith on 'Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil' the Athitha Chola, Paraanthaha Chola Kandaraathiththa Chola, Sundera Chola, Uththama Chola, Rajaraja - 1, Rajendra - 1, Rajathiraja Chola, Rajendra Chola - 2, upto Virarajendra Chola too possibly would have given grants, made renovations and extentions to this temple.
But unfortunately their inscriptions at this temple are lost to us today except a few, by the stones of these temples with these inscriptions being disarranged and misplaced or built-in within new structures, most possibly duing the period of Vikkrama Chola and subsequent Chola kings when many new strcutures were built and old strucutures were renovated in a 'very big way'.
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Brief ‘historical study’ of "Chithamparam Aadavallaan (Nadarajar) Thirukkoyil" - Part 2
continued from part - 1
He was followed by his son Mahendravarman - 1 (A.D.575-630) on the Pallava throne at Kanchipuram. It was during this time 'one of the foremost of the four' of the 63 - Tamil Saiva Saints namely the Saint Thirunaavukkarasu Naayanar (A.D.568-649) lived in Tamil Nadu. During the latter part of his life we find the 'other among the foremost four' Tamil Saiva Saints the Saint Thirugnanasampantha Naayanaar (A.D.641-657) too lived in Tamil Nadu.
Both these great Saints of "Tamil Saivaism" have made references to the shrine the 'Thillai Chittrambalam" in their Thevarems (religious hyms) while Saint Thirunaavukkaraser refers also to the shrine Ponnambalam within this complex. From the Tamil Thevarems of these two Saints it is also gleaned that Thillai was also known as Puliyoor and Perumpattrapuliyoor during their time. Here too we get special reference to the Saivite Priests - the Tamil Anthanar of this temple who lead a virtuous devoted life. They were specially referred to as the "Thillaivaal Anthanar".
Among the Thervarams (availabe to us today) the Saint Thirugnanasampanthar has sung two Thirupathikamgal and Saint Thirunaavukkarasar has sung eight Thiupathikamgal. (Pathikam - 10 four lined verses) in praise of God Siva at Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil.
Important Note:
It is very pathetic to note that the 'Othuvars' were prevented from reciting Thevaarems at the 'Cittrambalam Shrine' of Chithamparam Nadarajar temple by the present 'Deekshithars' of this temple, stating it is unholy to recite Tamil Thevarems - but only Sanskrit Vedic hyms to be recited at this shrine. It should be noted that the "very composers of these "Tamil Thevaarems" the Saint Thirunaavukkarasar and Saint Thirugnanasampanthar stood at this Chittrambalam shrine nearly 1360 years ago - "composed and sung these pathikams" in praise of God Siva (Aadavallan).
This was continued by the Tamil Saiva Saint Sunderamoorththy who too composed and sung "Tamil Thevaarems" on God Siva at this very Chittrambalam shrine, nearly 1167 years ago followed by others among 63 - Tamil Saiva Saints of Tamil Nadu for many years thereafter. This may be the reason why one of the Chithamparam Temple Inscription of Vikkrama Chola refers as "Sen Thamilar then Koyil" Pon meinthu thikkaai pukal veinthaan....
During the period of the late Pallavas of Tamil Nadu there was a Prince named Hiraniyavarman who was the 'decendent' of Bhimavarman the younger brother of Simhavishnu from whom the ‘Kanchipuram Pallava dynasty’ commenced.
Hiraniyavarman was holding much authority under Pallavas during the period of king Paramesvaravarman - 2 (A.D.705-710). Hiraniyavarman some time thereafter fell with grave illness, and with his intense worship to Adavallan at Thillai Moothoor was cured of same. He in gratitude and with great piety to God Siva at Chittrambalam, converted the earlier brick and temple in to a granite stone shrine. He also built a Royal Palace (Mani Maalikai) at Thillai Moothoor.
With the end of the rule of the Pallava king Paramesvaravarman - 2, and in the absense of any heirs to the throne, Hiraniyavarman using the influence of his position installed his son Nanthivarman - 2 (A.D.710-775) as the next Pallava king. The coronation of all Pallava kings from Nanthivarman - 2 onwards took place at the Royal Palace at Thillai officiated by the Thillaivaal Anthanar Muvaayiravar.
It was during this time around A.D.750 he brought forth many Vedic Priests from the Gauda Desa (present Orissa) and settled them at Thillai promoting Vedic rituals with the existing Saiva Agamic rituals under his royal patronage. This gradually paved way to the amalgamation of Saiva Agamic rituals with the Vedic Rituals, and the gradual loss of control over the temple rituals by the original Saivite Priests the Tamil "Thillaivaal Anthanar" at this temple.
With the death of the last Pallava king the Aparajithavarman (A.D.880-900) in the year A.D.900 came the end of the Pallava dynasty in Tamil Nadu, and with no more royal control over their activities the Vedic Priests at this temple became more independent and completely replaced the original Saivite Priests - the Tamil Anthanar from this temple.
The original Tamil Thillaivaal Anthanar of Thillai Cittrambalam 'up to this time' had maintained a library within the temple, where the 'erttu suvadikal' (Ola manuscripts) of the Tamil Thevaarap Pathikams of the 'Tamil Saiva Saints who lived prior to this period', namely, Saints - Thirunaavukkarasu Naayanaar, Thirugnanasampantha Naayanaar, Sunderamoorthy Naayanaar, Maanikkavaasakar Swamikal, and Kaaraikkaal Ammaiyaar were collected, preserved and recited at the time of the religious rituals at Aadavallaan temple.
The practice of Vedic rituals and recitation of Vedas over years at this temple, eventually made Vedic priests in very great number of "Three Thousand" (Muvaayiravar) to gain a superior position at the Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil with the royal patronage of Pallavas, and to assume to themselves the new title as "Thillaivaal Anthanar Muvaayiravar".
With the Vedic Priests gaining complete freedom with no royal control also put an end to the earlier practice of recitation of the Tamil Thevaarap Pathikams in this temple, with the 'erttu suvadikal' kept locked in a room without much care for them at Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil.
During the Pallava period, not only Thillai Adavallaan Thirukkoyil but also many other Saivite & Vaishnavite Temples too met their 'first phase' of intense Sanskritisation of temple worship and rituals in Tamil Nadu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUb31Zq9IHg=player_detailpage
(5) The period of Chola dynasty of Tamil Nadu
The Cholas from their earliest period from time to time had their losses and gains in ruling their territorial region. The Cholas of the medieval period came to limelight after a spell in obscurity with the accension of Vijayaalaya Chola (A.D.848-881). With his son Aathiththa Chola (A.D.871-907)coming on Chola throne, he conquered many adjacent lands and expanded the existing Chola territory.
It was during this period the region of Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil too came for the first time within the new territory of the medieval Cholas, after being encompassed in the Pallava territory for nearly 325 years. With this change the 'Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil drew the attention of Aathiththa Chola who developed much faith in the 'Aadavallaan at Thillai Chitrambalam' (God Siva) and became his ardent devotee. With his gains in his victorious war at Kongu Nadu (part of present Tamil Nadu) he adorned the Thillai Chittrambalam shrine with a golden roof.
He was succeeded by his son Paraanthaha Chola (A.D.907-955) on the Chola throne. He expanded the Chola territory more than the limits that existed during the period of Athithha Chola, and being a strong devotee of Aadavallaan at Thillai with his gains in wars paved the Ponnambalam shrine with golden tiles.
Note:
With Cholas developing much faith on 'Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil' the Athitha Chola, Paraanthaha Chola Kandaraathiththa Chola, Sundera Chola, Uththama Chola, Rajaraja - 1, Rajendra - 1, Rajathiraja Chola, Rajendra Chola - 2, upto Virarajendra Chola too possibly would have given grants, made renovations and extentions to this temple.
But unfortunately their inscriptions at this temple are lost to us today except a few, by the stones of these temples with these inscriptions being disarranged and misplaced or built-in within new structures, most possibly duing the period of Vikkrama Chola and subsequent Chola kings when many new strcutures were built and old strucutures were renovated in a 'very big way'.
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