Uthiramerur
Last weekend Bala,Prabhakar,Srini and I had been to the temples in and around Uthiramerur.
At first we went to Thirumalai Vayaivur temple, near vedanthangal. It is a pretty old temple and is located on a hillock. You get to see a pretty nice view of the villages and fields around. It is being renovated and well maintained. We were surprised to see a group of kids visiting the temple from the nearby Govt High school.Looks like a weekend outing for them. A very nice gesture to be appreciated. Additionaly had there been a history teacher along with them who could explain something about the temple it would have been great. May be its asking too much.
Then we visited the temples at uthiramerur(Refer Ferrari's blog for the details). There is a very small vaikuntha perumal temple(pretty close to the market) whose sannidhi appears to be closed, but is still worth a visit.Simply because the inscriptions on the walls of the temple details the ancient 'Kudavolai' method of electing the chief of the area(area known as 'kudumbi' in tamil). The imperial cholas were famous not only for their valour,their support for art and architecture, devotion towards god etc., but for their admistrative skills. 'Kudavolai' method stands as a fine example. Its a very simple technique, but the rules and regulations were explained perfectly to the point and I'm sure there is no room for any ambiguity like what exactly does 'an office of profit' mean. For the first time I was surprised to find out that ASI doesn't allow people to photograph the inscriptions on the wall.I'm not sure if it is ASI's rule or the caretaker's. Since ASI is one organisation we respect we did obey it. Things like 'kudavolai' technique really make us feel proud about our own history.
Buried in our thoughts about the glorious past we went to Thirupulivanam,only to find the great history of Cholas in shambles.Shambles wouldn't have worried me too much,but its the sh*t that blew us off.yeah..I mean it. The mandapam outside the temple is being used by locals as a 'ilavasa kazhipidam'(Free toilet). Infact thats no ordinary mandapam, it has been designed to look like a Chariot with beautifully decorated wheels on the sides.And if you enter the mandapam deep in thoughts about the great kings then you will definitely step on shit.Still no worries, why do you think there is a pond outside the temple,next to the mandapam. Of course it looks dirty, but good enough to clean the dirt from your feet. I do sometimes feel that some of the God fearing superstitious beleifs must be supported, because only fear against evil/God can stop these people from doing such things. Had there been a Hanuman/Narasimhar sculpture identified in the mandapam, things would have been different.
At first we went to Thirumalai Vayaivur temple, near vedanthangal. It is a pretty old temple and is located on a hillock. You get to see a pretty nice view of the villages and fields around. It is being renovated and well maintained. We were surprised to see a group of kids visiting the temple from the nearby Govt High school.Looks like a weekend outing for them. A very nice gesture to be appreciated. Additionaly had there been a history teacher along with them who could explain something about the temple it would have been great. May be its asking too much.
Then we visited the temples at uthiramerur(Refer Ferrari's blog for the details). There is a very small vaikuntha perumal temple(pretty close to the market) whose sannidhi appears to be closed, but is still worth a visit.Simply because the inscriptions on the walls of the temple details the ancient 'Kudavolai' method of electing the chief of the area(area known as 'kudumbi' in tamil). The imperial cholas were famous not only for their valour,their support for art and architecture, devotion towards god etc., but for their admistrative skills. 'Kudavolai' method stands as a fine example. Its a very simple technique, but the rules and regulations were explained perfectly to the point and I'm sure there is no room for any ambiguity like what exactly does 'an office of profit' mean. For the first time I was surprised to find out that ASI doesn't allow people to photograph the inscriptions on the wall.I'm not sure if it is ASI's rule or the caretaker's. Since ASI is one organisation we respect we did obey it. Things like 'kudavolai' technique really make us feel proud about our own history.
Buried in our thoughts about the glorious past we went to Thirupulivanam,only to find the great history of Cholas in shambles.Shambles wouldn't have worried me too much,but its the sh*t that blew us off.yeah..I mean it. The mandapam outside the temple is being used by locals as a 'ilavasa kazhipidam'(Free toilet). Infact thats no ordinary mandapam, it has been designed to look like a Chariot with beautifully decorated wheels on the sides.And if you enter the mandapam deep in thoughts about the great kings then you will definitely step on shit.Still no worries, why do you think there is a pond outside the temple,next to the mandapam. Of course it looks dirty, but good enough to clean the dirt from your feet. I do sometimes feel that some of the God fearing superstitious beleifs must be supported, because only fear against evil/God can stop these people from doing such things. Had there been a Hanuman/Narasimhar sculpture identified in the mandapam, things would have been different.
posted by srivat at 10:40 PM
7 Comments:
the place is in total neglect... i only wish ASI can take over the temple and reclaim the glorious structures...
but thirupulivanam not being any tourist centre and no funds inflow...ASI may not have strong reasons and funding to take over this beautiful temple.
Even the interior was very beautiful. Especially the raising floors until the sanctum sanctorum
check out some slides from a class here...you might like it..http://www.arthist.umn.edu/classes/ah3014/LectureImages.html
nice da! you guys visit such places now and then..i love to see such kind of places...i will join you when i get a chance :)
Bala,
I do hope so, but as you said I doubt it too.
Gandhi,
That was a Good link with nice pics.
And you are always welcome to join us.:-)
You guys will soon become experts on SI art & architecture. Uthiramerur, Kudai Olai Murai ellam school le padichadhu.. Excursions of Chennai schools(convents and other big ones)also should be a visit to a place of historic importance. That will help the students feel proud about their roots and help them to be down-to-earth.
Yadhvi,
Expert aagaradhukellam innum neraiya therinjhikanum. IMO Naanga kaiyalavu kooda innum therinjikala :-).
Yeah, Historic trips could be made part of curriculum and probably make them downtoearth- :-D.
Hi i am sridhar i am belong to this uthiramerur only now day this temples are developed by the indian arch they are support my village temple and refreshed them and clean by the arch student now here place is nice to see this is good history moment of india
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