virarajendra
7th May 2011, 07:01 AM
Author - Virarajendra
Brief ‘historical study’ of "Chithamparam Aadavallaan (Nadarajar) Thirukkoyil" - Part 4
continued from Part - 3
(7) The period of Vijayanagara rule in Tamil Nadu
It was during the Vijayanagara and Naayakkar periods, not only Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil but also many other Saivite & Vaishnavite Temples too met their 'second phase' of intense Sanskritisation of temple worship and rituals in Tamil Nadu.
During this period the God Siva at Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil was referred to 'for the first time' as Chithambareswara and Thillai Muthoor was known as Chithambaram.
The Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Krishnadeva Maharaaya (A.D.1509-1530) in the year A.D.1510 gifted three villages with an income of 1,400 rekai for the 'Mahapuja" in the temple of Alakiya Thiruchchittrambalamudaiya Thambiraanaar (at Chittrambalam) and for the maintenance of a feeding house. The king Krishnadeva Maharaya after his victory in the war over the region Simhadri Pottunuru, on his return visited Ponnambalam at Chithambaram and worshiped God Siva. Some time thereafter he arranged and built the northern Gopura of this temple.
His successor to Vijayanagara throne king Achyutadeva Maharaaya (A.D.1530-1542) in the year A.D.1538 're-constructed' the Govindaraja Perumal temple (celebrated by earlier Tamil Vainava Alwars) at Chitrakuuda within the Chithambaram temple.
In the year A.D.1576 a king of Kerala (from the region Cochin) named Ramavarma Maharaja of the family (a decendent) of Cheraman Perumaal Naayanaar (A.D........) (one of the 63 - Tamil Saiva Saints) in the year A.D.1578 provided 33 thalikai (offerings) to be offered to God Anandathandava Perumaal Naayanaar (God Siva at Chittrambalam) and to be distributed among Brahmanas, Mahesvaras and the temple cooks.
(8) The period of Naayakkar dynasty in Tamil Nadu
It was during this period the - "Theetchithar (Deekshithar) the Vedic Priests from the Andhra country" (tracing their early ancestral origin in North India) were brought in to officiate the temple ceremonies and rituals at the Chithambaram Nadarajar temple "under the patronage of the Naayakkar kings". The Saiva Agamic rituals were gradually replaced with the Vedic Rituals, and the recitation of the Tamil Saivite (Thevaara) Thirumurailkal were replaced by Sanskrit Vedic hyms. Deekshithar (Deekshits) in Sanskrit means Vedic Priests who were scholars in Sanskrit Vedas.
Notes on Chithambaram Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil Priests from earliest times:
"Thillaivaal Anthanar" = 'Tamil Saivite Priests' practicing Agamic Rituals and Forms of Worship - Thamil Anthanar
"Thillaivaal Anthanar Muvaayiravar or Muvaayiravar of Thillaiambalam" = 'Tamil Saivite Priests' practicing Agamic Rituals and Forms of Worship - Thamil Anthanar (upto the time of Hiraniyavarma Pallava)
"Thillaivaal Anthanar Muvaayiravar or Thillai Muvaayiraver" = A mix of original Tamil Saivite Priests and Sanskrit Vedic Priests from Gauda Desa (present Orrisa) - Thamil Anthanar & Vedic Anthanar [From the time of Hiraniyavarma Pallava in A.D.750 - father of Nanthivarman Pallava - 2 (A.D.710-775) up to the death of Aparajithavarma Pallava (A.D880-900)]
"Thillaivaal Anthanar Muvaayiravar or Thillai Muvaayiraver = Entirely of Vedic Priests from Gauda Desa (present Orissa) - Vedic Anthanar [After the death of Aparajithavarma Pallava]
Theetchithar are Vedic Priests from Andhra Pradesh, who dominated and suppressed the Vedic Priests from Gauda Desa already conducting Temple Rituals at Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil with the royal patronage of the Naayakkar kings. With the commencement of Naayakkar rule over Thillai it was renamed as "Chithamparam" around the year A.D.1535 under the king Sevappa Naayakkar ruling from Thanjavur.
(9) Epilogue
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3288/2901173993_011635d77d.jpg https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSWugKkSSAQLPE5pLA7qEM6xbCsxXEuw gnSozviwLTcHkQabtOr
http://www.southindiatourtravel.com/Chidambaram.jpg https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGNz3uPNroI69ALUnvQHsoaYuwuXB5E IXKi_YHPsx0CptRndtk
"The massive Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil (Chithamparam Nadarajar Temple) complex, all it Properties & Assets - namely the Lands and the incomes from them, the Iympon & Bronze Icons of Deities, the Temple Jewellery, the Gold & Money - were donations and endowments made essentially by the Pallava, Chola and Pandiya Kings to this Temple - the great Religious Centre of the World Tamil Saivite Community.
Hence all Properties and Assets of this Temple at any time rightly belongs to the entire Word Tamil Saivite Community. Same should not be made the "Sole Property" of a handfull of "Deekshithar" - the Vedic Priests from Andhra, who came to limelight only after the fall of the Naayakkar Kings and took complete control of same claiming themselves as the "Sole Owners" of the - "Sen Thamilar Thenkoyil" as referred in the Tamil Inscription in this temple, of the period of Vikkrama Cholan (A.D.1118-1136) as follows:.
'......thenVenthan koon nimirththa "Senthamilar thenkoyil
pon meinthu" thikkai pukal veinthaan - onnaarkku
kuttram pala kandoan koal illaikkum velKooththan
"Sittrambalaththile" sentru......'
South Indian Inscriptions - Vol 4, Page 33, Chidambaram Kalvettukal
"Deekshithars" or their fore-fathers never built this Temple for them to become the "absolute owners" of the Temple, and they were never referred to as Thillaivaal Anthanar at any time, but only as "Deekshithar". This is a Temple built developed and sections added time to time by the Tamil kings of Tamil Nadu, which are confirmed by the Tamil Inscriptions on the Temple itself which have been already copied and published in "South Indian Inscriptions Vol 4" etc. There are no references whatsoever to "Deekshithars" in any Inscriptions of this Temple.
Further they also replaced the "Tamil Saivite (Agamic) form of worship" of this Temple with the "Sanskrit Vedic form of worship" and also discontinued the practice of Othuvaars singing "Thevarems" (Thiruppathikam) from the Tamil Thirumuraikal at this temple.
Hence it is very essential that all "Tamil Saivites in Tamil Nadu and World over" should vehementally protest against this Temple being re-privatised, and becoming the "Sole Property of a handfull of Deekshithars", and should take every endevour to see same comes under the purview and complete control of the "Inthu Araneri Thurai of Tamil Nadu"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaQzXAq_JWw=player_detailpage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5ybzyHVWAY=player_detailpage
The Former Chief Minister C.N.Annadurai of Tamil Nadu refers to the above unfortunate situation in many Saivite and Vaishnavite - Temples of Tamil Nadu as follows:
".....Thamilanukku Thamil Naattille Thamilarin panaththaal katti, Thamilarin panaththaal paraamarikkapadum "Koyilkalile" Thamilarrkku sama urimai illai......!!! "
Thamilarin Marumalarchchi - By C.N.Annadurai, page 47
Note:
At this instant it should be noted that the "Rajarajaeswarem Temple" also known as "Thanjai Periya Koyil" (presently also refered to as Brahatheeswarem Temple) of Thanjavur - a great monument of Tamilian pride" too should be "taken off the grips of the "decendents of the Maraatiya Kings as Trustees of the Temple", and brought under the full control of Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department and Tamil Nadu Inthu Araneri Thurai".
The following URLs lead to 'YouTube' Videos on Chithambaram Aadavallaan (Nadarajar) Thirukkoyil at Cudalore (Kadalur), Tamil Nadu, India.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW-qrBQABD0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrdU7VnMqF4&feature=fvwrel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxcdr3Sn-K4&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf8zSs17fRQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L60frXH3bTA&feature=related
Brief ‘historical study’ of "Chithamparam Aadavallaan (Nadarajar) Thirukkoyil" - Part 4
continued from Part - 3
(7) The period of Vijayanagara rule in Tamil Nadu
It was during the Vijayanagara and Naayakkar periods, not only Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil but also many other Saivite & Vaishnavite Temples too met their 'second phase' of intense Sanskritisation of temple worship and rituals in Tamil Nadu.
During this period the God Siva at Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil was referred to 'for the first time' as Chithambareswara and Thillai Muthoor was known as Chithambaram.
The Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Krishnadeva Maharaaya (A.D.1509-1530) in the year A.D.1510 gifted three villages with an income of 1,400 rekai for the 'Mahapuja" in the temple of Alakiya Thiruchchittrambalamudaiya Thambiraanaar (at Chittrambalam) and for the maintenance of a feeding house. The king Krishnadeva Maharaya after his victory in the war over the region Simhadri Pottunuru, on his return visited Ponnambalam at Chithambaram and worshiped God Siva. Some time thereafter he arranged and built the northern Gopura of this temple.
His successor to Vijayanagara throne king Achyutadeva Maharaaya (A.D.1530-1542) in the year A.D.1538 're-constructed' the Govindaraja Perumal temple (celebrated by earlier Tamil Vainava Alwars) at Chitrakuuda within the Chithambaram temple.
In the year A.D.1576 a king of Kerala (from the region Cochin) named Ramavarma Maharaja of the family (a decendent) of Cheraman Perumaal Naayanaar (A.D........) (one of the 63 - Tamil Saiva Saints) in the year A.D.1578 provided 33 thalikai (offerings) to be offered to God Anandathandava Perumaal Naayanaar (God Siva at Chittrambalam) and to be distributed among Brahmanas, Mahesvaras and the temple cooks.
(8) The period of Naayakkar dynasty in Tamil Nadu
It was during this period the - "Theetchithar (Deekshithar) the Vedic Priests from the Andhra country" (tracing their early ancestral origin in North India) were brought in to officiate the temple ceremonies and rituals at the Chithambaram Nadarajar temple "under the patronage of the Naayakkar kings". The Saiva Agamic rituals were gradually replaced with the Vedic Rituals, and the recitation of the Tamil Saivite (Thevaara) Thirumurailkal were replaced by Sanskrit Vedic hyms. Deekshithar (Deekshits) in Sanskrit means Vedic Priests who were scholars in Sanskrit Vedas.
Notes on Chithambaram Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil Priests from earliest times:
"Thillaivaal Anthanar" = 'Tamil Saivite Priests' practicing Agamic Rituals and Forms of Worship - Thamil Anthanar
"Thillaivaal Anthanar Muvaayiravar or Muvaayiravar of Thillaiambalam" = 'Tamil Saivite Priests' practicing Agamic Rituals and Forms of Worship - Thamil Anthanar (upto the time of Hiraniyavarma Pallava)
"Thillaivaal Anthanar Muvaayiravar or Thillai Muvaayiraver" = A mix of original Tamil Saivite Priests and Sanskrit Vedic Priests from Gauda Desa (present Orrisa) - Thamil Anthanar & Vedic Anthanar [From the time of Hiraniyavarma Pallava in A.D.750 - father of Nanthivarman Pallava - 2 (A.D.710-775) up to the death of Aparajithavarma Pallava (A.D880-900)]
"Thillaivaal Anthanar Muvaayiravar or Thillai Muvaayiraver = Entirely of Vedic Priests from Gauda Desa (present Orissa) - Vedic Anthanar [After the death of Aparajithavarma Pallava]
Theetchithar are Vedic Priests from Andhra Pradesh, who dominated and suppressed the Vedic Priests from Gauda Desa already conducting Temple Rituals at Thillai Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil with the royal patronage of the Naayakkar kings. With the commencement of Naayakkar rule over Thillai it was renamed as "Chithamparam" around the year A.D.1535 under the king Sevappa Naayakkar ruling from Thanjavur.
(9) Epilogue
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3288/2901173993_011635d77d.jpg https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSWugKkSSAQLPE5pLA7qEM6xbCsxXEuw gnSozviwLTcHkQabtOr
http://www.southindiatourtravel.com/Chidambaram.jpg https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGNz3uPNroI69ALUnvQHsoaYuwuXB5E IXKi_YHPsx0CptRndtk
"The massive Aadavallaan Thirukkoyil (Chithamparam Nadarajar Temple) complex, all it Properties & Assets - namely the Lands and the incomes from them, the Iympon & Bronze Icons of Deities, the Temple Jewellery, the Gold & Money - were donations and endowments made essentially by the Pallava, Chola and Pandiya Kings to this Temple - the great Religious Centre of the World Tamil Saivite Community.
Hence all Properties and Assets of this Temple at any time rightly belongs to the entire Word Tamil Saivite Community. Same should not be made the "Sole Property" of a handfull of "Deekshithar" - the Vedic Priests from Andhra, who came to limelight only after the fall of the Naayakkar Kings and took complete control of same claiming themselves as the "Sole Owners" of the - "Sen Thamilar Thenkoyil" as referred in the Tamil Inscription in this temple, of the period of Vikkrama Cholan (A.D.1118-1136) as follows:.
'......thenVenthan koon nimirththa "Senthamilar thenkoyil
pon meinthu" thikkai pukal veinthaan - onnaarkku
kuttram pala kandoan koal illaikkum velKooththan
"Sittrambalaththile" sentru......'
South Indian Inscriptions - Vol 4, Page 33, Chidambaram Kalvettukal
"Deekshithars" or their fore-fathers never built this Temple for them to become the "absolute owners" of the Temple, and they were never referred to as Thillaivaal Anthanar at any time, but only as "Deekshithar". This is a Temple built developed and sections added time to time by the Tamil kings of Tamil Nadu, which are confirmed by the Tamil Inscriptions on the Temple itself which have been already copied and published in "South Indian Inscriptions Vol 4" etc. There are no references whatsoever to "Deekshithars" in any Inscriptions of this Temple.
Further they also replaced the "Tamil Saivite (Agamic) form of worship" of this Temple with the "Sanskrit Vedic form of worship" and also discontinued the practice of Othuvaars singing "Thevarems" (Thiruppathikam) from the Tamil Thirumuraikal at this temple.
Hence it is very essential that all "Tamil Saivites in Tamil Nadu and World over" should vehementally protest against this Temple being re-privatised, and becoming the "Sole Property of a handfull of Deekshithars", and should take every endevour to see same comes under the purview and complete control of the "Inthu Araneri Thurai of Tamil Nadu"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaQzXAq_JWw=player_detailpage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5ybzyHVWAY=player_detailpage
The Former Chief Minister C.N.Annadurai of Tamil Nadu refers to the above unfortunate situation in many Saivite and Vaishnavite - Temples of Tamil Nadu as follows:
".....Thamilanukku Thamil Naattille Thamilarin panaththaal katti, Thamilarin panaththaal paraamarikkapadum "Koyilkalile" Thamilarrkku sama urimai illai......!!! "
Thamilarin Marumalarchchi - By C.N.Annadurai, page 47
Note:
At this instant it should be noted that the "Rajarajaeswarem Temple" also known as "Thanjai Periya Koyil" (presently also refered to as Brahatheeswarem Temple) of Thanjavur - a great monument of Tamilian pride" too should be "taken off the grips of the "decendents of the Maraatiya Kings as Trustees of the Temple", and brought under the full control of Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department and Tamil Nadu Inthu Araneri Thurai".
The following URLs lead to 'YouTube' Videos on Chithambaram Aadavallaan (Nadarajar) Thirukkoyil at Cudalore (Kadalur), Tamil Nadu, India.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW-qrBQABD0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrdU7VnMqF4&feature=fvwrel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxcdr3Sn-K4&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf8zSs17fRQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L60frXH3bTA&feature=related