Chithiram Pesuthada

🔥 Olakkanesvara Temple – The Flame-Eyed Shrine atop the Hill!

உழக்கு எண்ணெய் ஈச்சுரர் கோயில் - தீக்கண் சிவன் தரிசனம்!

Have you ever noticed the stone shrine that stands above the Mahishasuramardini Cave? That’s not a lighthouse—it’s Olakkanesvara, the “Flame-Eyed Shiva,” silently watching over Mamallapuram and the Bay of Bengal for over 1,300 years.

Directions / Location:
Located atop the hill behind the Mahishasuramardini Cave, within the Mamallapuram UNESCO Heritage Complex, Chengalpattu District. A short climb from the lighthouse viewpoint leads you straight to this Pallava-era wonder.

Highlights Not to Miss:
✦ Built during Rajasimha Pallava’s reign (c. 690–715 CE).
✦ Originally a masonry temple crowned by a now-lost superstructure—likely resembling the Shore Temple.
✦ Sculptures inside depict Shiva as Dakshinamurti, Ravananugrahamurti, Kalasamharamurti, and Alidhanrittamurti—each showing the Pallava mastery in expressive relief.
✦ The temple’s positioning atop the granite hill hints at its ritual and astronomical significance.

Architecture Wonder:
The temple stands as one of the earliest examples of a stone-built structural shrine rather than a rock-cut excavation. Its Pallava architectural vocabulary—lions, pilasters, and miniature shrines—echoes the transition from cave temples to full-fledged structural Dravidian temples.

Unique Features:
✦ The only structural temple built atop a hill in Mamallapuram
✦ No vimana survives, but the base walls retain intricate panels and Vyala (lion) motifs.
✦ Offers a panoramic view linking the cave temples below and the sea beyond—symbolically uniting earth and divinity.
✦ Possibly used as a daytime navigation point, predating the modern lighthouse beside it.


#OlakkanesvaraTemple #Mamallapuram #PallavaArchitecture #UNESCOHeritage #RajasimhaPallava #FlameEyedShiva #DravidianArt #HeritageTamilNadu #ChithiramPesuthada #SureshPriyan

Olakkanesvara Temple, Mamallapuram, Pallava, Rajasimha, Flame Eye Shiva, Dravidian Architecture, Dakshinamurti, Ravananugrahamurti, Alidhanrittamurti, Chithiram Pesuthada, Suresh Priyan

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1 day ago | [YT] | 21

Chithiram Pesuthada

Melpadi Somanatheswarar Temple – A Chola Garrison Turned Stone Marvel!
மேல்பாடி சோமநாதீஸ்வரர் – சோழர் காலக் கல்லாலான காவியக் கோயில்!

Once a Chola garrison town guarding the northern frontier — today, Melpadi stands as a timeless sculpture of devotion and defense.

📍 Directions / Location
Located at Melpadi, near Thiruvalam, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu

🌸 Highlights Not to Miss
✦ The ancient Chola town, once called Rajasrayapuram, was named after Raja Raja Chola I’s title Rajasraya.
✦ In 959 CE, Rashtrakuta King Krishna III camped here (as per Karhad Plates).
✦ The town served as a Chola garrison against Chalukya and Rashtrakuta invasions.
✦ Houses two Chola-period temples – Somanatheswarar Temple (main shrine, architecturally elaborate) & Choleswarar Temple, a Palli Padai (memorial) temple.
✦ Inscriptions of Raja Raja Chola I record land donations and officers stationed here.

🏗️ Architecture Wonder
✦ Built originally by Parantaka Chola I and expanded under Raja Raja Chola I.
✦ Entirely carved from granite, including vimana and kalasam.
✦ South-facing entrance and fortified prakaram — Inner mandapa pillars feature intricate carvings of deities and vyalas (mythical lions).

🌿 Unique Features
✦ Separate shrine for Thapaskruta Devi, the consort of Shiva.
✦ Outer walls carry reliefs of Sapta Matrikas, Veerabhadra, and Nagas.
✦ The nearby Choleswarar Temple adds to Melpadi’s identity as a royal burial-memorial complex.
✦ A living site linking military history, Saivite devotion, and Chola artistry.

#MelpadiTemple #Somanatheswarar #Rajasrayapuram #CholaHeritage #TamilNaduTemples #StoneVimana #Vellore #TempleArchitecture #HeritageWalk #ChithiramPesuthada #SureshPriyan

Melpadi, Rajasrayapuram, Somanatheswarar, Choleswarar, Chola dynasty, granite vimana, inscriptions, heritage, architecture, Chithiram Pesuthada, Suresh Priyan

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2 days ago | [YT] | 28

Chithiram Pesuthada

Agastheeswarar Temple – The Fiery Agni Lingam of Noombal, Chennai!
அக்னி தத்துவத்தின் ஆலயம் – நூம்பல் அகஸ்தீஸ்வரர்!

Did you know Chennai houses a temple representing Agni, the Fire Element, among the Pancha Bhoota Linga shrines? Welcome to Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, where ancient energy still radiates with fiery devotion.

📍 Directions / Location:
Located at Noombal, near Vanagaram, Chennai, easily accessible from Porur Junction (about 4 km).

🕉️ Highlights Not to Miss:
✦ Presiding deity: Sri Agastheeswarar (Shiva Lingam), facing east.
✦ Goddess: Anandavalli Ambal, facing south.
✦Believed to be Agni Sthalam—one among the Pancha Bhootha Sthalams around Chennai.
✦ Saint Agastya is said to have installed and worshipped the Lingam here.
✦ A sacred Sthala Vriksham – Vanni Tree (Prosopis cineraria) and a small temple pond to the east.

🏛️ Architectural Wonder:
✦ Features a Gajaprishta (elephant-back)-shaped sanctum, typical of early Pallava-Chozha architecture.
✦ Simple granite base with minimal ornamentation, signifying its early medieval origin.
✦ The temple has been renovated during the Vijayanagara–Nayak period, retaining traces of older masonry.

#AgastheeswararTemple #AgniLingam #NoombalTemple #ChennaiHeritage #PallavaArchitecture #PanchaBoothaSthalam #ChithiramPesuthada #SureshPriyan #IndianHeritage #TempleTrails #TamilArchitecture

Agastheeswarar Temple, Noombal, Agni Lingam, Chennai Heritage, Fire Element Temple, Pancha Bhootha Sthalam, Chithiram Pesuthada, Suresh Priyan

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4 days ago | [YT] | 36

Chithiram Pesuthada

Built by Rajasimha Pallava, the Mukunda Nayanar Temple of Mamallapuram enshrines Shiva as ThiruMukalippa Mudaiyar, later called Mukalinathan under the Cholas. A rare Saiva shrine blending Pallava finesse with Chola devotion.
#ChithiramPesuthada #SureshPriyan

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5 days ago | [YT] | 34

Chithiram Pesuthada

In the heart of Hampi stands a quiet Jain marvel — Ganagitti Temple (1386 CE), built under Harihara II.
Dedicated to Tirthankara Kunthunatha, it reflects Jain simplicity amidst Vijayanagara grandeur.
#HampiHeritage #ChithiramPesuthada #SureshPriyan

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6 days ago | [YT] | 24

Chithiram Pesuthada

Arinjaya Choleeshwaram — The Forgotten Pallipadai of the Cholas!
அரிஞ்சய சோழன் பள்ளிப்படை!

Did you know the mighty Raja Raja Chola I built a temple not for a god first — but for his grandfather?
Welcome to Melpadi, where the Arinjaya Choleeshwaram stands as one of the earliest Chola Pallipadai temples, marking both memory and empire.

Directions / Location:
📍 Melpadi Village, near Arcot, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.
Located about 25 km from Vellore on the Arcot–Chittoor route, this serene site once formed the northern frontier of the Chola realm — known in inscriptions as Rajaraja Chaturvedimangalam.

Highlights Not to Miss:
✦ The Pallipadai (memorial temple) of Arinjaya Chola, grandfather of Raja Raja I.
✦ Inscriptions of Raja Raja I, referring to the deity as Arinjigai-Isvaram Udaiya Mahadevar.
✦ A Vishnu temple nearby, said to be built for Arinjaya’s queen — showcasing early Shaiva–Vaishnava dual patronage.
✦ The village also preserves hero stones (Veerakkal) and traces of ancient trade routes.

Architectural Wonder:
✦ The shrine is east-facing, built of granite in early Chola style — compact, sturdy, and minimally ornamented.
✦ The Vimana is eka-tala (single-tiered) with clean Pallava-Chola transition features.
✦ Later brick additions and a restored adhisthana hint at continuous worship from the 10th century onward.
✦ Look for fine inscriptions etched on the base — the true storytellers of this memorial.

#ArinjayaCholanPallipadai #CholaArchitecture #Melpadi #RajarajaChola #PallipadaiTemple #TamilHeritage #VelloreHeritage #ChithiramPesuthada #SureshPriyan

Arinjaya Cholan, Arinjaya Choleeshwaram, Melpadi, Pallipadai Temple, Early Chola Architecture, Raja Raja Chola I, Tamil Nadu Temples, Chithiram Pesuthada, Suresh Priyan

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1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 32

Chithiram Pesuthada

🛕 Timeless Shiva Shrine of Ayanavaram – Where the Chola Stones Still Whisper!
ஆயனாவரம் பரசுராம லிங்கேஸ்வரர் கோவில் – சோழர் காலச் சிவாலயம்?
Hidden amid Chennai’s bustle stands this serene shrine — a quiet witness to centuries of devotion. The east-facing sanctum houses a slender yet tall Shiva Lingam, and its Gajaprishta (apsidal) vimana hints at a Pallava origin (8th–9th CE).

Later Chola renovations under Rajaraja I or Kulothunga I added stone and brick layers that still endure.

The temple’s Brahma Sastha (Murugan) idol, ancient koshta reliefs, and calm atmosphere make it a rare Pallava–Chola gem in the heart of Ayanavaram.
#ParasuramaLingeswararTemple #AyanavaramTemple #PallavaArchitecture #CholaArchitecture #HeritageOfChennai #HiddenMonumentsOfChennai #ChithiramPesuthada #SureshPriyan

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1 week ago | [YT] | 38

Chithiram Pesuthada

A forgotten gem from Thirumalaicherry, Ranipet District —
The Rashtrakuta-era Mahishasura Mardini,
Eight-armed, fierce yet graceful,
Her sword raised in triumph over Mahishan —
Granite breathing faith, power, and beauty.
#ChithiramPesuthada #SureshPriyan

1 week ago | [YT] | 53

Chithiram Pesuthada

A tiny Chola-era gem at Senji–Panambakkam: 16-fluted dhāra-liṅga, dancing-lady pillars, green-stone kōṣṭhas & superb façade panels—Tiruvallur’s stone syllabus in one stop. #ChithiramPesuthada #SureshPriyan #TiruvallurHeritage

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2 weeks ago | [YT] | 36

Chithiram Pesuthada

The Flawless Gem of Thirumullaivoyal – Sri Masilamaneeswarar Temple
திருமுல்லைவாயில் மாசிலாமணீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில்

Did you know Chennai hides a 1,000-year-old temple where inscriptions speak of Chola queens, Pandya kings, and Vijayanagara emperors? Let’s step into this unmissable heritage site.

Directions / Location:
Located in Thirumullaivoyal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, about 22 km from the city centre. Accessible via Chennai–Tiruvallur High Road (CTH Road), and well-connected by suburban trains and buses.

Highlights Not to Miss:
✦ Paadal Petra Sthalam: praised in Tevaram hymns.
✦ Unique Nandi: facing outward as if ready to march.
✦ Epigraphic Treasures: Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara records (ARE 662, 669, 672, 674, 681–684, 698 of 1904).

Architecture Wonder:
✦ Sanctum crowned by a Gaja Prishtam (apsidal elephant-back) vimana, a rare form in Dravidian architecture.
✦ Ancient Vellerukku (Calotropis) wood pillars are still remembered in the site tradition.
✦ A 16-pillared mandapa with fine early Chola artistry.

Little History:
✦ Sembiyan Mahadevi’s grant (ARE 669, 1904) marks the temple in her endowment network.
✦ Rajendra I’s gifts (ARE 677–678, 1904) include jewels and wealth, reflecting prosperity.
✦ Later inscriptions from Kulottunga III, Rajaraja III, Pandya Jatavarman Sundara Pandya I, and Vijayanagara rulers Harihara II & Mallikarjuna Raya show continuous patronage.

Today, it stands as a living monument—reminding us that Chennai has many heritage sites we often overlook, and this is one of the must-visit temples.

#ChithiramPesuthada #SureshPriyan #Masilamaneeswarar #Thirumullaivoyal #CholaArchitecture #TamilHeritage #TempleTrails #HiddenChennai

Chithiram Pesuthada, Suresh Priyan, Masilamaneeswarar Temple, Thirumullaivoyal, Chola inscriptions, ARE 1904, Gaja Prishtam vimana, Chennai heritage, Paadal Petra Sthalam.

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2 weeks ago | [YT] | 23