Last saturday, had been to Uthiramerur. The initial plan was to visit Uthiramerur Sundara Varadhar temple, and then proceed to thennangur. Left chennai by around 8.30 in the morning and after 2 hrs drive reached Uthiramerur by around 11. The traffic was bit high around the airport area. Otherwise it was a cool drive and the roads were really good. After reaching there the plans dynamically changed, and visited the following temples.
Balasubramanyaswamy Temple:
This temple was right next to the Sundara Varadhar temple. So decided to visit this place first. From outside it looked like any other murugan temple. Only after stepping in, you realise how old this temple is. This temple is a suyambhu murugan temple, and was built by jeyamkoNdan chozhan. In every murugan temple, you will find mayil(peacock) as the vaaganam(carrier) for lord murugan. But in this temple you find elephant as the vaaganam. The moorthy(statue) is 5.5 feet tall.You find huge rocks, within the uL pragaram as well as outside.
A very nice temple. And what struck me was the commitment of temple priest. After our darshan, we completed the pradakshanam and came back. At that time, the priest was performing the abhisheka for the god. Not a single soul was around. The priest didnt wait for anyone to come. He just carried on with his duty. I personally have seen that in many temples, god is made to wait for the pooja and abhisheka till someone turns up. Do visit this temple if you are going to Uthiramerur 
Sundara Varadhar Temple:
This is the main temple of Uthiramerur. This is one temple where you find sannidhi in three floors. In the ground floor, you find perumaL in standing position. In the first floor in the sitting position, and in the second floor in sleeping position.
The architecture is amazing. It seems that the ashtalakshmi temple in besant nagar, chennai was built after this architecture. But unlike ashtalakshmi temple, here you can easily climb the stairs and get down. Do not miss the interesting sculptures on the vimanam. Like the vimanam thaangi, dakshinamurthy(yes, a dakshinamurthy in perumaL temple), manmadhan, parasuramar, narasimhar etc. You get kalkaNdu and mundhiri/dratchai prasadham in this temple
The main statues are made out of wood. No abhishekam or flower decorations. Only thaila kaapu.
And do ask the priest to show some light behind the statues. You will find colorful inscriptions similar to ajanta/ellora caves.
Those days the Maharaja’s used to enter the temple via a VIP entrance it seems. Now they have closed it. There is a statue of Brihu Maharishi as well. (Brihu Maharishi is supposed to the rishi, who excelled in temple architecture, planning etc. And he is treated on par with god). Couple of years back, the kumbabishekam of this temple was performed. It is well maintained. But there is maNdapam in the corner which seems to have been neglected 
There is a Sivan temple near the bus stand, where you can find old inscriptions. It seems that, uthiramerur was the first places to have democracy in place. More on that here.
Thirupulivanam:
I liked this temple the most. This temple is on the uthiramerur-kanchipuram road. 5 km from Uthiramerur, on the left side whilst going from uthiramerur. A very old temple vyakrapureeswarar temple. vyakrapada munivar(person with human body and tigers legs), pathanchali munivar(human body and snake legs and nandi devan were the most sincere followers of Lord Shiva. It seems Lord Shiva danced in chidambaram only on the request of vyakrapada and pathanchali munivars. This temple was built by kulothunga chozhan. Some unique things about this temple are as follows.
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You will find dakshinamurthy in the form of arthanaareswarar.
Shivalingam has jada mudi. A very tall shivalingam.
A surangam(subway) exists from here till sundara varadhar temple.
Dwarabalakar statues are very very huge and artistically done.
You get that divine feeling for sure over here. A very nice place. The priest told us another interesting info. When you see from the Siva lingam, towards the nandi you will find 7 steps. These 7 steps can be looked as 7 days of a week, and also as the 7 stages of a human life
Unfortunately this temple is not in a very good shape due to lack of funds. They are planning to have a kumbabishekam sometime next year. Please visit this temple if you can and do contribute for the kumbabishekam. I will also check with the temple priest, if they want volunteers for cleaning up the temple and areas around it. If interested, please let me know. We can take up this activity!
maagaRal:
This temple is another 10 kms from thirupulivanam on the kancheepuram road. A very well maintained beautiful temple. This temple was built by rajendra chozhan and dates back to many centuries. It seems lord appeared in the form of udumbu, and the king chased it. Suddenly the udumbu went inside a paambu putRu(Snake pit) and let its tail out. At that time, the king realised it was the lord himself. So he built a temple there. The siva linga is very small and it resembles the tail of udumbu extending out of the snake pit.
The temple is very very clean, and amazingly maintained. They could have done away with all color paintings. But thats ok. It is very rare to see such a well maintained temple. And some mega serial is being shot in this temple it seems. Rajarajeshwari or something!
In this temple, you find lord Murugan atop the elephant. And Bhairavar in arthanaareshwarar form. Ask the priest to show you the bhairavar statue and explain the sculpture. Its worth it.
Travel Details:
How to get there?
Uthiramerur is around 80 kms from chennai.
You can either go via kancheepuram (or) go from chennai on NH47 till pukkathurai and take a right turn from there. Amazing roads all the way
Thirupulivanam is 5 kms from Uthiramerur on the Uthiramerur-Kancheepuram road. Chances of you missing the temple is high. When you see the board ‘Thirupulivanam ungaLai varaverkiradhu’ keep a look out for the temple on the left.
magaRal is another 8-10 kms from Thirupulivanam on the same road. You will cross the river seyaaR on the way.
While coming back there is a short route. From maagaRal goto iLayavan velur, and then walajabad. Then from Walajabad to vandalur. Keep a watch on both sides while coming from magaRal towards walajabad. You will get to see atleast 4 to 5 extremely old and deserted temples
P.S.
Click on Thumbnail for bigger version of the picture
Mail me if you want higher resolution pictures
Each photo has some notes. Do read them too!
Thanks for the informative post Prabhu. Temples in South India is truly a case of hidden treasures in one’s own backyard.
Good post. How I would like to go to temples like a tourist and learn the history of it rather than somebody dragging me to one for the usual karpooram, prasaadham, pradhakshanam, namsakaram, etc..! Not that I dont like doing that, but theres more to it! Thanks for the inspiration. If someday I get to do it, you would be the reason!
Good! You are exploring some new places every weekend.
Good update. To add to the info – maagaRal is a paadal piRRa sthalam. “paadal piRRa sthalam” is a technical term. Means one among the four – Thirugyanasambhandhar, Thirunavukarasar, Sundarar, Manikavachakar has sung in praise of the lord. Here Sambhandar has sung in praise of maagaRaleeshwarar in his Devaram.
There are 275 such ‘sthalam’s including few in places outside Tamilnadu. A correction. The epithet paadal peRRa sthalam is applicable only to plaes sung by mUvar – Manikkavachagar is not included.
Thirupulivanam is not one of them. But still it is ancient.
There are few more in that area. Hope Ferrari covers them and give a comprehensive coverage.
Wonderful, brings back childhood memories. My parents used to take us to some nice old temples in Tirunelvali district.
One more comment – about the Murugan temple in Uthirameroor – He also has jadaa makutam. No vaLLi deivaanai. Not even seperate sannadhi for them. Guess it is because of Him being Balamurugan there.
Also He has rudraksham and kamandalam. His right hand – abhaya hastam is tilted. All in all a unique ‘vigraham’. There is a chariot building effort going on there.
Ferrari,
Nice travelogue and pics.
Will definitely visit these places pretty soon.
This place is very close to my native. But I never knew these many temples existed around there.
That will be our next destination
another Bharanidharan is shaping – that is good — uthiramerur is also famous for another fact — it has the distinction of describing ‘election of your leader’ — the uthiramerur “kudavolai” perhaps the earliest recorded election procedures.
excellent job – considering that it is most uncool for todays generation to be caught in a temple.
you have to appreciate the priests across the length and breadth of the state. they usually live in crushing poverty and do an unappreciated job. to add insult to injury they are often at the mercy of local goons (read party functionaries) who are appointed as trustees by the HR&CE. no other religion treats its priests this way.
Lavanya,
True
Boo,
Thanks. Ippadi ellam flatter panna koodadhu
Billa,
Ya ya
Meenakshi,
Thanks
Guest,
Thanks a lot for filling out the missed information
Karthek,
Thanks. Need to explore tirunelveli sometime
Srivat,
Pls do
Balaji,
Unga native enga?
Ram,
Thanks. There was an article in The Hindu on the democracy in uthiramerur
Vivekanandan,
Oh yes. the priests are doing an amazing job!
Nice pictures. And Guest thanks for that information, for some reason I’ve always presumed that the 275 padal petra sthalams were sung by the aruvathi moovars, learnt something new today. Thanks
Hi Prabhu,
I am happy to see Magaral photos in your account. even i have few photos taken @ magaral. if you find time please visit
http://justcliking.blogspot.com/
Cheers!!
Sathiyan S
It is fantastic report on my town!
Bringing back my old memories!
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Its nice 2 c all da pics. I saw the temple under renovation during 2002-2003. Thanks for those snaps.
I visited the temples Thirupulivanam and magaRal temples and had the darshan of the deities there.
I really thank you for providing the information regarding these temples.
want to know more about walajabad people ,culture ,streets ,education,jobs houses,business
expecting more in near future about walajabad
Ferrari,
I initially planned to cover only Kanchipuram and now i extended my travel to Uthiramerur…
Thanx pa!
If u happen to visit Trichy Distric dont miss these places…
1)Kodumpallur-Built by Sundara Cholan(Father of Rajaraja Cholan..i think)
Only ruins r there and excavated in 1950s..
30kms from trichy to Trichy-madurai road
Also visit Viralimalai Murugan Temple..
2)Kudumiyan malai
10kms from Kodumpallur towards Pudukottai..
An architecural beauty esp Music Inscriptions,Cave temple and Nude women Sculpture,etc..
3)NARTHAMALAI-Two temples are there..8th century chola periob temples..
15kms from Kudumiyan malai or 20kms from Keeranur towards Sithanna vasal…
Just 2 kms from narthamalai u can see Narthamalai.
U can see Archelogy dept’s Monuments Board(blue color) in many spots while visiting these places…just drop in those places and see wat is there…
So many hidden treasures are still unvisited in tamilnadu, in and around Trichy,thanjavur,Kumbakonam,Kanchi,Tirunelveli,Madurai,Chennai…
bye
It is interesting and informative to learn about my village Uthiramerur. This really brings my childwood days where I was roaming.
Thank you
its nice to know valuable information from uthiramerur
Very nice to see the photographs.
I belongs to that place.
There is one more temple to be covered in uthiramerur.
That is Drowpathi Amman Temple & Statue of Dhuriyodhanan.
My wife and I are fairly regular visitors to Thennangur. We have also visited the Temples in Uthiramerur many a time. May I add to the wealth of info provided by Prabhu……
Right outside the Sundara Varadhar Temple is a fantastic and not-to-be-missed Anjaneyar Sannithi.
In the Sudara Vardhar Temple, there are 9 Perumals. The three kolangals of the Lord as Nindrar, Irunthar and Kidanthar are at three levels and the architecture is such that even though one climbs up to each level, ones`s feet are never upon the Lord! Also, in the “Kidanthar” Sannithi, there is a Sivan wearing Namam.
Near the bus stand is the Vaikunda Natha Perumal Temple now under the care of ASI. The Temple has very ancient inscriptions, some of which are said to detail the qualities which a candidate seeking election, should possess. We were told that the “Thalikai” made for the Perumal, is shared by the Sivan Temple (across the road), and the Sivan is called “Irattai Thaleeswarar”.
Thank you, Prabhu. Shall be glad to hear from you.
That was fine Prabhu. am yet to visit the Pulivanam & Maakaral temples.
And great to know you are a Ferrari fan. Me too!! Missing Schumi a lot!! Did you know that in the Brain of the Ferrari Workshop in Malerno, Italy are 30 Engineers from TCS India? Are’nt you proud? if you go to cartype.com & read the title TYPE, you’ll get all the Logos & their History. The one where Lambhorighini gets inspiration to build the sports car sounds great!!
I love automobiles & their histury. I love Temples & their History, Divinity & am on constant trips to various temples in TamilNaadu & other places. Planning to write travellogues on the temples i’ve visited .
All the best
I welcome all the visitors to this site to come to my farm which is about 10 kms from uttiramerur in a village called kattiampandal/pappanallur. This village had the oldest settlement of mudaliars who have all migrated to chennai. . My farm is a good place to halt after a 2 or 3 hr touring in utirramerur . The coconut tree grove will give you a pleasant & cool day out . Since the visitors to this site have a asthetic bent of mind I am willing to host anyone who wants a rustic village experience in south India .
Hi Prabhu,
Thanks for whole lot of info about all these temples, I did visit Maagaral Y’day (July 9,2007).
I was suppose to do some pariharam in this temple. I googled to locate these places and landed up on your site, and found your writings about Maagaral, Thirupulivanam. But for your info abt these temples it would have been really hard to locate this place.
As you rightly said, It was really amazing to find a well maintained Temple in a Hamlet of that sort. Thirupulivanam very poorly maintained but really good vibes.
Thanks a Ton
Cheers,
Naveen
Click on the link to see some of my Pic from Magaral
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8465512@N05/sets/72157600743079022/
Thanks again
Hi Prabhu,
Thanks a ton for your wonderful coverage of places very close by but still unknown. I would like to join if you happen to take up any cleaning activity of temples. We must not only visit temples but also try to keep it as much as possible. As lavanya right said.. they are treasures to be passed on to next generation and so on…
Hi Prabhu,
Nice post indeed.
It should be NH 45 and not NH 47.
Thanks.
Hi guys last 18 years i was there in UTHIRAMERUR. its very nice place i would like uthiramerur. In that area famouse temple’s and different temples are there. In my are a only introduce election “kudavoli”
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A very nice and wonderful depiction of temples around uthiramerur, that has kindled my desire to visit the temples at the earliest.
Nice article… Good work…
The Uthiramerur lake is 2nd largest lake in TamilNadu. The first one is Mathuranthagam lake. The history name of the Uthiramerur lake is “VAIRA MEGHA THADAGAM”.This lake is on Uthiramerur- Vandhavasi road,just 1.5 km from Uthiamerur.Thanks for infomative post PRABHU.
The Uthiramerur road structure is same as to the Pondichery structure .That is the roads are straight to straight.Utheramerur is placed on surrounded by towns Kancheepuram,Chengalpattu,Mathurandhagam & Vandhavasi towns .Each town is distance on 30km from Uthiramerur.
hi,
im from b’lore. i would like to know the route to be taken from chennai to Uthiramerur. i have intentions of visiting the Dakshinamurthy temple,5kms from there. What are the road conditions like.
Wouls be graeatful if u couls respond to this request at the earliest
thanks
hi .. details what u put on this site is very informative. am from pappanallur…. keep it up.. you may give some other details like the “chozhas” ,” pallavas” who ruled our region…
cheerz..
This is very nice place in kancheepuram district
Hi This is Ram. Thanks for your infor on the Uthiramerur temples i had been there 3 times. I went to the perumal temple which is a famous center but u failed to mention about the Kailasanathar Temple which is a km away from the perumal koil. This lays in ruins only now lucky due to efforts taken by some persons, the renovation has started. Iam from tirunelveli dist, we have got a number of temples in each village and town. why don’t u join us for a trip down south
Congrats prabhu for your gr8 involvement in visiing temples. Really ur site provided me gud idea regarding bus routes around Uthiramerur and Thirupulivanam sites.
I used to visit temples often as it gives me extreme peace of mind.As ur comments on Thirupulivanam impressed me, am planning to visit Thirupulivanam temple shortly.
Many Thanks
Hi,
Thanks for ur great job and great info.I am a great lover of ancient precious temples and as well as spritual involver .I’ve heared of Uthiramerer inscriptions before ,but its tempting me now after reading about all temples and am sure to cover all of them ASAP.What about kailashanather temple?I am eager to hear the story of that.
hi this is vinodh.about my village marutham this unforgetable my childhood,
Hi
I visited Kanchi and Utiramerur
What a treasure we have in Utiramerur.
True to the name, the Lord is Sundaravardar.A feast for the eyes.
Unforgettable trip for me.
Regards
Srivatsan
Please try to visit a Perumal temple near Nazarathpettai.
Nice temple.
Very interesting to note this. It is my birth place and planning to visit tomorrow to celebrate my 60th birthday. This is going to be my 1st visit to my birth place. Thanks for the information.
Thanks for sharing this information all this are of extreme use.
Thank you,
It is feeling great to see about utthiramerur.I am from Nembilipattu but staying in Mumbai
uthiramerur is a worst place in tamilnadu
s.bhavani(prosist)
no 6, kailasanadhar kovil st
uthiramerur
Hi,
The THIRUPULIVANAM temple has been renovated and the Kumbabishekam (KUDA MULUKHU) is going to be held on 23rd May 2010 in a grand manner.
DEAR PRABU,
VERY NICE TO READ YOUR BLOG
I WAS BEING A BOY GROWN @ THIRUPULIVANNAM 40 YEARS BACK , AND YOUR BLOG TAKEN ME BACK TO THOSE DAYS………….
GREAT JOB DONE WITH FACTUAL INFO.
GOD BLESS
KUMAR
PS:REQT TO PROVIDE TO TRACE OF UPDATES IN YOUR BLOG AS FOLLOWS:
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very nice
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