A temple for Paeyazhwar in Triplicane is being renovated. The 13 century temple was partially buried and has been excavated. Work is in full swing with consecration planned in the Tamil month of Chitirai (April) after New Year. Located adjacent to the Parthasarathy Swamy temple in Triplicane, the temple was prosperous once, recall old residents.
“The temple in which I used to play during childhood was slowly sinking and none, including myself, noticed,” says Srinivasan, secretary of the Manavala Mamunigal Kaingarya Sabha, which has taken up the work. “The base was buried with only the gomukham visible. The edifice was crumbling. We decided to restore the shrine. At this point, we thank the former Deputy Commissioner P. Jayaraman and the present DC R. Vanmathi and the temple employees for the support they have extended.”
An estimate of Rs. 5 lakhs was drawn up and work began 18 months ago. The idol of Paeyazhwar was moved to Balalayam. First the surrounding was spruced up - overgrowth was cleared and the open drainage cleaned and covered. But the team was not prepared for what followed.
The front mantapam threw up a challenge. The idea was to reinforce it. But only one pillar could be salvaged. What was left of the original structure had to be dismantled and rebuilt. The estimate escalated to Rs. 25 lakhs. “We were stunned but determined to carry on,” says T.A. Bakthisaran, Sabha member.
Funds trickled in and work progressed at a steady pace. New pillars were brought from Jotishkudi in Madurai. “It was a stupendous task, bringing down those heavy stone slabs from the ceiling and putting them back,” says Srinivasan. Sthapati Subbaiah from Koppanampatti village in Pudukottai district is supervising the work.
The HR and CE Minister M.S.M. Anandan, who visited the spot, promised all help and said such ancient temples should be protected. He wanted a garden to be developed on the premises. The Sabha is encouraged by the HR and CE Commissioner J. Chandrakumar, who has promised all help.
The temple has intricately carved figures and patterns. These were masked in grime and required cleaning. This is where the HR and CE Board, which is supporting the project, was most helpful. “Sandblasting was avoided and chemical cleaning was done,” says Dhanapal, Additional Commissioner, HR and CE Board. “Sandblasting will blow away the dirt and is easier but the surface peels off after a few years. Chemical treatment is more demanding and time consuming. Here, the renovation committee needs to be commended. It was keen on retaining the original sculptures and engravings and hence opted for the latter,” he explains.
The entire operation was done with the guidance of V. Jeyaraj, Director, Hepzibah Institute of Heritage Conservation and former Curator of the Madras Museum.
“Yes, we had decided that renovation should not take away the ancient look of the temple. You won’t see marble or tiles anywhere around the shrine,” says V. Ramanujan, Sabha president.
The result is evident. The stones that have Tamil numerals are rich with floral patterns and figures of celestials, human beings and animals. A flight of steps on either side of the sanctum sanctorum takes the visitor down to the excavated part now neatly laid with stones. Gajendra Moksham and Garuda Vahanam are beautifully etched on the outer wall of the sanctum.
Restoration of two wells – one huge at the entrance – has been another highlight of the project. Rainwater will find its way to the wells after passing through various stages of harvesting. A madapalli (kitchen) and vahana enclosures complete the picture. There is ample space to develop a garden.
Paeyazhwar is not alone inside the sanctum. By his side is a charming panchaloha figure of a flute-playing Krishna standing on a pedestal. “That idol never comes out, not even during Sri Jayanti,” says Srinivasan. The festival actually is celebrated here early in the evening and the neighbourhood follows suit. Midnight celebration of Krishna’s birth takes place at the Parthasarathy Swamy temple.
Commending the Sabha for embarking on a task of this scale, P. Vasunathan, Joint-Commissioner, HR and CE says, “The temple once was a world by itself. Festivals happened with regularity and grandeur. Even now the utsavar of Parthasarathy temple when he goes in a procession, halts here for a few minutes. The tower of this temple lies in a straight line with the Rajagopuram of the Parthasarathy temple. Definitely, this is a significant slice of a great heritage and has to be preserved at any cost.”
State of ecstasy
Legend has it that Paeyazhwar, incarnation of Vishnu's sword Nandaki, was born in Mylapore. He grew up to be a great devotee of Narayana. His single minded devotion and the ecstatic state he reached while worshipping Him earned him the name Paeyazhwar.
Travelling across the country visiting Vishnu temples, he took shelter in the small room of a house when heavy rain halted his journey. He was joined by two more persons (Boothathazhwar and Poigai Azhwar) and the three engaged in a conversation eulogising Narayana and his auspicious qualities. Suddenly they felt the presence of a fourth person and realised that it was their favourite deity. The three burst into hymns, which form part of Naalayira Divya Prabhandam. “Vanduthitha Venthiraigal… Thiruvallikeniyaan Senru…” sings Paeyazhwar in Moonram Tiruvandadi.
