Brahmadesam Bramahapureeswar Temple, Villupuram

Address

Brahmadesam Bramahapureeswar Temple, Brahmadesam, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu 605203 Phone mobile 9751624822

Diety

Bramahapureeswar Amman: Sri Periyanayaki

Introduction

This is one of the Brahmadesam in Tamil Nadu near Villupuram. There are two Shiva Temples in the same Village, constructed during the same period. Both temples are under the control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and renovation works are in progress. But the temple is in dilapidated structure. This place was gifted to Anthanars during Chozha period and called as Brahmatheyam and latter the name was corrupted as Brahmadesam. Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple. Iraivan, Sri Brahmapureeswarar Iraivi, Sri Periyanayaki The salient features of this temple are… This temple is on the north side of the Village facing east with a base ( mottai gopuram ) of a Rajagopuram, The mandapa might have been used for Thirukalyanam or a Shrine for Ambal. The prakaram with raised platform around the sanctum sanctorum is supported by two rows of round pillars with simple capital. The pedestals without idols for Vinayagar, Sri Valli devanai Subramaniyar are on the west prakaram and Navagrahas on the north east corner. The sanctum sanctorum consists of a sanctum, antarala and arthamandapam. Ambal Sri Periya Nayaki is in the mukamandapam. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varatha hastham and upper hands holds lilly and lotus. Moolavar looks new even after 1000 years on a round avudayar. A square hole is provided on the left side of the mottai gopuram through which Shiva linga can be seen. The front mandapa is supported by 24 pillars with reliefs of Cow, crow, snake & Pancha thanthira stories. The durgai statue was unearthed in the temple premises and the experts of the opinion that Durga may belongs to Pallava period.

Puranic Significance

In 1918 AD, about 34 inscriptions were recorded, by the Archaeological Department. From the inscriptions the temple has the contributions from Pallavas, Chozhas, Pandyas, Chalukyas, Vijayanagara, Sambuvarayas. The inscriptions belongs to Rajendran-I (1036AD), Kulothunga Chozha-I (1111AD), Vikrama Chozha ( 1132AD 1136 AD), Kulothunga-II (1138-1146 AD), Rajarajan-II (1159AD), Kulothunga-III( 1182-1204 AD), Kopperumsingan-II (1248 AD), Jadavarma Sundara panyan (1265AD) Maravarman Vikrama Pandyan, Chalukya King Narasinga Maharajan, Veeraprathaba Rayar of Vijayanagara & Veerappukkannu Udayar and Samburaiyars. The inscriptions mainly speaks about Taxes levied, Punishments and gifts were made to this temple in the form of Land, paddy, Coins, Cows, etc,. It was told that there was a Vedic school was functioned and students stayed in the temples it self. In addition to a Vedic school there was a madam called Rajanarayanam. The temple was mentioned in Meenakshi Sundarampillai’s “Meenakshi Kalithokai”, Kanchi Sankarachariyar’s Theivathin Kural and Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan. Kalameka Poet who had debated with avvayar was from Ennayiram, which is about 2 KM from Brahmadesam.