Rider: Ram
Bike: RE Thunderbird 350 CC
Date: 11th June 2017
Total Kms: 470
Max Speed: 80 Kms/hr
Duration: 14.5 Hours
Ride Route
Its been more than a month after my Kanyakumari trip and I badly needed an another after that. I had multiple options drafted out Rameswaram, Tirunelveli, Hampi were few among the list. Unfortunately, I couldn't come up with a proper dates for the same. Meanwhile, my mom asked me to go to my Kula deivam(Family God) temple which is close to my Native Place that is about 200kms from Chennai.
Its going to be a one day ride. So, I thought I should be covering some more areas on this drive because basically having a total of 400 kms ride to visit just a single place is not of my type. So I drafted a simple plan. Saturday night I was still awake making plans till 1 AM. The next day I planned to start as early by 4 AM. With just 2.5 hrs sleep, I started early morning by 4.30 AM.
Kinar
Road: Highways + Village road
Max Speed in Highways: 70Kms/Hr
Max Speed in Village Road: 50Kms/Hr
The plan is to cover Kinar first. I took NH 32 road in the early morning. The sunrise is very beautiful as I could see the color changes of Sky - Black > White > Blue > Blueish White > Reddish White > Bright White all within minutes. Enjoying the nature's beauty, I continued my ride. As it has been months after my earlier bike service, I planned not to cover more than 70 Kms speed. By 6.30 I reached Karunguzhi - A place close to Madurantakam. I took a left from there and I had to drive around 4 kms which included a railway crossing to reach the place.
The Nethrupureeswarar temple here is said to be construction dated to Pallava reign. Unfortunately, the temple is closed by the time I reached there. I asked to the nearby person regarding.
"When the temple would be opened" I asked.
"Athu thuraka 9 mani mela agume.. Iyer veedu inga than poye ketu paru.." She said that the temple would be opened after 9 AM only and she asked me to check with the priest whose house is nearby. I don't want to disturb him just for the sake of me. I had a good view of temple outside from the south wall and there was a big pond outside the temple which has no water as most ponds in Tamilnadu right now.
Ennayiram
Road: Highways + Village road
Max Speed in Highways: 70Kms/Hr
Max Speed in Village Road: 30Kms/Hr
I then rode back to the National highway on the village road. Took NH 32 and ride towards Villupuram. Before villupuram, on Peruni I took right. This happened to be one of my worst road in this travel. The construction of roads is been happening and the road is filled with red soil(Must have been there for many days, I guess). Somehow, I managed to ride the path and reached Ennayiram and reached the beautiful Narasimma perumal temple. This is said to be built by our own great king Raja Raja Cholan and the Vimana structure resembles the Srinivasanallur Kurangunathar temple. This narasimma perumal is also said to be family deity of Raja Raja cholan. I don't know if there is any existence of proof for the same. There are several inscriptions within the temple of several Chola kings. The main prahara of the temple is in good stage, but there are many statues kept inside without being placed on right state. There are stones that have been kept broken outside the temple as well. The half done work says there has been work going through by ASI on renovating the temple.
Pride! Not alone this. There has been Vedic college ran here and information on the students and the benefits provided to Students and lectures information are also available here. Additionally, we have a Mountain just outside this Village which has several Jain beds(Where Jain Saints would be sleeping) proving this one is to be the busiest city in the late 8th or 9th century.
A Village that is 10Kms away from the NH and could have a good road has a history of more than 1000 Years. Looking at that, I just moved to my next place.
Esalam
Road: Village Road
Max Speed: 50 Kms/hr
Just close to Ennayiram, I then moved to Esalam. This road is quite descent. Esalam, is one of the most cherished Historical place. This is the most expected place in my today's ride. It was also a long dream to visit this place. Why? Around 30 Years back a group of villagers found few Bronze material and temple related items in Ramanatheeswarar temple of Esalam. Soon, this has been analyzed further and few important things has been said to the World through this. A copper plate has been found here, with the symbol of Greatest King - Son of Raja Raja I - Rajendra I. This copper plate provides us the information of Rajendra Chola winning the Ganges, creating lake in Gangai Konda Cholapuram and the construction of Gangai Konda Cholapuram Temple - which should be considered as the Treasure for Tamilnadu History. This temple is said to be constructed by Sarvasiva Pandithar, Guru of Rajendra Chola I. Also this temple is filled with Inscriptions dated the Most Chola kings and Kadava Koperunchingan. The Architecture marvelous and the beautiful Sculptures has to be praised out here. The Balipeedam, Dakshinamurthy here are one of the highlights. The gigantic Vimana adds essence to it. There is statue of Sarvasiva Pandithar in the temple, But I missed to see it. After I reached home brother Gopal of Chola Varalatru Kuzhu said me this info. Hope we have another chance to cherish this beautiful temple once again.
Vandiyar Palayam
Road: Village Road + National Highways
Max Speed in Village Road: 40 Kms/hr
Max Speed in Highways: 80 Kms/hr
Without having heart to move away from Esalam. I then continued. The road is descent, that connects NH on Vikravandi. I took the route and Crossed Vikravandi, Villupuram to end at Vandiyar palayam. Before this, I made a mistake. As I was planning in an urge, I missed out to count Mandagapattu Rock cut temple - Which is said to be one of the oldest Rock cut temple in Tamilnadu. If my plan was to go to Mandagapattu, I would have covered Brammadesam as well(though this is so close to Ennayiram and Esalam).
Now! In Vandiyar palayam. What so special? I have been doing a study on Koperuchengan, the Kadava Ruler. Earlier, I have written about Sendhamangalam(Refer Post). Koperunchengan has a habit of Praying Kaali before he wage an War. The Kaali which is in Vandiyar Palayam is said to be the Kaali he has worshiped. This is so close to NH and this temple is accompanied by a big pond just like the Main Temple in Sendhamangalam(Giving us the detail of how Koperuchengan has maintained his capital city). The old temple is locked and the new temple is built for the Kaali with few stones has been taken from the main temple itself. Praying to Kaali, I then moved further south.
Mathur
Road: National Highways + State Highways + Village Road
Max Speed in National Highways: 80 Kms/hr
Max Speed in State Highways: 50 Kms/hr
Max Speed in Village Road: 40 Kms/hr
On Ulundurpet - Virudhachalam road. Just next to Mangalampettai we have to take left on Poovanur Railway gate and travel 2 Kms to reach Mathur. Not a historical importance place to the public but for us, this Mathur Angalamman turned out to be Family Deity. This temple is recently renovated with the funds from people and one of the beautiful Village god resides here. There has been Keda Vettu happening at the time I reached the place and recently I have been seeing many Keda Vettu in this Temple Journeys. I spent few time there with Prayers and Archanai - One has to buy Abisheka things before going to Mathur(I bought in Mangalampettai) - Since there are no shops that could provide you these things.
Perumukkal
Road: National Highways + State Highways + Village Road
Max Speed in National Highways: 70 Kms/hr
Max Speed in State Highways: 60 Kms/hr
Max Speed in Village Road: 20 Kms/hr
After Mathur, I returned back, finishing my Brunch @ Ulundurpet. Crossing Ulundurpet, Villupuram - I took right on Tindivanam - Marakanam road. In few kilometers, I reached Perumukkal. After the hills has been broken by Granite quarry, the left over still remains beautiful. I traveled to the temple for 2 kms in Village road and could see an isolated big tower. I got down clicking pics. There are many mandapas, Windows, Beautiful towers, Statues and many inscriptions within the temple. But all are in very dangerous condition making us fear that anytime that would fall on our head. I could hardly see anyone on that path and the temple is closed. I asked the nearby person's about the temple timings, they said that it would be opened only on Functions. There is another temple on the hill lock, which I couldn't walk on the Peak sunny time. The temple on Hill lock is said to be renovated during Vikrama Chola period and this hill has several natural cave as well. One of the cave here which is said to be as 'Seetha Kugai' has few markings which looks like an ancient art language considering this should be a place of importance or existence since BC times. The hill lock temple has many inscriptions dating to Cholas and Pandyas reign proving the importance of this place during the earlier times.
Vedal
Road: State highways + Village Road
Max Speed in State Highways: 60 Kms/hr
Max Speed in Village Road: 40 Kms/hr
After Perumukkal. I travelled to Vedal. Said to be built during the Raja Raja chola period, this is a simple and elegant temple. Just in front of it, has a big pond. The Nandhi here in open space is so beautiful and looks smiling proving the talent of the Architect. There are few renovation works being carried out in this temple right now, but the look of the temple insists the renovation has to be done soon as we could see more of broken statues and pillars around temple all over. I took a good rest near a tree along with the breezing air the place is quite enjoyable.
I then Caught up with ECR road, which is around 3 to 5 Kms distance from Vedal and got into OMR and reached home. Making the ride more memorable one. And happened to be one of the highest ride coverage in Single day for me.
More to come. More to learn.. And Lot more to Research!
See full Trip pics here.
- Ram
