Vanuvarayan
A Manual of the Salem District in the Presidency of Madras
H. LE FANLU - 1883
Aragalur, south-east of Thalaivasal, has a population of 1920 comprising 830 Kaikalars or weavers, a
large proportion. Common cloths are made in large quantities. Once in ten years the Kaikalars in
numbers flock here for the Padaikalam dfestival. Like all weavers towns it is rather dirty, and of 54
cases of Cholera in 1875, 26 were fatal. The town is so names because in old days a chief named
Vanuvarayan had fort here surrounded by six trenches of which there are no vestiges now except the
name. He must have been a considerable riever, as he is said to have had a lakh of horses of each
color, black, bay etc. There is only one pial school here. THe people are indifferent to education,
as services of children are useful in the early stages of weaving.
Bhairavar
From Spiritual Diary: http://spiritualvisionwriting.blogspot.com/2007/08/spiritual-diary-chapter-33.html - Aug 2007
The following day, I left Salem and headed back to Chennai. However, enroute, I made a quick stop at the village of Aragalur to visit the ancient Bhairavar temple mentioned by the priest at the Santoshi Ma temple, the previous evening.
It was not easy to find the way to this remote village. We seemed to be driving for quite a long time over dirt roads set amidst fertile and lush green fields. The scenery was breathtaking, and after stopping several times to enquire the correct directions, we finally arrived at what looked like a decrepit, old temple.
Stray dogs were running across the roads and the temple seemed extremely old and ancient. However, it was rather badly neglected and as the solitary temple priest opened the door of the main sanctum, a host of bats came flying out. Rats could be seen scurrying around in the deep recess behind the Shiva Linga and devout as I am, I hastened my steps outside.
There are eight different Bhairavars enshrined in this temple and the priest told me that worship here on Ashtami days was very popular.
As the priest and I did a circumambulation of the main sanctum , there was yet another standing statue of Lord Bhairavar. This image resembled most closely the one at Tirukkurungudi. For a long time I stood before this Lord and prayed he would take care of me. I opened my eyes and he seemed to say “ Remember our bargain”.
Dinamalar
Dear Friend,
Your request reached the Dinamalar I assume.
In Today's issue - Chennai Edition - District Special (Maavattangal
Special / Page 3) it is repoted (with a photo !) :: / Extract /
Salem :: Near Thalaivasal, famous Arakalur @ Koil Nagaram is located.
Kamanaadeeswarar temple was built on the banks of Vasista river by
Naicks in 13th (should be 16th) Centgury by Vijayagara Naicks.
Inscriptions of Saluva singarayar 1502 / Saluva Thimma rayar 1522 /
Krishnadevarayar 1525 and Achutha Mahadevar 1583 are found. now under
HR &CE, Tamilnadu Govt.
Manmadhan and Rathi - after Kaama Daganam - were brought back alive
here as per Sthalapuranam.
There are ASHTTA BHIRVAS (8 Bhairvas !).
In Ashtamai (past Fullmoon) night, Kalabairavas pujas performed.
Theru festival was conducted in Panguni 20 years back.. but stopped
for the last 20 years.. Now Theru is being dilapidated.. This is to
be protected urgently .. (Photo published(.
Dear Members,
Surprising thing is Apart from Kaasi (Benaras), no where else we can
see 8 Bhairavas simultaneously.
In Tamilnadu, to my knowledge, at the Foot of AGORA VEERABADRAR we can
see 8 Bhairavas (miniature in standing posture !) in THIRUVENGADU ONLY.
---- will be able to help us more on this.
Stunning to know that ASHTA BHAIRAVAs available in in Aragalur, near
Thalaivasal, Salem Dt.
anbudan / aaa
