Caption: The cover photo.
Hi All,
This post is a member of the Mega - Series of 51 posts, about Mahabalipuram, created as a Total “Photo-Walk and Traveller Guide” covering all the “Tourist Destinations” of Mahabalipuram. The 51 POIs are grouped into 4 Zones & a few stand-alone monuments according to the location of monuments. In other words, if one visits 4 zones, all the important POIs can be covered (List of POIs - Here).
The previous post (POI No -01) of this series about Subrahmanya Temple is Here.
The next POI No -03 is ‘Rock Cut Shiva Temple’, which is situated behind this monument, Here.
Introduction to Mahabalipuram:
Mahabalipuram is a picturesque historical coastal city in Tamil Nadu around 60 km from Chennai - One of India’s oldest cities. Mahabalipuram stands at the top of the popular tourist destinations in Asia.
Zone Map:
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**Photo - 1. Caption: India Map & satellite map of the Zone - 1, Mahabalipuram.
POI -02 Thaniamarnthamman Temple
This is a Hindu Goddess (Amman - Parvati/Durga) Temple.
Location: This POI comes in Zone -01, between Murugan Temple & Rock-Cut Shiva Temple, roughly a few meters from the highway and the parking lot. This monument also stands within the main compound with wire mesh protection, where the Tiger Cave is situated.
Unfortunately, not much is known about this monument. I could not find this listed under the monuments of Mahabalipuram, though the locals consider this as one of the important temples. The present shelter of this temple has a tiled roof.
The locals claim that the idol of this temple is very ancient (of the Sangam Period). Although they have many stories to tell us about this Temple, none of them is documented or available in any search.
However, the locals have their own stories.
1. The best available document is a board painted on the wall of the temple. The board is written in modern Tamil.
The gist of what is written on the board:
"This land in North Tamil Nadu is where Tamil God Murugan appeared for the first time.
Self appeared on the shores of Walajabad lake, and dissolved on the seashore, she got the name Sri Thaniyamarnthamman (meaning = self-born & got seated). In 2004 she prevented the tsunami wave here. We bow and pray to you.
Lastly: The date of Kumbhabhishekam is the 15th of Feb 2013.
Here end the details on the board.
From this board, we understand that this is a Goddess temple, for sure.
2. During our first or second trip to Mahabalipuram, we saw a group of devotees around (50 people) in this Temple. They were conducting pooja in the temple (saw them removing the old cloth and dressing with new cloths on the Idols, etc.) as per Hindu rituals.
When we discussed it with one of the team leaders, he told us that the idols of this temple are very ancient ones. He also claimed that like the Murugan Temple, this temple has a great history. They were really busy in the pooja, so we could not collect more details. That day, they did not allow us to take photos either.
What we could infer.
On the next visit, we could see the idols in the sanctum very faintly, through the holes on the door (flash photography is prohibited in all the monuments). There are 6 idols (I presume) which may be Lord Shiva, Amman (Parvati), Lord Ganesha, Subrahmanya, etc.
3. Outside the temple, you can see the Naga Raja (the ‘Snake God’) & 6 Naga Yakshi [these are Hindu mythological idols - details will be provided in another post].
The present building is very simple, as seen in the photo. The consecration ceremony of this temple (Kumbhabhishekam) was conducted on the 15th of Feb 2013.
Photo - 2. Caption: The Documented board that is mentioned above.
Photo - 3. Caption: Facade of the temple.
Photo - 4. Caption: A distant view of the temple
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Photo - 5. Caption: The decorated idols of Nagas that were placed in the temple premise.
Photo - 6. Caption: The Rock-Cut Shiva cave located behind the temple. Photo - 7. Caption: The idols, located on the premises of the temple.
Accessibility: This POI is accessible by Wheelchair.
- The Google Maps link of the POI = Here
- Reference Link (Wiki) = N/A
- Heritage Importance = 4/5
- Visit Priority = Low
- Monument Type = Structured (newly built)
- Photographic Importance = 4/5
- The Duration to see the POI, = 15 minutes
- Entry Fee: Free.
- Visiting hours: officially the duration is 9 am to 5:30 pm.
- Photography: The temple is north facing and has a tiled roof portico. Nothing special to mention.
Flash photography is prohibited in all the monuments of Mahabalipuram.
@Theenan @raoufdar7 @Kunjan811 @MICHAELMICKY120944 @plavarda
. வணக்கம்.
I love to see these temple , very nice click dear 
