After Mambakkam Murugatheeswarar Temple and Kandigai Quarry, I continued to hunt for Unaimancheri Temple. First I found Kolapakkam and then enquired locally for Unaimancheri and ventured in the road that the locals directed me. And almost at the end of the village, I spotted the temple.
A temple that was pretty new and multi color paints and cement reinforcement. That really made me wonder if it was the temple I came in search of. Some construction work was going on in the neighbouring house and I enquired again and again if this was the Ramar Temple of Unaimancheri and they replied in affirmative.
I should say I was disheartened by the new look given to the ancient temple. It was closed and on enquiry I cam to know that the temples opens only early in the morning.
However I could access the Maha Mandapam. The solid granite of which the basic structure is made of, is the standing proof that the temple is ancient. It had a few pillars and some beautiful reliefs on these sculptures.
One of the reliefs here in the temple wall is of a Varaha (Wild Pig) and a standing Sword. This is a sure shot evidence that the temple belongs to the Vijayanagara Empire. Well, this was built in the 16th C by Akshataraya, who was the brother of Krishna Deva Raya.
Yes, I did spot a couple of epitaphs.
And the steps of the temple had the mythical creature Yaali on either sides.
I came around the temple and I spotted a temple pond behind the temple. I would venture once again early morning to see how the interiors of the temple is. Well, only this I wished was they had taken the services of Archeologists or Art Historians before they renovated this, so they could have retained the ancient feel as it was...
TO REACH THERE:
From Tambaram: 13km via Perungalathur, Vandalur and then on Vandalur - Kelambakkam Road. Right turn at Unamancheri near Kolapakkam.
From Medavakkam: 21km on Medavakkam - Mambakkam Road, then turn towards Vandalur at Mambakkam. Left turn at Unamancheri near Kolapakkam.
The temple is located at the extreme end of the Unanmacheri Village.
Google Map co-ordinates:12.858425,80.105929
Google Map co-ordinates:12.858425,80.105929
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Wow amazing place , nice write up . Thanks for sharing .
ReplyDeleteThose steps are beautiful!And I'm not a fan of the new multicolored structure too,takes the old world charm away.
ReplyDeleteInteresting unknown location. Thanks for sharing.. Will try to visit sometime..!
ReplyDeletegood pals i visit early as possible . thanks for sheering :)
ReplyDeletemasque couleur
Amazing photos!!
ReplyDeletehi bhushavali
ReplyDeleteentirely different shades of traditional temple shading...
nice historical info...
thanks for sharing....
"HAPPY ONAM TO YOUR & YOUR FAMILY"
@Team G,
ReplyDeleteThanks dears... :)
@Soumi,
Yeah I too love the steps... Indeed its so sad that these heritage sites are renovated without consulting archaeologists...:(
@Sridharan,
Sure. Do visit and blog abt it. I'd love to know your view of the temple... :)
@Groupdmt,
Thanks dear... :)
@Phivos,
Thanks love... :)
@Krishna,
Thanks a lot dear... :)
:) Nice details. TFS!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ramjee! :)
ReplyDeleteIt should be Achutaraya, may be typing error. pl. note
ReplyDeleteTHANKS .WITH THE HELP OF THIS WEBSITE I WAS ABLE TO FIND MY ANCESTRAL AMMAN TEMPLE LOCATED NEAR IT
ReplyDeleteTHANKS I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE MY ANCESTRAL AMMAN TEMPLE (KULATHAIVAM)
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to find your ancestral amman temple! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm immensely happy!!!
Hey there!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this post. I'm a local resident and was completely ignorant of the antiquity of the temple. This has inspired me to learn more about our temple.