கொடைக்கானல் வில்பட்டி வெற்றி வேலப்பர் கோயில் வரலாறு மற்றும் கலை

Kodaikanal Vilpatti Vetri Velappar Temple: History and Art

Abstract

Vilpatti is a major panchayat located within the Kodaikanal Taluk of Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu. Megalithic burial monuments are found in many villages across this region. This mountainous area was once inhabited by the Porunar and Vedars, the petty chieftains of the Sangam era. Although it fell under the rule of various empires that governed Tamil Nadu, the region gained prominence during the Madurai Nayak period. Prior to the arrival of the British, Kodaikanal city was part of the Vilpatti territory; it became a world-renowned tourist destination only after the British chose it as a summer retreat.

The name Vilpatti is derived from its history as a settlement for the Vedars (hunters), the indigenous people of the Kurinji (mountainous) landscape. In this village, a temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, known as Vetri Velappar, is situated atop a rock. Dating back to the 18th century, the temple faces west and consists of a single prakara (circumambulatory path) encompassing the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), idainazhigai (vestibule), ardha mandapa, maha mandapa, muna mandapa, a Shiva shrine, and a navagraha mandapa.

The primary deities and sculptures include Baladandayuthapani, Vinayaka, Munivar, Shiva, and the Lingam. The friezes on the kodungai (eaves) feature rows of sculptures depicting warriors, elephants, horses, lions, dancers, peacocks, turtles, yali, and a pregnant woman. Within the Shiva shrine, diverse sculptures such as the Lingam, Kadamban, Idumban, Durga, Vinayaka, the mythical Ganda Bherunda bird, erotica, and Purushamriga (sphinx-like figure) are found.

The temple performs three-time daily puja rituals, and a Maha Kumbhabhishekam (consecration) was held in 2014. The temple owns lands in Vilpatti and Periyakulam and is currently administered by the Palani Devasthanam. It can be concluded that this temple originated within the Nayak art tradition, which represents the final phase of Tamil Nadu’s classical artistic heritage.