27th July
2019.
The second time visit
to this Sri Apathsahayar Temple was a
part of the Kumbakonam Heritage Walk organized by "Yaaooyaakay" - யாஊயாகே” and "Celebrate Kanchi" on 27th and 28th July
2019. This post has additional
details of History and inscriptions. The details of my previous visit to this Sri Apathsahayar Temple, Thirupazhanam were recorded in this same blog.
This is
the 104th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 50th sthalam
on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar and Appar
have sung hymns in praise of lord Shiva of this temple.
Moolavar :
Sri Apathsahayar
Consort : Sri Periyanayagi
Some of
the important features of this temple are….
The temple faces east (a little skewed towards north) with two Rajagopuras. The front one is with 5 tiers and the inner one is 3 tiers. In sanctum moolavar is swayambhu. Ambal is in a
separate sannadhi facing east standing on an Aavudai.
Navagrahas
are opposite to Ambal. In that all the eight grahas are facing Suryan and
Suryan is facing Ambal ( West). On the left Murugan idol with six faces looks
cute.
ARCHITECTURE
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The sanctum from adhistanam to the first level of Vimana was built with stone. The Vimana is of Nagara style. In the 1st level of the Vimana, on all the 3 sala koshtas images of Shiva’s forms Shiva in Sukhasana, Dakshinamurthy, and Gaja Samhara Moorthy. In the second level sala koshtam Brahmi, Kaumari, Varahi, and Maheswari. On the Makarnasi kottam Shiva with Uma, Veena Dakshinamurthy, Chandrasekara. Devas in Panchara pathi and ladies in Karnakoods.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Even though the original temple belongs to the Pallava Period, later re-constructed by Aditya –I.
The temple has about 87 inscriptions, belonging to Aditya-I, Parantaka-I,
Pazhuvettarayars, Vijayanagaras, Chitramezhi Periyanattar, and Mutharaiyars. The
inscriptions mainly speak about donations made to this temple towards the burning
of perpetual lamps and ( Fruits ) Poojas.
Amman temple was constructed and consecrated during the Parantaka-I
period. As per one of the inscriptions
this place comes under Vikrama Chozhavalanadu. Ambal was called as Thirukama
kottamudaiya Periya Nachiyar.
LEGENDS
This is
the second Sapthasthana sthalam. Lord Shiva helped a Brahmin boy/Andhana
Siruvan from Yamadharmaraja, hence he is called Abathsahayeswarar.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The
temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to
20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Archakar Raja Gurukkal may please be contacted through his mobile +91 9790207773 for further details.
HOW TO REACH :
Town
buses are available from Thiruvaiyaru and Kumbakonam.
The
temple is on the main road from Kumbakonam to Thiruvaiyaru.
Vinayagar image in place of Gajalakshmi at the entrance of the sanctum
A merchant inscription / Vanika kalvettu
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
Dwarapalakars in the wonderful style of Keezhaiyur and Ponsei!
ReplyDeleteYes Sir..
DeleteThank you for the wonderful info. In case if you have more detail about this temple please send it to me thru mail.
ReplyDeletePlease look for the up date on this post.. soon ( 5 days )
DeletePlease mention the direction the sanctum faces always. I find it missing in your posts.
ReplyDeleteUsually the descriptions will starts with direction of the temple.. but in this case, it is missing, I will correct the same and will take care of the future posts. Dr. Thnaks for your valuable commets.
ReplyDelete