VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Nitiswaraswami Temple / Nitheeswara Swamy Temple / Nitisvara Swamy Temple / Nityesvara Temple / Udaiyar Koil, Srimushnam, in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

Sunday, 22 September 2019

Sri Nitiswaraswami Temple / Nitheeswara Swamy Temple / Nitisvara Swamy Temple / Nityesvara Temple / Udaiyar Koil, Srimushnam, in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

14^th September 2019.

Visit to this temple was a part of the Temples Visit in and around Sirkazhi, on the 14^th and 15^th of September 2019. Srimushnam is also called as Thirumuttam. This Shiva Temple is just behind the Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple. How did this place obtain the name Srimushnam ?. The answer may be, that Mustha in Sanskrit means, the Korai root ( கோரைக்கிழங்கு - Cyperus Rotundus ) which is a favorite food of boar / Varaha. This mustha / Mustam was added with Sri and called Srimustam, which was later corrupted as Srimushnam. This Shiva temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ).

Moolavar : Sri Nitiswaraswami, Sri Nitheeswara Swamy,

Niteswara Swamy, Nityesvara.
Consort : Sri Brihan Nayaki / Periya Nayaki

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a temple tank Nityapuskarani with Neerazhi mandapa at the centre. ( the temple tank of Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy ). A mottai gopuram or the entrance arch is at the entrance. The Sanctum sanctorum complex consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. At the entrance of mukha mandapam Nandhi, Dwajasthambam and balipeedam. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Umamaheswaran, Agasthiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Arthanareeswarar and ashtabhuja Durgai.

In praharam Arumugar (damaged), Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Thirugnanasambandar, Appar, Sundarar, Vinayagar, Bhairavar, Suryan, and the recovered idols. Outside the temple sannidhis for Sri Haripureeswarar, Sri Valli Devasena Shanmugar, and Ambal Brihan Nayaki / Periya Nayaki. Ambal is in a separate temple with Sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. Nandi and balipeedam are in front.

ARCHITECTURE:

The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pada bandha adhistana built with stone up to prastaram. Bhuta Ganas are in valapi and viyyalavari is above the prastaram. The sanctum sanctorum and artha mandapa pillars are of cylindrical/ virutha type. The front mandapa is of Vavvalnethi style and was built by the Marathas.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple may exist since the 9^th – 10^th Century ie before Kulothunga Chozha – I (1070 – 1120 CE). The earliest inscription belongs to Rajakesarivarman Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 30th-year rule. This inscription mentions the gift of the Village Sangantavirattachozha Nallur (named after Kulothunga-I) and Adivaraha Nallur to the temples of Tirumuttam Udaiya Mahadevar and Sri Varaha Alwar (Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple). These Villages are in Mudikonda Chozha Nallur in Vilandaiyur Kootram, a subdivision of Irungolappadi, by the king when he was seated on the throne called Sedirajan in his palace at his camp at Tirumaluvadi in Poigainadu.

Kulothunga Chozha’s, 32-year rule another inscription mentions that at the instance of Kulothunga Chozha Sauvarnadhiraja and another, the separation of the above two Villages was ordered when he was at Ayirattalai which was also called Minavanai Venkonda Chozhapuram.

The Rajarajan-III’s 6th-year rule inscription of Kulothunga Chozha Kadavarayan, speaks about the reduction/remission of padikaval and other levies due to the donor from the devadhana lands, for worship to the god at Srimushnam also known as Thirumuttam in Vilandai-Kootram (Kurram), a subdivision of Merka-Nadu Irungolappadi in Virudarajabhayankara Valanadu by Alappirandan Elisaimogan alias Kulottunga Chozha Kadavarayan, a Palli having the kani-right in Urumur alias Chola Pandya Chaturvedi Mangalam alias Erumbur, for the merit of himself and his family (See also A.R. No. 137 of 1900).

Another inscription dated 1100 by Kulothunga Chola-I (1070–1120 CE) mentions a gift of a village to the temple, where the presiding deity is referred to as Varaha Azhwar.

The 44^th year rule of Kulothunga-I, mentions the gift of three kasus for burning perpetual lamps at Thirumuttam Udayar by Anantisan Adavallan of Suravalundur ( ARE236 of 1916). In addition to this, there are inscriptions belonging to Vikrama Chozha (1118 – 1125 CE) and Vijayanagaras.

Ref:

Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy Year 1900 & 1916.

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Oru kala puja is conducted. Since the temple is under the control of ASI, kept open during that time.

HOW TO REACH:
The temple is 36 Km from Chidambaram, 20 KM from Ulundurpet, and 72 KM from the District headquarters in Cuddalore, and the nearest Railway station is Ulundurpet.

Srimushnam can be reached through the Anaikarai to Meensurutty road.. divert Vadalur on the Chennai route at Sethiyathope. You will reach Chozhatharam/Sozhatharam and from there Srimushnam is about 12 KM on Virudhachalam road.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE