14th
February 2020.
A
3 days, study on Temple architecture was
organized by Mr Thenkongu Sathasivam, under the banner Kadikai ( கடிகை ) You
Tube Channel from 14th to 16th Feb 2020. The study had Covered Thanjavur, Rajarajecharam,
Gangaikonda Chozhapuram Brihadishwara Temple, Darasuram Airavateswarar Temple and
Thirubuvanam, Kampaheswarar Temple.
Utilizing
this opportunity, on Friday morning, had been to this Shiva Temple. This is the
133rd Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 16th sthalam on the
south side of River Kaveri, in Chozha Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns
in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This is the 7th saptha sthana
temple, which ends with Mangai.
பொந்தின் னிடைத் தேன் ஊறிய பொழில்சூழ்
புளமங்கை
அந்தண் புனல்வரு காவிரி ஆலந்துறையானைக்
கந்தம்மலி கமழ் காழியுள் கலைஞான
சம்பந்தன்
சந்தம்மலி பாடல்சொலி ஆடத் தவம்
ஆமே
.........................( சம்பந்தர் )
Moolavar : Alanthurai Nathar, Brahmapureeswarar
Consort : Alliangothai, Soundaryanayaki
Some
of the salient features of this temple are....
The
temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Nandhi are in
the Mukha mandapam. Ambal is in the mukha mandapam facing south Moolavar is little big. In Koshtam Vinayagar,
Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar ( Brahma and
Vishnu are standing both sides ), Brahma and Durgai. In
Prakaram Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas and Nalvar.
ARCHITECTURE
The Sanctum sanctorum
consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Ardha mandapa
pillars are of Ganga style, even kodikarukku can be seen on the kumbam, kalasam
etc. The out side sanctum sanctorum is in the form of moat.
The
Koshtas are brought out side to enhance the beauty of the temple. Panchara are
shown between Karnapathi and Salaipathi. The pancharas top finishes at the
kapotha alpa nasi. The koshta portions are on a adhisthana with Padmam, virutha
kumuda, Kapotham & Yazhi vari and rest are on a padabandha adhisthana with
Virutha Kumuda. The prastaram is of
kapotha style and viyyalavari is shown in the bhoomi desam and bhuta ganas are
shown in valabi. Various images are in
the haram. The Vimana was built with stone up to second level and greevam, Sikaram are built with brick.
Durga
panel is considered as a special one in this temple. Durga is standing in
tribhanga posture, on the head of Mahisa with 8 hands (Ashta bhuja Durga ). A
Venkotrakudai / Umbrella is shown above
her head. She holds Conch, Chakra,
Gatha, Soolam, Shield, Ankusa, Sword and bow in her hands. The Lower right hand
is in abhaya hastham with ring finger is
in folded mudra and left hand is holding the bow. An ambura or the arrow holder
is shown on her back. Her Vahana, Lion
and Deer are also shown. On the left side one hero is shown doing Navakanda (
offering his head ) and on the right side a man is shown cutting the flesh of
his body to offer to Durga. It is
believed that the Durga Statues of Thirunageswaram, Patteeswaram and this
temple are chiselled / sculpted by the same sculptor.
Similarly
the Vinayagar Panel ( Devas, Bhuta ganas ), Dakshinamurthy Panel ( Sanakatha
munis, tiger ( seems a cat is sleeping on its lap ), Lion, are looks and Lingothbavar Panels (Vishnu in the form of
Varaha and Brahma in the form of Human ) are very unique. The adhisthana (
Lower ) Kanda portions on the adhishtanam has the inch sculptures ( குறுஞ்சிற்பங்கள்
) or the miniature sculptures of epic Ramayana ( not in order – Chozha Ramayan
) and the Vethikai ( upper) Kanda portions has got the various forms of Lord
Shiva. These are the special features of this temple. Vimanam thangis are shown
on the salaipathi. The Vimana has the
Animals, Birds, Human sculptures. The Pull birds, responsible for the name of the place are In Artha mandapam Bhuta vari.
Pillar Malaithongal reliefs
Monkeys are in utharam
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
Since
Lord Shiva of this temple was praised by Thirugnanasambandar in his Thevara
hymn, this temple might have existed since 6th to 7th
Century as a brick temple. The temple with
artha mandapam was reconstructed with
stone during Parantaka Chozha - I ( 907 – 955 CE ) period. The mukha mandapa
was extended during Maratha period.
As
per the inscription this place was called as Kilar kootrathu Brahmadesam
Thirupullamangalam during Parantaka
period and during Rajarajan-I period the same was called as Nithavinotha
Valanattu Kilar Kootrathu Brahmadesam Thirupullamangalam and Shiva was called
as Thirupullamangalathu Mahadevar. How
the name Thirupullamangalam has changed to PasupathiKoil is not known.
The
inscriptions belongs Parantaka Chozha-I, Sundara Chozha, Aditya Karikala and Rajaraja
Chozha – I.
This
temple was many times subjected to the flood in River Kaveri and will be covered under sand dunes. It is believed
that during Arcot Nawab’s invasion, the temple was under sand dunes and hence this
temple was not damaged.
As
per the inscription available Kanchi mutt, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal
visited this temple in 2000.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The
temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 16.00 Hrs to
20.30 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
The
mobile numbers +919791482102 and +918056853485 may be contacted for further
details.
HOW TO REACH:
The
temple is on the banks of rover Kaveri and off
Kumbakonam to Thanjavur Road.
The
temple is 27 KM from Kumbakonam, 28 KM from Thanjavur and 305 KM from Chennai.
Lingothbavar panel - Brahma and Vishnu are on both sides
Vinayagar Panel
மஹிசாசுர மர்த்தினி ( கொற்றவை )
The Pull - birds responsible for the name of this place as Pullamangai
Dwarapalakas
Mahishamarthini panel
Ravana fights with Jatayu
Ravana Takes Sita in Pushpa Vimana
Lakshmana cutting the nose of Soorpanakai
Kotravai / Durgai
Rishapanthikar - Arthanareeswarar
Shiva's Dance
Pickshadanar
Mahisamarthini
Gajasamharamurthy
Mahishamarthini
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
