04th February
2020.
This
Sri Agastheeswarar Temple’s Visit was a part of Heritage Visit to temples, Hero
stones and Heritage sites in Erode and Karur Districts, scheduled on 04th February
2020.
This
temple is believed to be one of the Thevara vaippu sthalam sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal. It is believed
that, this is one of the 108 Shiva Lingas installed by Sage Agasthiyar in Thondai Nadu and a Thevara
Vaippu sthalam. Thirunavukkarau Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva
of Agatheechuram along with Nandhikechuram, Mahalaechuram, Nagechuram,
Kodeechuram, Kondeechuram, Kukkudechuram, Akkeechuram, Adakechuram,
Ayaneechuram Aththeechuram, Siddheechuram and Ramechuram.
நாடகமா டிடநந்தி கேச்சுரமா
காளேச்
சுரநாகேச் சுரநாக
ளேச்சுரநன் கான
கோடீச் சுரங் கொண்டீச்
சுரந்திண் டீச்
சுரங்
குக்குடேச் சுரமகத்தீச்
சுரங்கூறுங்கால்
ஆடகேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரமய
னீச்சுர
மத்தீக்சுரஞ் சித்தீக்சுர
மந்தண் கானல்
ஈடுதிரை யிராமேசசுர மென்றென்
றேத்தி
யிறைவனுறை சுரம்பலவு
மியம்பு வோமே.
….. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் ( 6-71-8 )
This Temples visit was not planned and the Somur Gurkkal’s son who is
taking care of this temple told about this temple. The place Thirumukkudalur is at the confluence of rivers Kaveri and Amaravathi. People used to say that a
third river either Manimuthar or Noyyal. But the Map do not show the third
river. It was Sri Agastheeswarar’s grace to visit this temple. Gurukkal and a
Local lady had taken care of us like their own guest. We were very very happy
to visit this unique Chozha period temple. The details of the uniqueness is
explained in this article.
Moolavar :
Sri Agastheeswarar
Consort :
Sri Anjanakshi Amman
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…..
The
temple is facing east with a rajagopuram base structure with out top. Balipeedam
and Nandi are after the Rajagopuram entrance. Ambal sannadhi is on the right
side of the mukha mandapam facing south. Nandhi with balipeedam of Ambal
sannidhi are in the prakaram. The mandapam in front of the Ambal sannadhi is in
dilapidated condition. Arumugar, Arthanareeswarar, Kali, Nandhi, Dwarapalakas,
Suryan, Chandran, Murugan and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar are kept as loose
sculptures, since the temple is in a dilapidated state and the sculptures are
kept in a safe custody in the artha mandapam.
In
Prakaram there is a Manimutheeswarar Shiva Sannadhi with Ambal sannadhi, Vinayagar,
damaged Durgai, Thavvai / Jyeshta Devi and Chandikeswarar. A headless hero stone
is found along with a muniappan in-front of the temple and the details will be
written separately.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha
mandapam. The adhisthana is with jagathy, virutha Kumuda, Kandam,
Kapotham with nasi kood, yazhivari ( Vyazha vari ). The sanctum walls are
supported with Vishnu kanda pilasters and Virutha pilasters. The uniqueness of
this temple is, above the Kalasam of the pillar, kumbam, pali, palakai,
veera kandam, tharanga pothyal, prastaram, Mathalam in valabi, and Vimana are
built with brick.
The
Vimana is of ekathala. Stucco images of Shiva forms like Dakshinamurthy,
Pichadanar, Vishnu, Brahma are on the Nagara Vimana.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
temple was built before 10th Century and Ambal sannidhi was built during
Vijayanagara period. As per the Vijayanagara period inscriptions this place was
called as Mukkudal and Lord Shiva was called as Mukkudal Aludaya nayanar. The
inscription records the endowment established towards poojas and naivedyam.
The
adhisthanam has the Rajarajan-I period inscriptions and the same starts with his
meikeerthi.
During
14th century Malik Kafur invasion the temple was left without any pooja.
The temple was rebuilt many times. The Ambal temple entrance stone pillar has
the upside down inscriptions and the walls has the Vijayanagara period
inscriptions. During recent period flood in the Amaravati and Kaveri Rivers,
the south side compound wall was collapsed. Mukha Mandapa pillars are scattered
on the right side of the entrance.
Vijayanagara period inscriptions.
Chozha King Rajaraja-I's period inscriptions
LEGENDS
It
was told that Sri Agasthiyar and Vali wants to worship lord Shiva at this
place. Vali went to Kashi to bring a Shiva Lingam. Since it was getting late
Agasthiyar made Shiva Lingam out of river Sand and worshiped. ( A pillar bas
relief shows that Agasthiyar worshiping Lord Shiva ). After hearing this Vali
argued with Agasthiyar, that the Shivalinga which he brought from Kashi has to
be installed. Agasthiyar gave permission to Vali to replace the Sand Lingam.
Vali tried to remove the sand lingam with his tail and couldn’t do so. Instead
he had fallen down at Ayalur ( close to this place ) with the Shiva Linga. So
the Shiva Lingam was installed there.
POOJAS & CELEBRATIONS
Mahashivaratri
and Pradoshams are celebrated in a grand manner and annathanam will be served
on that day.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
Since
oru kala pooja is conducted the opening and closing times are unpredictable.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Gurukkal
Sundaramurthy may be contacted on his mobile 8675225081 for further details.
HOW TO REACH:
The
temple is about a KM from main road.
Thirumukkudalur
is 14 KM from Karur, 82 KM from Erode, 106 KM from Salem and 400 KM from
Chennai.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
Ambal sannadhi
Agasthiyar worships Lord Shiva
Vijayanagara period donor / King
Jyeshta Devi
Durgai
The stucco images on the Vimana Pickshadanar
Koshtas and Thorana sculptures
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
No comments:
Post a Comment