VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Agastheeswarar Temple / Agasthiswarar and Anjanakshi Temple, Thirumukkudalur, Karur District, Tamil Nadu.

Friday, 6 March 2020

Agastheeswarar Temple / Agasthiswarar and Anjanakshi Temple, Thirumukkudalur, Karur District, Tamil Nadu.

04th February 2020.

This Sri Agastheeswarar Temple’s Visit was part of a 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 does 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 are explained in this article.

Moolavar : Sri Agastheeswarar

Consort : Sri Anjanakshi Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are…..

The temple faces east with a Rajagopuram base structure without a 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 praharam, 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 adhistana is with jagathy, virutha Kumuda, Kandam, Kapotam with nasi kood, and viyyalavari (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 valapi, and Vimana are built with brick.

The Vimana is of ekathala. Stucco images of Shiva forms like Dakshinamurthy, Pichadanar, Vishnu, and Brahma are on the Nagara Vimana.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built before the 10th Century and Ambal sannidhi was built during the Vijayanagara period. As per the Vijayanagara period inscriptions this place was called Mukkudal and Lord Shiva was called Mukkudal Aludaya nayanar. The inscription records the endowment established towards poojas and naivedyam.

The adhistanam has the Rajarajan-I period inscriptions and the same starts with his meikeerthi.

During the 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 upside-down inscriptions and the walls have the Vijayanagara period inscriptions. During a recent period of flood in the Amaravati and Kaveri Rivers, the south side compound wall 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 want 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 worships 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 grandly and annadhanam 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 the main road.

Thirumukkudalur is 14 km from Karur, 82 km from Erode, 106 km from Salem, and 400 km from Chennai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE