Sri Tharuka Vaneswarar Temple / Paraithurainathar Temple / Sri Dharukaveneswarar Temple / தாருகாவனேஸ்வரர் கோயில், திருப்பராய்துறை / Thirupparaithurai, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 120^th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on south side of river Kaveri and 3^rd Sthalam in Chozha Nadu at Thirupparaithurai. Thirupparaithurai maintains the same since 6^th to 7^th Century. The is one of the Saptasthana temples around Thirupparaithurai and the other six temples are, Thiruvanaikoil, Thiruppainjeeli, Thiruchendurai, Thiruvasi, Thiruvedhikudi and Thiru Alanthurai.

 

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of  Rathnagiri ( Iyermalai ).

நீடும் பராய்துறை நெற்றித் தனிக் கண்ணர் கோயில் நண்ணிக்

கூடும் கருத்தொடு கும்பிட்டுக் கோதுஇல் தமிழ்சொல்மாலை

பாடும் கவுணியர் கண்பனி பாரிபரந்து இழியச்

சூடும் கரலத்து அஞ்சலி கோலித் தொழுதுநின்றார்

……… திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar also records that Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal Visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of  Karkudi.

சிலந்திக்கு அருளும் கழல்வணங்கக் செஞ்சொல் மாலை பலபாடி

இலங்கு சடையார் எறும்பியூர் மாலையும் இறைஞ்சிப் பாடியபின்

மலர்ந்த சோதித் திருச்சிராப் பள்ளி மலையும் கற்குடியும்

நலங்கொள் செல்வத் திருப்பராய்த் துறையும் தொழுவான் நண்ணினார்

……… திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Manickavasagar and Vallalar   has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

விரவி நீறுமெய் பூசுவர் மேனிமேல்

இரவனின்றெரி யாடுவார்

பரவினாரவர் வேதம் பராய்த் துறை

அரமார்த்த அடிகளே

…….. திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

தொண்டு பாடியுந் தூமலர் தூவியும

இண்டை கட்டி இணையடி ஏத்தியும்

பண்டரங்கர் பராய்த்துறைப் பாங்கரைக்

கண்டு கொண்டடியேனுய்ந்து போவனே

………. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

பராய்த் துறை மேவிய பரனே போற்றி…

………. மாணிக்கவாசகர்

                                                                              -- மல்லலொடு

வாழும் பராய்த் துறைவான் மன்னவரு மன்னவருஞ்

சூழும் பராய்த்துறை வாழ் தோன்றலே

…….. திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Tharuka Vaneswarar, Sri Paraithurai Nathar

Consort    : Sri Hemavarnambal, Sri Pasumponmyilambal

Sthalaviruksham : Paraai tree

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma and Durgai. The Arthanareeswarar is in the place of Lingothbavar. 

In the outer parakam Vinayagar and Dhandayuthapani. In the inner prakara Valampuri Vinayagar, Saptamatrikas, 63 var, Somaskandar, Maha Ganapathy, Pancha Bhoota Lingas,   Gajalakshmi, Arumugar on Peacock, Chandikeswarar ( Chandikeswarar sannadhi ceiling is like dome, supported by the Lion pillars ), Pichadanar, Bhairavar, Navagrahas ( Only Saneeswarar has the Vahana Crow ) and Natarajar Sabha.

In the entrance pillars of Ambal Shrine, the reliefs/ bas-reliefs of Lord's Urdhva thandavam and on opposite side Kali's dance are very beautifully chiseled. 

The 15^th century saint Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

மூசள் பம்பிய நூற்றி தழ்க்கம

        லாசனன் வந்துல காக்கி வைத்திடு

        வேதன கந்தையை மாற்றி முக்கண          ரறிவாக

    மூதறி வுந்திய தீக்ஷை செப்பிய

        ஞானம்வி ளங்கிய மூர்த்தி யற்புத

        மூவரி லங்குப ராய்த்து றைப்பதி                 பெருமாளே

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, Artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. A Vesara vimana is on the sanctum. All the Four Gopuras  and Sanctum Vimanam can be seen at a particular place near the Rajagopuram. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar and Appar has sung in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the temple might have existed before 6^th to 7^th Century. The same was reconstructed with stone during Chozha period and latter thirupani was done by the Nattukottai Nagarathars.

The inscriptions belongs to Chozha Kings Parantaka-I, Rajaraja-I, Rajendra Chozha-I, Koparakesai barmar, Madurai konda koparakesari barmar, Kulothunga Chozha, Veera Rajendran, Uthama Chozha, Pandya King Sundara Pandyan, Parakrama Pandya, Kulasekara Pandya  and Vijayanagara King Krishna Deva Maharayar, Mallappa Nayaka, Veera Kammapnna Udayar.  

As per the inscriptions this place was mentioned as … Rajakembeera Valanattu Mazhai nadu Thenkarai Uraiyur Kootrathu Melpilatru Thirupparaithurai, Keralanthaka Valanattu Uraiyur Kootrathu Thirupparaithurai, Uthama seeli Chathurvedi mangalathu Thirupparaithurai.  Lord Shiva was called as Paraithurai Mahadevar, Thirupparaithurai Perumanadigal  and Paraithurai Parameswaran.

Most of the inscriptions records the Poojas, Thirumanjanam / Sacred bath, Naivedyam like Adaikaiamuthu, neiyamuthu, Sarkarai amuthu, burning of perpetual lamps for which Sheeps / Goats / Saavaa moova Peradu, Cow, Paddy, Gold, Lands  were gifted to this temple. During Dakshinayana, Punya time and Sankranthi Neeraattu vizha was ( Theerthavari ) performed.

Arinjaya Chozha's father-in-law  Thennavan Ilango alias Maravan boothi, had given a gift of land at Kizharaivayal near Kulithalai. In addition to this Irukkuvelir also established endowment to this temple. 

During Sundara Pandya's rule, Uraiyur Kootram Karuppur Village an official Araiyan Aliyar alias Keralanthaka Villupparaiyan has no paid the punishment for the manpower arranged  for the Araikol part. Also he has not paid the dues of the devathana payment to the Thiruvanaikaval  Temple. For these irregularities his son-in-law Kilinjalur Kilavan vanavan Vizhithurangum Perumal alias Vanavizhuparayar and his brother Kakkunayakan alias Mazhavatharaiyariyar were put in jail.  Rajakembeera Nattu sabha had sent a King's order t sell the belongings of Thambikiniyan Nallur  ( present Kanukkiniya Nallur )  Araiyan Aaliyar and given to this temple.

Thennavan Ilango's Queen Nangai Katrali Piratti Ilangovel devi Gunaperumanar is Nangai Bhoothimadevadigal. This Stone temple mentioned here is one of the Moovar Koil at Kodumbalur. 

Koparakesari's one inscription mentions the building of "Kodiyaalam Anai ( Dam )". The word "Anai" is mentioned about 1000 years before for a barrage - தடுப்பணை.

Nayaka period inscription mentions about "PeNkal Koil" which could not be identified. One of inscription also records the existence of "Panchayathanam- ஐந்தளி". Irukkuvelir had done lot of endowments to this Temple. The temple's present status and  where about is not known. Similar temple "ஐந்தளி ", which exists still at Kodumbalur was built by Irukkuvelir is to be noted.

Sundara Pandya’s 9^th reign year inscriptions records that he had donated gold jewellery to the temple.

Kulothunga Period inscription records that the sanctum sanctorum Vimana was covered with gold plates.

Somaskandar Temple front mandapa was constructed by Chirai meettaan Thirivikrama Udhayan. A land was donated to Sthala Vinayagar by Ekambara Udhayan.

Nandhi mandapam was built at latter state. The mandapa pillars has the sculptures of Manickavasagar, Thirugnanasambandar, Appar and the Chettiar who built. 

As per 1940 CE Inscription, Palalayam was carried out on 03^rd Feb 1904 and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 13^th Aani month, Satharana Year ( In Tamil Year ) by the Kanadukathan Ve. Veera Nagappa Chettiar ( Nattukottai Nagarathar ). After that his sons renovated / maintenance carried out for Rajagopuram, Nandhi Mandapam, Vinayagar, Dhandayuthapani sannadhis, Kalyana mandapam, Outer walls of Outside mandapam, Temple Tank and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was carried out on Salivahana Sagaptham, 1862, Vikrama year Vaikasi Month 13^th day ie on 26^th May 1940. Nagappa Chettiar was the trustee from 23^rd June 1903, his son Arunachalam Chettiar, took over as trustee of this temple after his father. Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1998 and 2013. 

  

Inscriptions

LEGENDS : 

Indran, Kuberan, Sapta Rishis worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. As per the legend, the Rishis and sages living in the Parai forest thought they are superior than Gods and they believed that they can do any thing through yagnas. Lord Shiva, wants to teach a lesson to the Rishis and Munis. Lord Shiva asked Maha Vishnu to take the form of Mohini and divert the attention of Rishis. At the same time Lord Shiva took the form of Pichadanar and went to houses of sages. The sages wives were enamoured by Pichadanar and followed him. This incident shattered the Sages claim, that Rishis and sages wives are most pious and devout.

Before the situation becomes worse, the sages started yagna and the weapons, Deer, Tiger, Snake, etc, which came out of Yagna used to destroy Pichadanar. Pichadanar used  everything as an ornament and dress.  Finally they realized that the Pichadanar is, none other than Lord Shiva and surrendered to him. Lord Shiva gave darshan to the Rishis and sages under the Paraai Tree. ( Sthala Vruksham ). Hence this place is called as Paraithurai.

Sun Rays falls on moolavar  in Puratasi ( Sep – Oct ), 18^th day.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Regular Poojas, special Poojas are conducted on 12 Days Brahmotsavam / festival in the month Vaikasi ( March- April ), Like Kadai Muzhukku at Mayiladuthurai, Thula Neeraadal / snanam  in akanda Kaveri River is practiced on  the 1^st day of Aippasi ( October – November ),  Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani ( Aug – Sep ), Navaratri in the month Purattasi ( Sep - Oct ), Annabhishekam in the tamil month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradoshams.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.30 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 16.30 hs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The Temple mobile number is +91  99408 43571 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 

This place Thirupparaithurai is between Kulithalai and Tiruchirapalli. All the buses from Tiruchirappalli to Kulithalai, Karur, Namakkal passes through this place. 

The temple is 16 km from Chatram bus stand, 19 Km from Tiruchirapalli, 19 KM from Kulithalai,  23 KM from Iyermalai, 23.5 KM from Thiru Engoi Malai, 66.5 KM from Karur and 339 Km from Chennai.   

Nearest Railway Station is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

On Rajagopuram

The second Visit to this temple was a part of “Trichy Heritage Walk” organised by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே- Group”, to the Historical Chozha period temples, in and around Trichy aka Tiruchirappalli on 20th and 21st March 2021. Even after the damages done by the Muslim invaders, they still stands majestically with 1000 and odd years old history, Heritage and culture values. Even-though they were contributed by the Pallava, Chozha, Pandya, Vijayanagara Kings and the present Nattukottai Nagarathars, they are less popular. This place Thirupparaithurai is on the banks of river Kaveri. Some of the photos taken during this Visit are up loaded.

 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---