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 the south side of the river Kaveri and the 3^rd Sthalam in Chozha Nadu at Thirupparaithurai. Thirupparaithurai maintains the same from the 6^th to the 7^th century. This is one of the Saptasthana temples around Thirupparaithurai, and the other six temples are Thiruvanaikoil, Thiruppainjeeli, Thiruchendurai, Thiruvasi, Thiruvedhikudi, and Thiru Alanthurai.

 

Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Ratnagiri (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 have 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 faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. In kostam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma, and Durgai. The Arthanareeswarar is in the place of Lingothbavar. 

In the outer paraham Vinayagar and Dhandayuthapani. In the inner prahara, Valampuri Vinayagar, Saptamatrikas, 63 var, Somaskandar, Maha Ganapathy, Pancha Bhoota Lingas, Gajalakshmi, Arumugar on Peacock, Chandikeswarar (Chandikeswarar sannadhi ceiling is like a 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 the opposite side, Kali's dance are very beautifully chiseled. 

The 15th-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 the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. A vesara vimana is over 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 have sung in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the temple might have existed before the 6^th to 7^th Century. The same was reconstructed with stone during the Chozha period, and later thirupani was done by the Nattukottai Nagarathars.

The inscriptions belong 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, Vijayanagara King Krishna Deva Maharayar, Mallappa Nayaka, and 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 Paraithurai Mahadevar, Thirupparaithurai Perumanadigal, and Paraithurai Parameswaran.

Most of the inscriptions record the Poojas, Thirumanjanam / Sacred bath, Naivedyam, like Adaikaiamuthu, neiyamuthu, Sarkarai amuthu, burning of perpetual lamps for which Sheep/Goat/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 an endowment for this temple. 

During Sundara Pandya's rule, Uraiyur Kootram Karuppur village, an official Araiyan Aliyar alias Keralanthaka Villupparaiyan, has not 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 to 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" was mentioned about 1000 years ago for a barrage - தடுப்பணை.

 

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

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

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

  

The 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 in the latter state. The mandapa pillars have the sculptures of Manickavasagar, Thirugnanasambandar, Appar, and the Chettiar who built them. 

As per the 1940 CE Inscription, Palalayam was carried out on 03^rd Feb 1904, and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on the 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, and Sapta Rishis worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. As per the legend, the Rishis and sages living in the Parai forest thought they were superior to the Gods, and they believed that they could do anything 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 the Rishis. At the same time, Lord Shiva took the form of Pichadanar and went to the houses of sages. The sages' wives were enamored by Pichadanar and followed him. This incident shattered the Sages' claim that Rishis and Sages' wives are most pious and devout.

Before the situation became 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 was 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 Paraithurai.

Sun Rays fall 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 open from 07.30 hrs to 11.30 hrs, and from 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The temple's mobile number is +91  99408 43571, which 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, and Namakkal pass 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.   

The nearest Railway Station is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

On Rajagopuram

The second Visit to this temple was a part of the “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 stand majestically with 1000 and odd years old history, Heritage, and cultural 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 the river Kaveri. Some of the photos taken during this visit have been uploaded.

 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---