Sri Parijatha Vana Nathar Temple / Kalarmulai Nathar Temple / பாரிஜாதவனேஸ்வரர் கோயில் / களர்முளைநாதர் கோயில்/ திருகளர், Thirukalar / Tirukalar, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 222^nd Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 105^th Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place has maintained the same name Thirukalar, since the Thirugnanasambandar period.

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that after visiting Pandya Nadu temples came to this Pathaleecharam. After worshiping Lord Shiva of Kollamputhur, Nallaru, Thelicheri, Iyyaru and Kazhumalam (Sirkazhi) went to Nadu Nadu. But, in actuality, he went to Thirukalar after Thandalaineeneri.

மற்றுஅவ்வூர் தொழுதுஏத்தி மகிழ்ந்துபாடி

        மால் அயனுக்கு அரியபிரான் மருவும்தானம்

பற்பலவும் சென்று பணிந்து ஏத்திப்பாடி

        பரவுதிருத் தொண்டர்குழாம் பாங்கின் எய்தக்

கற்றவர் வாழ்தண்டலை நீள்நெறி உள்ளிட்ட

        களகமதில் திருக்களரும் கருதார் வேள்வி

செற்றவர் சேர்பதி பிறவும் சென்று போற்றித்

        திருமறைகாடு அதன்மருங்கு சேர்ந்தார் அன்றே

பொன்னிவளம் தருநாடு புகுந்து மிக்கு

        பொருஇல் சீர்த்திருதொண்டர் குழாத்தினோடும்

பன்னகப் பூண்அணிந்தார் தம்கோயில் தோறும்

        பத்தருடன் பதியுள்ளோர் போற்றச்சென்று

கன்னிமதில் திருக்களமும் போற்றிக் கண்டம்

        கறைஅணிந்தார் பாதாளீச்சரமும் பாடி

முன் அணைந்த பதிபிறவும் பணிந்து போற்றி

        முள்ளிவாய்க் கரைஅணைந்தார் முந்நூல் மார்பர்

Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

நீருளார்கயல் வாவிசூழ் பொழில் நீண்ட மாவயல் ஈண்டு மாமதில்

தேரினார் மறுகில் விழாமல்கு திருக்களர்

ஊருளர்இடு பிச்சைபேணும் ஒருவனேயொளிர் செஞ்சடையம்மதி

ஆர நின்றவனே அடைந்தார்க்கு அருளாயே

……. திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

                                                -“ஓங்குபுத்தி

மான்களரிலோட்டி மகிழ்வோ டிருந்தேத்தும்

வான்களரில் வாழு மறை முடிபே”

…….. திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Parijathavaneswarar, Sri Kalarmulai Nathar

Consort    : Sri Amutha Valli, Sri Ilam Kombanaiyal,

                  Sri Azhakeswari.

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

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. There is also a 3 tier second-level Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are in between these two Rajagopuras.

In praharam Navagrahas, Chandran, Brahma, and Vishwakarma worshiped Shiva Lingas, Nalvar, Moshatruvareswarar, Somaskandar, Sthala Vinayagar, Natarajar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, and Gajalakshmi.

In the outer mandapa Ashta bhuja Durga and Sthala Viruksha. Natarajar, Maha Vishnu sannadhi is on the east of Suriyan. Natarajar is of brahma thandava murti. A Vidanga Lingam is in safe custody near Natarajar. 

There is a separate temple for Ambal and facing east with dwarapalakis. A gold Kavasa was gifted by a devotee who will adorn Ambal on special occasions. 

Koviloor Mutt Veerasekara Gnanadesika Swamigal’s Samadhi, Veda patasala, Pasumadam, Vedanta mutt, 63var Guru pooja madam  and a mutt are near this temple. Sadhus are also practicing in this mutt.  A Pidari Temple, Ayyanar temple, and Mariamman temple are also in this Village.

   

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. A 3-tier Vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum.

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before the 7^th Century and the same was reconstructed as a stone temple during the Chozha period. Further extended by Vijayanagara.  

The inscriptions recorded from this temple belong to Chozhas, Pandyas and Vijayanagaras. As per the inscriptions, This place was called Rajendra Chozhavalanattu, Purangarambai Nattu Thirukalar. Lord Shiva was called as Thirukalar Udayar, “Kalar Mulaitha Nayanar” and “Adaintharkku Arul Seitha Nayanar”. (Thirugnanasambandar also mentions the same in his hymns). 

Kochadayabarmar Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Sri Vallabha Devar’s 25^th reign Year inscription records the historical event of the Capture of Mudaliar Suriyadevar and put him in jail for not giving the Kani land and Taxes. It also records that Rajarajan Sundara Pandyadevar came to this place along with Thulukkar ( Muslims ). During that time the village was in trouble due to flood and rebellion. The Inscription was incomplete and damaged in many portions. The word Palli Chantham here means some taxes imposed..?.

Rajaraja Chozha ( II or III ), 7^th reign ( 6+1) year inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam and pooja to this temple for the same land was gifted as irayili.

Kulothunga Chozha’s 3^rd reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 100 kasu was deposited by Adavidanga Bhattan, Panchavan Mahadeva bhattan, Aravabarana bhattan and Niyaya Paribalana Bhattan. The above is to be carried out through the interest earned.

An inscription without the king’s name and year records that there is a Thiru Mandapam called “Pazhayanoorudayan Karunakaran”, which was built by Siru Kudayan Maraithedum Porul Periyambala Koothan. Another inscription records that the Village  Sabha assembled at this mandapam and decided the Temple activities like maintenance, service, and poojas.

Kulothunga Chozha’s 10^th reign year inscription records the taxes from the Shops on the Thirumadai Valakam south street to be given to Idangai Vinayaga Pillayar, as done in the previous year.

The Vijayanagara (Veera Bhupathi Udayar) and Chozha period inscriptions record the endowment of burning perpetual lamps, Services, Poojas, etc for the same lands and money gifted to this temple.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Parasara Munivar, Kala Bhairava, and Durvasa worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. This place was called Parijathavanam, Tharukavanam, and Karpakavanam during the ancient period. This place of land/earth is called Kalar/Clay, hence this place obtained the name Thirukalar.  

Kalari meaning of Kootam – assemble, Sabha, Arangam, etc,. Since Lord Shiva gave his Brahma tandava to the Durvasa Munivar, this place was called “Kalari” and later it got corrupted to the present name of “Kalar”. A Bas relief of Lord Shiva gave dance darshan to Durvasa and Durvasa worshiping Lord Shiva in Anjali hastham is available in the temple. 

  

Ambal Temple Rajagopuram - Always kept locked- an inter-connecting passage is used. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Thiruvadhirai Natarajar will be taken in procession, Theerthavari during Masi Maham in Chinthamani Theertham and Panguni Uthiram in Rudra Theertham will be conducted in a grand manner. 

Apart from the above, special poojas are also conducted on Vaikasi Visakam in the month Vaikasi ( May – June ), Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani ( Aug – Sept ), Navaratri in the month Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in the 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 pradosams.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS  

The landline number +914367 279 374 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH 

Town minibus is available from Thiruthuraipoondi.

The place Tirupattur is on the Thiruthuraipoondi to Mannargudi and from there 4 KM off the main road.

The temple is 13 KM from Thiruthuraipoondi, 22 KM from Mannargudi, 32 KM from Thiruvarur, 59 KM from Kumbakonam, 60 K M from Thanjavur, and 350 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Thiruthuraipoondi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---