Tirumoolanathar Temple / Thirumoolanathar Temple /Eeshwaran Temple / அருள்மிகு திருமூலநாதர் கோயில் / திருமூலஸ்தானமுடைய மகாதேவர், பேரங்கியூர், Perangiyur, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Tirumoolanathar Shiva Temple, at Perangiyur was a part of the Villupuram Heritage Walk organized by History Trails, scheduled on 24^th and 25^th July 2021. This place was called Perangur and is now called Perangiyur. This temple is very small without Vimana. The Temple is about 500 meters off Chennai – Trichy National Highway.

Moolavar  : Sri Tirumoolanathar

Consort    : Sri Abirami

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

The temple faces east with a Nandi on a pedestal. Moolavar is in the sanctum sanctorum along with Ambal Abirami in a standing posture, facing south. Vinayagar and Arumugar are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Durga.

In Praharam, Chandikeswarar, Jyeshta Devi, Saptamatrikas, Valampuri Vinayagar, Pradosha Lingam on a square avudayar with Nandi and Lakuleesar (in place of Chandikeswarar)

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple Consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Padabandha adhisthana with three patta kumuda.  Vishnukantha Pilasters supports sanctum walls. The Pilasters has the kalasam, Kumbam, palakai etc and the pothiyal are tharanga pothiyal. The Vimana from adhistana to prastaram was built with stone. The prastaram is of kapotha style and Bhuta ganas are in Valabi. Nandhi is also in the valabi along with Bhuta ganas. On the Kapotha, Nethra nasi koodu is in Karnapathi.

Vinayagar… Vinayagar is in a sitting posture holding Man/antelope and mazhu in the upper hands, and lower hands are holding mothagam and broken tusk. Chowry /Whisk and Venkotrakudai are shown above Vinayagar’s head.  The head is turned towards the left side. If we watch Vinayagar’s eyes and move left to right, we can see the eyes of Vinayagar are also moving according to our movement.

Dakshinamurthy… Dakshinamurthy is sitting in sukhasana keeping his left leg on the right leg. The upper hands are holding the Man-antilope and right hand is in the chin mudra and the left hand is on the thigh. Dakshinamurthy is shown with Jadabara and wears padra kundala. Kallala tree, Sanakatha Munivars, and Muyalagan are not shown.

Mahavishnu.. Mahavishnu is in standing posture. The upper hands are holding Shankha and Chakra and lower right hand is in abhaya hastam and the left hand is holding a thandam/club, instead of the usual posture of kadi or ooru hastam.

Durga… Durga is standing on a lotus pedestal and not on Mahishan’s head. The upper hands are holding the Conch/Shankha and chakra. The lower right hand is in abhaya hastam and the left hand is in ooru hastam. Durga also wears ornament and yagnopaveetha.

Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai…  Thavvai is shown with a big belly and thigh. Her crow flag and broomstick are shown on her back. Her son Mandhan and daughter Mandhi are shown on both Sides. Thavvai is resting her hands on her two attendants.

Chamundi… Of the Saptamatrikas Chamundi has special features. Chamundi is with jwala muguda, wearing piretha kundala, kapala mala. She is holding Trishul in her lower right hand and sitting sukhasana posture and slanting on her left side.

Lakuleesar…. This is in place of Chandikeswarar. Lakuleesar is in a sitting posture. He holds a dhandam with a snake coiling around. 

In Saptamatrikas group Indrari is in broken condition above hip. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the Historians and iconography of the sculptures, the temple may have been constructed during the Pallava period and later reconstructed by Chozhas. The inscriptions recorded from this temple belong to Parantaka-I, Aditha Karikala, Rajarajan-I, Rajendran, Rajathirajan and Kulothunga Chozha. This place was called Perangur, a Brahmadeya Village gifted to Andhanars. Lord Shiva was called “Thirumoolasthanamudaya Mahadevar”, “Moolasthanathu Perumanadigal” and “Moolasthanathu Paramaswami” and the temple was called “Thirumulasthanamudayar Koil”.  

Uttama Chozha’s 3^rd reign year inscription records the endowment of feeding to 7 Bramanas at this temple by Rudra Divakaran of the Village called Ettukkur. The same two plots of Land were purchased from the Village Sabha as Tax-free Land and entrusted to the Sabha.

Uttama Chozha’s 3^rd reign year inscription records the endowment of offering to “Thirumulattamudaya  Perumanadigal”. The same three pieces of land at Urar of Palur were gifted as tax-free by one Appimadevan of Parakkovur in Peringur Nadu.

Parantaka-I’s 17^th reign year incomplete inscription records the  sale of land to Nakkan Veera(Ga)ngan

Aditya Karikalan’s 5^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp to “Moolathana Perumanadigal” of Vadakarai Perangiyur by Nakkan’s son Ganaperumanalias Kulamanicka Mutharaiyan for which 90 (..95..?) sheep/Goat was gifted. (Form it was learned the river flowing on the south side of this place during Aditya Karikalan period, latter it might have changed its course)

Rajaraja-I’s  8^th reign year incomplete inscription starts with his title, records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp to “Moolasthanathu Paramaswami” for which 90 sheep/Goats are gifted by Kulatulan, who belongs to Kusapadi of Thirumunaipadi Mudiyur Nadu.

Rajaraja-I’s 4^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning perpetual Lamp by Pullalooran, for which Gold coins and Tax-free land were gifted.

Rajaraja-I’s 6^th reign year inscription records that two pieces of land were gifted to Ganapathi Nambi Aruran, who had done service in this temple by Perunguri Perumakkal (Sabha).

Rajaraja-I’s 11^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp at this temple for which a Tax-free Land was received by one of the Alunganathar Mudumbai Solaipiran Kiramavithan.

Rajaraja-I’s 12^th reign year inscription records that Rudraganaperumakkal, who manages the affairs of this temple purchased land from a mandradi (shepherd)  for 5 Kalanju Gold.

Rajaraja-I’s 17^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Munayaman Thirumullaivayilan for which 90 saava moova peradu was gifted.

Rajaraja-I’s 22^nd reign year inscription records the endowment of burning perpetual lamp in the sanctum and twilight lamps in front of  Vinayagar by Orali Thali Nakkan a shepherd 

Rajaraja-I’s 24^th reign year inscription records that the Village sabha and the Senapathi (commander) assembled at this temple on Saturday, (not Wednesday) 06^th November 1008. (Probably to transact some business)

Rajaraja-I’s 28^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Neelichani, wife of a member of the Alunganam of this Village and a farmer Kudipalli Annavan Vanapuli for the same 90 sheep were gifted. Further, the inscription records that Sirunangai, wife of Kayilathadigal also gave a gift to burn Sandhi Lamp.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 1^st reign year inscription is very damaged and starts with his meikeerthi/title.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 3^rd reign year inscription records the gift of land to this temple by Uyypiran Battan.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 2^nd reign year inscription records a gift of Tax-free land, after purchase from the Sabha of this Village a Brahmadeya, in Parangiyur Nadu of Thirumunaipadi nadu a division of  Jayangonda Chozhamandalam,  Commander Rajendra Chozha Brahmaraya’s cavalryman ( குதிரை சேவகன் ).

Rajathi Rajan period inscription records that this Village Bhutaganaperuman and his son Kanaperumanthevan Kandan gave a gift of 90 sheep to burn a perpetual lamp and purchase tax-free land from the sabha.

Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 33^rd reign year inscription records the endowment of land gifted to this temple by Kuppai Sadayan alias Karunakara Kon from Jananatha Chaturvedi Mangalam ( Villupuram area ).

Kulothunga Chozha-I’s another inscription records that a gift of 150 Kuli land to Adhi Chandeswarar and Vinayagar by Nellangai Parthasarathy Battan.

Kannaradevan's incomplete inscription records his mei keerthi as.. "who kanchi and Thanjai... ".

The last Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in the year 1972.

An 11-foot length scale is marked on the back side of the temple. As per the experts, this was used to measure the lands of this Village.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Devotees worship Lord Shiva of this temple to get relief from Chronic diseases (cancer), Child boon (after doing sandal paste kappu), Marriage boon, etc,.

It is believed that Suriyan worships Lord Shiva of this temple on Panguni 3^rd to 6^th through sun rays, falling on moolavar. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Sankatahara Chaturthi, Karthigai, Pournami, Amavasya, Sashti and Thiruvathirai.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since one Kala Pooja is conducted, Devotees are advised to confirm with Mr Rajendran before going to the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr Rajendran taking care of this temple since 2010 and may be contacted on his mobile +91 9655558386 and +91 9626865391, for further details.

https://www.tnarch.gov.in/Tirumoolanathar

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 500 meters off Chennai – Trichy National Highway and the South side of the Thenpennai River at Perangiyur.

The Place Perangiyur is 9.6 km from Villupuram, 28 km from Ulundurpet, 50 km from Puducherry, 75 km from Virudhachalam, and 175 km from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Villupuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---