Sri Thirupuranthakeswarar Temple /Sri Tripurantaka Eswarar Temple, Kuthambakkam, Thiruvallur District, Temple Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Thiruparanthakeswarar Temple at Kuthambakkam, was a part of Shiva, Maha Vishnu and Amman Temples visit \, near Poonamallee & Aranvoyal in Thiruvallur District / Tiruvallur District on 05^th December 2021. Initially it was planned to visit the Shiva temples of Nemam and Kuthambakkam, the other temples are added as an extension to the above temples and recommended by devotees of the temples and Sivachariyars

Moolavar  : Sri Thirupuranthakaeswarar

Consort    : Sri Thirupura Sundari

Some of salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with an entrance from South side. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in-front of the temple on the east side. A Jala is provided on the east side wall in front of  Rishabam. Moolavar is little big. A Cow worshiping Lord Shiva is at the top of the sanctum entrance instead of Gajalakshmi. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In ardha mandapam, balipeedam and Rishabam. In Maha mandapam, Vinayagar, Bala Murugan, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Utsava murtis, Suriyan and Navagrahas.  

Ambal Sri Tripura Sundari is in a separate sannidhi in maha mandapam facing South.

In praharam, Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar, unfinished two sculptures, two Shiva Lingas ( Thiruvaiyaru Nayanar and Someschura Nayanar. The where about the Somechura nayanar temple is not Known,) on a square avudayars under a cannon ball  / Nagalinga tree with another Shiva Linga under the cover of a Nagar, 27 Nakshathra trees, Rishabam and balipeedam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and  mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum was built on a upana and adhistanam. The adhistanam consists of jagathi, threepatta kumuda and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with vethigai. The Bhitti is divided in to Kostas with Vishnukantha pilasters. The Pilasters consists of square base, pillar, malai thongal, thamaraikattu, kalasam, kudam, mandi with lotus petals, palakai, veerakandam and pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam and Viyalavari. Lotus petals are in the valapi. There is vimana over the sanctum sanctorum.

Bas-reliefs of Donors and Dancing Vinayagars are beautifully on both sides of Dakshinamurthy.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple was constructed during the Chozha King Veerendra ( Kulothunga Chozha –III ). The same was reconstructed and mukha mandapam was added during Vijayanagara period. Latter during renovations the old inscription stones are used in the east side wall and mandapa walls.

As per the History, Mylapore was situated on the sea shore and also served as a Port. The merchants Kupthars also known as Arya vaishyas stayed here. Usually Pakkam will be named for place near the sea shore. They used Cooum river to transport goods through boats to the Port. To unload and up load the goods “Thurai”/ jetty / wharf was constructed on the banks of cooum river. The Cooum river which passes through Thiruvallur was diverted through check dam / அரண், water was filled in the Kupthambakkam Lake ( Now called as Aranvoyal Lake ) and the surplus water was diverted through canal to the Chembarambakkam Lake during Chozha period. A Jetty / wharf was constructed on the canal, where the canal passed through Kupthambakkam. The Thuraiyathamman sametha Thiruvaiyaru Nayanar temple was constructed near this jetty / wharf.  The Amman was called as Thuriyathamman since, those with problems pray her after taking bath in the padithurai / jetty / wharf, are consoled and relieved them from all problems by her ( ஆற்றுப்படுத்துதல் ), Thurayathamman also called as Thuraikathamman.

As per the inscriptions this place was called as Kuptharkal Pakkam, Kupthan Pakkam and got corrupted to the present name of Kuthambakkam.  The Thiruvaiyaru Nayanar temple was constructed by Kulothunga Chozha –III ( 1178 – 1218 CE ) during his 13^th reign year ie 1191 CE. Kulothunga Chozha –III’s 22^nd reign year inscription records that this place and Lord Shiva was called as Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu, Kulothunga Chozha valanattu men mangadu nattu Kupthambakkamudayar Thiruvaiyarudayar.

It is believed that Kulothunga Chozha-III, who couldn’t attend the poojas and celebrations at Thiruvaiyaru, created this Temple. This was recorded in the form of inscription during his 30^th reign year ( 1208 CE ). The inscriptions further clearly mentions that the Someschura Nayanar, an another Shiva temple  also existed in the same Village. The much celebrated Shiva Lingas of Thiruvayaru nayanar and Someschura nayanar are now kept under the canon ball tree with out Poojas, made us to feel very sad.

Valayam Azhagiyan Otriyurakan alias Kulothunga Chozhapaiyur Natazhvan established an endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 32 cows and a Rishabam are gifted to this temple. The same was received by andhanars.

Another inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Jayangonda Chozha mandalathu Kalathur kottathu, Chengundra Nattu Ainjur Mullipadi Village by  Thiruchura  kannappan Adhinayakan Panchanadhivanan Rajarajaneela Gangaraiyan for the same 48 cows and a rishabam was gifted to this temple.    

The inscription on the backside wall of Amman shrine records the gift of 10 veli land called ThiruvaiyaRRu vilakam at Mathur Village on the north side of Poonamallee. Also the temple had a land at Arumbakkam.

The another temple Someschuram was constructed by Kupthas aka arya Vaishyas, who belongs to Gujarat, similar to the Somanatheswarar Temple, there. The traces of the temple is not available in this Village.

LEGENDS

This legend is associated with Lord Shiva's 8 samharas in which Tripura samharam is associated with this temple.  As per the Koova purana written by Sivaprakasa Adigalar Swamial, the legend is associated with the Koovam Thripuranthakeswara story, one of the 64 forms of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva took this form to destroy the Tripura with three demons  Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmali.

The Demons did a penance on Brahma and got the boon of Tripuras made of Gold, Silver and Iron ( huge floating cities ), which can fly /travels to three Lokas, They should meet once in 1000 years and If they are killed, all the three must be killed at a time, by a single person with a single arrow. After getting this boon they started torturing the Devas and ruled three lokas. The Devas sought help of Maha Vishnu. Maha Vishnu told that it may not be possible to destroy those, who are worshiping Lord Shiva. He mooted the idea of sending Narathar to all the three puras and make all the ladies to loose their female virtue. Then Maha Vishnu took the form of Buddha, Jinas and preached them. This made them to forget the worshiping of lord Shiva. Then Mahavishnu, Brahma and all the Devas went to Mount kailash and requested Lord Shiva to destroy Tripura.   

When Lord Shiva started for the Tripura samhara in a chariot created by Deva carpenter Mayan with earth as Chariot, Chandran and Suriyan as wheels, Brahma as a Charioteer, Vedas as Horses, Meru Hill as Bow, Adhiseshan as the rope and Agni & Mahavishnu as arrow. When Lord Shiva reached Koovam Nagar, Vinayagar broke the axle of Shiva’s Chariot.  While the Chariot started falling down, Maha Vishnu holds the chariot on his back. The Devas were much worried.  Arumagar ( Murugan ) came and told them that this was the act of Vinayaga, since Lord Shiva forgot to worship him before starting this venture.

Lord Shiva asked the Thiripuras to appeared before him. Till this, the Devas thought, Lord Shiva cannot destroy with out their help. Instead Lord Shiva laughed at the Tripura. The Thiripuras got burned, but the three demons escaped. Lord Shiva shoots the arrow and killed all the three at a time. 

சிரிப்பினின்று எழுந்த தீமுப்புரங்களில் பற்றியது..

என்று விண்ணவர் இயம்பியது எம்பிரான் வினவி

நன்றில் நங்கையை நோக்கினன் நகைக்க, அந்நகையின்

நின்று வன்தழல் கொழுந்து ஒரு நிமிடத்தில் பாதி

சென்றுஒ டுங்கும்முன் புரங்களில் சென்றுபற் றியதே

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days, Vinayagar Chathurthi, and all important Shiva festivals.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Trustees ( Thalaivar ) +91 98407 21539,  and other trustees +91 98843550266 and +91 9940144339 may be contacted for further details.

 

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 1.6 KM off from Poonamallee to Thiruvallur Main Road, 17 KM from Thiruvallur, 12 KM from Thiruninravur, 9 KM from Poonamallee, 23 KM from Koyambedu and 27 KM from Chennai Central.

Nearest Railway station is Thiruninravur, and  bigger railway station is Thiruvallur. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Dakshinamurthy

Sri Thiruvaiyaru Nayanar and Someschura Nayanar

Nakshatra Trees

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---