The Second Visit to this Sri Athmanathar temple
at Avudayarkoil alias Thiruperunthurai in Pudukkottai District was a part of
Pudukkottai Heritage walk, on 7th and 8th January 2023, organised jointly by Aatrupadai, TTDC and Ula. Thanks
to M/s Trichy Parthy, Prabhaharan and Francis Edison. This is an updated
post to my previous visit on 23rd and 24th September
2011.
( mandapam arch Stucco images of Shiva teaching to Manickavasagar )
This
is one of the Thiruvasagam hymns Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam, sung by
Manickavasagar.
திருச்சிற்றம்பலம்
நமச்சிவாய வாஅழ்க
நாதன்தாள் வாழ்க
இமைப்பொழுதும் என்நெஞ்சில்
நீங்காதான் தாள்வாழ்க
கோகழி யாண்ட குருமணிதன்
தாள்வாழ்க
ஆகமம் ஆகிநின் றண்ணிப்பான்
தாள்வாழ்க
ஏகன் அநேகன் இறைவ
னடிவாழ்க
Moolavar
: Sri Athmanatheswarar, Sri Guruswamy,
Sri
Paramaswamy, Sri Athmanathar
Consort
: Sri Yogambal.
Some
of the important features of this temple are....
The
temple is facing east with a Mukha mandapam. The Rajagopuram is of seven tiers,
200 feet high, which is visible from a long distance. There is no
Rishabam, Dwajasthambam / Kodimaram, balipeedam, Navagrahas and Chandikeswarar.
Only Avudai is in the sanctum sanctorum, in place of Shivalinga, hence called
as Avudayarkoil. This signifies Shiva in Aroopa state, who has no beginning and
end. In Ambal Shrine also, there is no idol, since Ambal is considered as aroopa
state.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, Maha mandapam
and Mukha mandapam. The Pillars of the temples has exquistvely carved
sculptures.
This temple is famous for its sculpture and architecture. Kodungai of the mandapams
are made of single stone shaped to small thickness and joined together. (
even to day the sculptors used to enter in an agreement for constructing a new
temple with a condition that, “Kodungai will not be similar to Avudaiyarkoil” ). Bullet marks by
the Britishers can also be seen. It is amazing to see the stone statues
on the pillars and the stone chains hanging from the roof.
Front mandapam kodungai ( roof side )
Kodungai
Upanam
adhistanam above Upanam
Some
of the Sculptures in the mukha mandapam and temple are, Pichadanar, Natarajar
in oorthuva thandavam, Kali, Narashima with Haranyakasibu, Murugan, Shiva as
Risbanthigar, Maha Vishnu, Manickavasagar as a Minister and as Sivanadiyar,
Manmathan, Rathi, Shiva riding on a Horse, 27 Nakshathra mandala, Paintings on the
ceiling, Hanging Chains with mandapam, Pillar sculptures, Udumbu / monitor
Lizard, Monkey on the Kodungai, Nayaka Kings in two rows are worth to see.
Ceiling - Hanging Chains
The
Vijayanagara nayakas period paintings are found on the ceilings of 1000 pillar
mandapam and Manickavasagar Shrine walls.
27 nakshathra mandala
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As
per Historians, this temple was built during Pandya period and latter expanded
by the Vijayanagara nayakas. About 200 inscriptions are recorded from this temple of which 5 are on in the form of poem. As per the inscription this place was called as Mizhalai kuRRathu, Nadivir KuRRam Brahmadesam Thaniyur, Thiruperunthurai alias Pavuthramanicka Chaturvedi mangalam.
One of the Panchatchara mandapam poem inscription records that this mandapam was not constructed with the human effort, but constructed by Yoga Nayagi ( the name of Consort to Shiva of this temple ), Gopuravelan ( Murugan on the old Gopuram ) and Manickavasagar.
‘பாக்கலெலாம்
வேடிக்கை யாகச்செய் தானெங்கள் கோபுர வேலவனே’
Another poem inscription records that Panchatchara mandapam construction was stated in Vijaya year, Thula month and completed in Bilava year by Yoganayagi Karigai.
‘பலஞ்சேரும்
நாளில் கனக
சபைதனில் பாக்கலெலாம்
நலஞ்சேர வேமுகித் தானெங்கள்
ஆளுடை நாயகனே’
’கண்காண
வேமுகித் தாள்யோக
நாயகக் காரிகையே’
திதிக்கும் சகாத்தமிங்
கொன்றரை ஆயிரம்
செல்லுறுநான்கு
உதிக்கும் பிலவத்தில்
பங்குனி மாதத்தில்
ஒன்பதிற்குப்
பதிக்கும் கனக
சபைமண்ட பந்தனிற்
பாக்கலெலாம்
மதிக்கும் படிமுகித்
தானெங்கள் மாணிக்க
வாசகனே!
Another poem inscription records that painting on the walls and laying of pavukkal was done by Vinayagar.
LEGENDS
As
per the legend, Manickavasagar was a Minister in Pandya Kingdom. The Pandya
King gave money to purchase Horse. On the way to fort, Manickavasagar stayed
here and constructed Temple for Shiva with the money given for purchase the
horses. Shiva taught Manickavasagar as a guru under the kuruntha tree. When the
king asked the horses, Manickavasagar prayed to Shiva. Shiva changed the Foxes
in to Horses and given to the King. In the night all the Horses changed back to
foxes and ran away.
வெள்ளைக் கலிங்கத்தர் வெண்திடு முண்டத்தர்
பள்ளிக் குப்பாயத்தர் அன்னே என்னும்
பள்ளிக் குப்பாயத்தர் பாய்பரிமேற் கொண்டென்
உள்ளம் கவர்வரால் அன்னே என்னும் ... ( திருவாசகம் )
Sthala
vruksham is Kurantha Maram, under which Shiva taught Manickavasagar. The
specialty of the tree leaves is, they have three different smells.
"குருந்தின் கீழ் அன்றிருந்த கொள்கையும்
பட்ட மங்கையில் பாங்காய் இருந்து அங்கு
அட்ட மாசித்தி அருளிய அதுவும்
வேடுவன் ஆகி வேண்டு உருக் கொண்டு
காடு அது தன்னில் கரந்த உள்ளமும்
மெய்க் காட்டிட்டு வேண்டு உருக் கொண்டு
தக்கான் ஒருவன் ஆகிய தன்மையும்” (கீர்த்தித் திருவகவல்)
பட்ட மங்கையில் பாங்காய் இருந்து அங்கு
அட்ட மாசித்தி அருளிய அதுவும்
வேடுவன் ஆகி வேண்டு உருக் கொண்டு
காடு அது தன்னில் கரந்த உள்ளமும்
மெய்க் காட்டிட்டு வேண்டு உருக் கொண்டு
தக்கான் ஒருவன் ஆகிய தன்மையும்” (கீர்த்தித் திருவகவல்)
In
another legend, A regional king under Pandya rule, forcibly took over the people’s
lands. The people complained to the King. When the king asked, the regional king
told that the lands belongs to him. The people don not have a choice except
praying to Shiva. Shiva, to the prayers of the people, took the form of human
being and went to the king and the Regional king was also called. The King asked
the type of land and the Regional king told that the land is a drought land. But
Shiva told that it is a fertile land and water will come if you dig. When this
was proved, the regional king felt shame and return back the lands.
Devotees
prays Shiva and Ambal to excel in education, marriage, child boon etc.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri,
Margazhi Utsavam, Arudra Darshan, Karthigai Somavarams,
The
naivedyam is boiled rice satham kept on the stone slab in front of the
Avudayar. Only steam from the satham is the naivedyam. The vegetables
offered in the temple are Bitter guard, spinach / Keerai, which are not offered
in any other temples. ( To teach vedam to Anthanar children, Lord Shiva was
offered keerai, bitter guard by the Anthanars).
6
Kala Poojas are conducted even on Solar and Lunar eclipse days, unlike other temples.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to
21.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The
land line number +91 4371 233301 and mobile numbers +91 9894731606, +91 9159854014 may
be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
Frequent
buses available from Aranthangi on Aranthangi ( 14 KM ) to Mimisal.
Buses
are available to Aranthangi from Thanjavur, Madurai, Chennai, Karaikudi, Trichy
etc.
Nearest
Railway junction is Pudukkottai.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
SOME OF THE EARLIER VISIT PHOTOGRAPHS
Temple entrance arch
Front mandapam with Rajagopuram view
Lord Shiva's oorthava thandavam - Pillar sculpture in front mandapam
Lord Shiva as Rishabanthigar sculpture on the pillar in the front mandapam
Lord Shiva as Sankaranarayanar
Rajagopuram side view
One of the shrine's vimanam
Manickavasagar image on the Chariot
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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