The Visit to Sri Abivirutheeswarar Temple at Okkur near
Avudaiyarkoil was a part of the Shiva, Vishnu Temples of Pudukkottai and Sivagangai Districts Visit on 23rd
& 24th September 2023.
This
dilapidated Gajaprishta / Gajabrushta Vimana Shiva temple is one of the three Gajaprishta / Gajabrushta Vimana Temples in Pudukkottai District, apart from Thondai Mandalam, in the south
part of Tamil Nadu, which is rare.
Moolavar : Sri
Abivirutheeswarar
Consort :
Sri Anandavalli
Some of the salient features of this Temple are...
The temple faces east with a Vinayagar
Sannidhi. Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of the temple. Moolavar is a little small. A Vinayagar, A Shiva Linga banam, and A panel containing Sri Valli
Devasena are in the ardha mandapam on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum.
Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south in a standing posture with abhaya varada
hastam. A Bairavar without a Dog is in front of Ambal Shrine.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of the sanctum Sanctorum and Ardha
mandapam. The Sanctum sanctorum is in the form of Gajaprishta/Gajabrushta style on a prati
bandha adhistanam with Jagathy, vrutha kumudam and prativari/yazhi vari. The
Bhitti starts with vedika. The Pilasters are Vishnu kantha pilasters with
square base, naga bandham, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi palakai, Veera
kandam, and Vettu pothyal. A Brick Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum, now in
dilapidated condition.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
No inscriptions are found on the wall but may be
in adhistanam. Couldn’t identify the inscriptions on the adhistanam, Since the
ground level is raised up to kumudam,
There is also another Gajaprishta/Brushta Vimana Temple available at Irumbanadu, which is about 7 KM from this place. Since both are constructed very similarly and maybe during the same period. Based on the iconography of the Bairavar and the
style of construction of the temple, this Gajaprishta/ Gajabrushta Vimana temple may belong
to 11th to 12th Century, Chozhas (Chozha's period inscription was identified by the History Enthusiasts and will be updated after getting the details) or Pandyas and latter received contributions from Aranthagi Thondaimans, who ruled this area independently and under Maratas.
The Chozha king Kulothunga Chozha-III's ( 1201 CE ) 23rd reign year inscription at the entrance door frame records the endowment of burning a sandhya Deepam by Mizhalai Kootrathu Naduvirkootru Okkur alias Uthama Chozha Nallur Seeraman Thirunthachuramudaiyan alias Chembitharaiyan to Vizhutheeswaramudaiyar Temple ( on behalf of his sister ). For the same 9 Pazhagasu was given to the temple Siva Brahmin Narayanan Uthama Battan. The Name of Shiva is also mentioned as Agastheeswaramudaiyar.
Ref:
Avanam 16, 2005, Page 26, Pudukottai Mavatta Kalvettukkal by Karu Rajendran.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Only oru kala Pooja is conducted and special poojas
are not conducted.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and
closing times are unpredictable.
CONTACT
DETAILS
HOW TO
REACH
This temple is about 50 meters off from
Avudaiyarkoil to Embal Road and Just opposite to Okkur Post office. Town buses are available from Avudaiyarkoil.
This temple is about 9.5 KM from Avudaiyarkoil, 20
KM from Aranthangi, 21 KM from Aranthangi and 31 KM from Karaikudi.
Nearest Railway Station is Aranthangi.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM
SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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