Thursday, 30 November 2023

Suddha Ratneswara Temple / Suttharathnesvarar Temple / Suddha Rathneswarar Temple / Panjanathanar Natarajar Koyil / ஊட்டத்தூர் சுத்தரத்தினேஸ்வரர் கோயில் / பஞ்சநாதனர் நடராஜர் ஊட்டத்தூர் கோயில், Urraththur / Oottathur, Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Suttarathnesvarar Temple at Oottathur, in Perambalur District was a part of the “Perambalur & Ariyalur Districts Heritage Walk” organized by Aatrupadai - ஆற்றுப்படை A Tours and Heritage group on 4th and 5th, November 2023. This place Oottathur is on the banks of river Nandhai.


This temple is also called Pancha Nathana Natarajar temple. Since moolavar was made of the Purest Gem Ruby, called Suddha Rathneswarar – சுத்த ரத்னேஸ்வரர். This temple is also one of the Thevara Vaippu Sthalam. Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Shiva of this temple.

நறையூரிற் சித்தீச் சரம்நள் ளாறு
    நாரையூர் நாகேச்சரம் நல்லூர் நல்ல
துறையூர் சோற்றுத்துறை சூலமங்கை
    தோணிபுரந் துருத்தி சோமேச்சரம்
உறையூர் கடலொற்றி யூரூற் றத்தூர்
    ஓமாம் புலியூர் ஓர் ஏட கத்துங்
கறையூர் கருப்பறியல் கன்றாப் பூருங்
    கயிலாய நாதனையே காண லாமே
… Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal ( Kshetra kovai -6-70-10 )

பிறையூருஞ் சடைமுடியெம் பெருமா னாரூர்
    பெரும்பற்றப் புலியூரும் பேரா வூரும்
நறையூரும் நல்லூரும் நல்லாற் றூரும்
    நாலூருஞ் சேற்றூரும் நாரை யூரும்
உறையூரும் ஒத்தூரும் ஊற்றத் தூரும்
    அளப்பூரோ மாம்புலியூ ரொற்றி யூரும்
துறையூருந் துவையூருந் தோழுர் தானுந்
    துடையூருந் தொழஇடர்கள் தொடரா வன்றே 
… Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal ( Adaivu Thiruthandagam -6-71-4 )

Moolavar  : Sri Suttharathneswarar
Consort    : Sri Akilandeswari

Some of the salient features of this Temple are...
The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are under a mukha mandapam. Brahma Theertham is before the entrance of ardha mandapam. A Rishabam is facing the Brahma Theertha well / Ootru / Spring through an ardha mandapam hole. Dwarapalakas Dindini, Mundini, Vinayagar, and Murugan are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is a little big on a round avudayar. ( Moolavar is made of Ratha – a ruby stone that glitters during Camphor aarati ). In kostam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In praharam two Amman, Chandikeswarar, Rishabam, Sri Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Panchanadhana Stone Nataraja, Sivakami (face is tilted towards Natarajar to see the dance), Veerabhadra, Adhikara Nandhi (Human form with Rishabam head) and Natarajar Sabha.

Ambal is in a separate Temple facing east on the left side of moolavar. A Rishabam is in front of the temple. Dwarapalakis are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum entrance. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. Ambal’s various forms are in the kostam. Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar and Chandikeswari are in the praharam.




Brahma Theertham


ARCHITECTURE
The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. A spring Well also called Brahma Theertham is before the maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a prati bandha adhistanam with jagathy, muppattai kumudam, and Viyyalavari. The bhitti starts with vedika.

Since renovation is in full swing, we do not know the exact location of the sannidhis. The present Natarajar was in a big mandapam, which is empty now. The mandapam was built with various sizes, shapes, and period pillars. Some of the Pillar palakai above the kudam are very big, similar to the Rashtrakuta/Chalukya style, which is not commonly available in Tamil Nadu Temples.

The Natarajar was made of a variety of stone called Panchanadhana stone, which has the property of absorbing sun rays ( some of the other variety stones are Aalinganadhanam, Singanadhanam, Yaanainadhanam and Yazhinadhanam ). This Panchanadhana stone will emit an ohm sound when it is tapped.  

Panchanadhana Natarajar
Sivakami- See the head position tilted towards Nataraja
Dakshinamurthy Mandapam

 
Old Sabha Mandapam
Old Sabha Mandapam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
This original temple has existed since the 7th – 8th century Pallava period and the same was reconstructed as a stone temple during Rajaraja-I’s period also another temple called Chozheeswarar Temple was built in the same Village. About 42 inscriptions, which include, Rajaraja Chozha-I, Rajendra Chozha, and his son Rajadhiraja’s inscriptions are recorded from this temple.

The earliest inscription belongs to Rajaraja Chozha-I’s 24th reign year. Since the inscription was found in damaged condition only a few officials like Vel Mutharaiyan, and ThiruveNNavallalan, are readable.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s period inscription records an important message. Suruthiman Nakkan Chandran alias Rajamalla Mutharaiyan of Ootrathur died during a war with Chalukya when he was trying to kill the Chalukya king Sathriyasiriyan. In memory of him, his brother established an endowment by burning a lamp at this temple.



Kulothunga Chozha-I’s period inscription records that Kashyapa Munivar did a yagna and idangai Group, came from Yagna kund to destroy Asuras. They were taken to the new Agara along with the King and the Munivars. They were also allowed to carry their Cheppal / footwear and umbrella. These Indangai 98 Groups were made to settle at Thiruvellarai, Pachil, Thiruvasi, Thirupidavur, Ootrathur, Chennivala Kootram, Keeraikadu villages. Since they stepped down from the Chariot, on the left side of the Munivars, they were called Idangai. These 98 groups understood their early life and entered the King's 40th reign year. They agreed that the group would cooperate with each other and live like brothers. During their meetings, they should show their symbols of Kombu/horn, Kalam / an air musical instrument. Also, they were advised to wear Crane’s feather, loose hair, and conch should be blown before them. If anybody acts against these rules will be treated as enemies. This document was written by Thirunallurudaiyan Ilaiyakoil, Thiruchitrambalamudaiyan of Ainthu Nattar row.

Rajaraja Chozha-III’s period inscription records the sale of land. Rajaraja Valanattu Ootrathur Araiyan Mallan alias Bramatharaya Mutharaiyan’s Meikavalar  (Agambadiyar), purchased land from Sruthiman Nayan Choran alias Nerkulam Irungol for 6000 Narkasus. 

Ref: A Handbook issued during the Heritage walk


LEGENDS
As per the legend during Rajaraja Chozha’s visit to this area, the shrubs and creepers on the path were cleared. In the process, the tool spade hits a Shiva Linga made out of the purest Gem- ruby, which was hidden in the shrubs. Blood was oozing out from the Shiva Lingam and the same was reported to the king. Rajaraja Chozha constructed a temple in the same place called Suddha Rathneswarar. The Shiva Linga will glitter like a Rathna / ruby in the Camphor harati. Still we can see a hit mark on the moolavar.

It is believed that the Lingodbhava form of Shiva is one way connected to this temple. To get rid of the sin caused due to lying, as advised by Shiva, Brahma created a spring and brought all the holy water to the spring / Ootru and worshipped Shiva. Hence the theertham is called Brahma Theertham. It is believed that the Chozha King Rajaraja Chozha came to this place when he was ill. The holy water was sprinkled on him and he was relieved from the illness.

It is believed that Natarajar is made of herbals. Vetiver garland ( with 48 pieces ) is to adorn Natarajar and abhishekam will be performed. It is further believed that the abhisheka water will cure kidney ailments, if one takes it for 48 days ( one mandala ).

During his visit to this place, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal found that the stones in this Village resemble Shiva Linga. So he stayed near a Village and sang hymns in praise of Shiva of this temple. Hence that place was called Padalur, which is about 5 KM from this place.

It is believed that Suriyan worships Shiva of this temple. The Sun Rays used to fall on moolavar on Masi months 12, 13, and 14.


POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Arudra darshan, Vinayagar Chaturthi, Theipirai Ashtami, Valarpirai Panchami, Dakshinamurthy worship, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
Sri Pancha nathana Natarajar abhishekam will be from 10.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
Nataraja Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile at +91 9788062416 or Karthikeyan at +91 8883852198 & +91 8015402683 for further details.

HOW TO REACH
This Place Oottathur is 4.5 km off from Perambalur to Trichy Main Road. 
The temple is about 23 km from Perambalur, 35 km from Ariyalur, 47 km from Trichy, 68 km from Thanjavur, and 297 km from Chennai.
The nearest railway station is Ariyalur.
 
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE


Dwarapalakas
Chandikeswarar & Dakshinamurthy
Donor & Brahma
Brahma 
Rishabam looks Brahma Theertham through a Hole 
Nandhi in Human form with bullhead

Bairavar 
Veerabhadra

Dwarapalakis
May be Manickabasagar
Erotic sculpture
Vamana
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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