The visit to this Sri Kalahastheeswarar Temple at
Purasakudi, was a Part of “Saptha Mangai Temples Visit”, organised by Kumbakonam Regional
History Research Sangam ( K.R.H.R.S ) கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம்
- on 10th March 2024.
The Village obtained the name of Purasakudi,
due to the sthala vruksham of this Shiva Temple. The parivara deities names are
starts with Gnana. This Temple is believed to be the “Southern Kalahasti”.
Moolavar :
Sri Gnana Kalahastheeswarar
Consort :
Sri Gnanambigai
Some of the salient features of this temple
are….
The temple is facing east with balipeedam and
rishabam. Stucco image of Shiva and Parvati are on the Rishaba mandapam.
Moolavar is on a square avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Gnana Maha Vishnu, Gnana Brahma and Gnana Durga.
Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south.
Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.
In praharam, Gnana Vinayagar, Gnana Valli Devasena
Subramaniar, Gnana Saraswati ( with
right hand in Chin mudra and left hand is holding chuvadi / palm leaves ),
Gnana Lakshmi, Gnana Suriyan, Navagrahas, Gnana Chandikeswaras ( Two ), Gnana Sundara
Varadaraja Perumal with Ramar, Sita, Lakshman, Anjaneyar, Alwars, Sthala Vruksham
Purasa Tree with a Shiva Lingam and Vivak Gnana Shiva Lingam.
Suriyan
Saraswathi
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum,
antarala and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam and pada bandha
adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts
with vedika. The pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam,
palakai and vettu pothyal. The temple was constructed with stone from upanam to
half of the wall. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. The Vimanam is
of eka tala with greevam and vesara sigaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu
and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the original temple
belongs to 11th to 12th century Chozha period, received
contributions from Pandyas, Nayakas and Maratas. Pandya’s, Sundara Pandyan
period inscription starts with his meikeerthi.
LEGENDS
As per the legend, Sri Kannappar ( Original
name was Thinnan ), one of the 63
nayanmar and an ardent devotee of Shiva. He used to offer the meat of the
animals which he hunted in the forest. Shiva wants to show Kannappar’s bhakthi, to this world and tested him through flowing
of blood from his eyes. First Kannappar removed his one of the eye and applied
to Shiva. Now the flood started came from the second eye too. Kannappar, hold
Shiva’s eye spot with his leg and tried to remove his second eye too. About to
remove, Lord Shiva appeared before Kannappar
and blessed him.
In another Legend, Shiva was worshipped by a
snake with precious gems, and Elephant worshipped with flowers. Hence Shiva is
being called as Kalahastheeswara.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are
conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days, Amavasya, Pournami days, Fridays,
etc,.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 08.00
hrs. to 12.00 hrs. and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs and pooja timings are 09.30 hrs
to 10.30 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
HOW TO REACH
The temple at Purasakudi is about 5.2 KM from
Ayyampettai, 29 KM from Kumbakonam, 16.KM from Thanjavur.
Nearest railway station is Ayyampettai and
Junction is Thanjavur.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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