This visit to the Shri
Sivagami Amman Temple /பூலா
நந்தீஸ்வரர் சிவகாமி அம்மன் திருக்கோவில், at
Chinnamanur, in Theni District was a part of Varusanadu Payanam, a Heritage
walk to the temples and Heritage Sites, organised by Aatrupadai, on 20th – 21st September 2025.
Thanks to திருச்சி பார்த்தி, Prabaharan, and Bala Bharathi.
Moolavar : Sri
Poolanatheeswarar
Consort :
Sri Sivakami
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple faces east with a 7-tier Rajagopuram.
The temple tank and a mandapam are in front of the temple. Dwajasthambam,
balipeedam, and rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. Vinayagar and Dhandapani are
on both sides of the entrance to the ardha mandapam. A Rishabam and a balipeedam are
in the ardha mandapam. Moolavar is on a square avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar,
Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Thillaikali.
In praharam Suryan, 63 var, Saptamatrikas,
Santhanakuravars (Meikanda Devar, Arunandhi Sivachariyar, Marai Gananasambandar,
and Umapathy Sivachariyar), Shiva with Uma, Chitragupta, Veerabhadra,
Jwaradevar, Vinayagar, Kanneeswaramudayar, Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar,
Navagrahas, Natarajar with Sivakami in stone, Maha Lakshmi, Bairavar, and
Chandran.
Ambal, Sri Sivakami, is in a separate temple on the
left side of the Moolavar temple with a salakara Vimanam, Rishabam, and a small 2-tier Rajagopuram.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam and pada bandha adhistanam
with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai.
The pilasters are of Vishnukantha pilasters, with a square base, nagabandham,
kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, veera kandam, and poomottu pothyal.
The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasikudu, and vyyalavari. One
tala brick vimanam with greevam and nagara sigaram is on the bhumi desam.
Murugan, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the greeva and tala
koshtams.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple belongs to the early 8th century early
Pandya period, and is believed to have been built during Rajasimhan-I (740 – 768 CE). But 9th
9th-century Rajasimhan-II period inscriptions are the earliest. Based on the
inscriptions, the temple was built during the 9th century by Rajasimha Pandyan.
As per the inscription, this place was called Alanattu Arikesarinallur, A
Brahmadeya Village, and the temple was called Rajasimmeswaram Udaiyar. Shiva
of this temple was called as Poolavanesar, Palundanathar, Alavukku Alavanavar, Thazhuva
Kuzinthavar, and Ramasimheswaramudaiyar, etc.
ஸ்ரீ பூலாந்துறை உடைய நாயனார்
This place was called Gauravamangalam during
Rajasimha Pandya-II’s period, was converted into a Brahmadeya Village. During 1100
CE, this place was also called “Arapathaseekaramangalam”. Chinnamanur's south
side was called Aravarmangalam and Thirupoolanthurai.
Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan-I’s 3 reign (1270 – 1271 CE) inscription records the gift of land to Azha Nattu
Arikesarinallur Rajasimmeswaramudaiyar temple’s Devaradaiyar Mangali’s daughter
Nalla Thaya alas Vazhuthi Narayana Manickam, by Chembi Nattu Malgudi village Periya
Nayanaanan Vazhuthi Narayana Devan. The periphery limits, and witness names are
given.
Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan-I’s 41 reign (1308 – 1309 CE) damaged inscription records, the expenses for the
Rajasimmeswaramudaiyar temple’s Aani month 15th day festival,
donated something (what donation is not known) by the Merchant group of
Chernattu Chittis and Kala Chettis.
Sadaiya Varman Veera Pandya-I’s, 26th
reign year (1309 CE), damaged inscription on the sanctum sanctorum south wall
records some donations to Azha Nattu Arikesarinallur Thirupoonthurai Udaiya
Nayanar temple by the 4 Nagara Envishayathar Tharagar, Nattu Chettis, and Thana Chettis.
Sadaiya Varman Veera Pandya-I’s, 26th
reign year (1278 - 79 CE) inscription on the sanctum sanctorum south wall
records the donation of Tax money received for Pakku / betel nut, Rice, Pepper,
etc, for the Margazhi function by the Four Nagara Pathinen Vishayathar
Seevallavan.
Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan-I’s 41 reign (1309 CE) damaged inscription on the sanctum sanctorum north side wall records, some donations to Azha Nattu
Arikesarinallur Thirupoonthurai Udaiya Nayanar temple by the 4 Nagara
Envishayathar Tharagar, Nattu Chettis, and Thana Chettis.
Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan-I’s 26th
reign year (1293 - 1294 CE) damaged inscription on the sanctum sanctorum north
side wall records, the gift of 21 ma
land to the people cultivating in the field, and to the people who guard the cultivated
field by the Village Sabha.
Sadaiya Varman Sundara Pandya’s 6th
reign year inscription on the sanctum sanctorum north wall records the Tax on
Betelnut, Pepper, turmeric, etc, given
to this temple to meet the expenses for Saththupadi, Thiruparivattam, by the
Nalu Nagarathar and Pathinen Vishayatahar, assembled at Thiruvolakka
mandapam.
Sadaiya Varman Sundara Pandya’s 7th
reign year inscription on the sanctum sanctorum north wall records the Tax on
Betelnut, Pepper, turmeric, etc, given
to this temple to meet the expenses for maintaining Nandhavanam, by the Pakanur
Vallavapurathu Chitrambur Kizhavan
Thirumukkoodalandan Koothan, as requested by the Pathinen Vishayathar.
Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan-I’s 3rd
reign year (1270 -71CE) damaged 4 fragment inscriptions on the Sivakami Amman’s
sanctum sanctorum south side wall records, an endowment of Naivedyam and other
expenses to the Periya Nachiyar (Ambal Sivakami), by Thirukkaivel Ammaidevan
and his brother Tirunelveli Udaiyan. For the same 5 ma, land was gifted.
Sadaiya Varman Sundara Pandya’s reign inscription
on the mandapam records his meikeerthi in 3 lines and the 10th reign
year and the expenses for Nachiar (Ambal) thirukalyana utsavam by Pandya
Mandalathu Mudhukudinattu Velan Rajasomman. For the same a land was gifted to
this temple. The land periphery limits are also given.
The fragment inscriptions, inscribed on a flat stone
without the King’s name and reign year, record the gift of land by Nalliyanai
Vadapuliventhar Manickan.
Ref:
1. Theni Mavatta kalvettukkal by Dr Si. Manickaraj,
published by Pandyanadu Panpattu Maiyam.
2. South Indian inscriptions Volume XXIII, and XIV
Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1963, 1972, and 2007.
LEGENDS
The Kalpatharu tree had become a Poola tree with thorns due to the curse of Veerabhadra. A shepherd who carries milk to the palace on
this way, crossing the tree. He was toppled due to the obstruction of the Poola
Tree root, and the milk was spilt on one particular place daily. This was
brought to the notice of the King. As per his instruction, the tree was cut, and a Shiva Lingam was found. The poola tree got relieved from the curse and returned to Devaloka.
Once, the Pandya King came to this temple and found that the Shiva Linga was more than his height. So he requested Shiva to reduce his height. Since Shiva shortens himself to the height of the King, Shiva is
called “Alavukku Alavaanavar- அளவுக்கு
அளவானவர்”. Satisfied with Shiva’s grace, the Pandya King embraced
the Shiva Linga. The impression of his face and the chest guard on the
Shiva Lingam can be seen. Hence, Shiva is called “Thazhuva Kuzhainthavar – தழுவக் குழைந்தவர்”. It is believed that the Shiva Linga shortens its height to the height of
the devotees who worship it.
Since Rajasimha Pandya
worshipped Shiva of this temple, and Shiva was called Rajasimeswaramudaiyar.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted
on pradosham, Amavasya, Pournami, Maha Shivaratri, etc.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to
11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
HOW TO REACH
The Shiva Temple at Chinnamanur is about 9 km from
Uthamapalayam, 17 km from Cumbum, 23 km from Theni, and 102 km from Madurai.
The nearest Railway Station is Theni.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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