The visit to this Sri Agastheeswarar Shiva temple at Purisai in Thiruvannamalai District was a part of Shiva and Vishnu Temples, Sculptures like Kotravai, Jyeshta Devi
at Purisai, Kilkolathur, Salukkai and Anumanthandalam on 2nd January
2022. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr
Babu Mano, Mr
Manoj L Chakravarthy, Mrs
Ruth, சுகுமார் அருள் and the members of “தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம்” for taking me to all these Temples and Heritage sites.
This is one of the Thevara Vaippu sthalam sung by Sundarar. In thevaram he mentions this
place as Purisai nattu Purisai along with Thennur, Thiruchuzhiyal, Thiruthevanur,
Ponnoor Nattu Ponnoor, under 6th hymn of Thirunattuthogai. Also this may be one of the Agastheeswaram
Sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal.
தென்னூர் கைம்மைத் திருச்சுழி யல்திருக் கானப்பேர்
பன்னூர் புக்குறை யும்பர மர்க்கிடம் பாய்நலம்
என்னூர் எங்கள் பிரான்உறை யுந்திருத் தேவனூர்
பொன்னூர் நாட்டுப் பொன்னூர் புரிசைநாட்டுப் புரிசையே.
........ சுந்தரர் 7-12-6.
நாடகமா டிடநந்தி கேச்சுரமா காளேச்
சுரநாகேச் சுரநாக ளேச்சுராநன் கான
கோடீச் சுரங் கொண்டீச் சுரந்திண் டீச் சுரங்
குக்குடேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரங்கூ றுங்கால்
ஆடகேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரமய னீச்சுர
மத்தீக்சுரஞ் சித்தீக்கர மந்தண் கானல்
ஈடுதிரை யிராமேச்சுர மென்றென் றேத்தி
யிறைவனுறை சுரம்பலவு மியம்பு வோமே
…. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் (
6-71-8 )
Moolavar :
Sri Agastheeswarar
Consort : Sri
Akilandeswari
Some of the salient features of this temple are....
The temple is facing west with a 3 tier Rajagopuram
and the temple tanks is on the South side. Balipeedam, Kodimaram and Rishabam
are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Entrance to the sanctum sanctorum is from
South through Ardha mandapam. Moolavar is of swayambhu. In ardha mandapam, bas
relief of Agasthiyar worshiping Lord Shiva and an image of Agasthiyar. In
addition to this bas reliefs of
Mahishasuramardini, Bhairavar, Lord Shiva with Parvati, Kannappa Nayananar
Purana, Devotees & Elephant worshiping Lord Shiva, Chandran, Suriyan,
Ayyanar, Veerabhadra, etc are on the wall of the ardha mandapam along with
Utsavars.
In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu,
Brahma and Durgai. In praharam Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena
Subramaniar, Natarajar, Bhairavar, Suriyan, Navagrahas, Nalvar and Chandikeswarar. Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing
Moolavar.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala,
ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The ardha mandapam out side walls has the
bas reliefs of 63 Nayanmars Purana, with Natarajar, Dwarapalakas, Parvati as
Kamakshi dabas and marriage with Lord Shiva, Kamadhakana murthy, Manickavasagar
Puranam, Ashtadik Palakas, Vinayagar, Murugan, etc. The entrance to
ardha mandapam has the bas relief of Gajalakshmi, Vinayagar, Murugan, Rishabam,
Agasthiyar, Ayyanar, Sanganidhi, Padma nidhi etc,.
The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple padabandha
adhisthana with Jagathy and three patta Kumuda. The Vimanam up to prastaram was
constructed with stone. The prastaram consists of valapi, Kapotham and
Vyalavari. The vesara Vimana above the prastaram is constructed with an
additional square upa greevam. Stucco images of Lord Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha
Vishnu and Brahma are in the upa greevam and greevam. Vimanam thangis are in
the greevam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Sundarar
has sung this place as Purisai nattu Purisai, the original temple might
have been constructed during Pallava
period and latter contributions received from Chozhas and Vijayanagaras. The
temple was reconstructed during Vijayanagara Nayakas period and inscriptions
are of 17th to 18th century are found on the adhisthana.
The Chozha period Chandikeswarar idol kept in the
prakara reminds Chozha’s contributions. The Nayanmar’s purana sculptures might
have been existed during pallava / Chozha period, re-installed back on the wall
during reconstruction.
During Chozha period This place was called as
Jayankonda Chozhamandalathu Purisai nattu Purisai ( Sundarar Thevaram also
records the same ). During that time this place capital for the Purisai Nadu.
The present Kalyanamandapam was constructed and
dedicated to this temple on 31st July 2011. The Stone Natarajar installed
in the praharam was gifted by Kalaipuli Thanu, one of the Director of Koliwood
film industry on 24th February 2017.
LEGENDS
As per the legend, the sage Agasthiyar, Sundarar
worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
In another legend, It is believed that this is one
the 108 Shiva Lingas installed and worshiped in Thondai mandalam by Agasthiyar
on the way to Pothigai Hills to balance the earth during Shiva and Parvati’s
celestial wedding.
The devotees worships Lord Shiva for removing Marriage
obstacles, Child boon etc,.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are
conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri and Adi month Fridays.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs
and 17.30 hrs to 19.00 hrs
CONTACT DETAILS
The Gurukkal Aravind may be contacted on his mobile
+91 8369840949 for further details.
HOW TO REACH
This place Purisai is about 700 meters off from
State highway Kanchipuram to Vandavasi Via Cheyyar. 12 KM from Cheyyar, 11 KM
from Vandavasi, 39 KM from Kanchipuram and 113 KM from Chennai Central.
Nearest railway station is Kanchipuram..
Natarajar Gifted by Kalaipuli Thanu a Koliwood Film Director
Chozha period Chandikeswarar
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
