The
Visit to this Sri Swayambhunathar Temple at Peralam was a part of Shiva and
Maha Vishnu Temples around Sirkazhi
Visit on 1st & 2nd July 2023. This place was named
after the Perala Munivar, who did a
penance on Shiva for thebenifit of all atmas / peoples.
Stucco images of Dharumai Adheenams on both side of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar
Moolavar :
Sri Suyambunathar / Swayambhunatha Swamy
Consort :
Sri Bhavani
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing West with a 5 tier Rajagopuram
and the second level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. Stucco images of Shiva and
Parvati as Rishabaroodar and Tharumai adheenams are on the top of the mukha
mandapam. Adhikara Nandhi with his consort is in the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam
and Dwajasthambam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. Stucco dwarapalakas
are at the entrance of Sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is of swayambhu. In Koshtam,
Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Ashta bhuja Durgai.
In praharam, Sahasara Lingam, Chandikeswarar,
Saniswaran, Bairavar, Durgai, Suriyan, Adhi Swayambhunathar with Rishabam,
Chandran, Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Nalvars, Nagars, Somaskandar,
Vinayagar, Perala Maharishi, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Maha Lakshmi,
Utsava murtis of Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Natarajar, Chandrasekarar and
Mariamman.
Ambal is in a separate sannidhi in mukha mandapam
facing south.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctoum, antarala,
ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a kapota bandha
adhisthanam with jagathy, vrutha kumudam and kapotam with nasikudus. The bhitti
starts with Vedika. Vishnu kantha pilasters are on the bhitti. Kumbha panjaras
are between Salaipathi and Karnapathi. Koshtas are protruding out side as padra koshtas with silambhu kumudam
on a padma jagathy. An eka tala Vesara Vimanam is on the prastaram. Stucco
images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva are in the greeva koshtam. Brahma and Maha Vishnu
are with their consorts.
The Mandapas are of Vavvalnethi mandapas, may be
built during Marathas period.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the original temple belongs to
11th to 12th Century Chozha period and may be
reconstructed and extended during Maratha period.
This temple is under the administrative control of
Dharmapura adheenam and Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 29th
January 1959, 2002 and on 27th January, 2023.
LEGENDS
The Perala Munivar did a penance on Shiva of this
temple and has got the boon of, that all the Atmas to rid of the Kali dosha
after worshiping Shiva of this temple and this place to be called in his
name.
The Moolavar is of Swayamabhu. Indra, Perala
munivar, Yagyavalkiyar ( got the boon of Brahma gnanam ), Shukracharya ( boon
of giving life to dead body ), Markandeya and Vishvamitra ( has got the boon of
leaving shathriya body and obtained a Brahmana body ) worshipped the Sri
Swayambhunathaswamy of this temple and got various boons.
Perala Munivar
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are
conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar Chathurti etc,.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to
12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs
CONTACT DETAILS
HOW TO REACH
The temple is at a walking distance from Peralam
Bus stop,
18 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 36 KM from Kumbakonam, 52 KM from
Thiruthuraipoondi , 82 KM from Thanjavur, and 272 KM from Chennai.
Nearest railway station is Mayiladuthurai.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Ashtabhuja Durgai
Bas-relief inside the Nasi kudu
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
