The second Visit to this temple was a part of
“Trichy Heritage Walk” organised by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே- Group”, to the Historical Chozha period temples,
in and around Trichy aka Tiruchirappalli, scheduled on 20th & 21st
March 2021. ( This is the up dated post and first visit details of our first
Visit is given below ). Even after the damages done by the Muslim invaders,
they still stands majestically with 1000 and odd years old history, Heritage
and culture values. Even-though they were contributed by the Pallava, Chozha,
Pandya, Vijayanagara Kings and the present Nattukottai Nagarathars, they are
less popular. The temple is on the northern banks of River Kaveri. This place
was called as Mahendra Mangalam, which signifies that this place was big and famous
city during Pallava period.
Lord Shiva Devotees claims that this temple is a
Vaippu sthalam, which was mentioned in Thevaram sung by Sundarar. In that he
mentions this temple along with the temples of Courtallam and Thiruvaimur. Also
kongu satakam mentions Kulithalai, where this temple situated was the southern
periphery Limit of Kongu Nadu.
கொங்கிற் குறும்பிற் குரக்குத்
தளியாய் குழகா குற்றாலா
மங்குல் திரிவாய் வானோர்
தலைவா வாய்மூர் மணவாளா
சங்கக் குழையார் செவியா
அழகா அவியா அனல்ஏந்திக்
கங்குல் புறங்காட்(டு)ஆடிஅடியார் கவலை
களையாயே
----சுந்தரர் தேவாரம்
வடக்கு தலைமலை வைகாவூர் தெற்கு
குடக்கு பொறுப்பு வெள்ளிக்குன்று
களித்தன்டலை மேவு காவிரிசூழ்
நாடு-குளித்தன்டலை அளவு கொங்கு
.... கொங்கு சதகம்
Moolavar : Thirukurakkuthurai
Perumanadigal
Consort :
Some of the salient features of this temple
are....
The temple is facing east. The might have at an
elevated during construction of the temple. The koshta murtis are damaged
during muslims invasion.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple was constructed with stone from
Adhisthanam to prastaram and super structure was constructed with brick.
The Southern side Pichadanar with Jadamakuda is
in standing posture wearing high level Paduka – padakoradu. He is wearing Hara
and snake as Thol valai. One of hand holds Damru and the other one feeds grass
to Deer. A Dwarf Bhuta Gana near him is playing a musical instrument with a smile
in his face. If the Nose was not damaged, he would be a more beautiful.
The Dakshinamurthy is sitting under the
Kal-alamaram. An owl, a squirrel is jumping for a fruit, akkamala and Pokkanam
( Vibuthi ) bag are nicely shown on the
Kal-alamaram. Dakshinamurthy is in Veerasana sitting posture with Jada Makudam.
Flower and Kapala ( Skull ) are shown on
the Jadamakuda. Dakshinamurthy is wearing Makara and Padra Kundala, Snake, Deer
and Muyalakan are under his feet. Two munis are one both sides holding palm
leaves. Two simhas and Bhua Ganas are on the right side. On the left side
Kinnaras are playing Veena and Thalam, Tiger sleeping on its mate with ears up
straight as if they are listening Dakshinamurthy’s teaching. In the Chitra
Thorana, looks like Mahishasura Mardini and her crew warriors fighting with
asuras sitting on the lions.
Next to Dakshinamurthy Panel, a man with
protruding teeth and folding arms, holding simha faced Tholvalai. He is wearing
Karanda maguda, padre Kundala in the ears, Sarapalli, Yagnopaveetha and wearing
a half dress below the hip.
The West koshta is empty. On both sides are ladies
with smaha ( whisk bearers ). They were shown wearing silk sarees ( frills and
folding are neatly carved ), Pavalabaranam and yagnopaveetha. Legs and hands
are broken.
The west side Chithra thorana, Varaha with
Bhoomadevi sitting on his lap is shown at the centre. While Varaha’s upper
hands are holding conch & Chakra, the lower hands are holding Bhoodevi. On
the above warriors fighting with each other sitting on simhas, Dwarf bhuta
Ganas and Asura like Mahisan are also shown. On the left Nandhi is shown
playing Kinnari. A Bhuta Gana with a keerthi Mukh in its stomach opens it’s
mouth and mocking at Nandhi. Right side Bhuta Ganas sitting Lalitasana in
malai thongal. The Yazhi warriors are shown emerging out of Makara thundam.
Chitra thorana on the western koshtam
Chitra thorana above Dakshinamurthy
On the North side Koshtam Brahma’s legs and hands
are damaged. Wearing a silk dress, Jada makudam, wearing Kundalas in the ears,
Kandigai, sarapalli savadi on the neck and yagnopaveetha on the chest. Brahma
is Holding Akkamala and Kundigai in the upper hands. On both sides are the
devotees in Anjali hastham with flowers in their hands.
On North side Artha mandapa koshtam a damaged
Dakshinamurthy, brought from elsewhere was installed. Some of the inch
sculptures / miniature sculptures are there like, Chandesa Anugraha, Ladies
helping a pregnant lady, dancing girls, Gaja Samhara are worth to see.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
The temple was constructed during 9th century,
Parantaka Chola Period. The temple was reconstructed during recent years by
Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ) and declared as a Protected monument. As
per the inscriptions this place was called as “Kurukkuthurai” and Lord Shiva is
called as "Kurukkuthurai Perumanadikal". As per the historians, the
original temple might have been constructed by Pallavas and the same was
reconstructed with stone by the Chozhas.
Aditha Chozha’s 24th reign year
inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Sathavethneelan
of Thottiyam. For the same a land measuring 1.5 ma was gifted to the temple.
Parantaka Chozha’s 29th reign year
inscription records that a land was
purchased as irayili for 156 kalanju & 8 Manjadi gold.
Rajakesari Varmar’s 7th reign year
inscription records the endowment of land measuring one makani gifted to this
temple after sale by Panachchan Thoovethi narayanan kali. The Periphery limits
are mentioned in the inscription.
Parantaka Chozhas 37th reign year
inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp and a Stand land
by Kilinallur Kizhavan Pagan Sarpadevan alias Chembiyan Kizhar Nattu Kon. For
the Perpetual lamp 12 Kalanju gold and the stand lamp Cheppu pot and a Silver
plate was gifted.
Parantaka Chozha’s 30th reign year inscription
records that gift of one ma land by Panachchan Narayankrishnan’s wife Kalineeli
and the periphery limits are given.
Parakesarivarman’s 14th reign year
inscription records the endowment for burning a day lamp by Thenkarai
Kurunaganattu Valakkootran Pidaran Kandan’s wife Chathiramani for the same 4
buffalos and male buffalo/ bull was
gifted to this temple.
The inscription mentions as Thirukurakkuthurai Perumanadigal
LEGENDS
Since this place is on the banks of river Kaveri,
the place where people enters the river is called as “Thurai”, due to this, this
place might have obtained the name as “Kurukkuthurai”.
Since Sugriva worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple,
Lord Shiva is called as Kurangunathar.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
No poojas and celebrations are conducted in this
temple.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple is under the control of Archaeological
Survey of India ( ASI ), declared as a protected monument. The time of opening and closing depends on the ASI rules and
regulations.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The care taker is near this temple and may be
contacted for opening.
HOW TO REACH
The temple at Srinivasanallur is 45 KM from
Tiruchirappalli, 47 KM from Karur, 51 KM from Namakkal, 94 KM from Thanjavur,
125 KM from Kumbakonam and 355 KM from Chennai.’
Nearest Railway station is Tiruchirappalli.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE 
