This is the 126th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 9th Sthalam on the South side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Since there are two places of the same name as Thirukattupalli, to differentiate, this place is called as Melai Thirukattupalli and the other one near Thiruvenkadu is called as Keelai Thirukattupalli also called as Parthanpalli. Thirugnanasambandar and Appar mentions both the temples as Kattupalli and this place is now called as Thirukattupalli.
In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar Visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirunedunkalam.
சென்றுதிகழ் திருக்காட்டுப் பள்ளிச் செஞ்சடை நம்பர்தம் கோயில் எய்திமுன்றில் வலம்கொண்டு இறைஞ்சி வீழ்ந்து மொய்கழல் சேவடி கைதொழுவார்கன்றுஅணை ஆவின் கருத்து வாய்ப்பக் கண்நுதலாரை முன்போற்றி செய்து மன்றுள் நின்று ஆடல்மனத்துள் வைப்பார் வாருமன்னும் முலைபாடி வாழ்ந்தார்…………. திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal came to this temple after Worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirukkanur. He didn’t mentioned this place in particular, but as other temples on the way.
தலையின் மயிரைப் பறித்து உண்ணும் சாதி அமணர் மறைத்தாலும்நிலை இலாதார் நிலைமையினால் மறைக்க ஒண்ணுமோ என்னும்விலைஇல் வாய்மைக் குறுந்தொகையுள் விளம்பிப் புறம்போந்து அங்கு அமர்ந்தேஇலைகொள் சூலப் படையார் சேர் இடங்கள் பிறவும் தொழ அணையார்……திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
வேதனார் வெண்மழு ஏந்தினார் அங்கமுன்……… திருஞானசம்பந்தர் மாட்டைத் தேடி மகிழ்ந்து நீர் நும்முளேநாட்டுப் பொய் யெலாம் பேசிடும் நாணிலீர்கூட்டை விட்டுயிர் போவதன் முன்னமேகாட்டுப் பள்ளி யுளான் கழல் சேர்மினே……… திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் --எண்ணார் தருக்காட்டுப் பள்ளித் தகைகொண்டோர் சூழுந்திருக்காட்டுப் பள்ளியில் வாழ் தேவே…….. திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Agneeswarar, Sri Theeyadiappar Consort : Sri Soundara Nayaki, Sri Azhagammai
The followings are important features of this temple.The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram and the inner Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. Balipeedam, Rishabam and a small Dwajasthambam are in a newly constructed mandapam after the Rajagopuram. The Sanctum is 4 steps below the ground level and the entrance is too small. Moolavar is of swayambhu and short. A 5 hooded snake /nagar is on the top of the moolavar. No body is allowed to enter the sanctum. In koshtam Vinayagar, Yoga Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma and Durgai. Lingothbavar is in a separate sannadhi, instead of Deva koshtam.
In the outer prakaram Natarajar Sabha, Urchavars and Navagrahas. In Navagrahas all the 8 grahas are facing Sun.
In the inner prakaram Valampuri Vinayagar, Lingothbavar ( in a separate sannadhi and not in koshtam ), Arthanareeswarar, Sri Visalakshi & Viswanathar, Unnamulai Amman, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Sri Bhudevi, Sridevi samedha Srinivasa Perumal, Gajalakshmi, Saraswati, Chandikeswarar, Brahma ( in a separate sannadhi and his curse was relieved in this temple ) and Sattainathar.
There are two Dakshinamurthi ie Guru Dakshinamurthy and Yoga Dakshinamurthy in this temple. Yoga Dakshinamurthy is in Kurangasana with two hands. Wears Suryan, Chandran and Makarakandi Rudraksha in the neck. In the Front mandapa on the right side Bhairavar and Nalvar.
Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing south with Vesara Vimana. The dwarapalakis are of stucco. Stucco images of Shiva, Parvati, Murugan, Brahma, etc, are on the top of the Ambal temple Mandapam.
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSSince Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the temple might have existed during 6th to 7th Century. The temple was reconstructed in to stone temple during Chozha King Adithya- I, period.
As per the inscriptions this place was called as Pandya kulanasini Valanattu Thirukattuppalli, Pandya kulasini valanattu Eyila nattu Arkattu kootrathu melaimutti Thirukattupalli, Lord Shiva was called as Thirukattupalliudaya nayanar, Thirukattupalli Udayar and Ambal was called as Thirukamakottamudaya Periya Nachiar Azhakamarmangai.
The Pandya King Sundara Pandya’s 7th reign year Inscription records that Ambal Thirukamakottamudaya Periya nachiyar Azhakamar mangai temple was constructed with stone for which a land was donated by Virutharajabayangara Valanattu Manninattu Brahmadesam kottur Mathiyathana Kotturudayan Uthanyanseithan Vignavinayagan alias Chembiyan Pallavarayan.
The Pandya King Konerimaikondan period inscription records the Gift of land to Ambal Thirukamakottamudaya Periya nachiyar Azhakamar mangai temple as per the request of Kangeyarayan and Sethirayan. The order was issued in the form of Thirumanthira olai.
The Chozha king Rajaraja-I’s 13th reign inscription starts with his 1st meikeerthi as Kanthalursalai Kalamaruthu… records the gift of Land to this temple by Ambarudayan. This inscription also refers the Sakthimutram Temple.
A Vikrama Chozha’s 14th reign year inscription is incomplete and not legible…
The Vijayanagara King Mahamandaleswaran Kandakandari Chaluva Chaluvathirumali Thevamahayirajar records the exemption of taxes and the same to be paid to the temple for the Poojas and maintenance.
The Vijayanagara King Virupaksharaya’s son Prataba Devaraya Maharaya’s Saka 1387 ie 1466 CE inscription records the grant of Land to create Nandavanam and thoppu / a Coconut farm, Jackfruit etc, and to celebrate Viruksha vahana festival, to take the urchavars in procession on sacred bull vahana to the thoppu.
LEGENDSMaha Vishnu, Brahma, suryan, Bagirathan, Agni, Woraiyur King and his wife worshiped Lord shiva of this temple.
During puranic period Indra, and Devas came to this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva. Surya prayed Lord Shiva that, he was blamed that the things whatever he touches getting burnt and wants to relieve from that blame. Lord Shiva told Agni to create a Theertham, take bath and worship him to get rid of the blame and also the devotees who take bath and worship Lord Shiva will also relieved from their sins. The devotees who worships after taking bath in the Agni Theertham on Karthigai Sundays, Masimaham, Panguni Uthiram and Vaikasi Visakam will get the benefits.
It is believed that Jains lived here during 7th to 8th century and a 24th Tirthankara idol was unearthed form this place.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular Poojas, special poojas are conducted on Masi Maham and Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( February – March ), Brahmotsavam in the month Panguni ( March – April ), annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ).
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:The mobile number +91 94423 47433 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH: Buses are available from Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur, Thirukandiyur and Kallanai.The temple is 18 KM from Thiruvaiyaru, 25 KM from Thanjavur, 35 KM from Thirunedunkalam, 40 KM from Tiruchirappalli and 334 KM from Chennai. Nearest Railway Station is Budalur and Railway Junction is Thanjavur.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Inscriptions 
Inscriptions---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
கன்றுஅணை ஆவின் கருத்து வாய்ப்பக் கண்நுதலாரை முன்போற்றி செய்து
வேதனார் வெண்மழு ஏந்தினார் அங்கமுன்
……… திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
--எண்ணார்
Moolavar : Sri Agneeswarar, Sri Theeyadiappar
Inscriptions
Inscriptions
No comments:
Post a Comment