24th November 2019.
The visit to this Thirukkarai Eswarar Temple was a part of Pallava and Choha period temples Visit scheduled on 24th November 2019. After Kattur Uthira Vaithyalingeshwarar Dharshan, we came to Manampathy little late and found the temple was closed after Uchikala pooja. It was told that the temple will be opened only after 16.30 hrs. Decided to visit one or two temples around Manampathy. After Visiting Mullipakkam Parasuramar Temple and Agaram Sri Kailasanathar temple, came once again to Manampathy.
Moolavar : Sri Thirukkarai Eswarar
Consort : Sri Padalambigai.
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are in front of the Mukha mandapam. Vallabha Ganapathy, Navagrahas and Parambarai dharmakartha photos are in the mukhamandapam. Chozha dwarapalakas are at the entrance of mahamandapam. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai. In the inner prakaram Suryan, Nalvar, Two Veerabhathirars, Urchavars, Mahaganapathi, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Two Bhairavars ( one Bhairavar is sitting on the Dog ) and addition to this a balipeda and a Nandhi are there. In the outer prakaram there are loose sculptures which includes Sapthamatrikas, Vinayagar, Veerabhathirar and a Jyeshta Devi.
Ambal temple is on the right side immediately after the 5 tier Rajagopuram. Ambal temple is facing south with Sanctum and arthamandapam. Balipedam and Simha vahanas are in the arthamandapam. Stucco images of Garbarakshambigai, Kamakshi, Sri Meenakshi, Sri Lakshmi Durgai and Sri Saraswathy.
ARCHITECTURE
The sanctum sanctorum is on pathabhandha adhisthana. The Vimana over the adhisthana is of Gajabirushta vimana. The Vimana is of single tier. The prastharam is of kabotha style. The prakaram ceiling matches the level of prastharam.
HISTORY
The temple was constructed during 10th to 12th Century Chozha period and Chozha period inscriptions are found on the sanctum walls and Kumuda. The inscriptions are white washed and are not in readable condition. The front mandapa was constructed during Vijayanagara and Nayaks.
Kumbhabhishekam was conducted 1960, 1989, 2002 and 2015.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
HOW TO REACH:
Thiruporur to Manampathy a Town bus is available.
The temple is about 11.4 KM from Thiruporur, 9.5 KM from Tirukalukundram and 18 KM from Chengalpattu.
Nearest Railway station is Chengalpattu.
Inscriptions
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---