17th April 2019.
After witnessing Koovagam Koothandavar Temple Aravan Chariot procession, on 17th April 2019, had been to this temple at Sithalingamadam. This place was called as Sirringur – சிற்றிங்கூர்- during Chozha period and how it changed to Sithalingamadam is not known.
Iraivan : Sri Viyakrapatheswarar
Iraivi : Sri Neela Visalakshi
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Temple pond is on the right side. Palipedam, Dwajasthambam, Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. Next is the vahana mandapa. The sanctum sanctorum is about 3 feet below the ground level. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam. Dwarabalakas are in the artha mandapam. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.
In the prakaram, sannadhi for Naalvar, Kalinga narthanar, a Donar idol, Dhakshinamurthy, Vinayagar, Sapthamathas, A Shiva Linga with Ambal, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Murugan, Nagars, Viyakrapatha maharishi, Gajalakshmi, Sani Bhagavan, Bairavar, Suryan and Chandran. Ambal Sri Neela Visalakshi is in a temple like sannadhi with sanctum, antarala and Arthamandapam.
In the outer prakaram immediately after the Rajagopuram, on the right side there is a Lagulesar bas-relief panel. The Lagulesar is in leelasana sitting posture. He holds the laguda or dhandam in his right hand with a snake curled. This Lagulesa bas-relief indicates that Lagulesa Pasupatha cult in Shiva worship was practiced in this region.
Inscriptions: The temple has more than 80 inscriptions. The presence of Madurai Konda Parakesari Varman Paranthaka-I ( 907 – 985AD) indicates that the temple was built before 10th century. As per the inscriptions Iraivan’s name is mentioned as Tiruppulippagavadevar and Thiruppulisvara Mahadevar and the place as Sirringur, a brahmadeyam in Kurukkaik-kurram in Maladu also called as Jananatha-valanadu.
The inscriptions belongs to Paranthaka-I ( Mathirai Konda Parakesari varman), Rajaraja-I, II & III, Rajendran-I, RajadhiRajan-II( 1173-74AD), Kannaradeva also called as Krishna-III, Kulothunga-I & III, Vikrama Chozha ( Parakesarivarman), Pandya Kings Vikrama Pandydeva-II ( 1274 AD), Maravarman Virapanyan (1347AD), Konerimaikondan Sundara Pandyan, Sundarapandyan –I( 1263AD), Vijayanagar Kings Virupaksha Maharaya (1485AD), Krishna Raya Maharaya ( 1513AD) and Rajanaraya Sambuvarayar. The inscriptions are mainly in Tamil. Kulothunga-I period sanscript inscription is also available. The inscriptions mainly speaks about donation of tax fee land, money, Gold, towards burning of Perpetual lamps , conducting regular poojas like Thirupalli yezhuchi, Arthajama Pooja, etc. During Kannaradevan’s period a land was donated to a Thevaradiyar to conduct drama.
This temple is one of the Thevara Vaipu sthalam. Vinayagar argued with Sundarar and made him to sing a hymn on this temple hence Vinayagar is called as “Vathadum Vinayagar”. Viyakrapathar got Lord Shiva’s dharshan in this temple, hence Lord Shiva is called as Vyakrapatheswarar. Sri Gnanandha Swamigal, before settling Thirukoilure Thapovanam, stayed here for quite some time.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hra to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
HOW TO REACH:
The Place Sithalingamadam is between Thiruvennainallur to Thirukoilure.
11 KM from Thirukovilure and 13.1 KM from Thiruvennainallur, 33 KM from Villupuram.
LOCATION:CLICK HERE
Sapthamathas
Lakuleesar in the outer prakaram
A sample inscription
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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