14th September 2019.
Visit to this temple was a part of Temples Visit in and around Sirkazhi, on 14th and 15th of September 2019. Srimushnam is also called as Tirumuttam. This Shiva Temple is just behind the Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple. How this place obtained the name as Srimushnam ?. The answer may be, Mustha in Sanskrit means, the Korai root ( கோரைக்கிழங்கு - Cyperus Rotundus ) which is a favorite food of boar / Varaha. This mustha / Mustam added with Sri and called as Srimustam, which latter corrupted as Srimushnam. This Shiva temple is under the control of Archaeological survey of India ( ASI ).
Moolavar : Sri Nitiswaraswami / Sri Nitheeswara Swamy / Niteswara Swamy / Nityesvara
Consort : Sri Brihan Nayaki / Periya Nayaki
Some of the important features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a temple tank Nityapuskarani with Neerazhi mandapa at the centre. ( the temple tank of Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy ). A mottai gopuram or the entrance arch is at the entrance. The Sanctum sanctorum complex consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and a muka mandapam. At the entrance of muka mandapam Nandhi, Dwajasthambam and balipedam. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Umamaheswarar, Agasthiyar, Dhakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Arthanareeswarar and ashtabhuja Durgai.
In prakaram Armugar ( damaged ), Sandikeswarar Navagrahas, Thirugnanasambandar, Appar, Sundarar, Vinayagar, Bhairavar, Suryan and the recovered idols. Out side the temple sannadhis for Sri Haripureeswarar, Sri Valli Devasena Shanmugar and Ambal Brihan Nayaki / Periya Nayaki. Ambal is in a separate temple with Sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and mukamandapam. Nandhi and balipedam are in front.
ARCHITECTURE:
The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pathabhanda adhisthana built with stone up to prastharam. Bhoothaganas are in valabi and yazhivari is above the prastharam. The sanctum sanctorum and arthamandapa pillars are of cylindrical/ virutha type. The front mandapa is of Vavvalnethi style was built by the Marathas.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple may be existed since 9th – 10th Century ie before Kulothunga Chozha – I ( 1070 – 1120 AD ). The earliest inscription belongs to Rajakesarivarman Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 30th year rule. This inscription mentions about the gift of the Village Sangantavirattachozha Nallur ( named after Kulothunga-I ) and Adivaraha Nallur to the temples of Tirumuttam Udaiya Mahadevar and Sri Varaha Alwar ( Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple ). These Villages are in Mudikonda Chozha nallurin Vilandaiyur Kootram, a subdivision of Irungolappadi, by the king when he was seated on the throne called Sedirajan in his palace at his camp at Tirumaluvadi in Poigainadu.
Kulothunga Chozha’s, 32 year rule another inscription mentions that at the instance of Kulothunga Chozha Sauvarnadhiraja and another, the separation of the above two Villages was ordered, when he was at Ayirattalai which was also called as Minavanai Venkonda Chozhapuram.
The Rajarajan-III’s 6th year rule inscription of Kulothunga Chozha Kadavarayan, speaks about reduction / remission of padikaval and other levies due to the donor from the devadana lands, for worship to the god at Srimushnam also known as Tirumuttam in Vilandai-kootram ( Kurram ), a subdivision of Merka-Nadu Irungolappadi in Virudarajabhayankara Valanadu by Alappirandan Elisaimogan alias Kulottunga Chozha Kadavarayan, a Palli having the kani-right in Urumur alias Cholapandya Chaturvedimangalam alias Erumbur, for the merit of himself and his family (See also A.R. No. 137 of 1900).
Another inscription dated at 1100 by Kulothunga Chola-I (1070–1120AD ) mentions a gift of a village to the temple, where the presiding deity is referred as Varaha Azhwar.
The 44th year rule of Kulothunga-I, mentions the gift of three kasus for burning of perpetual lamps at Tirumuttam Udaiyar by Anantisan Adavallan of Suravalundur ( ARE236 of 1916). In addition to this there are inscriptions belongs to Vikrama Chozha ( 1118 – 1125 AD ) and Vijayanagaras.
THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:
Orukala puja is conducted. Since the temple is under the control of ASI, kept open during day time.
HOW TO REACH:
The temple is 36 Km from Chidambaram, 20 KM from Ulundurpet and 72 KM from District head quarters Cuddalore and nearest Railway station is Uldundurpet.
Srimushnam can be reached through the Anaikarai to Meensurutty road.. divert Vadalur on Chennai route at Sethiyathope. You will reach Chozhatharam and from there Srimushnam is about 12 KM on Virudhachalam road.
Ambal Temple
Nandhi in mandapa in front of Ambal shrine
Vinayagar
Dhakshinamurthy
Sanakatha maharishis
Arumugar
Brahma
Arthanareeswara
Ashtabhuja Durga
maratha paintings
Kudakoothu
mahalakshmi in makara thorana
Brick wall may be Nayak period construction
Entrance mottai gopuram
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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