04th February 2020.
This Sri Agastheeswarar Temple’s Visit was a part of Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones and Heritage sites in Erode and Karur Districts, scheduled on 04th February 2020. This Temples visit was not planned and the Somur Gurkkal’s son who is taking care of this temple told about this temple. The place Thirumukkudalaur is at the confluence of rivers Kaveri and Amaravathi. People used to say that a third river either Mnimuthar or Noyyal. But the Map do not show the third river. It was Sri Agastheeswarar’s grace to visit this temple. Gurukkal and a Local lady had taken care of us like their own guest. We were very very happy to visit this unique Chozha period temple. The details of the uniqueness is explained in this article.
Moolavar : Sri Agastheeswarar
Consort : Sri Anjanakshi Amman
Some of the salient features of this temple are…..
The temple is facing east with a rajagopuram base structure with out top. Balipedam and Nandhi are after the Rajagopurtam entrance. Ambal sannadhi is on the right side of the mukha mandapam facing south. Nandhi with balipedam of Ambal sannadhi are in the prakaram. The mandapam in front of the Ambal sannadhi is in dilapidated condition. Arumugar, Arthanareeswarar, Kali, Nandhi, Dwarapalakas, Suryan, Chandran, Murugan and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar are kept as loose sculptures, since the temple is in a dilapidated state and the sculptures are kept in a safe custody.
In Prakaram there is a Manimuthareeswarar Shiva Sannadhi with Ambal sannadhi, Vinayagar, damaged Durgai, Thavvai / Jyeshta Devi and Sandikeswarar. A headless hero stone is found along with a muniappan in-front of the temple and the details will be written separately.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists sanctum sanctorum, antarala, arthamandapam and a mukha mandapam. The adhisthana is with jagathi, virutha Kumuda, Kandam, Kapotham with nasi kood, yazhivari ( Vyazha vari ). The sanctum walls are supported with Vishnukanda pilasters and Virutha pilasters. The uniqueness of this temple is, above the Kalasam of the pillar, kumbam, pali, palakai, veerakandam, tharanga pothyal, prastharam, Mathalam in valabi, and Vimana are built with brick.
The Vimana is of ekathala. Stucco images of Shiva forms like Dakshinamurthy, Pickshadanar, Vishnu, Brahma are on the Nagara Vimana.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple was built before 10th Century and Ambal sannadhi was built during Vijayanagara period. As per the Vijayanagara period inscriptions this place was called as Mukkudal and Lord Shiva was called as Mukkudal Aludaya nayanar. The inscription records the endowment established towards poojas and naivedyam.
The adhithanam has the Rajarajan-I period inscriptions and the same starts with his meikeerthi.
During 14th century Malikafur invasion the temple was left without any pooja. The temple was rebuilt many times. The Ambal temple entrance stone pillar has the upside down inscriptions and the walls has the Vijayanagara period inscriptions. During recent period flood in the Amaravathi and Kaveri Rivers, the south side compound wall was collapsed. Mukha Mandapa pillars are scattered on the right side of the entrance.
LEGEND:
It was told that Sri Agasthiyar and Vali wants to worship lord Shiva at this place. Vali went to Kasi to bring a Shiva Linga. Since it was getting late Agasthiyar made Shiva Linga out of river Sand and worshiped. ( A pillar bas relief shows that Agasthiyar worshiping Lord Shiva ). After hearing this Vali told Agasthiyar to remove the Sand Linga with that one, brought from Kasi. Agasthiyar told to remove the sand Linga with his tail and place his Linga. Vali tried and couldn’t do so. Instead he was fallen down at Ayalur and the Linga was installed there.
POOJAS & CELEBARATIONS
Mahashivarathri and Pradhoshams are celebrated in a grand manner and annathanam will be served on that day.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
Since orukala pooja is conducted the opening and closing times are un predictable.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Gurukkal Sundaramurthy may be contacted on his mobile 8675225081 for further details.
HOW TO REACH:
The temple is about a KM from main road.
Thirumukkudalur is 14 KM from Karur, 82 KM from Erode, 106 KM from Salem and 400 KM from Chennai.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
Ambal sannadhi
Agasthiyar worships Lord Shiva
Vijayanagara period donor / King
Jyeshta Devi
Durgai
The stucco images on the Vimana Pickshadanar
Koshtas and Thorana sculptures
Vijayanagara period inscriptions.
Chozha King Rajaraja-I's period inscriptions
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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