This is the 133rd Thevara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 16th sthalam on the south side of River Kaveri, in Chozha Nadu. This is the 7th, saptasthana temples, which ends with Mangai around Chakkarapalli. During Chozha period this place was called as Thirupullamangalam and now called as Thirupullamangai and Pasupathi Koil. How it obtained these names are not known.
In PeriyaPuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Chakkarapalli.
தலைவர்தம் சக்கரப்பள்ளிதன் இடை அகன்றுஅலைபுனல் பணைகளின் அருகுபோய் அருமறிப்புலனுறும் சிந்தையார் புள்ள மங்கைப்பதிகுலவும் ஆலந்துறைக் கோயிலைக் குறுகினார்
Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. To prove the first line of this hymns, there is a honey comb in the artha mandapam jala.
பொந்தின் னிடைத் தேன் ஊறிய பொழில்சூழ் புளமங்கைஅந்தண் புனல்வரு காவிரி ஆலந்துறையானைக்கந்தம்மலி கமழ் காழியுள் கலைஞான சம்பந்தன்சந்தம்மலி பாடல்சொலி ஆடத் தவம் ஆமே........ திருஞானசம்பந்தர் -“நன்குடையஉள்ளமங்கை மார் மேலுறுத்தாதவர் புகழும்புள்ள மங்கை வாழ் பரம போகாமே.……….. திரு அருட்பா Moolavar : Alanthurai Nathar, Brahmapureeswarar Consort : Alliangothai, Soundaryanayaki
Some of the salient features of this temple are....The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Nandhi are in the Mukha mandapam. Ambal is in the mukha mandapam facing south. Moolavar is of Swayambhu, little big in size. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar ( Brahma and Vishnu are standing on both sides ), Brahma and Durgai.
In Prakaram Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas and Nalvar.
ARCHITECTUREThe Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Ardha mandapa pillars are of Ganga style, even kodikarukku can be seen on the kumbam, kalasam etc. The out side sanctum sanctorum is in the form of moat, may be due to rise of Ground level.
The Koshtas are brought out side to enhance the beauty of the temple. Panchara are shown between Karnapathi and Salaipathi. The pancharas top finishes at the kapotha alpa nasi. The koshta portions are on a adhisthana with Padmam, virutha kumuda, Kapotham & Yazhi vari and rest are on a padabandha adhisthana with Virutha Kumuda. The prastharam is of kapotha style and vyalavari is shown in the bhoomi desam. The bhuta ganas are shown in valabi. Various images are in the haram. The Vimana was built with stone up to second level. The greevam, Sikaram are built with brick.
Durga panel is considered as a special one in this temple. Durga is standing in tribhanga posture, on the head of Mahisa with 8 hands (Ashta bhuja Durga ). A Venkotrakudai / Umbrella is shown above her head. She holds Conch, Chakra, Gatha, Soolam, Shield, Ankusa, Sword and bow in her hands. The Lower right hand is in abhaya hastham with ring finger is in folded mudra and left hand is holding the bow. An ambura or the arrow holder is shown on her back. Her Vahana, Lion and Deer are also shown. On the left side one hero is shown doing Navakanda ( offering his head ) and on the right side a man is shown cutting the flesh of his body to offer to Durga. It is believed that the Durga Statues of Thirunageswaram, Patteeswaram and this temple are chiseled / sculpted by the same sculptor.
Similarly the Vinayagar Panel ( Devas, Bhuta ganas ), Dakshinamurthy Panel ( Sanakatha munis, tiger ( seems like a cat sleeping on its lap ), Lion and Lingothbavar Panels (Vishnu in the form of Varaha and Brahma in the form of Human ) are very unique. The adhisthana ( Lower ) Kanda portions, there are inch sculptures ( குறுஞ்சிற்பங்கள் ) or the miniature sculptures of epic Ramayana ( not in order – Chozha Epic Ramayan ) and the Vethikai ( upper) Kanda portions has got the various forms of Lord Shiva. These are the special features of this temple. Vimanam thangis are shown on the salaipathi. The Vimana has the sculptures of Animals, Birds and Human. The “Pull birds”, which are responsible for the name of the place in the Artha mandapam Bhuta vari.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSSince Lord Shiva of this temple was praised by Thirugnanasambandar in his Thevara hymn, this temple might have existed since 6th to 7th Century as a brick temple. The temple with artha mandapam was reconstructed with stone during Parantaka Chozha - I ( 907 – 955 CE ) period. The mukha mandapa was extended during Maratha period.
As per the inscription this place was called as Kilar kootrathu Brahmadesam Thirupullamangalam during Parantaka period and during Rajarajan-I period the same was called as Nithavinotha Valanattu Kilar Kootrathu Brahmadesam Thirupullamangalam and Shiva was called as Thirupullamangalathu Mahadevar. How the name Thirupullamangalam has changed to Pasupathikoil is not known.
The inscriptions belongs Parantaka Chozha-I, Sundara Chozha, Adithya Karikala and Rajaraja Chozha – I.
KoRajakesaribarmar ( Sundara Chozha )’s 15th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp with a one ulakku ghee by Virasihamani Pallavaraiyar. For the same 90 Saava Moova peradu ( Sheep / Goat ) was gifted to this temple.
Koparakesaribarmar ( Utama chozha )’s 3rd reign year inscription records that the Village sabha of Pullamangalam assembled in the court after announcement, for selling a tax free land measuring 1.5 ma, situated at Kandamangalam, to the Kilapidari temple, at the centre of the Village for 25 Elakasu, received from Karanattar of the same locality. The Land is stated to have been confiscated out of 3 ma land belonging as Kavidikkani, to Thiruvenkattadigal alias Elunutrraimbattunalvan the madhyastha of the Village and his brothers, as the former failed to render the account of the money and paddy left incharge for the disbursement of certain Vellalas and Brahmins.
Koparakesaribarmar’s 5th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp to Thiruvalanthurai Mahadevar temple for which a land was gifted by Madala Nakkanjami.
Koparakesarbarmar ( Uthama Chozha )’s 6th reign inscription records the endowment of morning pooja offering / Naivedyam by Sembiyan Mahavai Vanarayar for the same a land was gifted to this temple after purchase.
Koparakesaribarmar’s 7th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which a land was gifted to this Tiruvalandurai Mahadevar after purchase from the mahasabha of Pullamangalam by Aridhan Maranarayanan.
The Village Mahasabha gave a gift of land at Sri Kandamangalathu Kizhar to the musicians who plays “Thimilai”, in this temple. The Ganga King Prithvipati, who supported the Vallam war for Parantaka, gave a gift of land to this temple.
This temple was many times subjected to the flood in River Kaveri and was covered under sand dunes. It is believed that during Arcot Nawab’s invasion, the temple was under sand dunes and hence this temple was not damaged much.
As per the inscription available Kanchi mutt, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal visited this temple in 2000.
LEGENDSIt is believed that Ambal Parvati worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple in the form of Chakkaravaha ( Pull ) bird, hence the place is called as Tirupullamangai.
This is the 5th temple of SaptaSthana temples around Chakkarapalli. The Sapta Rishis and Sapta Matrikas worshiped Lord Shiva of Chakramangai, Ariyamangai, Soolamangai, Nandimangai, Pasumangai ( Pasupathy Koil ), Thazhamangai and Pullamangai. Lord Shiva of Pasupathy Koil was worshiped by Kamadhenu.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), Annabishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Durgai worship on Fridays and every month Pradosham.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 16.00 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:The mobile numbers +919791482102 and +918056853485 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH:The temple is on the banks of rover Kaveri and off Kumbakonam to Thanjavur Road.The temple is 27 KM from Kumbakonam, 28 KM from Thanjavur and 305 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Moolavar : Alanthurai Nathar, Brahmapureeswarar
Since Lord Shiva of this temple was praised by Thirugnanasambandar in his Thevara hymn, this temple might have existed since 6th to 7th Century as a brick temple. The temple with artha mandapam was reconstructed with stone during Parantaka Chozha - I ( 907 – 955 CE ) period. The mukha mandapa was extended during Maratha period.
Makarathundam
SRI PASUPATHEESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUPULLAMANGAI / PASUPATHY KOIL
This temple is also in the same Village V Pasupathikoil on east side Thirupullamangai.This temple also considered as the 133rd Thevara Paadal petra Shiva Sthalam and 16th Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu.
Moolavar : Sri Pasupatheeswarar, Sri Pasupathy nathar, Sri Brahmapureeswarar, Sri Alanthurai nathar.Consort : Sri Soundara Nayagi.
Some of the important features of this temple are…..The temple is facing east with a three tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Rishabam and Dwajasthambam are after the Rajagopuram. A small rajagopuram is at the entrance of Sanctum sanctorum. The sanctorum was built with moat. In the Sanctorum Moolavar is swayambhu.
Some of the sculptures are, Durgai & Mahishasura mardini with stone umbrella. Standing on buffalo, holding sangu and chakkaram, sword, gathai, soolam, kedayam and Angusam. Kamadhenu performed abhishekam with milk.
The temple was built by Chengat Chozhan. This is one of his Mada Koil. The temple was little damaged during war.
CONTACT DETAILS :Mobile number is + 91 97914 82102 may be contacted for further details.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
