Uthamanadha Swamy Temple, Keeranur,
Pudukottai
Uthamanadha Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Keeranur Town in Kulathur Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. Presiding Deity is called as Uthama Nathesvara / Uthamanadha Swamy and Mother is called as Brahadambal / Brihannayagi. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu declared by Archaeological Survey of India.
Legends
As per legend, Sage Suga is believed to have performed intense penance in the forest here. A king on a hunting expedition came to this forest. The sound emanated from the arrows disturbed him. The king realised his mistake and begged for forgiveness to Sage Suga. Sage Suga ordered him to build this temple. Hence, the place came to be called as Sugapuri.
History
The Temple is believed to be built by Ko Ilango Mutharaiyar in 9th century CE. Uthama Dhaani was one of the titles of Ko Ilango Mutharaiyar. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Uthama Nadhesvara. Inscriptions belonged to Kulothunga Chola III, Rajaraja Chola III, Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya, Vijayanagara Kings and Thondaiman rulers can be seen in the temple premises. The place was called as Uthamanathapuram in the inscriptions found in this temple. Raghunatha Raya Thondaiman (1769 – 1789 CE) added a prakaram to this temple.
The Temple
The Temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. It has two prakarams. There is a 16 pillared mandapa situated outside the rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Nandi and Dhwaja Sthambam can be found immediately after the rajagopuram facing towards sanctum. The Temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and golu mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Uthama Nathesvara / Uthamanadha Swamy and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
Mother is called as Brahadambal / Brihannayagi. She is housed in a separate shrine in the temple premises. She is depicted in standing posture. Shrines of Vinayaga, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Nataraja, Durga and Dakshinamoorthy can be seen in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this Temple is Suga Theertham. It is situated on the north eastern side in the outer prakaram. Sthala Vriksham is Magizha Tree.
Festivals
Vaikasi
Visakam is the most famous festival celebrated here with much fanfare.
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 500 meters from Keeranur Bus Stand, 1 Km from
Keeranur Railway Station, 2 Kms from Kulathur, 10 Kms from Narthamalai, 23 Kms
from Pudukottai, 24 Kms from Trichy Airport and 34 Kms from Trichy. The Temple
is situated on Trichy to Pudukottai route.
