Monday, September 4, 2017

Tharuka Vaneswarar Temple, Thirupparaithurai – The Temple

Tharuka Vaneswarar Temple, Thirupparaithurai – The Temple
Paraithurai Nathar temple is huge with an area of around five acres. This is a Mada temple where the shrines of God and Goddess are located on a raised platform. There are two prakaras in the temple. The temple is facing east. At the entrance of each prakara there is a separate temple tower. The outer prakara's tower is the main tower (Rajagopuram) which is seven tiered. Big Ganesha idols are found at the entrance of this main tower (Rajagopuram). The temple tank and 100-pillared mandapa are located outside the tower but within an ornamented arch entrance.



Presiding Deity is called as Tharuka Vaneswarar / Paraithurai Nathar and Mother is called as Hemavarnaambal / Pasumponmyilambal. Sthala Vriksham is Paraai tree. The sanctum Santorum of Paraithurai Nathar, the shrine of Pasumpon Nayaki and a small mandapa are all located on a raised platform (Mada Koil architectural style). Lord graces here as a Swayambu Linga. The sanctum Santorum has a small Shiva Linga idol. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord on 18th Purattasi (September-October).


The mandapa pillars have two beautiful bas-relief images of Nataraja with his one leg raised towards the sky and the dancing Kali. At the entrance there is a Ganesha idol. In the maha mandapa, there is a small Nandi idol facing the sanctum. The sanctum is facing the east direction. Outside the maha mandapa, there is a separate shrine for the Goddess facing the south direction. The Goddess is found in the standing posture. A small Nandi idol is found facing this shrine too. In addition, the maha mandapa has a shrine for Nataraja-Sivakami and a collection of various bronze idols; the beautiful idol of Bhikshatana is notable one.



The architecture of the inner prakara depicts the antique beauty of the temple. The prakara has raised pillared platform (thinnai) on either sides. The idols of Sapta Mata, Pidari, Nalvar, Ganesha, 63 Nayanmars, Appu Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Teyu Lingam, Ayyanar, Sona Lingam, Subramanya with his consorts, Vishnu, Mahalakshmi, Bhairava, Surya, Chandra, Nava Graham, Gangala Murti and Durga. The small shrines of Somaskanda, Ganesha, Subramanya with Valli-Devasena and Gaja Lakshmi are also found in this prakara. The idol of Subramanya inside the shrine is particularly very beautiful.


The koshta idols which are found on the outer walls of the main shrine are notably beautiful. Especially, the idol of Dhakshinamoorthi is found in a small mandapa-like structure and looks very attractive. Lord Arthanareeswara graces the devotees in the wall behind the sanctum sanctorum instead of Lord Lingodhbava. The idols of Brahma and Ardhanareeswarar are also very attractive. There are also idols of Ganesha and Durga found on the outer walls. The Chandikeswara idol found in a small shrine as usual in the typical South Indian Shiva temples is also beautiful in this temple.


The outer prakara is an open space with a lot of trees. Two shrines are found here - Kanni Vinayaka and Dhandayuthapani. The holy tree of the temple is also found here with a small Shiva Linga idol. It is believed that this tree cures cancer disease. The flag post, dhwajastambha and Bali peetha are also found in the outer prakara facing the main shrine. In the Navagrahams present here, only Lord Saneeshwara has a Vahanam, the remaining Gods don’t have Vahanams. In the wall close to the Vimanam, it is written that five towers can be seen from that point. As written, if we stand in that place, we can view 5 towers including the Main Raja Gopuram.


This shrine is mentioned as “Utthama Seevi Chathur Vedhi Mangalatthu Thirupparaai Thurai” and the God is called as “Paraai Thurai Mahadevar” and “Paraai Thurai Parameshwaran” in the inscriptions. Lord Vinayaka praised as Parali Vinayaka graces outside the temple in a standing form. Lord Shiva as Bikshadana graces in the Mandapa as a procession deity. The 12 zodiac signs are drawn on the roof of the mandapam. Worshipping Lord Shiva and Lord Bikshadana standing under the zodiac sign would relieve the devotee of all the adverse effects caused by planets, it is believed.  Lord Bikshadana also has his place in the prakara-corridor. 


Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai grace the devotees from a shrine in the prakara sung by Saint Arunagiriar while Lord Dhandayuthapani wearing sandals graces from a shrine nearby. Sandeswarar Sannadhi dome is supported by the pillars hold by lion to watch carefully. Nandhi mandapam was built at latter state. The mandapam pillars have the sculptures of Manickavasagar, Tirugnanasambandar, Appar and the Ve. Veera. Nagappa Chettiyar who had done thirupani to this temple.  


In days of yore, the region was a jungle dense with Parai trees from where the Shivalinga was found and the temple built here.  Lord was named Paraithurai Nathar. There is a Shivalinga under the Parai tree behind the sanctum sanctorum. It is said that Lord appeared from this place. Mother Pasumpon Mayil Ambikai and Lord Nataraja grace from their shrines in the prakara facing south.  During the Vaikasi (May-June) Brahmmotsavam, Lord Nataraja comes in procession not accompanied by Ambica. The system seems to be different here. The Cauvery near the temple is revered as Akanda (wide) Cauvery. The river bifurcates at a distance of 2 kms from here as Cauvery and Kollidam.