Vakrakaali Amman & Chandramouleeswar Temple, Thiruvakkarai – Architecture
Chandramouleeswar temple is located in Thiruvakkarai, a village located on the banks of Varaha River,
located 20 km (12 mi) from Villupuram on the Villupuram - Gingee
road. The temple in its current structure built of stone was built by the Chola
king Aditya I (870 - 907 CE). The temple has a
seven-tiered Rajagopuram, the gateway tower that pierces the rectangular
wall that houses all the shrines.
The temple tank is located adjacent to the temple. The
sanctum houses the image of Chandramouleeswar in the form of Lingam, an iconic form of Shiva. There is an Ardha Mandapa and
a Mukha mandapa, pillared halls leading to the sanctum. The first precinct has
the images of Vinayakar, Murugan, Durga, Dakshinamurthy and Chandikeswara. The second precinct has a hundred pillared hall. There
is a separate shrine for Varadaraja Perumal and Vakra Kali in the second
precinct.
Lord Murugan with twelve hands is seen seated on Peacock
along with Valli and Devayani. Kundalini Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi is there within
the temple premises.
There are many things contradictory to tradition. The
temple tower, Dhwajasthambham, Nandi and main deity Siva Lingam are not in
straight line. They are from one another. The chakra, which Varadaraja holding
in his hand is different from usual one. Sani Bhagavan Vahanam crow is seen to
left side of him instead of right side.
The Temple has three main components with the most
famous Vakrakaali Amman in the fore court, the Chandramoulishwarar and
Amritheshwari (also known as Vadivudai Amman) in the middle and Varadaraja perumal
in the back so all three major gods are here though Vakrakaali is the most
popular temple here.
Kandaraadhithan Thirugopuram
This gopuram lies in between the second stage of
Rajagopuram and in the right of the temple with lot of sculptures, called ‘Kili
gopuram’, looks beautiful with a 100 -pillared mandapam. But it is in a
dilapidated condition and the devotees are warned not to go inside. It is
believed to have been built 2,000 years ago.
It is located opposite to the Deepalaksmi Shrine.
Although this remains closed, the important temple festivals are conducted
here.The Chandra Mouleeswarar temple, situated on 10 acres of land, was built
by King Aditya Chozha.
If anyone affected by the grahas comes and worships
Vakrakaali, Vakralingam, and Vakra Sani Bhagawan here, they will be rid of the
troubles and the sorrows and lead a happy and peaceful life.
Vakrakaali Shrine
As soon as one crosses the Rajagopuram, one can see the
sanctum sanctorum of Vakrakaali. She appears with a skull on her head as crown,
a dead foetus on her right ear, and has eight hands. She blesses her devotees
with one leg folded on the Peetam and the other hanging down. Full Moon days
are special for this Goddess and devotees throng here to worship her on this
day.
Her head is surrounded by a halo of flames and she wears a skull garland. As usual, she wears a
skull crown and the corpse of a new born in her right ear as ear ring. Her eight hands carry different weapons like Pasam,
Chakra, sword, dagger, Damaram, shield, skull cup and her index finger on left hand points towards the ground. Saint Adi Shankara is said to have cooled her down
by installing a Sri Chakra under her feet.
Since the deity is similar to many
sculpture of Pallava period, it can be taken as a work of Pallava period.
Kanda lingam Shrine
To the opposite side of the Kaali temple is the sanctum
sanctorum of the Aathmalingam. As the demon worshipped with this lingam, it is
also called as Vakralingam. The lingam feels cool to touch during summer and
droplets of water are found during rainy season.
Dwarapalakis
Outside the Kali Temple, Unusual sighting of four women
in odd sizes, with tonsured heads, in the place of Dwarapalakas are found,
2 on each side. The history of Dwarapalagis explains us the compassion of
Goddess Vakrakaali.
The four Dwarapalagis belonged to the Yadava caste this
livelihood by selling milk and milk products. But these four sold adulterer
milk by adding water to it. On coming to know this, the King ordered the four to
be beheaded after shaving their heads. Before being beheaded, the four realized
their mistakes and prayed to Vakrakaali, Vakrakaali saved them and gave them
the status of Dwarapalagis.
Chandramouleeswar Shrine
This is the main sanctum. Nandi can be found facing the entrance of the Shrine. This shrine is a separate temple in all aspects.
Lord Siva’s name is ‘Pirai Soodiya Peruman’ and He is
also called Chandra Mouleeswarar. The Lingam here is the Gnanalingam and has
three faces (Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva). The east face is known as Thatpurudam,
north face is known as Vaamadevam and the south face is known as Agoram to
which there is teeth (Korai Parkal) seen out at the ends of mouth. This is
visible only during the milk abishekam is performed to Lord Siva.
His consort is known as Vadivambigai Amman. Pooja is
done for the Thatpurudam with turmeric smeared on the face at dawn; at noon,
sandal is smeared on the face of Vaamadevam, and in the evening, the face of
Agoram is smeared with saffron powder (kungumam).
Each kalam pooja is done to each face of the lingam
including three Abishekams. Each face was shown for Chandra, Brahma and Indra
after they prayed to Shiva here.
The inner shrine has the usual Koshta Vigrahas
Dakshinamurthy, Vinayaka Arumugham, Brahma, Durga and Chandikeshwarar. There
is a rare Bhairavar and Kalabhairavar inside.
Valampuri Ganapathi
Inside the sanctum sanctorum of Vakrakaali Yogeshwara
Lingam is in the right and Valampuri Ganapathi is in the left. Valampuri
Ganapathi is rarely found because only one out of 108 Shiva temples has
Valampuri Ganapathi. Therefore, the darshan of his Valampuri Ganapathi can give
one of the benefits of going to 108 temples of Shiva.
Unusual Lord Nataraja
Shrine
Lord Nataraja’s sanctum sanctorum is at the back of
Pirai Soodiya Perumal’s sanctum sanctorum. The Lord is found dancing the ‘Rudra
Tandavam’ where His left foot is planted on the ground and right feet lifted up
(usually He stands with His right foot lifted and left foot on the ground). Also
his hair is tied up and not flowing, like in other temples.
Ten feet Dwarapalakas stand on either side of this
sanctum.
Amruthambikai Shrine
Once entering the temple, Ambal Amruthambikai
(@Vadivambigai, Vadivudaiamman) Sannidhi is located on the right side and the
main Shiva Sannidhi in front. The Ambal Vadivudaiamman is seen standing about 5
feet tall and blessing devotees facing south.
Lord Varadaraja Perumal Shrine
The idol of six feet tall Lord Varadharaja Perumal can
be seen in a separate shrine behind the sanctum and it is said he appeared before his devotees
after killing the demon at this place. He is having prayoga Chakram in his hand. He is gracing the devotees without his consorts. Behind the Perumal’s sanctum sanctorum
is the Sahasralingam. The distinctive feature of this Lingam is that it has
1,008 Lingams carved on the main Lingam.
There is no Thayar Sannidhi here. Inside is a rare
vigraha of Vishnu as Ram + Krishna with flute in right hand and a bow in the
left hand. This was the darshan he gave to Rukmini and Radha the
Ramakrishna Rupam. This shrine has been built by Kochengat Cholan.
Further down you have a Sannidhi for a kotilingam and a
navagraha Sannidhi with Shani having his mount the crow on the left (Vakram).
Kundalini Maharishi Samadhi
Kundalini Maharishi Jeeva Samadhi is situated to the right side of the sanctum. A huge Lingam is installed above his final resting place. This place is famous for meditation.
Deepalaksmi Shrine
There is a shrine for Deepalakshmi, situated opposite to the Sanctum. Unmarried girls pray here for early marriage.
Sapthamatharkal
Sapthamatharkal namely Varahi, Indrani, Gowmari,
Vaishnavi, Pirmani, Dunmukhi and Samundi are seen inside the temple. Goddess
the mother Adhi Parasakthi herself in the form of kali is here in the place of
Chamundi. These sculptures showcase the artistic excellence of the later Pallavas.
Prakaram
Various Sculptures can be found in the prakaram of the Temple. There are Vinayaka Idol under a Tree, another Vinayaka Idol with big Mooshika, Vehicle of Lord Vinayaga and Vishnu Durga in the prakaram.