Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi – The Temple
The
temple has a vast Prakarams
(courtyards) with high walls of enclosure. There are two
sets of seven-tiered gopurams on the outer walls of the enclosure. The original
shrine during the period of the Nayanmars included the shrine of Brahmapureeswarar, on the
southern bund of the temple tank; the Thoniappar shrine on a mound west of the
central shrine, and the Sattanathar shrine in the second floor reached from the
southern praharam (outer courtyard) of the Thoniappar shrine by a flight of
steps.
The
enlargement of the original temple happened during the period of Kulothunga Chola I, Vikrama
Chola, Kulothunga Chola II and Kulothunga Chola III (as in Chidambaram - 11th through the 13th centuries).
The temple is
a holy site for Hinduism and thousands of devotees come to pay homage to
the deities. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. This is a vast
temple complex with three different Shiva Shrines.
The
shrine of Brahmapureeswarar in the form of a Shivalingam is housed at the
ground level; the first tier houses Periya Nayakar with Periyanayaki on a
‘Thoni’ (and hence the name Thoniappar) in the form of a colossal image of
human form as Uma Maheswarar; and Bhairavar as Sattainathar/ Vaduganathar in
the second tier.
The Ambal is known as Thirunilai Nayagi. From the steps
leading to the Thoniappar and the Vaduganathar shrine, one can grasp the entire
layout of this vast temple and its towers and mandapams.
There is
also an Ashta Bhairavar shrine and the temple is a center for Bhairava worship
where special pujas are conducted every Friday till midnight. There is a
separate shrine for Tirugnanasambandar located in between Moolavar and Ambal
shrines.
This well maintained temple is under the administration of the
Dharumapura Adhinam. Main Theertham is Bhrama Theertham. There are 22
Theerthams associated with this shrine.
Urchavar
is Somaskandar and Thala Virutcham of this Temple is Paarijaatham and
Pavalamalli. This is the 14th Shiva temple on the northern bank of Cauvery
praised in Thevaram hymns. Sattainathar is the powerful God. This
temple is named by his name. There are 47 inscriptions in this temple.
Brahmma
Pureeswarar is called as Thirukazhumalamudaiyar, Thoniappar as
Thiruthonipuramudaiyar, Ammai as Periya Nachiyar, Thiru Gnanasambandar Peruman as
Aludaya Pillaiyar.
