Uma Maheswarar Temple, Konerirajapuram – The Temple

Uma Maheswarar Temple, Konerirajapuram – The Temple

This temple is facing towards west with an entrance arch. There is a mukha mandapam immediately after the entrance arch. Kodimara Vinayagar, Balipeedam Dwajastambam and Nandi can be found in this mandapam. Paintings of 63 Nayanmars, 12 Rashis, five faces of Lord Shiva (Thathpurusha, Sathyajotha, Vamadeva, Aghora & Eesana) and Sages can be seen in the ceiling of this mandapam. There is a second level gopuram with three tiers at the entrance of inner prakaram.

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, ardha mandapam. The sanctum is square on plan. Presiding Deity is called as Uma Maheswarar / Maamani Eswarar / Bhoominathar and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam in a square avudaiyar. The Lingam is about 4.5 feet tall. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy (self-manifested). The sanctum is supported by four pillars representing the four Vedas.

Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Agastya, Nataraja, Lingothbhava, Rishabantika, Bikshadana, Jurahareswarar, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Sculptures of Vishnu and Brahma in worshipping posture can be seen on either sides of Lingothbhava in the koshta behind the sanctum. Thus, devotees can enjoy the darshan of all the three lords (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva).

The vimana above the sanctum is of Ashtadwarapala design (eight sided & curvilinear). The images of ashtadhik balakas can be found in the vimana. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. This shrine enshrines images of Chandikeswarar and Sundara Kusambika. There are three idols of Chandikeswarar in this temple. There is a cloistered mandapa running around the compound wall of the inner prakaram.

There is a sculpture of Gandaraditya Chola offering prayers in front of a Lingam and Sembian Madevi standing behind him on the southern side of the inner wall of the temple. There is an inscription below this sculpture. It records that the temple was built by Queen Sembian Maadevi built this temple in memory of her husband, king Gandaraditya Chola. There is a separate shrine for Kalyana Sundarar and Goddess Parvathy in their wedding posture near the sanctum.

An idol of Lord Mahavishnu is also present with them. The idol depicts him as participating in the marriage ceremony and handing over Goddess Parvathy to Lord Shiva. The temple is famous for its massive bronze idol of Nataraja in the world. It is bigger than the Nataraja Idol at Chidambaram. The temple is famously called as Nataraja Temple. The Nataraja idol is not taken out for procession.

There are only three other temples namely Madurai, Uthirakosamangai and Konerirajapuram in India where there is no procession of Nataraja takes place. This shrine is situated in outer prakaram. The idol measures 8.5 feet tall and 5.5 feet breadth. It is said that the idol is Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). He is accompanied by a majestic idol of Shivagami. He appears more human in look in this temple. It is unusual to notice warts, nerves, scars, etc on his body.

The sword cut could be seen on the idol even today. There is another smaller Nataraja along with his consort Shivagami can be seen next to the Swayambhu Nataraja. This idol is taken out for procession. The temple has the finest and richest collection of bronze images. The procession idols are kept in the Swayambu Nataraja shrine. Mother is called as Angavala Nayagi / Mangala Nayagi / Dhega Soundari. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine in the outer prakaram.

Her shrine looks like a separate temple. Her shrine consists of sanctum, antrala and ardha mandapam. There is a separate shrine for Tripura Samhara Murthy. It is believed that Lord Shiva burnt the three demon brothers namely Tarakaksha, Vidyunmali and Veeravana and their forts simply with his laughter. People pray here on Ashtami of new moon fortnight (eighth day from the full moon day) to conquer fear of death and to seek relief from the trouble caused by their enemies.

Shrine of Vaidyanathar can be seen next to the Mother shrine. This shrine is considered equivalent to Vaitheeswaran Koil. There is a shrine for Muthukumaraswamy in the temple premises similar to Vaitheeswaran Koil. Yaga Sala can be seen next to Vaidyanathar shrine. There is a shrine for Shanmuka Subrahmanya in the outer prakaram. He is depicted with six faces and is twelve armed. He is flanked by his consorts Valli and Devasena.

There is a shrine for Maha Ganapathy in the outer prakaram. His shrine is guarded two bhuta ganas. One bhuta gana is depicted with banana bunch on his head and the other with a jack fruit on his head. Both these shrines are in interchanged position from their usual location in the Shiva temples. Nataraja Sabha and Utsava idols shrine can be seen in the inner prakaram. There is a separate west facing shrine for Saneeswarar in the temple premises.

Unlike the other temples where black cloth is offered to him, here he is adorned with white cloth.  In other places, black til is used in his pooja; here white til is used.  There is a Navagrahas shrine in the temple premises. All the planets in this shrine are facing towards Suryan. There is a Shiva Linga believed to have been worshipped by the Navagrahas can be seen in the temple premises. There is shrine enshrining six images of Vinayaga in the temple premises.

Shrines and Idols of Aala Mara Vinayagar, Brahma Lingam, Agastya Lingam, Agneeswarar, Sanathkumara Lingam, Shenbakaranyeswarar, Sundareswara Lingam, Pasupatheeswarar, Kanva lingam, Kailasa Nathar, Vinayaga, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Mahalakshmi, Nalvar, Bhairavar, Rahu Kala Durga, Agni and Suryan can be seen in the temple premises.

There are also beautiful murals on the walls of the temple depicting scenes from the Chola period.  Theerthams associated with this temple are Brahma Theertham, Sakthi Theertham, Gnana Koobam and Bhoomi Theertham. Sakthi Theertham is situated outside the temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Peepal Tree (Arasa Maram) and Vilvam Tree. The Vilwa tree has 13 leaves in each stem.