Engan Murugan Temple – The Temple
Engan Temple is a large temple with a beautiful 3 tier
Rajagopuram on the eastern side. There is a smaller 2 tier gopuram on the
southern side for Lord Muruga. The temple was built during the rule of Kulothunga
II. Though a Shiva temple, Lord Muruga enjoys greater importance
here. Presiding deity graces in the name of Lord Brahmapureeswarar and
Mother is called as Peria Nayaki Amman. Lord Vinayaka is known as Nardana
Vinayaka. In the month of Panguni (March-April), the rays of Sun fall on Lord Brahma
Pureeswarar for three days.
It is noteworthy that the idols of Lord Muruga in
Sikkal, Ettukudi and Enkan temples were sculpted by the same artist showing the
Lord on his peacock vehicle. The idols are made with rare sculptural skill that
the whole weight of the idol rests on a single leg of the peacock. Subramanyar
is located in a separate shrine and is facing south. So in this temple Lord
Subramanya is facing south side and resembles Lord Dakshina moorthy, so he is
known as Gyana karakan, looks like Natarajar and the hall is known as Sabha
mandapam. He is like kala Samhara moorthy so he is considered as Arul karakan.
The shrine of Lord Muruga is called Sabha as he has the
attributes of Lord Shiva and facing south. The Sabha is a hall where Lord
Nataraja performed his dance, an importance related to Chidambaram
temple. Also, Lord Muruga’s facing south has two philosophies. Lord
Dakshinamurthy is a south facing God granting wisdom to devotees. Yama the
God of Death belongs to the South. Lord Muruga protects his devotees
from fear of death ensuring longevity. Many had experienced these effects
praying to the Lord. Lord Muruga graces from his shrine sitting on the peacock
vehicle with his consorts Valli and Deivanai.
Of the six faces of the Lord, three are in front and
three behind. The Lord holds Vel his special weapon, arrow, sword, discus,
pasam the rope, trident, bow, armour, cock flag angusam etc. in his 12
hands. The gap between the fingers are clearly visible, a sculptural
marvel. The other wonder is that the entire weight of the idol firmly
stands on a single leg of the peacock. The Utsava moorthy of Murugan is an
exquisite replica of the main idol and is a treat to watch at close quarters
for the sheer brilliance of the sculpting.
The sculptural work is something marvelous with no
parallel anywhere in the world. Minute details such as nails and veins are
intricately carved. The peacock is holding a snake in its mouth and the snake
is curving with a hole. The sanctum of Brahmapureeswarar is east facing and Sanctum of Peria Nayaki
Amman is south facing. There are also shrines to Dakshinamurthy, Natarajar
Sivakami, Kasi Viswanathar, Bhairavar, Arunachaleswarar, Vinayaka, Saneeswara,
Navagraha, Anjaneya and Aadhi Narayana Perumal.
This temple also has the Samadhi of the sculptor who
merged with his beloved lord at this place. An interesting thing about
this temple is a staircase through which one can climb right to the terrace and
have a closer look at the gopuram. The Theerthams here are Netra Pushkarini,
Saravana Poikai, Vriddha Kaveri, Brahmma Theertham and Kumara Theertham. Sacred
Tree (Sthala Vriksham) is Vanni Tree (Proposis cineraria).
