Paampuranathar Temple, Thirupampuram – The Temple
The majestic East facing temple has three storied Raja
Gopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Seshapureeswarar / Pambeesar /
Pampuranathar / Pambureeswarar / Sarpeswarar / Naganathar. Mother is called as Vandaar
Poonkuzhali / Bramarambal / Bramaramigai / Vanduserkuzhali / Maamalayatti. The
lingam is a small and beautiful. Aadhi Sesha Theertham is the sacred tank of
the temple is found just opposite to the temple tower. Lord Shiva in the temple
is a Swayambumurthy.
Planets Rahu and Ketu unlike separately in other
temples, they are here in a single body having Lord in their mind. Those who
worship Raghu-Kethu, the Lord and the Goddess of this holy place are expiated
from their sins. Their wishes are also fulfilled. Raghu and Kethu who are
responsible for this greatness have their shrine located in the North-East
corner. Thirupampuram has the combined power of the other five holy places
namely, Kudanthai, Thirunageswaram, Nagore, Keezha Perum Pallam and Kalahasthi.
This is the place where the Panchalingam represents the
five faces of the Lord. Since Rahu and Kethu assumed and lived in a single body
and worshiped Lord Shiva, this holy place is known as Raghu-Kethu Sthalam. Vinayaga
is seated at the base of the flag staff facing east and blesses all. The Altar
and the Nandhi are seen along with the flag staff (the flag staff is
ruined). The temple has the regular features - Sanctum, Artha mandapam,
Maha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. In the Southern courtyard (prakaram) the
deity of Thirumalai Easwaran is found.
There’s a Niche temple at the southern side for Lord
Siva, the deity is called Thirumalai Eswarar. Dhakshinamoorthy has been consecrated
to the south of the Koshtas. Sattainathar has a separate Sannidhi above the
Vimana of the Sanctum. He has been portrayed as in Sirkazhi temple. By climbing
the steps at Malaiyeesvarrar, one can worship the Sattainathar statue (which is
made up of Sudhai) over the Sanctum Santorum. Lord Vinayakar of this
sacred place (Thala Vinayagar) named Rajaji Pillaiyar is found in the Western
court of the temple. Next to this Lord Muruga manifested himself with Valli and
Daivayannai.
The holy tree of this sacred place viz., Vanni Maram
(Prosopis Spicegera) is estimated more than 250 years. Nagar statute with five
heads was consecrated under the Vanni tree. A statue of Lord Muruga along with his
mount peacock can be seen under the Vanni tree. Aadhi Pamburesar graces the
devotees seated at the trunk of this holy tree. He is known by his name
Vaneeswarar. On the Eastern side Bhairavar, Surya, Vishnu, Brahma, Panchalingams,
Adhiseshan, Raghu - Kethu, Saneeswara, Thirugnana Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar and
Manickavasagar are found in a separate Hall.
Sanctum
Sanctorum:
The central shrine of the Lord consists of three parts
viz., Mahamandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum Sanctorum (Karuvarai). In the
Sanctum Sanctorum the shrine of the Lord Pamburesuvarar manifests himself in
the shape of Suyambhu Lingam. The procession idol of Adhishesha manifests
himself worshiping the Lord in the Sanctum Sanctorum. The procession idols are
kept safely in the Mahamandapam. Lord Somaskandar finds a separate place
in the south of the Mahamandapam. The dancing Lord Nataraja is also found in
the Mahamandapam. Among the procession idols here, the idol of Lord
Muruga is a feast for the eyes. He is adorned with his Vajra and holy
Spear while trampling on the peacock with his left foot. At the northern
part of the Artha mandapam, an idol of Goddess Durga has been consecrated. There
is a moat encompassing the sannidhi with three sides of the moat covered by the
mandapam.
Amman
Sannadhi:
The Goddess Vandu Ser Kuzhali (also referred to as
Pramarambikai, Mamalaiyatti and Vandar Poonkuzhali) manifests herself facing
east at the left side of the Lord in the Northern court. She graces the
devotees with her four hands holding the lotus, granting the boon with the
second, dispelling the fear with the third and holding the sacred beads of
“Urththrakka Malai” (Eloeorpus) in the fourth. The Ambal has the lotus in one
palm and the rudraksha garland in the other, with the Varada hasta and Abaya Hastha
mudras blessing devotees.
Rahu
Kethu Sannidhi:
The ancient scripture states that Rahu and Kethu
worshipped the Lord and received his blessings in one body. Hence devotees who
worship the Lord Ambal and Rahu – Kethu in this temple are rid of all their
sins. The sannidhi for Rahu – Kethu is situated in the north – east corner in a
separate sannidhi. It is extremely beneficial to perform archanas and abishekam
in the Rahu Kaalam (the Rahu time of the day) as these remove all evils and
confer blessings.
Copper
Idols:
The copper idols cast between the 12th century
and 19th century at different periods of time is guarded safely in
the Thirupampuram Temple. The four armed idol of Vinayagar with its
ornamental arch (prabhai) must have been made during the 13th century. This
idol is now being worshiped as “Kanni Moolai Ganapathy”. The trunk of the
Ganapathy made out of copper is found holding a fruit. The Chandrasekharar idol
is one of the oldest idols. It belongs to 13th century.
Pradosha Nayakar idol belongs to the period of Cholas. The
God and Goddess manifest themselves on the lotus seat with its leaves. These
are considered as the Peria Thevar and Nachiyar Idols. Lord Shiva’s rear hand
hold a deer and battle–axe and one of the front hands shows the sign of
dispelling fear and assuring protection (Abhayam) and the other hand embraces
the Goddess.
Aadalvallan idol has four arms and is found in a dancing
pose overlooked by Sivakami and with a big arch behind. The big arch
contains 25 flames of fire (blazes). Lord Nataraja is found on a lotus seat
with leaves with his plaited locks of hair hanging on either side. Each
side contains five plaited locks of hair. In one plaited locks of hair
manifests Ganga with her head bent. Lord is wearing Cobra ear rings
on his ears and is also found wearing a string of beads around his neck and
other ornaments such as bracelets on his hands.
Two sets of idols of Subramanyar along with Valli and
Devayani are found in this Temple. There is a bigger idol of Subramaniyar in a
standing pose representing the destruction of Asura the Demon. He keeps his
left leg pressed on the back of a small pea-cock. The peacock is found holding
a snake between its beaks. He is carrying the low arrow in his front hands.
The usual ornaments are decorating his chest. He is
dressed up to his waist. The right leg is found with a shoe and is placed on
the floor. Valli and Daivayannai are found in their usual shapes. Sivakami
appears with a crown on her head, ornaments around her neck one hand imitating
as if holding a flower and with another hand resting upon the seat.
The other idols are Palliyarai Chokkar, Chandikeswarar,
Gnana Sambandhar, Appar Swamigal, Sundaramoorthy Swamigal, Manickavasagar Swamigal,
Yogasakthi Amman, Cholaththevar, Mariamman, Chelliamman, Adipura Amman,
Somaskandar, all are kept in the Mahamandapam. Adhiseshan idol is kept in
the Pampuranathar Karuvarai (Sanctum Sanctorum).