Thirumakalam Mahakalanathar Temple – The Temple
The temple covers an area of 6 acres and has
several towers with attractive stucco images. Presiding Deity is called as
Maahaleswarar / Mahakalanathar / Kaalakandeswarar. Lord Shiva being a
Swayambumurthy is facing east. Mother is called as Pakshayambigai / Acham
Thavirtha Nayaki. Ambar is yet another Shivastalam near Ambar Maakaalam,
and Somaasi Maaranar's Yaagasaalai is located between the two temples. An image
of the Chandala form of Shiva is seen in the Ambar Maakaalam temple.
A number of inscriptions from the period of Kulottunga
Chola I (1075-1120) are seen in this temple, speaking of endowments made to the
temple. It was during his period that the Ambal shrine was built. The stone
structure of the sanctum is also attributed to him. The prakaram and the
surrounding walls were built during the rule of his son Vikrama Cholan. The
east facing 5 tier Rajagopuram has vast inner space.
On the right are the Alankara Mandapa and the Marudappar
shrine on the left. Mokshalingam, Kali Shrine, Shivalokanathar Shrine,
Yaga Saala are in the prakara. The second tower is known as Adhikara
Nandhi Gopuram. In the prakara here are the shrines of Lord Vanmeeka
Nathar, Somasiar and his spouse Susheelai, 63 Nayanmars, Lord Vinayaka, Lord
Muruga and Sattainathar at the top of the tower, Mother Mahalakshmi, Eesana
(northeast) Jwarahara Lingas, Navagrahas the nine planets, Nataraja hall-Mandapam,
Sani Bhagwan, Bhairava and Lord Dhandapani.
Vishnu in the form of Veetrirunda Perumal is worshipped
in a shrine nearby. There is an image of Kali the enchantress in the Vishnu
temple. Lord Vinayaka with a human face and Adhi Skanda grace the devotees in
the temple. As Lord Vinayaka came here to take part in the yajna of
Somasiar with a human face, it is said that He had stayed here in the same
form. There is a shrine for Vinayakar who is known as Padikkasu Pillaiyar.
Other shrines are for Paathaleswarar on the north side and Punnagavareswarar
under the Punnai tree.
There is a shrine for Vasuki in the temple. Urchavars
for Thyagarajar, Katchi kodutha Nayakar, Somasimarar with his wife, Murugan
with bow, Somaskandar, Siva Lingam in the hands of Kaali can be seen in this
temple. Urchavar Thyagesar is not of regular one and is different from other temples.
Shiva is in the form of Vettiyan and Iraivi as his wife with kallukodam on her
head and Vinayagar and Murugan look like kids. Theertham is Amritavaavi and Mahakala
Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Marudham and Karungali.
