Friday, July 7, 2017

Uthira Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Tiruchenkattankudi – The Temple

Uthira Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Tiruchenkattankudi – The Temple
This temple occupies an area of about 2 acres. A five tiered Rajagopuram adorns the entrance. Presiding Deity is called as Uthira Pasupatheeswarar / Ganapatheeswarar. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. The scar on the forehead of Lord Uthara Pasupathy Easwarar is still visible. He is gracing from a separate shrine. He is holding Udukkai, Trident and the Tiruvodu the begging bowl. Uthira Pasupatheeswarar represents the Bhikshandar manifestation of Shiva.







The Kattathi tree and a shrine of the family of Siruthondar are just before the Shrine of Lord. The idols of Siruthondar, Uthrapatheeswarar (the urchava idol of Ganapatheeswaram) and Tiruvenkattu Nangai in a posture of serving food are present here. His consort, Parvati, is known as Vaaitha Tirukuzhal Umai Nayaki. Sthala Vriksham is Kattathi Tree. Theerthams associated with this temple are Surya and Chandra Pushkarani.







Vathapi Ganapathi, the one Siruthondar as Paranjothi brought from Vathapi after his successful battle against Chalukyas is present in this temple. There is an image of Vinayaka with a human face here in this temple. Lord Subramanya with his consorts Valli and Deivanai blesses from a shrine sitting on a demon peacock. Saint Arunagiriar had sung the glory of Muruga in his celebrated Thirupugazh hymns. 






It is noteworthy that 8 Samharamurthys are in line in the prakara – Lords Bhujangalinga Murthy, Gaja Samharamurthy, Oordhva Thandavar, Kaala Samharamurthy, Gangalamurthy, Bikshadana, Tripura Samharamurthy and Bhairava. Their presence in a single temple thus facilitates darshan of all Samharamurthys of Ashta Veera Sthalas - temples in various places. 






Lords Arthanareeswara, Siddhi Vinayagar, Brahmma, four Saivite Saints praised as Naalvar,   Nagar with Sanganidhi and Padmanidhi and Twin Bhairavars have their shrines in the prakara. Mother Durga blesses from the ghoshta of Shiva shrine with eight hands holding weapons, one of which is a bow, a different form in this temple.





There is a sculpture in the temple showing Saint Siru Thondar is being taken to Mount Kailash. Sun God-Surya is alone in the Navagraha-nine planets mandapam on a high seat. Dhakshinamoorthy, Durgai, Lingothpavar, Arthanareeswarar are the Koshta Moorthys in this temple.