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.
