Jalanatheeswarar Temple, Thakkolam – The Temple
The
temple has a small three-tiered tower facing the western direction. This temple
is on the banks of Kuchasthalai (Kallaru) river. It is built in 5.83-acre land
with two praharams. The architectural beauty of the Rajagopuram is a feast for
the eyes. The idol of Shiva kicking Yama, who comes to take the life of
Markandeya, is an example. The Temple was constructed during the regime of
Pallava king Abarajitha Varman in 876 AD as a stone temple. The Rajagopuram of
the temple was, however, constructed later during the regime of Vijayanagara
King Veera Pradhaba Sadasiva Maharaya in 1543 AD.
The
place is referred as Thiruvooral in Thevaram. The temple town is called
"Thiruvooral" which can be loosely translated as
"holy-spring". In the days gone by there was a never ceasing spring
of water that used to flow out of a Nandi idol near the holy Tank aka Satya
Gangai Theertham. Also, it's said there used to be a water spring that flows
around the Moolavar. The design is such a way that, the water spring from Nandi
idol flows around the Lord Jalanatheeswarar and merges with "Kallaru"
river. There is no direct entrance from East only stone jolly work
window.
Two
small shrines, dedicated to Ganesha and Muruga are located at the entrance of
the tower. As the main shrine is facing the eastern direction, the tower is located
at the back side of the temple. Presiding Deity is called as Jalanatheeswarar /
Umapatheeswarar / Gangadheeswarar. Mother is called as Giriraja Kanni / Mohanavalli.
As usual, the flag post, bali peetha and Nandi are found facing the main
shrine. The main shrine has the slightly big Shiva Linga named as Jalanatheeswarar.
It is made up of sand.
It is
also believed that the Shiva lingam here is made of Navabashanam (Nine Poisons).
The color of the lingam changes during both the Dakshinayana and Utharayana
seasons. This is a wonder. The color becomes white during Dakshinayana and red
during the Utharayana. Utharayana is the six-month period between Makar
Sankranti around (January 14) and Karka Sankranti around (July 14), when the
Sun travels towards north on the celestial sphere. The period from July 14 to
January 14 is known is Dakshinayana.
During Utharayana there is a plenty of rainfall, in Dakshinayana there is not
much rainfall in this area. This has been the practice for many centuries.
As the
Goddess Parvati embraced the idol, a small hollow is still found. Even the
priest cannot touch the idol - it's 'Theenda Thirumeni'. The Lingam
worshipped by the Sage Udhadhi is in the northern side of the temple as
Gangadheeswarar temple and opposite to the temple is Ganga Theertha Kulam. The
big relief images of Dwarapalakas are attractive. Few idols are found in the
ardha mandapa. The main entrance to maha mandapam is from south side. Maha
mandapa has the modern-day stone images of Nataraja and Sivakami. Navagraha is
also found nearby. Three small shrines - Ganesha, Muruga and Shasta are located
in this area.
The
koshta idols are the highlights of this temple. All the koshta idols - Ganesha,
Dakshina Murti, Vishnu, Brahma, Durga and Chandikeswarar are very attractive
and big idols. Brahma and Vishnu are seen seated while Goddess Durga strikes an
elegant pose, with one hand on her waist. Especially the idol
of Dhakshinamoorthi is different. Dhakshinamoorthi has an ear ring on
just one ear; he has a deer and snake at his foot step. He has Jaba mala in his
one arm and sitting under the banyan tree. He is found slightly slanting his
head towards left side. Nowhere else you will find Dhakshina Murthy in uthkadi
yoga asana posture. Hence, he is known as Yoga Dakshina Murthy. It's a unique
and rare posture.
The guru
appears to be looking at his devotees with the caring eyes and heeding ears on
their prayers. During the transit of Guru, devotees throng this place. They say
that they are blessed with prosperity and peace. This temple is considered to
be 3rd important Prathana and Parihara Sthala of Guru Bhagavan, after Alangudi
and Thittai. Another interesting feature of this temple is that instead of the
Lingothbavar as Koshta Murthy behind the Shiva Lingam one can see Mahavishnu in
a sitting posture. Most of the idols in the koshta of this temple are slightly
tilted to one side.
The
Goddess Giriraja Kanni is found in a separate shrine in standing
posture with a mandapa at its front side. The shrine is facing the north
direction is considered to be rare and unique and located in the outer prakara.
Goddess Parvathi of this temple attracts a large number of devotees. Poojas are
performed first to her and then only to Lord Shiva. This Shrine was
originally built by the Pallavas and later improvements and additions were made
by the Cholas and Hoysalas.
Theertham
associated with this temple are Nandi Theertham, Parvathi Theertham, Sathya
Gangai Theertham and Kuchasthalai Nadhi. Though there is a small tank inside
the temple in the second corridor, there is no water in it. The sacred tree of
this temple is said to be Pottu (Thakkolam) but now there is no such tree in
the temple. The temple has two prakaras. The outer prakara is huge. Apart from
the Goddess shrine, two shrines - one dedicated to Ganesha and another (big
one) dedicated to Skanda with his consorts are found. This idol of Skanda was
revered by Arunagirinathar.
The
inner prakara has five Shiva Lingas, Sapta matas, Naalvar, Bhairava, Surya, Mahavishnu,
Chandran, Valli Deivanai Samedha Subramaniyar, Mahalakshmi, Ganapathy and
Vallabha Maha Ganapathi with 10 hands (One hand found broken) and Chandra. The
unique feature of this temple is that the idols of lords Vinayakar, Brahma and
Mahavishnu can be seen here in a seated posture as they are believed to have
sat and witnessed Thakkan’s prayers. Saint Arunagirinathar has also sang songs
in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh. Most
striking, aspect of this temple is the elegance of deities, they are in
"Ananda" postures which makes the temple visit enchanting. One cannot
lift his eyes from the deities of Ganapathi, Yoga Dakshinamurthy and Sri Durga
in the inner shrine.
Every
sculpture in this temple highlights the artistic excellence of that era. The
greatness of the Lord here can be found in the inscriptions of the Pandyas,
Cholas and the Pallavas. The temple has been rebuilt several times and this is
evident from the different stones one can observe on the walls and the
compound. Even the inner and outer prakarams seems to have been constructed
during different periods. There are quite a few interesting idols on the
gopuram also. There are lots of inscriptions on the walls, but nothing much
could be grasped from them using our limited experience in reading
inscriptions. The inscriptions on the inner walls have been whitewashed and the
ones on the outer walls have weathered.
