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Friday, September 29, 2017

Jalanatheeswarar Temple, Thakkolam – The Temple

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.