Tiruppaatrurai Adhimooleswarar Temple – The Temple
Adhimooleswarar
temple complex has two prakarams (outer courtyard) and a small three tiered Rajagopuram (gateway
tower). The temple is situated in between the rivers Cauvery and
Kollidam. At the entrance, the sub-shrines of Ganesh and Bala
Dhandayuthapani are located. The flag staff, Bali Peetam and Nandhi (the bull
vehicle of Lord Shiva and the Bali Peeta (an upside down lotus
platform for placing the Nivedhana) are outside the temple facing Rajagopuram.
The
central shrine faces east and holds the image of Adhimooleswarar / Thirumoolanathar
/ Pattrurai Nathar (Shiva) in the form of lingam made of granite. Lord
graces in the temple as Swayambumurthy. During Purattasi (September-October),
Panguni (March-April) and some days in the year, the rays of Sun fall on the
Lord. The sanctum is guarded by two big and beautiful images of Dwarapalas. In
Maha Mandapa, Nandi is found facing towards the sanctum.
Behind
the sanctum sanctorum is the shrine of Sankaranarayana instead of Lingodhbava
as is generally found in Shiva temple. The granite images of the
deities Ganesha (son of Shiva and god of wisdom), Murugan (son of Shiva and god of war), Nandi (the bull and vehicle of Shiva) and Navagraha (nine planetary deities) are located in the hall
leading to the sanctum. The hall leading to the sanctum also has the South
facing shrine of Nithya Kalyani Megambihai / Moganayagi, the consort of
Adhimooleswarar, in standing posture.
Her idol
is big in size. Her south facing shrine is located in the front side mandapam.
A Nandi is found facing towards her shrine. Mother is seen with four hands –
Abaya, Varadha, Thamarai and Neelorpavam. As it is believed that worshipping
the Goddess facing South would minimize the ferocity of Yama the God of Death. One
of the highlights of the temple is the extremely beautiful Koshta
Murtis. Bhikshatana, Veena Dhara Dhakshinamoorthi, Shankara Narayana,
Brahma and Mahishasuramardhini Durga are found as the niche images around
the sanctum.
Each one
of them is incomparably beautiful. In addition, a carving of Ganesh is also
found in this outer wall. A small shrine is built around another niche idol, Dhakshinamoorthi
in his regular form. Lord Dakshinamurthy on the wall of the sanctum sanctorum
graces with his Veena and a leg beautifully bending as if dancing. His
disciples are not with him. This is a rare form of Lord Dakshinamurthy.
Musicians worship the Lord with abishek and special pujas. Lord Bikshadana is
nearby.
There is
a grand Court Hall (Raja Sabha – court of the king) in the Arthamandapam Hall
in the temple. There are four historic image of Bhishadanar, Dhakshinamoorthy sporting a Veena and two image of Vishnu. The first precinct is surrounded by granite walls. In
Maha Mandapam, there is a sub-shrine where many of the bronze idols are kept.
They include Nataraja-Sivakami, Somaskanda, Uma-Maheshwara, Ganesh,
Subramanya-Valli-Devasena and Chandikeswarar.
In Maha Mandapa,
there are few idols found which are unusual for a Shiva temple. Venu Gopal is
found along with his two consorts on either side. A Shiva devotee is found next
to Gopal. Then a male deity holding deer in one of his arms is found; he has
his two lower arms folded in Namaskar posture. He is named as Narayan by the
temple authorities. However, he must be Shiva or Rudra. Next to him, there is a
Devi seated similar to Uma in Somaskanda group of idols. She is named as
Lakshmi by the temple authorities.
In the
prakara, the sub-shrines of Ganesh, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena, Gaja Lakshmi, Chandikeswarar
and Nava Graham are located. Bhairava is found near Navagraha. Facing towards
the sanctum, the Chola period beautiful idols of Surya and later period Chandra
are located. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam and Theertham is River Kollidam.
