Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Pathanchali Nathar Temple, Kanattampuliyur – The Temple

Pathanchali Nathar Temple, Kanattampuliyur – The Temple
This is a small temple covers an area of 1 acre with three tiered Rajagopuram and is facing east. There are two prakarams in this temple. Presiding Deity is called as Pathanchali Nathar. Lord Shiva graces in the form of a small Shivalinga in the sanctum sanctorum. Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthy in the temple. On the Tamil, New Year day Sun God spreads his rays on the Lord worshiping him. An image of Bhoga Sakthi Amman also adorns the sanctum.






Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu in place of Lingothbavar and Brahma are the Koshta Idols in the wall surrounding the sanctum. Mother is called as Kaanar Kuzhali / Ambujakshi / Kolavalaikkaiyal. Mother is facing east. Saivite Saint Sundarar mentions Mother also in his hymns. Sani Bhagwan-Saturn graces from a shrine right to Ambica’s prayed by those facing his adverse effects.






Lord Maha Vishnu graces from ghoshta (wall around the shrine) in standing form while Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai is just the opposite as if paying his respect to Uncle Mahavishnu. Valli is wearing the hanging ear ornament called Pambadam or Thandatti, an ornament usually worn by elder women commonly seen in Tirunelveli District. Lord Dakshinamurthy is without the banyan tree traditionally related to him.





Lord Nataraja appears with his left leg forward and the body slightly backward which is attributed to his pleasing Sage Patanjali who is opposite to the main shrine along with Nalvar – the celebrated Saivite saints and authors of Thevaram and Tiruvasagam hymns. In the front hall Lord Krishna graces between two serpents (Nagas) and a Linga among serpents. There are no Chandran and Navagraha Sannadhi in the Temple.






Shrines for Mother, Vinayaga, Kasi Vishwanathar, Visalakshi, Nataraja Sabha, Subramanya, Gajalakshmi can be found in the inner prakaram of the Temple. There are idols of Sage Pathanjali, Naalvar, Saneeswaran and Suryan in this Temple. Theerthams associated with this temple are Soorya Theertham and River Kollidam. Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) is Athi (fig) tree and white Erukku Plant. This temple was built by Vikrama Chola, and inscriptions state that the Imperial Cholas have made several endowments here.