Vaseeswarar Temple, Tirupaasur – The Temple
The temple complex covers an area of one acre and all
its shrines are enclosed with concentric rectangular walls. The temple is
facing east with a five-tiered gopuram facing South with two prakarams, the gateway tower
and all the shrines of the temple are enclosed in concentric rectangular
granite walls. Facing the main shrine, the flag post, bali peetha and Nandi
idol are located. As with most temples in Thondai Nadu, the Vimanam is of the Gajabrushta
style.
Although the temple structure is in good condition,
worship services are offered only once a day, by a priest from Thiruvalangadu nearby. The Vinayaka Sabhai with a multitude of
Vinayaka images is a unique one. The central shrine facing East houses the
image of Vaseeswarar in the form of Lingam. The image has a mark of tool attack and is tilted
towards left. The vimana, the roof over the sanctum is Gajabrushta in design
(like that of an elephant's seated posture).
Presiding Deity is called as Paasoor Nathar / Pasupathi
Nathar / Vaseeswarar. The moolavar was in a bamboo forest, when bamboo was cut
by the hunters the Vasi (axe like tool to cut wood) hit the moolavar. Still
scar can be seen on side and top. Moolavar is of Suyambhu Theenda
Thirumeni on square Avudayar. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma
and Durgai are the Koshtam Idols surrounding sanctum. Dwarabalakars are
beautiful. The central shrine is approached through a Mahamandapam and
Arthamandapam.
As in other Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, the shrines
of Vinayaka, Murugan, Navagraha, Chandikeswara and Durga are located around the precinct of the main
shrine. The second precinct has a four-pillared hall and garden around the
periphery of the compound wall. There are image of Saptamatrika and Srichakra consecrated by Adi
Shankara in the temple. The central
shrine is approached through the side doors facing South axial to the gateway
tower through Parvathi, Murugan and Vinayaka shrines, all of which are parallel
to the Shiva shrine.
As Lord Shiva removed evils of Perumal, he is praised as
“Perumal Vinai Theertha Easwara” gracing from a separate shrine. Mother is
called as Veyidam Konda Nayaki / Pasupathi Nayaki / Than Kathali / Mohanambal.
The shrine of Pasupathi Nayagi, facing East has a gopuram type roof. Since Ambal is on the right side of the
moolavar, this temple is important for the marriages. To prove that there is a
Kalyana mandapam on the north-east corner of the temple complex which is
now in ruined condition. The poojas and rituals are performed are first
performed to the Goddess and then to Lord Shiva.
In between the sanctum and mother shrine are the shrines
of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai – a rare
form showing Lord Shiva family in a line. Lord Nataraja graces from a shrine
opposite the Rajagopuram. While the Vimana of Lord is of Gajabrushta
design, that of Mother is like a tower. Mother Vishnu Durga in the wall
around the sanctum is without demon Mahishasura under her feet.
Swarna Kali has her shrine in the temple, her legs
bound. Evening pujas are performed to Kali on Full Moon days. There
are 11 Vinayakas in a small mandapam called Vinayaka Mandapam. Three
of them are facing east. Behind is a Big Vinayaka among small ones
on both sides. Planet Kethu is nearby. Lord Vinayaka is he deity for
this planet. Sthala Vriksham is Moongil (Bamboo). Theertham is Soma
Theertham and Mangala Theertham.
There are no Shrines in outer prakaram. Shrines for Selva
Murugan, Navagrahas, Somaskandar, Vinayagars (5 in number), Saptha Kannigaikal
and Naalvar can be found in inner prakaram. There are Urchava Idols for Chandrasekhar,
Sukravara Amman, Vinayagar, Shanmugar, Naalvar, Paachur Amman and Somaskandar. There
are 16 Ganapathis in the Temple representing Shodasa Ganapathy.
There is a Sri Chakram in front of the sanctum, which
was installed by Aadhi Shankaracharya, for which poojas are performed
regularly. Dhakshina Moorthy has a small separate mandapam facing South. Sri
Lingothbavar is found behind the sanctum. Vishnu Durgai, Veerabhadrar and Sorna
Bhairavar are found at the northern side of the prakaram. There is a beautiful
4 pillared Urchava Mandapam at the outer prakaram used for rituals during
festivals.
In the temple's inner praharam. Lord Brahma can be found
in the inner prakaram. He is found in a standing posture with three faces and
four arms, this exceptional deity of Brahmadevar resides in a rectangular stone
niche in the outer sanctum sanctorum wall. Holding the mala and Lota in his
upper hands, his lower right hand is in abhaya mudra, with the other resting on
his hip. Brahma wears an ornate crown, girdle and jewelry.
There are 16 ancient inscriptions from the period of the
early Chola emperors here (10th century); the Ambal shrine is attributed to
Kulottunga Chola I (1075 onwards). Inscriptions from the period of Vikrama
Chola (1130) speak of grand gifts of ornaments made of gold, silver, pearls,
rubies and diamonds to the temple. According to the inscriptions, this place is
referred in ancient days as Thondai Mandalathu, Eekkaadu Kottathu, Kaakkalur
Naattu Thiruppaasoor.
