Shista Gurunathar Temple, Thiruthuraiyur – The Temple
This west facing temple has no main tower (Raja Gopuram)
and has one corridor. Only base of the gopurams are standing like old
forts. Presiding Deity is called as Shista Gurunatha Eswarar / Pasupatheeswarar
/ Thava Neri Aaludayar. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthy
(self-manifested). The Shiva Linga is big in size. The point of the peeta-Avudayar
is on the right side. It is said that Suryan is worshiping the Lord here
during the first week of Tamil month Chithirai (April-May) by directing his
rays on the lingam in the evenings. Mother is called as Shivaloka Nayaki / Poongothai
Nayaki. Mother Sannathi is in the same complex near the main entrance.
The significance of this temple is that Lord Vinayakar
is facing the east, Lord Shiva is facing the west, Lord Murugan is facing the
south and the Goddess Parvathi is facing the north. Since the four main deities
are facing different directions, this temple is considered unique and auspicious.
The sculpture depicting the darshan of Lord to saint Sundarar is on the
ghoshta wall near Lord Dakshinamurthy shrine. Saint Sundarar appears with
his Sengole-a stick symbolizing royal authority. People use to dress
Sundarar with a turban as a mark of respect.
Lord Nardana Vinayaka is in a separate shrine facing
east. Lord Muruga graces with six faces as Lord Subramanya praised by saint
Arunagiriar n his hymns. There is a famous shrine for Ashtapuja Pathrakali
(Kali with eight hands) outside this temple. There is a, shrine for Thaduthu
Aatkonda Eswarar as old man granting darshan for Saint Sundarar, opposite to
temple. There is a shrine to Varadaraja Perumal here. Beautiful stone reliefs
of Sundarar getting the darshan of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi can be seen
next to Lord Dakshinamurthy shrine. Idols of Lord Vinayakar, who witnessed Lord
Shiva’s discourses can also be seen there.
Apart from the shrines of the main deities, there are
shrines and idols of lords Narthana Vinayakar, Bala Murugan, Natarajar, Rama
Lingam, Bheema Lingam, Adi Kesava Pakthavatsala Perumal, Subramanyar with his
consorts, Dakshinamurthy, Annamalaiyar, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Kala Bairavar,
Surya Lingam, Suryan, Nalvar and Navagraham in the corridors. Theertham
associated with this temple are Surya Theertham and Chandra Theertham.
Sthala Vriksham is Kondrai tree. There is another
Shivalingam near the temple’s Sthala Viruksham that is believed to have been
worshiped by Sage Agasthiar. The monument of saint Arunandhi Sivachariyar,
disciple of Meikanda Nayanar belonging to the Saivite Guru Parambara is nearby.
This is the birth place of Saint Arunandhi Sivachariyar, popularly known as
“Sakalakama Pandithar”. He is the second of the four “Santhana Kuravarkal” and
has written the famous treatises on “Sastra” - “Shivagnana Sidhiyar” and “Iruba
Irubadu”. There is a separate shrine at his place of burial (Gurumurtham).
