Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple – The Temple
The
structure of the temple has in course of time undergone great changes: and what
remains of the ancient edifice is mostly the central shrine. As an instance of
an ancient and important temple that has undergone architectural modifications
not conforming to any well-thought out design or principles is the Siva shrine
of Thirumalai. It has a distinctness of style in that the Vimana(roof) of its
central shrine containing the Garbhagriha dominates the whole temple structure.
It is reminiscent of the early Chola architecture.
It is
located on the top of a petty rocky elevation and it is reached by a flight of
95 steps. The area of the temple is 1 acre 15 cents of land. The temple
faces the East. It has sufficient antiquity. Thirumalai is locally known as
‘Munchirai’ and the principal deity of the temple is called ‘Munchirai-
Thirumalai Thevar’. The Vimana or the roof of the central shrine is adorned
with sculptures. The granite built Garbhagriha, the carved pillars and the
corridors are reminiscent of the Chola architecture.
There
are two Srikoils in this temple, one dedicated to Lord Siva and the other is to
Lord Krishna located to the north of the Shiva Temple. The Siva Srikoil
consists of a garbhagraham and a room in its front Rishabha mandapam which is
wholly built in granite. The garbhagraham is roofed with a sikharam, and the
front rooms are terraced. Inside the mukhamandapam there is flag-staff covered
by copper sheets.
The exterior
of the granite wall is plastered and painted. The plastering and paintings
have become worn-out. The Siva temple has a Dravidian Vimana. There is a
Kodimaram, gold plated bali stone and a small statue of Nandi in the temple. The
temple records describe the principal deity as Soolapaani. In an inscription of
the seventh regnal year of the Chola King Rajendra (1012-44) engraved on a
rock in the outer prakara of the temple, the main deity is called, ‘Munchirai
–Thirumalai-Devar’. The word ‘Bhadarar’ is frequently used in the inscription
of Thirumalai-Nayak.
The
temple site was once known as “Munimar- thottam”. It may be inferred from the
term “Munchirai Sabhayar” in an inscription of the temple that there lived Jain
ascetics. Therefore, it is conclusive to infer that the temple was once under
the influence of the Jains. To preserve the sanctity of the temple, different
types of daily and monthly pujas are conducted. The expenditure for
conducting the pujas and other festivals is generally met from the Devaswom
fund.
