Nootreteeswarar Temple, Chinnakavanam – The Temple
The
temple has a small south facing 3-tiered Raja gopuram. The flag staff, bali Peetham
and Nandi mandapam are found facing towards the main shrine. The Nandhi
mandapam is found just in front of the Dhwajastambha facing the west. The
Mandapam consists of numerous pillars with beautiful carvings. Presiding Deity
is called as Nootreteeswarar / Ashtothreeswarar and Chadurvedeeswarar. The
Sanctum houses the presiding deity in the form of a large Shiva Linga with
square Avudai (base).
Ganesha,
Dakshina Murti, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are found as the niche images on the
exterior wall of the main shrine. Mothers of this sthalam are Sivakami and
Ashotravalli. Near the shrine of Nootreteeswarar shrine, the shrine of another
Shiva Linga called as Chadurvedeeswarar and the shrine of the
Goddess Sivakami are located. It should be noted that this temple has
two Shiva Lingas, two Ammans (Goddesses) and two Nandhis.
The
outer prakara is open space with a lot of trees and plants. The Sthala Vruksha
(holy tree) of the Temple is Angola tree and it is found in the outer prakaram.
The tree is locally called in Tamil as Azhinjal / Azhinjil / Eranzhil
/ Alinjal / Alinjil / Eru Azhinjil etc. Scientifically it is called as Alangium
Salvifolium. Ganesha in an improper form without trunk is found under the tree.
It is believed that 108 Shiva Lingas merged into this Ganesha idol.
He is called as Angola Ganapati.
Opposite
to this shrine, the shrine of another Goddess Ashotravalli is situated. The
devotees believe that the holy tree is more than 2500 years old. The tree, like
any other tree, bears fruits and seeds. But unlike other trees, the seeds of
the tree get stuck to the main tree itself and gets mingled with the parent
tree. The Tree is said to have properties to cure hypertension, anti-dote for
dog bite, rheumatism, leprosy etc. Studies have proved that the plant has high
dose of antioxidant.
Shrines
of Utsava idols and Nataraja are also situated near the sanctum sanctorum.
Shrines of Ganesha and Subramanya with his consorts are also located in the
inner prakara. Some idols of the deities such as Surya, Chandra, Bhairava,
Navagraha and Chandikeswara are also found in the prakara. There is a beautiful
pond outside the temple, called the Agasthya Theertham. This temple and
tree are mentioned in Sivananda Lahiri. This is the Birthplace of Ramalinga
Adigalar’s mother. Her house is still being maintained by the Adigalar’s
followers. Vallalar has visited this temple.
