Alanthurai Nathar Temple, Thirpullamangai – The Temple
The Temple is having three-tiered Raja gopuram facing
east direction. The temple has just one prakara (corridor). Bali peetha and
Nandi statue are located facing the main shrine. There is no flag staff. The
Temple follows the typical plan of Chola temples, having a sanctum sanctorum,
Artha Mandapam, Mukha Mandapa and shrines for the parivara devatas (secondary
deities). The Rajagopuram, Walls enclosing the temple, along with the hall,
directly in front of the entrance, are of recent date, as are various
subsidiary buildings on either side of the gopuram and the goddess shrine in
the north of the hall.
The original parivara (attendant deities) have
disappeared. The ardha mandapa here has a flat roof, surmounted by a small
shrine decorated with sculptures on each side. On the southern wall of the
temple is a splendid Ganesh shrine, equipped with parasol and seated on a
lotus. Various makaras adorn the walls and foundations. Presiding Deity is
called as Brahmapureeswarar / Alanthurai Nathar / Pasupatheeswarar, Vada Theertha
Nathar and is facing east.
Lord is Swayambu Moorthy. The sanctum sanctorum is of
Agazhi type – Agazhi is a deep-water canal about 3 ft deep and two feet wide, security
arrangement around a fort with crocodiles put in to prevent enemies entry to
the fort. The vimana and the external wall of the main shrine are beautiful
with a lot of attractive sculptures. Ganesha, Dakshina Murti, Lingodhbava,
Brahma and Durga are found as the Koshta deities. Lingodhbava has Brahma and
Vishnu on his either sides.
The idol of Durga is a unique feature of this
temple. The Goddess is found standing on the buffalo head and an umbrella above
her head. She has eight arms and holds various weapons such as sword, bow,
arrow, mace, conch, discus, etc. The sculptures of two soldiers are found on
either side of the Goddess; they appear to do self-sacrifice by cutting down
their own heads. It is believed that the same sculptor sculpted Durga
sculptures in Nageswaram, Patteeswaram and this place. All three sculptures are
considered powerful.
Mother is called as Alliyankothai / Soundara Nayaki. She
is found in a separate shrine adjacent to the main shrine. One of the
specialties of the temple is that Nandi statue is located at the
center of Navagraha idols. Shrines of Ganesha and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena are
found in the prakara. The idols of Bhairava, Surya, Nalvar, Ganesha (at Maha
mandapa entrance), Chandikeswara etc. are also found in this temple.
There are lots of miniature panels depicting puranic
legends like Arthanareeswarar, Gajasamharamurthy, Manmadan Dhaganam, Oordhva Thandavam,
Chandesha Anugraham, Lingothbhavar with Brahma mudi story, Bikshadana with
Parvathy, Shiva and Parvathi dancing (while Manmadan and Rathi watching it). Most
of the ganas depicted here are having a musical instrument in their hands or
playing them or dancing to some tunes with various “bhavas” (facial
expressions).
Though it is a Shiva Temple, there are lots of miniature
panels depicting Vaishnava legends like Lord Ram being trained on Archery, Birth
of Janaki, Thadakai Vadham, Sita Kalayana, Ram helped by Kugan to cross Ganga, Mareechan
hunting, Ravana Kidnaps Sita, Jadayu and Ravana fight, Jadayu getting his
Moksham, Vali Sugreevan Fight, Vali on his death bed, Crowning of Vibhishana,
Bhoovaraha Moorthy fetching Bhoodevi, Hiranya Vatham, Perumal in Parkadal
Sayanam, Durgai killing an asuran and Krishna Leela.
Among the hundreds of sculptural subjects found here at
Sri Brahmapurisvara, the Ganas are among the most memorable. They are
unarguably among the finest collection found anywhere in India. Departing from
the oft-depicted mood of troublesomeness they are known for, these ganas
express a wide range of happy sentiments and pastimes. Some seem lost in a
spirit of devotion to Shiva, dancing and playing musical instruments in an
ecstatic mood.
Among the many interesting ornamental aspects are
figures of men riding a yali. Although the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva,
the Chola sculptures on the interior and exterior of the temple include a
number of beautiful images of Lord Brahma, who is parivara
Devata here. Because the sculptural images of Lord Brahma are so
exceptional, this temple is often cited as a Brahma temple. Sthala Vriksham is
Banyan Tree. Theertham associated with this Temple are Shiva Theertham, Cauvery
River, Kudamurutti River and Kamadenu Theertham.
