Moolanathaswamy Temple, Thenkarai, Sholavandan – The
Temple
The
temple has a Rajagopuram and 2 praharams. The whole temple complex has been
constructed using hard granite, strictly following the Agama Sastra. Presiding
Deity is called as Moolanathaswamy. Sanctum is guarded by two beautifully
carved Dwarapalaka statues belonging to 11th century Parakrama
Pandyan. Lord Ganesha and Lord Subramanya are installed on the left and right
side of the Dwarabalakars. A Small Nandhi can be found facing the sanctum where
Moolanathaswamy graces the devotees in Linga Form.
Dhakshinamoorthy,
Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Ganesha and Durga are the niche idols located around the
sanctum walls. Mother is called as Akilandeswari. There is a separate temple to
Goddess Akilandeswari. A huge compound wall is erected around the temple of
Akilandeswari same the Moolanatha Swamy. There are shrines for Lord Vishnu with
his consorts, Juradevar, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Goddess Mahalakshmi,
Navagrahas and Bairavar in the Temple premises.
Theertham
associated with this Temple is Swarna Pushkarani / Swarnapjini. Theertham
contains water throughout the year. This is situated in front of the
Dwajasthambam (Kodi maram) of Goddess Akilandeswari. The water has medicinal
effect, says Thenkarai Puranam. To illustrate this, an instance is referred.
King Veerapandian who was suffering from leprosy had this bath in this holy
water source for 48 days and got cured by the grace of Lord Moolanathar. People
of this century too believe that the water in this holy tank has medicinal
effect. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree.
Nava Kandam Kal:
Exactly
opposite to the temple, is a sculpture of man chopping his head off with a
weapon. According to Archaeological sources, such structures are known as ‘Nava
Kandam Kal.' It is a form of self-sacrifice where people cut themselves into
nine pieces and present to Goddess Kali. Similar kinds of structures are found
in various places in Tamil Nadu. The Kottravai Rath in the Monolithic Temple at
Mahabalipuram has similar sculpture belonging to 7-8th century A.D. while
Madapuram Temple in Sivaganga district also has two sculptures with
inscriptions belonging to 9-10th century A.D.
It is
usually done for a noble cause, the archaeological sources state, adding that reasons
can range from offering prayers to win a battle or protect the country from the
enemies. As per historical background, Pandya Kingdom was razed by Muslim
rulers. People prayed Goddess Kali to protect their country from the atrocities
inflicted by Malik Kafur's army, the general of Delhi Sultan Allaudin Khilji
and to put an end to the rule of Madurai Sultanate (1332-1378 A.D).
The
people were so patriotic that they offered prayers to God saying they would
sacrifice their lives for the sake of the country if they were allowed to live
in peace. As an answer to their prayers perhaps, Vijayanagara rulers led by
Kumara Kambannan in 1371 A.D. established the Hindu rule in the areas. To keep
their promises, youths, on the night of the new moon (Amavasya), performed
pujas. They held their long locks in their left hand and dagger (kutthuvaal) in
the other, and chopped of their heads. To commemorate the prayers and penance
performed, a stone sculpture was erected in the village. Among the locals, the
stone structure is known as ‘Saava Kal'.
