Boologanathar Temple, Trichy – The Temple
The east
facing temple has a 3-tiered Rajagopuram and an arch before the tower. The
temple has sanctum, Ardha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and two more outer mandapams.
Sculptures of Ganesh and Subramanya are found at the entrance of Maha Mandapam.
The idols of Ganesha and Subramanya are found at the entrance of the temple. Nandi and
Dwajasthambam are found facing the sanctum.
Presiding
Deity is called as Boologanathar. Presiding deity is a very big Shiva Linga
housed in in the east facing sanctum. Mother is called as Jagadhambikai. There
is a separate south facing shrine for the Goddess Jagadhambikai in the
outermost mandapam. She is found in her usual standing posture and she has four
arms with her two upper arms holding flowers. Two separate Nandhis are found,
one facing Shiva and the other facing Ambika.
Nardana
Ganapati, Dakshina Murti, Lingodhbava, Brahma and Durga are the niche (Koshta)
deities located around the sanctum walls. All Idols except Lingodhbava are
bigger in size and they appear to be old sculptures. Lingodhbava is definitely
new idol. Lord Dakshinamurthy around the wall of Lord Shiva has his Vimana (tower
above the shrine).
There is
a shrine for Nataraja and Shivakami in the Maha Mandapam. The shrine has unusual
idol of Nandi Deva with his four hands graces at the feet of Lord Nataraja in
the temple playing the drum (Maddhalam). His upper arms are folded in the
worshiping posture whereas he is found playing drum with his two lower arms. Great
woman Saivite Saint Karaikal Ammaiyar is also near the Lord in her Ghost form.
Among
Navagraha, Surya alone is found with his consorts Usha and Pradyusha; all eight
planets are found facing towards him. Only the temples in Trichy and Thanjavur
regions have this sort of Navagraha. In the other regions, each planet is
facing in his own direction and not everyone faces Surya.
There
are shrines for Nalvar (Gnanasambandhar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and
Manickavasagar), Sekkizhar, Vinayaka under Vanni tree, Nagabarana Vinayaka,
Saptha Kannikas (seven virgins), Kasi Viswanathar in Linga form with Mother
Visalakshi, Anjaneya, Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Surya,
Chandra and Kala Bhairava.
Chandikeswarar
is found in his usual location. Additionally, the female form Chandikeswari is
found separately near the shrine of Jagadhambikai. Guardian deity Karuppanna
Swamy shrine is situated at the entrance of the temple. Only one tree is
usually attributed as the Sthala Vruksha for any temple. However, this temple
has five holy trees namely Magizham, Vanni, Aththi, Bilva and Kurunthai.
