Friday, September 28, 2018

Boologanathar Temple, Trichy – The Temple

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.