Sivagurunathaswamy Temple, Sivapuram – The Temple
This east facing temple has two corridors and its main
tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers. The present temple in the village dates back
to the Later Chola period and
covers an area of 1.3 acres (5,300 m2). This is one of the temples
noted for Angapradakshinam (rolling physically around the temple). There is no
flag post (Dwajasthambam) here. The inner praharam has a 3-tiered Gopura
entrance.
Presiding Deity is called as Sivagurunathaswamy / Sivapureeswarar
/ Brahmapureeswarar / Sivapuranathar. Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthy in the
temple and he is facing east. It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships
Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam every year in the
morning hours for three days – 3rd, 4th and 5th
in the Tamil month Chithirai (Apr-May).
Nardana Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbava, Brahmma
and Durga are the Koshta Deities located around the sanctum walls. The unique
feature of Lord Dhakshinamoorthi’s idol is that reliefs of Varaha (Avatar of
Vishnu) and Rahu can be seen below it. Also, the idols of the Sanakathi rishis
are placed on either side of Lord Dakshinamurthy. It is also believed that a Shiva
Lingam lies buried at this spot.
This Shivalingam was worshipped by the Saivite saint Tirugnanasambandar.
Mother is called as Aryambal / Singaravalli / Periyanayaki.
She is facing south. In front of the hall of Goddess Parvathy’s shrine, on the
ceiling, 12 zodiac signs (Rasi) are carved beautifully in stone. It is believed
that by standing under one’s respective zodiac sign and praying to the goddess,
one’s wishes will be fulfilled. There is also a sculptured image of the
Sthalapuranam depicting Varaha worshipping Shiva with flowers.
In the outer corridor, there is a separate south-facing
shrine for Bairavar in front of the idol of Nandhi. Bairavar’s mount (dog) is
seen on the left side with his head facing the lord. The dog’s left ear is
lifted up as if to signify that our prayers are being heard by him and
forwarded to Lord Bairavar. On the eighth day of Krishnapaksham homam and
special pujas are performed to Kala Bhairavar. The Bhairava shrine is
considered to be of significance here; two worship services are offered to
Bhairavar.
Agni, Indrani, Indran and Kuberan are placed here in the
form of lingam. Idols of Nalvar can also be seen here. Sundarar can be seen
along with his wife Paravai Nachiyar. There is no separate Navagraha shrine in
this temple. It is believed that the custom of installing Navagraha
shrines has started only later, perhaps during the Pallava period.
There are shrines dedicated to Vinayaga, Lord Subramanya with his consorts
Valli and Deivanai, Gajalakshmi, Theyu
Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Prithvi Lingam, Balamurugan, Bairavar (2), Chandran (2),
Suryan, Saneeswarar, Mahavishnu, Chandikeswarar and procession idols
of other deities can be seen in the main hall and the corridors.
The procession idol of Natarajar of this temple is
believed to be very beautiful. It was smuggled into America and was retrieved
after many legal battles. Now it is kept under safe custody in some other
temple. The Natarajar idol kept here for worship is not the original one.
Sthala Vriksham is Shenbagam (not existing now). Theertham
associated with this Temple are Chandra Pushkarini and Sundara Theertham. Both
are located opposite to each other. Sage Pattinathar appears in a sitting form
in the Pattinathu Vinayaka temple nearby.
