Thirukkarai Easwarar Temple,
Peranamallur – The Temple
This is an east facing temple
with three tiered Rajagopuram but Rajagopuram is facing south. The Deepa
Sthambam (lamp post) is outside the temple. The lamp post has trident of Lord
Shiva, Sun, Moon, Nandhi and Vinayaka and Lord Muruga sculptures. Presiding
Deity is called as Thirukkarai Easwarar and is facing east. He is housed in the
sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a swayambumurthi. The vimana,
structure over the sanctum is in the form of Gajabrusta, the shape of an
elephant in its sitting posture.
Mother is called as
Thirupurasundari. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. There are
shrines of Muruga, Navagrahas and Bhairava in the temple premises. There are
Naga figures on the upper wall of the Vidhana. There is also an idol of
Kamadhenu pouring its milk on Lord Shiva. There is also a Vinayaka sculpture so
ancient belonging to Pallava period in a sitting form.
Jyeshta devi, sister of
Mahalakshmi also appears as a carved sculpture in a sitting form. She is
holding the crow flag and donkey vahana. There are also two boys nearby. There
is a spider and elephant symbols on a pillar indicating the relationship with
Kochengata Chola. Theertham of this Temple is also named as Kochengata Chozhan
Theertham.
