Brahmapureeswarar Temple,
Melacauvery, Thanjavur
Brahmapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Melacauvery Village near Kumbakonam Town in Kumbakonam Taluk in Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Brahmapureeswarar and Mother is called as Brihannayagi. The Temple is situated on the northern banks of River Cauvery.
Legends
As per legend, Lord Brahma installed Shiva Linga and worshipped Lord Shiva here. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Brahmapureeswarar. It is also said that he excavated a pond called Brahma Theertham. Those who take dip in this theertham will be relieved from Brahmahatya dosha.
History
The Temple is believed to be built in 10th century CE by Cholas. The last consecration ceremony took place on 29 January 2016.
The
Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco image of Lord Shiva & Parvathy flanked by Lord Murugan and Vinayaga. There is a three-tiered rajagopuram at the entrance of the inner prakaram. The inner prakaram is enclosed within a compound wall. The Temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam.
The mukha mandapam is designed to look like the forehead of a bat (Vovval Nethi Mandapam). Presiding Deity is called as Brahmapureeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The vimana over the sanctum is of two tiers. Only, Dakshinamoorthy can be seen in the koshta. Chandikeswarar can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Brihannayagi.
She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in maha mandapam. There is a north facing shrine for Varadaraja Perumal along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi in mukha mandapam. There is an east facing shrine for Nanjundeswarar along with his consort Mandalambikai in mukha mandapam. A big nandi can be found facing towards this shrine.
A separate south facing shrine for Pratyangira Devi can be seen near to Nanjundeswarar shrine. She is called as Shatru Nivarthi Mangala Pratyangira Devi. Idols of Vinayaga, Suryan, Bhairavar and Saneeswarar can be seen in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this temple is Brahma Theertham. It is situated on the southern side of the temple. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree. There is a Vanni Tree in the inner prakaram.
Connectivity
For brief details, please refer below link;
