Sukshmapureeswarar Temple,
Cherugudi – The Temple
This
temple is facing towards east with three tiered
rajagopuram. The
temple has single prakaram and completely enclosed within the
compound wall. Balipeedam and Nandhi can be found immediately after the
rajagopuram, facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists
of sanctum, antarala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Presiding
Deity is called as Sukshmapureeswarar / Kalyanasundareswarar / Sirukudi Eswarar
/ Mangalanathar and is facing east.
He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The
Lingam is said to be made of sand. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy
(self-manifested). The hand imprints of Mother Parvathy can be seen in the
sides of Lingam. As the Lingam is made of sand, abhishekam is performed only to
the Avudaiyar. Punugu is applied to the Lingam once in a while and the Lingam
is always covered with Kuvalai.
Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and
Ardhanareeswarar are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.
Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. The vimana over the
sanctum is of three tiers. Utsava idol is called as Sandhosha Alingana Moorthy.
He is depicted as embracing goddess Parvathy in a joyful posture.
Mother is called as Mangala Nayaki / Mangalambikai. She
is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in the mukha
mandapam to the left side of the sanctum. She is in standing posture with
abhaya hastha. Abhishekams are performed to Goddess Parvathy here as the Lingam
in the sanctum is made of sand.
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Navagraha shrine is situated in the mukha mandapam. It is unique to see the idols of Nayanmar Thirugnana Sambandar, Bhairava and Vinayaka among the Navagrahas. There is a separate shrine for Angarakan in the temple premises. Shrines of Mangala Vinayaka, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Suryan and Saneeswarar in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this temple is Mangala Theertham / Surya Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree.
