Friday, March 2, 2018

Thirumoolanathar Temple, Poovalur – The Temple

Thirumoolanathar Temple, Poovalur – The Temple
The main temple measures 130 feet width and 170 feet length facing east and there are four prakara. The east facing temple has three-tiered tower. The temple complex is big. The Gopura as well as the Vimanas of various shrines and the sanctum look very attractive. From the architectural style, we could assume that the temple belongs to the Chola period. Presiding Deity is called as Thirumoolanathar / Gnanapureeswarar and is facing east.


Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy. The east facing sanctum with a beautiful vimana enshrines the moderate sized Shiva Linga called as Moolanathar. At the entrance of the Ardha Mandapam, the small idols of Ganesha and Subramanya are found. Nandi is found in the Maha Mandapam and another Nandi idol is found near the flag staff. Dhwajastambha Ganapati is a small Murti found near the flag staff.


Nardana Ganapati, Dakshina Murti, Lingodhbava, Brahma and Durga are found as the Koshta Murtis. Dakshina Murti and Ganesh look ancient though the other idols appear to be sculpted in the recent past. Mother is called as Kumkuma Soundara Nayaki and is facing south. The south facing shrine with a big front side Maha Mandapam enshrines the beautiful idol of the Goddess Kumkuma Soundara Nayaki.


A small idol of Shanmukha with 12 arms seated on peacock along with his two consorts in a separate shrine is found in the Maha Mandapam of Amman shrine. Lord Muruga of this temple was sung by Saint Arunagirinathar. Unlike the temple of Northern Tamil Nadu, Nandi is the vahana of Amman in this temple. Hence, Nandi is found facing towards the shrine of Amman. Theertham associated with this temple is Panguni Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Bilva Tree.


As per the Hindu tradition, some specific temples are connected with certain stars. This temple is associated with the Uttara Phalguni (Uthiram) star and hence those who are born in this star offer prayers in this temple.  Vaakkuvaalamman, a small temple for the village deity of the village, is located at the entrance of the main temple. The big prakara around the two main shrines have many pillars with interesting sculptures.

Also, there are many sub-shrines and idols located in this prakara. They are Maha Lingam shrine, Ganesha, Shiva Linga and 63 Nayanmars, Vellaivarana Vinayakar shrine (there are two Ganapatis in this shrine), Durga in a separate shrine, Gaja Lakshmi and Jyeshta Devi in adjacent shrines, Nataraja-Sivakami shrine, Dhandayuthapani shrine, Bhairava, Saneeswara idols, Navagraha - Surya alone is found with his consorts, Chandikeswara near the Koshta of Brahma, Chandikeswari, the female form of Chandikeswara, in the prakara of Amman.