the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

This temple is located 20 km away from Tiruchirappalli & about 5 km from Bhikshandar Kovil.

This is a vast temple with 4 prakarams a 100 pillared hall, and a Vinayaka Vasanta Mandapam among other mandapams.The 3rd prakaram houses Sorudaiya Eeswarar, Viswanathar. The second prakaram houses the stalavriksham.. The outer walls of the temple have been built with a certain variety of rock obtained locally that has the texture of a tiger's skin. The 'Pulivarikkal' is said to have been used in response to a devote by name Vyagrasooran who had assumed the form of a tiger.

There are 2 shrines to Ambaal here.There are no navagrahams here, only 9 pits adjacent to the Dwajasthampam. The vast tank to the north of the temple is the Deva Theertham, while the Vishala Theertham is a well. There is a shrine to Yama in the third prakaram

Shiva is said to have blessed Vasishtar with a vision of the cosmic dance and the dance hall here is known as Ratna Sabha. Shiva is said to have blessed Tirunavukkarasar (who had arrived from Tirupachilasramam with a sumptuous meal on a banana leaf (Painneeli - Vaazhai). It is here that Yama is believed to have worshipped Shiva, to retrieve his power over mortal souls, after Shiva vanquished his powers at Tirukkadavur in saving Markandeyan.

 Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai.Appar's association with Shiva here is celebrated even today in the month of Chittirai (Aries) - Avittam.