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THE TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.....

This temple is a model of Pandya Architecture, with simple but majestic appealing form and grace. The temple's beauty cannot be evaluated by a mere look. Even the Mottai Gopuram (the incomplete base of the tower) lends an epic grandeur, with elegant wooden carvings and human and mythological images drawn from the bhakti cult, over a period of more than thousand years. The royal and feudal patrons and literary, and common folk have been adding charm over the years and grace of the temple has withstood the test of time. The four or five tiers of wooden carvings and paintings demand a detailed analysis. There are three Arjuna kshetras, Thiruppudaimaruthur (KADAI MARUTHU) is the last, situated at the southern tip of the peninsula, the other two being Mallikarjuna or Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh - THALAIMARUTHU), Thiruvidaimaruthur, (Idaimaruthu - Middle), Near Kumbakonam. The unique aspect of these three shrines are all the Sthala Vruksha are Arjuna (Marutha) tree. Innumerable paintings are found all over the interior walls of the five towers, in addition to many sculptures drawn from common life and Hindu mythology. An old inscription in the South West corner of the first prakara speaks of the antiquity of the temple. There is another inscription about the naval victory of King Raja Rajan. According to Mr. C. Subramanyan, an art historian, these inscriptions could date back to a thousand years, to the name of Udaya Marthanda Varman, who ruled from Padmanabapuram in Kanyakumari district. His image with folded hands in all humility is at the left as one enters the temple, passing through the main tower. (see the picture). While mythological figures induce awe and devotion in the devotees, human figures draw them nearer. Apart from the human figures, life in the King's court has been vividly carved out. This is an exclusive aspect of the Thiruppudaimaruthur sculptures. The central tower-like structure that is characteristic of Chola art can be seen in Mannarkoil (famous Vishnu Shrine), Brahmadesam etc. even the Neerazhi Mandapam, has its own trascendental magic of its own. This is more so when the tank is filled with water for float festival on Thaipoosam day. (This tank is now under renovation). The miniature tower on the water draws impeccable imagination and artistry. The Rishabha vaahanam, too, calls for great look. This temple was renovated in 1995 with the patrons from former Supreme Court Judge, Justice S. Rathnavel Pandian, hailing from this village. Several stone mandapams were found abandoned on the road leading to Thiruppudaimaruthur, from Veeravanallur, once served as resting places for pilgrims. Since the renovation, the temple has been attracting Shiva Bhakthas from far away places.

Temple Location/Map

Thriuppudaimaruthur is located near Ambasamaudram, a Taluk near Thirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu. It is 40 kms from Thirunelveli and 8 kms from Ambasamudram. It is well connected with Air, Train and Bus routes. Nearest airport is Trivandrum, and nearest Railway Station is Ambasamudram.

Temple Puranam

Devas, once pleaded to Lord Shiva, to show a holy place equivalent to Varanasi (Kashi). Agreeing to their request, Lord Shiva ordered to throw Brahma Dhanda. Brahma Dhanda thrown by Devas reached the dead end river of Thamirabharani at the confluence of sea and moved upward in the river and stood at the place where today's temple exists. Devas installed the Dhanda in this place and worshipped the Lord and derived immense boons.

LORD INDRA AND BRAHMAHATHI DOSHA EXPIATION

Guru Bhagavan (Lord Jupiter) did not respect Lord Indra and earned his wrath. On the other hand, Lord Indra appointed Vishwaroopan aliaise Vruddhan who was a Asura Guru. Vishwaroopan had his plans otherwise; he decided to conduct a big Yagna with a view to nurture Asuras and belittle Devas. Sensing Vishwaroopan's ulterior plans, Indra swoops on him and cut his head, thus earning the double sing of killing his guru and insulting Jupiter. He was afflicted with Brahma-Hathi Dosha. He, accompanied by his wife Indrani, undergone severe penance and took a dip at the river bed of Thiruppudaimaruthur, this place is called "Surendra Moksha Theertham." On the other story, once upon a time, this place was a thick Maruthuavana forest. The then King came on a hunting and arrow shot from the bow struck at the bottom of Marutha tree and disappeared. King ordered the tree to be cut with an axe, to his surprise, blood flowed and there appeared a beautiful Shivalingam. Shocked at the happenings and startled as to what to do, a celestial voice followed, "Oh King, I was the one living here for a long time, you may erect a temple". Even today we can see the identification mark of axe on the Shiva Lingam and slight mole of the arrow mark on the Lingam. It is assumed that the Shivalingam is still having wounds and therefore, only Santhanathi Thailam (mixture of herbal oil) is anointed as 'abhishekam'. KARUR SIDHDHAR Karur Siddhar, the poet-saint and the famous mentor of Emperor Raja Raja Chola, came here to worship the Lord. When he reached here, there was heavy floods in Thamirabharani river and got locked on the North side of the river. Unble to cross the river, Karur Sidhdhar called Lord Shiva, "Oh my dear beloved Lord - you are standing at the center of Naaram Poo fragrance (a sort of fragrance flower submited to Lord Shiva), in reply, Lord Shiva asked him to cross the river meditating upon Him, he started crossing the river and river paved the way. He came to the sanctum sanctorum and was shocked to see Lord Shiva in tilted posture. He asked the Lord why the Shivalingam is in tilted posture, Lord replied that "since I was listening to your plea, I slightly tilted to listen to your words carefully". Karur Sidhar worshipped the Lord with a plea to listen to devotees' submissions/requests in future. Lord Shiva agreed and it is considered that He listens to our plea and resolve problems. The place where Lord Shiva appeared and blessed Karur Sidhdhar is still visible near the Ganapathy shrine on the left-hand side. This temple is more than 1200 years old.

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