Peranamallur Thirukkarai Easwarar Temple, Thiruvannamalai

Address

Peranamallur Thirukkarai Easwarar Temple, Peranamallur, Vandavasi Taluk, Thiruvannamalai District – 604 503 Mobile: +91 94867 26471

Diety

Thirukkarai Easwarar Amman: Thirupurasundari.

Introduction

Thirukkarai Easwarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Peranamallur Town in Vandavasi Taluk in Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Thirukkarai Easwarar and Mother is called as Thirupurasundari. The Temple is located at about 22 Kms from Arani, 32 Kms from Arani Road Railway Station, 67 Kms from Tiruvannamalai and 119 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Temple is situated on Arani to Vandavasi Route via Cholavaram.

Puranic Significance

This place is one of the important places of Pallava and early Cholas on Thondaimandalam. The Chola kings used to stay here for rest while they travel to Pazhayarai, so this became the head for all around the villages. It is mainly dominated and administrated by Sambuvarayar kings in the past. This temple was believed to be built by Kochengata Chola. It is evidenced from the spider and elephant symbols on a pillar. Kochengata Chola, builder of this Temple: During the journey to Pazhayarai the Chola King Kochengat Chozhan stayed here. He in his early Janma was a spider. By the blessings of Lord Shiva, he was born as a man in Chola lineage. He became a King and a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. He built many temples and this temple is one of them. This temple was built by him is evidenced from the spider and elephant symbols on a pillar. He made this place the capital for many villages in that area. Thirukkarai Easwarar: Once upon a time, there was a river called Panaiyaar flew in this area. Panaiyaar is got the name since plenty of Panai trees there on the banks of this river. The Kochengata Chola built this temple on the banks of the Panaiyaar. As the temple is on a river Karai (bank) and also as the destination for a devotee to reach the shores of salvation, Lord Shiva is named as Thirukkarai Easwarar bearing this meaning. Perani Mallur: The name of the place derives from the story that two kings fought against the other in this place. Since war happened between two groups of soldiers at this place, this town got name as “Perani Mallur” then it became “Perani-Nallur” and now it called as Pernamallur. The name due to the presence of Dam: Some believe that the name Peranamallur got derived from the Dam built across Panaiyaar River.

Beliefs

Devotees pray for crossing over the sea of birth and death to reach the shores attaining total salvation. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother after realizing their wish and offer vastras.

Special Features

The Temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old. This is an east facing temple with three tiered Rajagopuram but Rajagopuram is facing south. The Deepa Sthambam (lamp post) is outside the temple. The lamp post has trident of Lord Shiva, Sun, Moon, Nandhi and Vinayaka and Lord Muruga sculptures. Presiding Deity is called as Thirukkarai Easwarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a swayambumurthi. The vimana, structure over the sanctum is in the form of Gajabrusta, the shape of an elephant in its sitting posture. Mother is called as Thirupurasundari. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. There are shrines of Muruga, Navagrahas and Bhairava in the temple premises. There are Naga figures on the upper wall of the Vidhana. There is also an idol of Kamadhenu pouring its milk on Lord Shiva. There is also a Vinayaka sculpture so ancient belonging to Pallava period in a sitting form. Jyeshta devi, sister of Mahalakshmi also appears as a carved sculpture in a sitting form. She is holding the crow flag and donkey vahana. There are also two boys nearby. There is a spider and elephant symbols on a pillar indicating the relationship with Kochengata Chola. Theertham of this Temple is also named as Kochengata Chozhan Theertham.

Festivals

Devotees pray for crossing over the sea of birth and death to reach the shores attaining total salvation. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother after realizing their wish and offer vastras.