Tirusulam Sri Tirusoolanathar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Tirusulam Sri Tirusoolanathar Temple, Tirusulam, Kanchipuram – 600 043 Phone: +91 44 2264 2600 Mobile: +91 80560 50671 / 94447 64162

Deity

Tirusoolanathar Amman: Thirupurasundari

Introduction

• Location: Tirusulam, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.
• Deities:
  • Presiding Deity: Tirusoolanathar (Lord Shiva).
  • Mother: Thirupurasundari.
• Setting: The temple is beautifully situated amidst four hills, symbolizing the four Vedas.
• Renovation: Recently rebuilt with a successful Maha-Kumbabishekam conducted.

Puranic Significance

• Historical Background:
  • Believed to have been built during the reign of Kulothunga Chola I in the 12th century A.D.
  • The temple features inscriptions from the Chola and Pandya dynasties, with historical references to Vanavan Maadevi Chathurvedhi Mangalam.
• Treasure Legends:
  • A story suggests that Kulothunga I Chola hid treasures beneath the temple, with a secret path leading to a subway connecting it to the nearby Panchapandava’s Hills, where his palace was located.
• Discovery:
  • In March 2018, a volunteer team discovered a hidden temple water tank near Tirusoolanathar Temple, which was filled with drainage water. Upon cleaning, they found a well with drinkable water connected to the tank.
• Brahmapuri Legend:
  • The temple’s original name, Brahmapuri, is linked to a legend involving Lord Brahma, who installed a Shiva Lingam to atone for his pride after losing one of his five heads due to Lord Shiva’s intervention.
  • The name Tirusoolam is derived from ‘Thiru Churam,’ meaning the sacred place between the hills.

Special Features

• Architectural Style:
  • The temple faces east and features an entrance arch, Dwajasthambam (flagpole), Palipeedam (offering platform), and Nandi mandapam (dedicated to Nandi, the bull).
  • The presiding deity, Tirusoolanathar, is a Swayambu Moorthy (self-manifested) in the form of a large Lingam within a Gajabrushta or Thoongayanai Maadam sanctum.
• Koshta Deities:
  • The sanctum walls host Vinayagar, Veeraasana Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durga, each with distinct iconography and significance.
  • The Ganapathy is adorned with a Naga Yajnopavita (sacred thread) and is believed to help remove obstacles, especially related to marriage.
• Mother’s Shrine:
  • Thirupurasundari, the consort of Lord Shiva, is housed in a separate shrine. A second idol of her is placed next to the presiding deity due to historical damages from a Muslim invasion.
• Additional Shrines:
  • The temple includes shrines for Lord Srinivasan, Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Lord Murugan with his consorts, and various other deities including a 16-faced Markandeya Lingam and Navagrahas.
• Unique Features:
  • A rare Sarabeswara with two faces is carved on a pillar in front of the sanctum, and the Sthala Vriksham (sacred tree) is the Vilvam Tree.
• Theertham:
  • Theertham associated with the temple is Brahma Theertham, with walls adorned with inscriptions from the Chola period.

Festivals

• Major Festivals Celebrated:
  • Chithirai Tamil New Year
  • Aadi Fridays
  • Vinayagar Chathurthi
  • Navarathri
  • Aipasi Annabishekam
  • Karthigai Deepam
  • Skanda Sashti
  • Karthigai Somavarams
  • Margazhi Thiruvadirai
  • Arudra Darshanam
  • Thai Poosam
  • Thai Fridays
  • Masi Maha Shivarathri
  • Panguni Uthiram
  • Monthly Pradoshams

Century/Period/Age

1000 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Tirusulam

Nearest Railway Station

Tirusulam Station

Nearest Airport

Chennai

0

lightuptemple