Sri Tripurantaka Temple, Pudukottai

Address

Sri Tripurantaka Temple, Agarapatti, Kodumbalur, Pudukottai district, Tamil Nadu 621316

Diety

Tripurantaka Amman:Tripurasundari

Introduction

Tripurantaka Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Kodumbalur Village in Illupur Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. This Temple is situated to the south of MoovarKoil. Kodumbalur has 3 important temples – MuvarKoil, Ivar Koil and MuchukundeshwaraKoil, of which we did not make it too Ivar koil. So here’s the rest 2, beginning with MuvarKoil

Puranic Significance

The temple consisted of Sanctum and ArdhaMandapam of which only the plinth remains. A few sculptures of Chola workmanship, Linga and a broken Avudaiyar were found among the ruins of this temple. The noteworthy among these sculptures were a group of Tripurantaka, Tripurasundari and Tiripura demons. All these sculptures are now housed in Government Museum in Chennai. These sculptures are the finest sculptures found in the region. The temple is named as Tripurantaka Temple after these idols. As the name suggest Muvar means the 3 People and this temple was built in 3 sections to denote 3 people – BhutiVikramakesari, the Irukuvelir king who built this temple in 10th C, and his 2 wives Karrali&Varaguna. However today only 2 of those are standing and one is in ruins. The central section has Shiva Lingam inside, the other one is empty. Both are west facing temples. The Vimana atop the santum sanctorum is built by the Linear Arch method. That’s a shot from inside… In the northern side atop is Rishabhantaka Murthy, middle is seated Siva, beneath is an unidentified standing murthy. In the eastern side atop is Indra on his elephant, middle is Alinganamurthy, that’s Parvathi on Shiva’s lap, but with a disfigured Shiva, bottom is Ardhanari. Almost at the corner, is this little miniature relief sculpture. Its of dancing Shiva as Tripurantaka on the right and in the left a scared Uma on the right, with 12 little dancing figures beneath!!! The second section of the temple has Harihara (Shiva Vishnu combo) in the western side. The northern side has Gangadhara atop and Siva Parvathi in the middle. The eastern side is the most important side. Right atop is Tripurantaka in such a volatile pose that shows so much movement. In the middle is the Kalarimurthy – the pride of Pudukottai. The pose is so natural, dynamic and graceful. Beneath is Rishabanthaka. Again a very natural, casual pose with Shiva having his hand atop the head of a beautiful Rishabam!!! That’s me &Shillika trying to enact the same.