Thirukkattalai Sundareswarar Temple , Pudukottai

Address

Thirukkattalai Sundareswarar Temple Thirukkattalai, Pudukottai Tamil Nadu 622001

Diety

Sundareswarar

Introduction

The name Thirukkattalai comes from the name Thiru + katrazhi, which means sacred stone temple. This is one of the earliest structural temples to be built (temples built before this were essentially rock-cut). It has a small sanctum sanctorum and 7 small shrines in all directions. These shrines are attached to the outer wall of the temple which is architecturally unusual in later temples. These shrines on the side are of Surya, Chandra, Saptha Madha, Vinayaka, Karhtikeya, Jyeshta Devi, each and the 7th shrine is empty. Inscriptions of both the Aditya Chola Period as well as the Nayak period can be found here. The Vimana (the tall pyramid-shaped structure atop the sanctum sanctorum) has some important sculptural details on all 4 sides. On the eastern side, (that’s the entrance), right atop is Alinganamurthy – that’s Lord Shiva with his consort on his lap. However, in this sculpture, his consort is broken… The southern side has Thripuranthaka at the bottom, Bhikshadana in the middle and Veenadhara Dakshinamurthy atop. The western side has Vishnu in standing posture at the bottom, Seated Vishnu in the middle, Bhoovaragava atop. The northern side has Standing Brahma at the bottom, seated Brahma in the middle and the structure atop is unidentifiable. However, a pattern seems to have been followed. The southern side was completely Shiva, the western side was Vishnu and so the northern side must be completely Brahma. So the unidentified sculpture atop must be Brahma!!!

Puranic Significance

This was built but the 1st Adithya Chola in the 9th C. Lord Shiva here is called Sundareshwara / Sundareswarar. The separate shrine for Ambal was built later during the Late Pandya Era.