Kuthambakkam Sri Thirupuranthakeswarar Temple /Sri Tripurantaka Eswarar Temple, Kuthambakkam

Address

Kuthambakkam Sri Thirupuranthakeswarar Temple /Sri Tripurantaka Eswarar Temple, Kuthambakkam village, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu 600124

Deity

Sri Thirupuranthakeswarar Amman: Sri Thirupura Sundari

Introduction

The Thripuranthakeswarar Temple is a renowned Shiva temple located in Kuthambakkam Village, near Thirumazhisai in Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is Lord Thripuranthakeswarar, and the consort deity is Goddess Thirupurasundari. The temple is associated with significant puranic legends and showcases unique architectural features.

Puranic Significance

The temple’s origins trace back to the Chola period under the reign of King Veerendra Chola (1178–1218 CE). The Vijayanagara rulers later renovated the temple and added the mukha mandapam.
The temple is linked to Lord Shiva’s Tripura Samharam, one of his eight significant acts of destruction.
According to the legend:
- Three demons, Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha, and Vidyunmali, obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that granted them floating cities (Tripuras) of gold, silver, and iron, which could only be destroyed simultaneously by a single arrow.
- The demons terrorized the universe, prompting the Devas to seek help from Lord Shiva.
- Lord Shiva constructed a divine chariot and weapons with assistance from various celestial beings. However, his chariot axle broke at Koovam Nagar, an act attributed to Lord Vinayaka, as Lord Shiva had not worshipped him beforehand.
- After rectifying this oversight, Lord Shiva laughed at the Tripuras, causing them to burn. With a single arrow, he destroyed the cities and killed the demons simultaneously.
This act of Tripura Samharam is commemorated at the Thripuranthakeswarar Temple.

Beliefs

Devotees hold strong faith in the temple’s powers, believing:

Prayers offered before Goddess Thirupurasundari are always fulfilled.
The temple grants blessings for salvation, wealth, relief from diseases, purchase of vehicles, and knowledge.

Special Features

The temple faces east, with an entrance on the south side.
Balipeedam and Nandi are located to the east of the temple. The Nandi’s neck is slightly tilted, symbolizing its unique alignment toward Lord Shiva.
The sanctum entrance features a carving of a cow worshipping Lord Shiva, replacing the usual Gajalakshmi motif.
Deities in the temple include:
- Koshta Murthis: Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.
- Maha Mandapam: Vinayagar, Bala Murugan with Valli and Devasena, Utsava Murthis, Suriyan, and Navagrahas.
- Mother Thirupurasundari: A 6-foot granite idol housed in a separate shrine in the maha mandapam, facing south.
Other notable features:
- Two unfinished sculptures, two Shiva Lingas under a Nagalinga tree, and 27 Nakshatra trees within the temple premises.
- A Linga under a peepal tree and a shrine for Nagaraja.
- The Navagraha shrine in the corridor and Nandi in the praharam facing Lord Shiva.
The temple has a single prakaram but no Rajagopuram.
An engraving at the sanctum entrance depicts a cow shedding milk on a Linga while a snake protects it.