Thiruloki Sri Sundareswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Thiruloki Sri Sundareswarar Temple, Thiruloki Post, Thukili Via, Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk, Thanjavur District – 609 804 Phone: +91 435 245 6696 / 245 6145 Mobile: 94437 14384 / 94429 32145 / 93607

Diety

Sundareswarar Amman: Akhilandeshwari

Introduction

Sundareswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thiruloki Village in Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Sundareswarar and Mother is called as Akhilandeshwari. The Temple is situated on banks of Pazhavar River, a tributary of Cauvery River. Thiruloki is also called as Emanallur. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old Shiva temple. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns Sung by Appar. The Temple is also considered as one of the eight Thiruvisaippa Temple.

Puranic Significance

Emperor Rajaraja Chola 1’s wife is Thirailokkiya Maadevi, the village is named after her. The deity in the Sanctum Sanctorum is Sundarar. Hence the village is called Thirailokki Sundaram. This temple was built by Emperor Rajaraja Chola I. The Village was called as Rajendra Simha Valanaattu Manninattu Emanalluragiya Thirailokkiya Mathevi Chathurvedhimangalam during Emperor Rajendra Chola I Period. It has been inscribed in one of the Chola Inscriptions. Rajendra Chola I, donated this Village to learned Brahmins in memory of his step mother Thirulokiyamaadevi, one of wives of his father, Emperor Rajaraja Chola I. Emam means Gold in Tamil.Also, Brihaspati (Guru Baghwan), one of the Navagrahas, is also called as Ponnavan. It is believed that Guru Baghwan worshipped Lord Shiva here. Due to this, the village got its name Emanallur. Worshipping Lord here will relieve the person from Guru Dosham.

Beliefs

The Temple is considered as Navagraha Parihara Sthalam. Devotees suffering from Budhan Dosham can worship Lord Shiva here to get rid of the Dosham. Also, women pray to Lord here for longevity of their Husband’s Life. Worshipping Lord here will relieve the person from Guru Dosham. It is believed that worshipping Lord here will save strained marriages, will bestow with child boon and get rid of marriage obstacles.

Special Features

The Temple is east facing with three tiered Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Sundareswarar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Linga facing east. Lord is Swayambhu Moorthy. There is a sculpture of Lord Sundareswarar along with Akhilandeshwari, seated on Rishaba (Nandi) can be seen in the sanctum backside of Linga. It is a beautiful Sculpture, made up of a single stone. This sculpture is called as Rishabaroodar. Guru Bhagavan can be seen near worshipping Rishabaroodar to get rid of his sins. Guru Bhagawan is facing east. Normally, Guru will be in Abhaya Posture but here he is in Anjali Posture worshipping Lord Shiva. This is a unique posture nowhere to be seen. Rathi and Manmathan sculpture is a special feature of this temple. This Sculpture is about 5 feet height made on soapstone. Both Rathi and Manmathan are flanked by two ladies in the sculpture. This Idol belongs to Hoysala period. Mother is called as Akhilandeshwari. She is housed in a separate shrine in the outer Mandapam of the sanctum. She is facing east. There is a newly built east facing Chitra Sabha in the Mandapam. Here Uma Maheswara seated on Rishaba is gracing the devotees. Also, Guru Bhagawan in Anjali Posture worshipping Lord Shiva can be seen nearby. There are also shrines of Lord Murugan, Vishwanathar, Bhairava, Durga and Chandikeswarar Shrines nearby. Sculptures of Karuvur Devar can be seen in the pillars of Outside mandapam. There were three sacred tanks (Theerthams) namely Lakshmi Theertham, Varuna Theertham and Manasa Theertham. Lakshmi Theertham alone is found today. The temple tree (Sthala Vriksham) is Sara Kondrai. There is a Kailasanathar Temple in this village. It is believed that Rajendra Chola I after his Gangetic expedition built this Temple and done Thirumanjanam with the Ganges water to Lord Kailasanathar.