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

Diety

Sri Thirupuranthakeswarar Amman: Sri Thirupura Sundari

Introduction

Thripuranthakeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kuthambakkam Village near Thirumazhisai in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Thirupuranthakeswarar and Mother is called as Thirupurasundari.

Puranic Significance

The original temple was constructed during the Chozha King Veerendra (1178 to 1218 CE). The same was reconstructed and mukha mandapam was added during Vijayanagara period. This legend is associated with Lord Shiva’s 8 samharas in which Tripura samharam is associated with this temple. As per the Koova purana written by Sivaprakasa Adigalar Swamial, the legend is associated with the Koovam Thripuranthakeswara story, one of the 64 forms of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva took this form to destroy the Tripura with three demons Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmali. The Demons did a penance on Brahma and got the boon of Tripuras made of Gold, Silver and Iron ( huge floating cities ), which can fly /travels to three Lokas, They should meet once in 1000 years and If they are killed, all the three must be killed at a time, by a single person with a single arrow. After getting this boon they started torturing the Devas and ruled three lokas. The Devas sought help of Maha Vishnu. Maha Vishnu told that it may not be possible to destroy those, who are worshiping Lord Shiva. He mooted the idea of sending Narathar to all the three puras and makes all the ladies to lose their female virtue. Then Maha Vishnu took the form of Buddha, Jinas and preached them. This made them to forget the worshiping of lord Shiva. Then Mahavishnu, Brahma and all the Devas went to Mount kailash and requested Lord Shiva to destroy Tripura. When Lord Shiva started for the Tripura samhara in a chariot created by Deva carpenter Mayan with earth as Chariot, Chandran and Suriyan as wheels, Brahma as a Charioteer, Vedas as Horses, Meru Hill as Bow, Adhiseshan as the rope and Agni & Mahavishnu as arrow. When Lord Shiva reached Koovam Nagar, Vinayagar broke the axle of Shiva’s Chariot. While the Chariot started falling down, Maha Vishnu holds the chariot on his back. The Devas were much worried. Arumagar (Murugan) came and told them that this was the act of Vinayaga, since Lord Shiva forgot to worship him before starting this venture. Lord Shiva asked the Thiripuras to appear before him. Till this, the Devas thought, Lord Shiva cannot destroy without their help. Instead Lord Shiva laughed at the Tripura. The Thiripuras got burned, but the three demons escaped. Lord Shiva shoots the arrow and killed all the three at a time.

Beliefs

If we pray anything in this temple in front of the goddess it will be granted. Devotees pray Lord here for Salvation, Wealth and Relief from diseases, Purchase of vehicles and Knowledge.

Special Features

The temple is facing east with an entrance from South side. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in-front of the temple on the east side. A Jala is provided on the east side wall in front of Rishabam. Moolavar is little big. A Cow worshiping Lord Shiva is at the top of the sanctum entrance instead of Gajalakshmi. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. In Maha mandapam, Vinayagar, Bala Murugan, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Utsava murtis, Suriyan and Navagrahas. Ambal Sri Tripura Sundari is in a separate sannidhi in maha mandapam facing south. In praharam, Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar, unfinished two sculptures, two Shiva Lingas. On a square avudayars under a cannon ball / Nagalinga tree with another Shiva Linga under the cover of a Nagar, 27 Nakshathra trees, Rishabam and balipeedam. The Temple has single prakaram. The Temple does not have Rajagopuram. At the entrance to the left is the idol of Lord Ganesha outside the wall. Nandi is situated in the praharam facing Lord Shiva but the Nandi’s neck is little tilted to signify that here Nandi is looking at the lord. The flag post of the temple is in front of the Nandi. There is an engraving at the entrance wall of the sanctum depicting cow shedding its milk on the Linga with the snake protecting the Linga. Mother is called as Thirupurasundari. There is a separate shrine for Mother in the Temple. Her Idol is 6 feet tall made of granite. There is a shrine for Navagrahas in the corridor. There are trees representing 27 Tamil stars in the Temple premises there is a Linga below the peepul tree behind the temple but due to too much overgrowth of vegetations, it is not approachable. The temple of Nagaraja is also present underneath that tree. Although the temple is maintained well inside but the surrounding is filled with bushes without maintenance.