78 Friday Temple Visit
05th August 2022
வாரம் ஒரு கோவில் தரிசனம்
by S. Subramaniam
SRI SUKSHMA PUREESWARAR TEMPLE, CHERUKUDI, THIRUVAR, TAMIL NADU.
LOCATION
Sri Sukshma Pureeswara Swamy Temple, is located in village Cherukudi, Sarabhoji Rajapuram Post, on the southern banks of Cauvery. River Keertimaan Aaru flows close to the temple. The temple lies about 24 Kms from Kudavasal, 24 Kms from Mayiladuthurai and 30 Kms each from Thiruvarur, Kumbakonam and Eravancheri.
SALIENT FEATURES
The name of the principal deity of the temple (Lord Shiva) is Sri Sukshma Pureeswarar also known as Mangala Nathar and Kalyana Sundareswarar and name of Devi Parvathi (consort of the Lord) is known as Mangala Nayaki. The Holy tree of the temple (Sthala Vrikksham) is the Vilvam tree and the Holy waters of the temple are the Mangala Theertham and Surya Theertham.
NAME OF THE PLACE
The place was called Sukshmapuri (in Sanskrit) and Sirupidi (in Tamil) in ancient times. Sirupidi got corrupted to the present name of Cherukudi.
During Thanjavur Maratha rule, a cluster of villages, including Cherukudi, were renamed Sarabhoji Rajapuram but that name now is limited to just a single village which lies close to Cherukudi.
UNIQUENESS
The Lingam in this temple is believed to have been hand made from sand by Devi Parvathi. The hand imprints of Devi Parvathi can be seen in the sides of Lingam.
HISTORY
The temple is a very ancient one but the present structure was completely reconstructed in granite during the Chola period (10th Century) . Later, the temple was extensively renovated by Vijayanagara kings, Thanjavur Nayaks and the Marathas.
LEGEND
Legend 1 of 2 - Relating to Devi Parvathi
According to the Sthala puranam (Legend relating to the origin of the Temple), it is mentioned that once Lord Shiva and his consort Devi Parvathi were playing a game of dice (Sokkattan) at their abode in Mount Kailash. It is believed that the Devi was about to win the game when the Lord, in a playful mood, suddenly disappeared. That's the story behind the Lord being known here as Sri Sukshma Pureeswarar meaning the one who vanished magically.
Worried about his whereabouts, Devi Parvathi searched for him at various locations and finally visited this place, created the temple pond Mangala Theertham, made a Lingam with a handful of earth, installed it here and worshiped it.
Lord Shiva (re)appeared before her, from the hand made Lingam, gave darshan to her and took her back to Mount Kailash. Since Devi herself created a Lingam with a handful of earth, this place came to be known as Siru pidi (meaning handful in Tamil). This has now got corrupted to Cherukudi. The hand impressions of Devi Parvathi can be seen on the Lingam during Aarthi.
Legend 2 of 2 - Relating to origin of the Hymn Koleru Pathigam
During the 7th Century CE, Madurai was ruled by a king by name Nindraseer Nedumaran who is (dis)credited with the slain of 8000 odd Jain Monks. The king initially adhered to and was promoting the Jain faith.
His Queen Mangayarkarasi was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva and strongly wanted to win her husband back to Shaivism. She sought the help of the two great Tamil scholars Appar and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar in this regard and invited them to visit Madurai.
Appar, who was also a great astrologer, advised Sambandhar not to visit Madurai as the planetary position did not favour him. Sambandhar however brushed off the fear saying planets can do no harm to someone who has complete faith in Lord Shiva and composed extempore the famous Tamil hymn Koleru Pathigam. It's opening words are Veyuru Tholi bangan, vidamunda kandan..
OTHER DEITIES
As mentioned earlier, in this temple the Moolavar (the stone image of the Lord) is known as Sukshma pureeswarar. The Urchavar ( metal idol of the deity taken during processions etc.) is called Santosha Alingana Moorthy. He is depicted as embracing Devi Parvathi in a joyful posture after the reunion.
Idols of Lord Vinayaka, Muruga, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Ardhanareeswarar are in the koshta located around the sanctum walls.
Navagraha shrine is situated in the mukha mandapam. It is unique to see the idols of Nayanmar Thirugnana Sambandar, Bhairava and Vinayaka among the Navagrahas.
There is a separate shrine for Angaraka (Lord Mars) in this temple.
This temple is considered as a parikara sthalam for doshas related to Planet Mars (Sevvai dosham - Kuja dosham). Devotees believe that worshiping the lord here would remove obstacles from their marriage proposals.
LITERARY MENTIONS
The shrine is one amongst the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in Thevaram hymns. Thirugnana Sambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. The temple finds mention in Periyapuranam written by Sekkizhar. Vallalar also has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
Poem Number 173 of Purananuru,
யான்வாழும் நாளும் பண்ணன் வாழிய (Yaan Vaazhum Nalum Pannan Vaazhiya) composed by the famous Tamil king of Sangam Period, Chozhan Killi Valavan is dedicated to his close friend Panan, a noted Philanthropist, who hailed from Sirukudi (Cherukudi).
Contact
Sree Sukshmapureeswarar Temple,
Cherugudi, Sarabhoji Rajapuram Post, Poonthottam Via, Kudavasal Taluk, Thiruvarur District – 609 503, Tamilnadu.
Phone: +91 4366 291 646
Mobile: +91 9585160660.
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