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Sri Kirupa Samuthra Perumal Temple at Nannilam taluk – A Study
MRS. R. BRINDA KUMARI
PH.D RESEARCH SCHOLAR – FULL TIME
Department of History, MEENAKSHI COLLEGE FOR WOMEN (AUTONMOUS)
Kodambakkam, Chennai - 600 024.
&
DR. V.Rajeswari
Assistant Professor and Head
Department of History, MEENAKSHI COLLEGE FOR WOMEN (AUTONMOUS)
Kodambakkam, Chennai - 600 024
Abstract
Kirupa Samuthra Perumal temple at Sirupuliyur a study on temple history, Moolavar, pujas, festival and its features.
KEY WORDS:
Krupasamudra Perumal, Thirumangai Alwar
LOCATION:
Sirupuliyur is a village located in Nannilam Taluk of Thirvarur District. It is 3 km from the Kollumangudi Thanjavur, railway station at Aranthangi railway station. The main places such as Mayiladuthurai (north), Karaikal (east), Kumbakonnam (west) and Thiruvarur (south). It is 11KM from Mayavaram, Travel on Thiruvarur road up to Kollumangudi. At Kollumangudi, turn left and travel 1 KM. Turn left again and travel about 1 KM to reach the temple. Kollumangudi Station on Mayavaram – Thiruvarur line where to Stay Mayavaram.
The etymology of the word ‘Visnu’
The origin of the word ‘Visnu’ is a matter of considerable speculation. M.Bloomfield [i] and H.Goldenberg[ii] explain it as ‘crossing the back of the world or the earthly regions’. ‘Visnu’ represents a space concept indicating ‘mobility’. The word ‘Iraivan’ in Tamil can be said to be an equivalent of ‘Visnu’.’Iru’ means ‘to pervade’.[iii]
Reason for Name:
Vyaghrapadamuni worshipped Shiva for attaining moksha. Shiva advised the Muni to worship Perumal Vishnu here. The Rishi wanted the legs and the eyes of tiger to reach this place quickly. Hence the name (Vyanghra = tiger Puli, Pada Feet).
Temple History:
The Kirupa Samuthra Perumal at Sirupuliyur was taken for the brief narration about the Legends, Literature and festivals. It is the eleventh sthala of the 108 important Vaishnava sthalas .lt is 2kms from Kollumangudi Railway station and 12 kms. From Mayiladuthurai. The name of the main god is Aruma Kadalamudhan and the main Goddess is Thiruma mahal. These two names are mentioned in the inscription of this temple.[iv] The moving icons are called Cholabera or Utsavar. They were taken out in procession during festivals Utsavar main god is titled as Kirupa Samuthra Perumal and goddess Dayanayaki. The temple was named as Kirupa Samuthra Perumal temple in the name of Utsavar.
There are two legends related to this temple. According to the first legend that Adhiseshan (Snake) performed puja and meditation here in order to get rid of the enemity of Garuda (eagle). Then god Kirupa Samuthra Perumal came in front of Adhisesha on Ekadesi day in the month of Vaikasi (May-June) then the god laid down as Ananthasayanam over Adhiseshan.[v]
Another legend related to Pulikkal Munivar. His original name was Vyakrapathar he belonged to Kasi. He was well versed in Vedas, sastras and other arts. He came to Chidambaram in order to worship Lord Nataraja with the flowers plucked before the sun rise from the trees. For that he needed the legs and hands like that of the tiger so he prayed to god and got it. After some time he came to Sirupuliyur and worshipped Kirupa Samuthra Perumal. He attained mukthi in Sirupuliyur. So this place became very popular and important sthala.[vi]
Another important saint Kannuvar visited this place and worshipped this Perumal.[vii] Kirupa Samuthra Perumal temple of Sirupuliyur is one of the late Chola temples. The earliest inscription of the temple seen on the western side kumudha of the Ardhamandapa belongs to the time of Raja Raja III. This inscription (TNSDA 189/1977) mentions that this village belongs to Vilainadu under Uyyakkonda Chola Valanadu. It also mentions about the location of Andal shrine of this temple and the donations given to this temple by the local people but it is not clear. The second inscription (TNSDA 188/1077) was written in the combination of Grantha and Tamil languages. It was inscribed on the western Kumudha of the garbagraha wall. It mentions about the other names of the main god, goddess and Andal. The main shrine faces south like that of Srirangam temple. It has two prakaras with three shrines. The main goddess in the first prakara is the presiding deity facing south. Another shrine in the inner prakara was dedicated to Andal. A shrine for Manavala Mamunivar is located in outer prakara. The Sthalaviruksha of the temple is Vilva tree there are two tanks for this temple. Thiruvanantha theertham (Tank) is on the west ant the Manasa theertham is on the eastern side of the Kirupa Samuthra Perumal temple. Water from these tanks is used for performing Abhishekam to the gods and goddess.
Festivals are religious practices intended to create group feeling and participation. There have been endowments provided for this purpose in this temple. The important festivals of this temple are Vaikasi Visakam (May-June), Manavala Mamunivar festival of ten days in the month of Aippasi (October-November), Vaikunda Ekadesi (December-January) and Panguni Utiram (March-April).[viii] Periya Thirumozhi and Nootrettu Thirupathi Anthathi are the two literatures are related to Kirupa Samuthra Perumal temple. Penya Thirumozhi was written by Thirumangai Alwar. In his work he has written ten songs in the ninth thirumozhi. Here he explains about the natural surroundings of the temples and Sirupuliyur and about the god Arumakadal Amudhan.[ix] Nootrettu Thirupathi Anthathi of the Ashtaprabandam was written by Pillai Perumal Iyangar related to Sirupuliyur.[x]
The Moolavar is seen in bujanga sayanam, facing south. At the feet of the Moolavar is a small vigraham of Vyakrapathar, who attained salvation and went to Vaikundam from here. Brahma emerges from the naval of the Lord and is found seated on a lotus.
- It is believed that the Lord gave protection to Aadhiseshan from his enemy Garuda here.
- The Lord here is small in size compared to the other Divya Desams.
- A special feature of this temple is that this is one of the only two Divya Desams. Where the Lord in sayana kolam is facing the South (the other being Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam.)
- Thiru Vishnu paadham (feet) is in the inner precinct of the shrine. It is believed that Kalvar and Vyagrapadamuni attained moksha here.[xi]
TEMPLE FEATURES
It is located on the Aradha Mandapa Southern side wall on the 12th and 13th Year, Land Tax Free was given. The Moolavar is seen in bujanga sayanam, facing south. At the feet of the Moolavar is a small vigraham of Vyakrapathar, who attained salvation and went to Vaikundam from here. Brahma emerges from the naval of the Lord and is found seated on a lotus. It is believed that the Lord gave protection to Aadhiseshan from his enemy Garuda here. The Lord here is small in size compared to the other Divya Desams
A special feature of this temple is that this is one of the only two Divya Desams where the Lord in sayana kolam is facing the South (the other being Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam) Thiru Vishnu paadham (feet) is in the inner precinct of the shrine. It is believed that Kalvar and Vyagrapadamuni attained moksha here. It is believed that the Lord gave protection to Aadhiseshan from his enemy Garuda here. The Lord here is small in size compared to the other Divya Desam.
Vimanam: Nandavartana Vimanam
Pushkarani: Maanasa Pushkarani, Anantha Saras
Festivals: Brahmotsavam during Vaikasi concluding on visakham
Manavala Mamuni Utsavam Aypassi Moolam, Vaikunta Ekadas
Masi Sukla Ekadasi, Ananathar Utsavam, Panguni Utram
Perumal Name (Moolavar): Sala Sayana Perumal
Perumal Other Name: Krupasamudra Perumal, Arulmaakadal
Perumal Name (Utsavar): Krupasamudra Perumal, Arulmaakadal
Pose: Bhujanga Sayanam
Facing: South
Mangalasasanam By: Thirumangai Azhwar
Padal List: Periya Thirumozhi 7-9 (10), Siriya Thirumadal 71
Pratyaksham to: Vyasar, Balavyaaghrapaada Muni
Other Sannadhis: Rajagopalan, Andal and Azhwars, Vyahapadar.
A very small Anjaneya is seen on the Thayar Sannadhi walls.
Thayar Name (Moolavar): Thirumamagal Nacchiyar
Thayar Name (Utsavar) Dayanayaki
Puranam: Brahamanda Puranam, Garuda Puranam
Sthala Puranam: Garuda and Adisesha had a quarrel as to who is important to the Perumal. When Adisesha was swimming in the Anantha Theertham, Garuda flew overhead with a view to attack Adisesha. Adisesha called Perumal for help. Perumal sat on the lap of Adisesha on Masi Sukla Ekadasi, to protect him from Garuda. This Sannadhi is about 0.5 KM to the west of the main temple. Perumal in Balasayana Pose mediated between them and informed of their respective roles. Garuda Sannadhi is below and Adisesha Sannadhi is at a higher level .Kalvar and Vyaghrapadamuni worshipped the Perumal with flowers here. To facilitate their worship, Perumal has his feet towards east, head to west and is facing south. Thayar is East Facing. The Sayana Perumal is the smallest of all the Divya Desa Sayana Perumal. Noting that Thirumangai Azhwar was not impressed with the small size, Perumal asks him to find him in a much bigger form at Thirukkannamangai. Vyaghrapadamuni is seen at the feet of the Perumal. Brahma is seen seated on the lotus. Sridevi, Bhoomidevi, Kalvar and Vyaghrapadamuni are also seen.[xii]
Conclusion
The study of Sri Kirupa Samuthra Perumal Temple at Nannilam taluk reveals the fact that worship and dedication of vishnu was prevalent from the period of Pallavas, continuous even today. From this we can sure that these rulers were not political fanatics but they gave important to temple also, the pujas and festivals are celebrated every Tamil month like that of other old temple.
[i] M. Bloomfield: Am. J. of Phil. 17,p .427.
[ii] H. Gldenberg: Nachr. Goott. Gis. D. Wis 1915, p.374.
[iii] Cilappatikaram: Adiyarkkunallar urai Natukan katai – line 184, p.281.
[iv] T.N.S.D.A. 188 OF 1977.
[v] A Pamplet form Sirupuliyar temple.
[vi] Ibid
[vii] Ibid
[viii] Manavala Manunivar Festival Invitation.
[ix] Nalayira Divya Prabandam (Siru Puliyur Sala Sayam) of Thirumangai Alwar.
[x] Pillai Perumal Iyangar, Ashtta Prabandham (Nootrettu Thirupathi).
[xi] Avey Varghese, 108 Divya Desam Vaishnava Yatra.., Saila Sudha Trust, Chennai, 2014,P.40.
[xii] Krishnan.C.S., 108 Vaishnava Divya Desam, LIFCO pub.pvt.Ltd.,Pp.60,61.