Siva temple of yore
Chandikeswarar
THIRUTHANTHONI IN Woraiyur — the heart of Tiruchi town, hardly a kilometre from the Cauvery, sports one of the oldest and greatest Siva temples in Chola Desa. The temple tucked away behind tall business complexes on Salai Road, was built in the 9th Century by the Great Pandya king Varaguna Maharaja II. There are many references to the early Chola capital, Woraiyur. The Panchavarneswara temple here has been glorified by Sambandar in his hymns. The Kamalavalli Nachiyar temple has been referred by Thirumangai Azhwar in his pasurams. Thiruppan Azhwar hailed from Woraiyur. According to Dr. R. Kalaikkovan, director, Rajamanickar Centre for Historical Research, Varaguna Maharaja II belonged to the dynasty of the early Pandyas, who ruled the south from 600 A.D. to 900 A.D.
The inscription dated 885 A.D. has referred to donation of gold coins to the village Sabha for performing pujas in the temple. Inscriptions in the Rockfort Thayumanavar temple, Thiruvallarai Siva temple, Lalgudi Saptharsheeshwara temple, and temples in Kumbakonam, Senthalai, Tiruvakovil, Tiruviyalur, Tiruchottuthurai also speak of the donations by this great Pandya king.
According to mythology, queen Kanthimathi, wife of the Chola king Sooravadhitha Chola of Woraiyur was a great devotee of Thayumanavar of Rockfort temple and offered worship at the temple regularly. When she was pregnant she found it difficult to proceed to the Rockfort temple and regretted her inability. Lord Siva (Thayumanavar) then appeared in Swayambu form (Thanthoneeswarar) in Woraiyur, so that Kanthimathi could offer worship.
At the entrance, a beautiful and richly decorated Nandi greets the visitor. The temple has a maha mandapam, ardha mandapam and a sanctum sanctorum. Goddess Kunkumavalli, the consort of Thanthoneeswarar, faces North and adorns Ankusam and lotus in her two hands.
"Thiruthanthoneeswarar Temple, Woraiyur.
The other two hands are in Abhaya Hastha mudra and blessing postures. Close to the shrine, one can see the images of Mahavishnu, the Sun God, Lord Saneeswara and Kala Bhairavamoorthy.
In the Ardha mandapam, at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, there are two brilliant six-feet-tall Dwarapalakas with typical 9th century features. Both the images are brilliantly decorated. Inside the sanctum sanctorum is the magnificent, tall lingam of Thanthoneeswarar with a huge, impressive base.
The Koshta in the southern wall of the sanctum sanctorum is adorned with Dakshinamoorthy and the northern wall Koshta with Lord Brahma. The magnificent Ardhanareeswarar in the southern wall koshta is an indication of the antiquity of the temple. Similar images are seen in the temples at Tiruvaiyaru and Koviladi.
The four-feet-tall granite idol of Chandikeswara inside the shrine on the northern side is one of the tallest granite idols. Chandikeswara had prevented his own father from causing obstruction to the performance of puja to his Lord.
The two-tier vesara type vimanam of the temple sports Lord Dakshinamoorthy, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma on the southern, western and northern sides.
The temple, renovated in 2002 by the hereditary trustees A. Karunamoorthy and Chitra Karunamoorthy.
V. GANAPATHY
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