Kripapureeswarar Temple (கிருபாபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில்)[1] (also called Arutkondanathar or Thiruvennainallur temple) in Thiruvennainallur, a panchayat town in Villupuram district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is closely associated with Sundarar, the saivite saint of the 8th century, who started composing his Tirumurai starting with "Pitha Piraisudi" verse in this temple.
Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the present structure of the temple is believed to have been built during the Cholas period in the 10th century. The temple has received gracious endowments from the Chola queen Sembiyan Mahadevi. Shiva is worshipped as Kripapureeswarar and his consort Parvathi as Mangalambigai. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram, the gateway tower.
The temple is open from 6am - 11 am and 4-8:00 pm on all days except during festival days when it is open the full day. Four daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Aadi star day celebrated during the Tamil month of Aaadi (June - July) for Sundarar and Panguni Uthiram festival during Panguni (March - April) with a float festival being the most prominent.
Image of the 100 pillared hall outside the main tower
As per Hindu legend, the sages in Tharukavanam were very proud of their achievements and started doing a penance to destroy Shiva. Shiva absorbed all the evils from the penance and realising their mistake, the sages started their worship to Shiva. Shiva blessed them with their wishes and came to be known as Krupapureeswarar, the "God who would bestow wishes of the devotees".[2]
As per another legend, Sundarar, the famous Saivite saint and Nayanmar, was stopped by an old man from marrying at Thirukovilur.[3] He showed a document indicating Sundarar was indebted to the old man for serving him for a lifetime. Sundarar called him Pitha, a lunatic. The village elders after analysing the document, asked Sundarar to follow the old man. Sundarar followed the old mand and served him in his household. It was later revealed to him that Shiva appeared as the old man to test his servitude.[2][4] Sundarar felt guilty of accusing Shiva, but Shiva revealed to him in a divine voice that he enjoyed the verse and requested him to sing verses starting with "Pitha". Sundarar started singing his Tirumurai with "Pitha Piraisudi" verse in this temple and later would go on to become one of the four most venerated saints of Saiva literature.[2]
Architectureedit
Image of Vinayagar and Muruga on the temple tower
The exact year of building could not be ascertained from the inscriptions, but the inscriptions found in the Visalur temple indicate benevolent gifts to the temple from Raja Raja Chola I (984-1015 CE) and his successors.[5] Based on the inscriptions, researchers point out that the temple had gardens, which were supposed to have both floral plants and fruit bearing trees.[6] The temple has received gracious endowments from the Chola queen Sembiyan Mahadevi and is believed to have established various sculptures.[7]
Kripapureeswar temple is located in Thiruvennainallur, a village located 19 km (12 mi) from Villupuram on the Panruti- Thirukovilur road.[8] The temple has a seven-tiered rajagopuram, the gateway tower that pierces the rectangular wall that houses all the shrines. The sanctum houses the image of Kripapureeswarar in the form of Lingam, an iconic form of Shiva. There is an Ardha Mandap and a Mukha mandap, pillared halls leading to the sanctum. The first precinct has the images of Vinayakar, Murugan, Durga, Dakshinamurthy and Chandikeswara. The hall where the case was fought between the old man and Sundarar is believed to be the Panchyat Mandap located on the right side of the entrance.
Cultureedit
The shrine of Amman located parallel to the Shiva shrine
The temple follows Saivite tradition. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed four times a day: Kalasanthi at 6:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 11:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., and Sayarakshai between 7:45 - 8:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Kripapureeswarar and Mangalambigai. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The temple is open from 6am - 12 pm and 4-8:30 pm.[2]
Aadi star day celebrated during the Tamil month of Aaadi (June - July) as Sundarar's birthday and Panguni Uthiram festival during Panguni (March - April) with a float festival being the most prominent festivals. There are other common festivals like Shivaratri, Vinayaga Chaturthi, Vijayadasami and Karthigai Deepam celebrated in the temple.[2]
Sundarar, an 8th-century Tamil Saivite poet, venerated Kripapureeswarar in ten verses in Tevaram, compiled as the Seventh Tirumurai. As the temple is revered in Tevaram, it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 275 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon.[9]Appar is believed to have visited the temple during the series of visits from Thingalur to Thirukovilur and Pennadam.[10] In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
^ abcde"Sri Kripapureeswarar temple". Dinamalar. 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
^V., Meena (1974). Temples in South India (1st ed.). Kanniyakumari: Harikumar Arts. p. 44.
^Deane, Martin (2015). Unleashing the Bodily Energies for Health and Success. Abbott Press. ISBN9781458219244.
^"Rare inscriptions throw light on administration during Chola period". The Hindu. Pudukottai. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
^Kapoor, Subodh (2002). The Indian Encyclopaedia, Volume 1. Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd. p. 2539. ISBN9788177552577.
^L., Thilagavathi (2009). Woman, Her History and Her Struggle for Emancipation. Bharathi Puthakalayam. p. 141. ISBN9788189909970.
^India. Office of the Registrar General (1965). Census of India, 1961: Madras Volume 9, Issue 1 of Census of India, 1961, India. Office of the Registrar General. Manager of Publications. p. 328.
^Sundarar. "Seventh Thirumurai". Thevaram.org. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
^Kapoor, Subodh, ed. (2004). "Saiva Acharyas". The Philosophy of Šaivism: Saiva works and tantras of Kashmir; Saivism; Kashmir Shaivism I; Kashmir Shaivaism II; History of Kashmir Saivism. The universal experience : five principles of the universal subject-object; The limited individual experience; Famous Saiva saints; The Saiva Acharyas; Kashmir Shaivism in Siddha Yoga; Moksa and the means of its attainment in Kashmir Shaivism; Literature of Śaivism; Vīra Śaivism; Śaivism. Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd. p. 501. ISBN9788177558852.
Further readingedit
B., Venkatraman (1976). Temple Art under the Chola queens. Haryana: Thomson Press (India) Limited. pp. 25–26.
Majumdar, Nani Gopal (1996). Explorations in Art and Archaeology of South Asia: Essays Dedicated to N.G. Majumdar. Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of West Bengal.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kripapureeswarar Temple.
Photogalleryedit
Vimana of the presiding deity
Outer prakara (right)
Outer prakara (left)
Inner prakara(right)
Inner prakara (left)
Entrance of Amman shrine
Amman shrine
October 26, 2023
kripapureeswarar, temple, வரர, also, called, arutkondanathar, thiruvennainallur, temple, thiruvennainallur, panchayat, town, villupuram, district, south, indian, state, tamil, nadu, dedicated, hindu, shiva, presiding, deity, revered, century, tamil, saiva, can. Kripapureeswarar Temple க ர ப ப ர ஸ வரர க ய ல 1 also called Arutkondanathar or Thiruvennainallur temple in Thiruvennainallur a panchayat town in Villupuram district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work the Tevaram written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam The temple is closely associated with Sundarar the saivite saint of the 8th century who started composing his Tirumurai starting with Pitha Piraisudi verse in this temple Krupapureeswarar TempleReligionAffiliationHinduismDistrictVillupuramDeityKripapureeswarar Shiva Mangalambigai Parvathi LocationLocationThiruvennainallurStateTamil NaduCountryIndiaLocation in Tamil NaduGeographic coordinates11 51 37 N 79 21 59 E 11 86028 N 79 36639 E 11 86028 79 36639ArchitectureTypeDravidian architectureConstructed in the Dravidian style of architecture the present structure of the temple is believed to have been built during the Cholas period in the 10th century The temple has received gracious endowments from the Chola queen Sembiyan Mahadevi Shiva is worshipped as Kripapureeswarar and his consort Parvathi as Mangalambigai A granite wall surrounds the temple enclosing all its shrines The temple has a five tiered rajagopuram the gateway tower The temple is open from 6am 11 am and 4 8 00 pm on all days except during festival days when it is open the full day Four daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple of which the Aadi star day celebrated during the Tamil month of Aaadi June July for Sundarar and Panguni Uthiram festival during Panguni March April with a float festival being the most prominent The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu Contents 1 Legend 2 Architecture 3 Culture 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External links 8 PhotogalleryLegend edit nbsp Image of the 100 pillared hall outside the main towerAs per Hindu legend the sages in Tharukavanam were very proud of their achievements and started doing a penance to destroy Shiva Shiva absorbed all the evils from the penance and realising their mistake the sages started their worship to Shiva Shiva blessed them with their wishes and came to be known as Krupapureeswarar the God who would bestow wishes of the devotees 2 As per another legend Sundarar the famous Saivite saint and Nayanmar was stopped by an old man from marrying at Thirukovilur 3 He showed a document indicating Sundarar was indebted to the old man for serving him for a lifetime Sundarar called him Pitha a lunatic The village elders after analysing the document asked Sundarar to follow the old man Sundarar followed the old mand and served him in his household It was later revealed to him that Shiva appeared as the old man to test his servitude 2 4 Sundarar felt guilty of accusing Shiva but Shiva revealed to him in a divine voice that he enjoyed the verse and requested him to sing verses starting with Pitha Sundarar started singing his Tirumurai with Pitha Piraisudi verse in this temple and later would go on to become one of the four most venerated saints of Saiva literature 2 Architecture edit nbsp nbsp Image of Vinayagar and Muruga on the temple tower The exact year of building could not be ascertained from the inscriptions but the inscriptions found in the Visalur temple indicate benevolent gifts to the temple from Raja Raja Chola I 984 1015 CE and his successors 5 Based on the inscriptions researchers point out that the temple had gardens which were supposed to have both floral plants and fruit bearing trees 6 The temple has received gracious endowments from the Chola queen Sembiyan Mahadevi and is believed to have established various sculptures 7 Kripapureeswar temple is located in Thiruvennainallur a village located 19 km 12 mi from Villupuram on the Panruti Thirukovilur road 8 The temple has a seven tiered rajagopuram the gateway tower that pierces the rectangular wall that houses all the shrines The sanctum houses the image of Kripapureeswarar in the form of Lingam an iconic form of Shiva There is an Ardha Mandap and a Mukha mandap pillared halls leading to the sanctum The first precinct has the images of Vinayakar Murugan Durga Dakshinamurthy and Chandikeswara The hall where the case was fought between the old man and Sundarar is believed to be the Panchyat Mandap located on the right side of the entrance Culture edit nbsp The shrine of Amman located parallel to the Shiva shrineThe temple follows Saivite tradition The temple priests perform the pooja rituals during festivals and on a daily basis The temple rituals are performed four times a day Kalasanthi at 6 00 a m Uchikalam at 11 00 a m Sayarakshai at 5 00 p m and Sayarakshai between 7 45 8 00 p m Each ritual has three steps alangaram decoration neivethanam food offering and deepa aradanai waving of lamps for both Kripapureeswarar and Mangalambigai There are weekly monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple The temple is open from 6am 12 pm and 4 8 30 pm 2 Aadi star day celebrated during the Tamil month of Aaadi June July as Sundarar s birthday and Panguni Uthiram festival during Panguni March April with a float festival being the most prominent festivals There are other common festivals like Shivaratri Vinayaga Chaturthi Vijayadasami and Karthigai Deepam celebrated in the temple 2 Sundarar an 8th century Tamil Saivite poet venerated Kripapureeswarar in ten verses in Tevaram compiled as the Seventh Tirumurai As the temple is revered in Tevaram it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam one of the 275 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon 9 Appar is believed to have visited the temple during the series of visits from Thingalur to Thirukovilur and Pennadam 10 In modern times the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu See also editMarundeeswarar Temple T EdayarReferences edit ta த ர வ ண ண ய நல ல ர க ர ப ப ர ச வரர க ய ல a b c d e Sri Kripapureeswarar temple Dinamalar 2014 Retrieved 31 May 2014 V Meena 1974 Temples in South India 1st ed Kanniyakumari Harikumar Arts p 44 Deane Martin 2015 Unleashing the Bodily Energies for Health and Success Abbott Press ISBN 9781458219244 Rare inscriptions throw light on administration during Chola period The Hindu Pudukottai 5 July 2012 Retrieved 8 November 2015 Kapoor Subodh 2002 The Indian Encyclopaedia Volume 1 Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd p 2539 ISBN 9788177552577 L Thilagavathi 2009 Woman Her History and Her Struggle for Emancipation Bharathi Puthakalayam p 141 ISBN 9788189909970 India Office of the Registrar General 1965 Census of India 1961 Madras Volume 9 Issue 1 of Census of India 1961 India Office of the Registrar General Manager of Publications p 328 Sundarar Seventh Thirumurai Thevaram org Retrieved 30 November 2015 Kapoor Subodh ed 2004 Saiva Acharyas The Philosophy of Saivism Saiva works and tantras of Kashmir Saivism Kashmir Shaivism I Kashmir Shaivaism II History of Kashmir Saivism The universal experience five principles of the universal subject object The limited individual experience Famous Saiva saints The Saiva Acharyas Kashmir Shaivism in Siddha Yoga Moksa and the means of its attainment in Kashmir Shaivism Literature of Saivism Vira Saivism Saivism Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd p 501 ISBN 9788177558852 Further reading editB Venkatraman 1976 Temple Art under the Chola queens Haryana Thomson Press India Limited pp 25 26 Majumdar Nani Gopal 1996 Explorations in Art and Archaeology of South Asia Essays Dedicated to N G Majumdar Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Government of West Bengal External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kripapureeswarar Temple Photogallery edit nbsp Vimana of the presiding deity nbsp Outer prakara right nbsp Outer prakara left nbsp Inner prakara right nbsp Inner prakara left nbsp Entrance of Amman shrine nbsp Amman shrine Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kripapureeswarar Temple amp oldid 1057108282, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
