VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Nitiswaraswami Temple / Nitheeswara Swamy Temple / Nitisvara Swamy Temple / Nityesvara Temple / Udaiyar Koil, Srimushnam, in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

Sunday 22 September 2019

Sri Nitiswaraswami Temple / Nitheeswara Swamy Temple / Nitisvara Swamy Temple / Nityesvara Temple / Udaiyar Koil, Srimushnam, in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

14^th September 2019.

Visit to this temple was a part of Temples Visit in and around Sirkazhi, on 14^th and 15^th of September 2019. Srimushnam is also called as Thirumuttam. This Shiva Temple is just behind the Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple. How this place obtained the name as Srimushnam ?. The answer may be, Mustha in Sanskrit means, the Korai root ( கோரைக்கிழங்கு - Cyperus Rotundus ) which is a favorite food of boar / Varaha. This mustha / Mustam added with Sri and called as Srimustam, which latter corrupted as Srimushnam. This Shiva temple is under the control of Archaeological survey of India ( ASI ).

Moolavar : Sri Nitiswaraswami, Sri Nitheeswara Swamy,

Niteswara Swamy, Nityesvara.
Consort : Sri Brihan Nayaki / Periya Nayaki

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a temple tank Nityapuskarani with Neerazhi mandapa at the centre. ( the temple tank of Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy ). A mottai gopuram or the entrance arch is at the entrance. The Sanctum sanctorum complex consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. At the entrance of mukha mandapam Nandhi, Dwajasthambam and balipeedam. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Umamaheswaran, Agasthiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Arthanareeswarar and ashtabhuja Durgai.

In prakaram Armugar ( damaged ), Chandikeswarar Navagrahas, Thirugnanasambandar, Appar, Sundarar, Vinayagar, Bhairavar, Suryan and the recovered idols. Out side the temple sannidhis for Sri Haripureeswarar, Sri Valli Devasena Shanmugar and Ambal Brihan Nayaki / Periya Nayaki. Ambal is in a separate temple with Sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Nandi and balipeedam are in front.

ARCHITECTURE:

The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pathabhanda adhisthana built with stone up to prastaram. Bhuta Ganas are in valabi and yazhivari is above the prastaram. The sanctum sanctorum and artha mandapa pillars are of cylindrical/ virutha type. The front mandapa is of Vavvalnethi style was built by the Marathas.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple may be existed since 9^th – 10^th Century ie before Kulothunga Chozha – I ( 1070 – 1120 CE ). The earliest inscription belongs to Rajakesarivarman Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 30^th year rule. This inscription mentions about the gift of the Village Sangantavirattachozha Nallur ( named after Kulothunga-I ) and Adivaraha Nallur to the temples of Tirumuttam Udaiya Mahadevar and Sri Varaha Alwar ( Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple ). These Villages are in Mudikonda Chozha nallurin Vilandaiyur Kootram, a subdivision of Irungolappadi, by the king when he was seated on the throne called Sedirajan in his palace at his camp at Tirumaluvadi in Poigainadu.

Kulothunga Chozha’s, 32 year rule another inscription mentions that at the instance of Kulothunga Chozha Sauvarnadhiraja and another, the separation of the above two Villages was ordered, when he was at Ayirattalai which was also called as Minavanai Venkonda Chozhapuram.

The Rajarajan-III’s 6^th year rule inscription of Kulothunga Chozha Kadavarayan, speaks about reduction / remission of padikaval and other levies due to the donor from the devadana lands, for worship to the god at Srimushnam also known as Thirumuttam in Vilandai-kootram ( Kurram ), a subdivision of Merka-Nadu Irungolappadi in Virudarajabhayankara Valanadu by Alappirandan Elisaimogan alias Kulottunga Chozha Kadavarayan, a Palli having the kani-right in Urumur alias Chola Pandya Chaturvedi mangalam alias Erumbur, for the merit of himself and his family (See also A.R. No. 137 of 1900).

Another inscription dated at 1100 by Kulothunga Chola-I (1070–1120 CE ) mentions a gift of a village to the temple, where the presiding deity is referred as Varaha Azhwar.

The 44^th year rule of Kulothunga-I, mentions the gift of three kasus for burning of perpetual lamps at Thirumuttam Udayar by Anantisan Adavallan of Suravalundur ( ARE236 of 1916). In addition to this there are inscriptions belongs to Vikrama Chozha ( 1118 – 1125 CE ) and Vijayanagaras.

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Oru kala puja is conducted. Since the temple is under the control of ASI, kept open during day time.

HOW TO REACH:
The temple is 36 Km from Chidambaram, 20 KM from Ulundurpet and 72 KM from District head quarters Cuddalore and nearest Railway station is Ulundurpet.

Srimushnam can be reached through the Anaikarai to Meensurutty road.. divert Vadalur on Chennai route at Sethiyathope. You will reach Chozhatharam / Sozhatharam and from there Srimushnam is about 12 KM on Virudhachalam road.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE