Sculptural splendour

TIRUBHUVANAM, eight km from Kumbakonam is not only famous for silk sarees but also for its Chola sculptures.

The small town was built by Kulothunga Cholan-III or Tiribhuvana Chakaravarthy as a memorial to his victory in the war in the North.

At the centre of the town the King built a big temple for Lord Siva. The inside walls of the temple speak of high devotional fervour.

The gopuram of the sanctum sanctorum is 160 feet high with sculptures adorning it. The construction of the temple it is said, was overseen by Sekkizhar.

The presiding deity of the temple is Kambasarbeswarar, who is in the form of a Linga. The Utsavar is Sarbamoorthy, whose form is half human and half animal. The Goddess in the temple is called Aramvalartha Nayaki.As per the inscription, this place was called Tiribhuvanaveerapuram, Vilvapuram, Tiriburavanam, Devakshethram and Nimbaranya Kshetram.

According to sthalapurana, three asuras Asuvakkirivan, Virushakirivan and Viyalakirivan installed the Siva Linga here and prayed to the Lord for a gold, silver and iron fort respectively.

Hence the Lord is called Tiripurar and the place Tirubuvanam.

After killing Hiranya, Lord Vishnu as Narasimha was still furious. On seeing the god's anger the devas and rishis got frightened and as per the advice of Parvathi came to Tirubuvanam and prayed to Lord Siva. Siva himself came in the form of Sarba and pacified Narasimha. Hence the Lord in this temple is also called Nadukamtheertha Nayagar. Sukoshan Varaguna Pandian prayed to the Lord. The Theerthams in this temple are called Sarbatheertham, Devatheertham, Gnanatheertham, Vijaya Theertham and Birugu Theertham. The sculptures in the temple mandapam depict the various postures in Bharatanatyam. The pillars also have exquisite scultpures on them.

Vasanthotsavam, Karthigai Somavaram and Arudhra Dharisanam are performed in a grand manner. The daily affairs of the temple are overseen by the Dharmapura Adheenam Gurumaha Sannidhanam.

J. RAJAGOPALAN

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