Thirukkattalai Sundareswarar Temple (Pudukkottai - Tamil Nadu)

ORIGINS OF THE NAME OF THIRUKATTALAI
The name Thirukkattalai comes from the name Thiru + katrazhi, which means sacred stone temple. This is one of the earliest structural temples to be built (temples built before this were essentially rock-cut). 

Thirukattalai Sundareswarar Temple Pudukottai Tourist Attractions

Thirukattalai Sundareswarar Temple Pudukottai Tourist Attractions

Thirukattalai Sundareswarar Temple Pudukottai Pilgrimage Sites

Thirukattalai Sundareswarar Temple Pudukottai Pilgrimage Sites

HISTORY OF THIRUKATTALAI SUNDARESWARAR TEMPLE
This was built but the 1st Adithya Chola in the 9th C. Lord Shiva here is called Sundareshwara / Sundareswarar. The separate shrine for Ambal was built later during the Late Pandya Era. 

SHRINES & SCULPTURES OF THIRUKATTALAI SUNDARESWARAR TEMPLE
It has a small sanctum sanctorum and 7 small shrines in all directions. These shrines are attached to the outer wall of the temple which is architecturally unusual in later temples. These shrines on the side are of Surya, Chandra, Saptha Madha, Vinayaka, Karhtikeya, Jyeshta Devi, each and the 7th shrine is empty. Inscriptions of both the Aditya Chola Period as well as the Nayak period can be found here. 
The Vimana (the tall pyramid-shaped structure atop the sanctum sanctorum) has some important sculptural details on all 4 sides. On the eastern side, (that's the entrance), right atop is Alinganamurthy - that's Lord Shiva with his consort on his lap. However, in this sculpture, his consort is broken... 
The southern side has Thripuranthaka at the bottom, Bhikshadana in the middle and Veenadhara Dakshinamurthy atop. The western side has Vishnu in standing posture at the bottom, Seated Vishnu in the middle, Bhoovaragava atop. The northern side has Standing Brahma at the bottom, seated Brahma in the middle and the structure atop is unidentifiable. However, a pattern seems to have been followed. The southern side was completely Shiva, the western side was Vishnu and so the northern side must be completely Brahma. So the unidentified sculpture atop must be Brahma!!!

Just outside was this huge pond, which glistened in the early morning sun rays!!!

PORPANAI KOTTAI THIRUKATTALAI
4km from here is a ruined fort called Porpanai Kottai of 2 sq. km. which we did not find time to see. In one of the 5 epics of the Tamil Language, Silappadhikaram, there is a specification that says 'Porppannan who helped Adiyaarkku Nallan'. That must indicate that Porpannan must be the ruler of this area, so the fort as well! The bricks used in making this fort are as big as 3ft by 3 ft each!

SPOTTING JUVENILE ANT LION (BUG)
While we were here, one of the persons in our ground spotted these circular, almost manmade-looking small pits on the ground. Turns out, those are the pits of Antlion larvae. An adult antlion almost resembles as dragonfly. But the juvenile antlion is why it is called an 'antlion'! Antlion, as the name suggests, is an insect that eats ant. What is does is, in its larval stage, it digs up little holes in the ground and waits beneath with its tentacles open. As an ant crosses, obviously it descends into this pit and the ant lion catches it and eats it up!!! Now that's survival of the fittest!!!!!

Thirukattalai Sundareswarar Pudukottai Sivan Temples

Thirukattalai Sundareswarar Pudukottai Historic Temples

Thirukattalai Sunrise Pudukottai
Pic Credit: Siddharth Chandrasekar

Porpanai Kottai Pudukottai Things to do
Pic Credit: Google Maps

Antlion Larva

HOW TO REACH PUDUKOTTAI
Chennai to Pudukottai distance and route: 400 km via Villupuram, Trichy
How to reach Pudukottai from Chennai: Trains to Rameshwaram go via Pudukottai. Trains / Buses can be taken to Trichy and regular buses are available from Trichy.
Trichy to Pudukottai distance and route: 50 km. Regular buses are available.
Madurai to Pudukottai distance and route: 115 km via Tirupatthur
Coimbatore to Pudukottai distance and route: 300 km via Dharapuram, Dindigul

HOW TO REACH THIRUKATTALAI
Where is Thirukkattalai Sundaresvara Temple? (On Google Maps) - Thirukattalai Sivan Temple
Where is PorPannai kottai fort? (On Google Maps) - Porpanai Kottai

How to reach Thirukattalai from Pudukottai: 6 km from Pudukottai on the smaller lane that runs parellel to SH26.
How to reach Porpanai kottai from Pudukottai: 10km from Pudukottai on Pudukottai - Pattukottai road. Turn right at around 7.5km just before Veppankudi
How to reach Porpanai Kottai from Thirukattalai: 4km via Immanampatti towards Veppankudi

THIRUKATTALAI SUNDARESVARA TEMPLE TIMINGS 
Thirukattalai Sivan Temple timings: 7AM to 12:30PM and 4PM to 6:30PM


Dedicated to Prof. Swaminathan, Prof. Muthazhagan, Prof. Jambunathan, and the whole group of Tamil Heritage Trust...

Thirukattalai Sundareswarar Temple Pudukottai Thirukattalai Sundareswarar Temple Pudukottai Places to visit Pinterest

Bhushavali

An ardent traveler by passion. Being an ex - Art History Teacher, my area of interest especially lies in Nature and Heritage. Visited 85 UNESCO World Heritage sites as of June 2022. I've been listed among the Top 7 Women Travel Bloggers of India, Top 50 in UK. I have been interviewed in a couple of TV Shows, Radio Channels and Events as well. Read more about me and read the testimonials of different brands

10 comments:

  1. Another ancient one from that area. The pond gives a heavenly look.

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  2. Loved the dilapidated look. Nice find Bhusha.

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2012/03/curvaceous.html

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    Replies
    1. Hope it survives against all odds of nature & man for the generations to come...

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  3. Hope to get there one day. Love those Pudukkottai sites!

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    1. Do visit Injamaven. You'll totally love it... :)

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  4. if it's alright to ask,besides skilful handling, which camera do you use-the pics are usually good with regard to details.bst wshs....srinivasan

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the appreciation Srinivasan. I use a simple Kodak 7.0 mp cam...

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  5. Nice Description and Details. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful place.....

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