Thaalapureeswarar temple, Tiru-Kolakka

Location

Tiru-Kolakka

Deity

Thaalapureeswarar, Shabtha-Pureeswarar

Female Deity

Dwaniprathambal, Osaikodutha Nayaki

Pathikam

Sambandar - 1, Sundarar - 1

Gallery – Thaalapureeswarar Temple, Tirukolakka

Entrance

Second Entrance

Dakshinamurthy

How to Reach

This shiva temple is located in Sirkazhi and is about 2 Kms from Sirkazhi bus stand.

Temple Address

Arulmighu Thaalamudaiyaar Temple
Tirukolakka
Sirhazhi Post
Sirkazhi Taluk
Mayiladuthurai District
PIN 609110

Nearby Temples & Divya Desam

1	Sirkazhi – 1.5 Kms
2	Thrivikrama Perumal Temple (Thiru-Kaazhi-CheerAma Vinnakaram) – 1.6 Kms (Divya Desam)

Location Map

Temple Layout

Situated in Tirukolakka, this Shiva temple—better known as Thalamudayar Temple—features a simple entrance, devoid of the towering gopuram commonly associated with South Indian temples. Directly opposite this entrance lies the associated pond, Ananda Theertham. The entrance leads into an open courtyard, followed by another gateway that reveals the Nandi and the balipeetam, aligned in the traditional axis facing the sanctum.

Main Sanctum & Goshta Murthas

At the heart of the temple resides the presiding deity, Thalapureeswarar, who is revered for blessing the saint-poet Tirugyana Sambandhar with divine rhythmic musical plates. The deity is also believed to have been worshipped by the celestial king Indira and the sun-god Surya. The temple’s Goshta Murtha deities adorning the outer walls of the sanctum include Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, and Goddess Durga.

Circumambulatory Path & Sannidhis

The circumambulatory path behind the sanctum houses a sannidhi of Muruga accompanied by his two consorts, along with a separate sannidhi for Sri Mahalakshmi. It is at this site of Tirukolakka that Mahalakshmi—revered here as Thiru-Magall—is believed to have performed penance to Shiva, and was subsequently united in divine marriage with Mahavishnu. This auspicious legend is said to have given the place its name, “Tirukolakka,” signifying the site of Mahalakshmi’s celestial wedding.

The sannidhi of Dhwani-Prathambal is situated to the left of the presiding deity’s sanctum and can be accessed through a gateway located in the northern outer prakaram.

Devotees seeking relief from obstacles related to marriage are encouraged to offer prayers to Mahalakshmi on Mondays and Fridays for six consecutive weeks, as this observance is believed to bestow auspicious blessings and bring about the desired fulfillment.

The Dumb Boy – A Miracle

In a period following the era of Sambandhar, a devoted mother arrived at this temple and prayed earnestly for her son to regain his speech. Her heartfelt prayers were answered, and the mute boy was blessed with the ability to speak once again. Overwhelmed with joy and deep gratitude, the mother offered a golden plate to the deity Thalapureeswarar in thanksgiving—a sacred offering that is preserved in the temple to this day.

The pathikam composed by Tirugyanasambandhar is in the First Tirumurai. Pathigams: Sambandar – 1, Sundarar – 1.

Sthala Purana

Sambandhar & the Golden Plates

At the tender age of just three, it was from Tirukolakka that Tirugyana Sambandhar began his remarkable spiritual odyssey, setting forth to visit the sacred Shiva temples that adorned the land. Having been blessed with the divine “milk of wisdom” by Goddess Parvathy herself, he was endowed with the extraordinary ability to spontaneously compose and sing devotional pathikam hymns—extolling God Shiva with a depth of devotion and poetic brilliance far beyond his years.

Upon arriving at the temple in Tirukolakka, the young Sambandhar began to sing his soulful hymns, keeping rhythm with the gentle clapping of his tiny hands. However, the continuous motion soon caused his delicate palms to grow sore and weary. Moved by the child’s devotion and discomfort, the presiding deity of Tirukolakka bestowed upon him a divine gift—two golden plates inscribed with the sacred “NamaShivaya” mantra, enabling him to continue his musical praise without pain.

These divine plates served as rhythmic instruments for Tirugyana Sambandhar, allowing him to keep time effortlessly while relieving the strain on his tender hands. With their use, his devotional hymns flowed with perfect cadence and grace. It is believed that Devi Parvathy herself infused these golden plates with a celestial resonance, transforming his musical offerings into expressions of sublime, transcendent beauty.

The presiding deity of Tirukolakka came to be revered as "Thalapureeswarar"—the One who graciously provided the thaalam (rhythmic accompaniment) to Tirugyana Sambandhar. His divine consort is worshipped as "Dhwani-Prathambal"—She who bestowed the sacred dhwani (celestial sound), enriching the saint’s hymns with divine resonance.