Amrithakaleswarar temple, Tirukalayanallur
Location
Tirukalayanallur (now known as Saakkottai)
Deity
AmrithaKaleswarar
Female Deity
Amirthavalli
Pathikam
Sundarar - 1
Gallery – Amrithakaleswarar Temple, Tirukalayanallur
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is situated at Saakkottai, about 4.5 km from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam–Needamangalam road. The temple lies right along the roadside and is easily accessible. Another Paadal Petra Sivasthalam, TiruKarukkudi (Marudhanallur), is located approximately 2 km away in the south-eastern direction from this temple.
Temple Address
Saakkottai S.O.
Kumbakonam Taluk
Thanjavur District
PIN – 612401
Temple Hours
Morning : 10:00 - 11:00
Evening : 5:00 - 6.00
Nearby Temples
| 1 | TiruNaraiyur – 6.7 kms | |
| 2 | Arisir-Karai-Puthur – 5 kms | |
| 3 | Shivapuram – 4.2 kms | |
| 4 | Tiru-Karuk-Kudi – 2 kms |
Temple History
According to the Sthala Purana, during the great cosmic deluge (Pralaya), the sacred pot (Kalayam) containing all living beings floated and came to rest at this place, thereby giving the village the name “Kalaya Nallur.” This place is also associated with the Sthala Purana of Kumbakonam and is regarded as one of the Saptha Sthana temples connected to the Kumbeswarar Temple at Kumbakonam.
The 10th verse of Sundarar's Thevaram Pathigam reveals that Brahma worshipped the presiding deity of this temple and received divine blessings here.
This temple is considered especially auspicious for conducting important longevity-related rituals such as Sashtiapthapoorthi, Bheemaratha Shanthi, and Sathabhishekam.
Temple Architecture
Gopuram and Prakaras
This is an east-facing temple. The first structure that greets devotees is an entrance gateway enclosed by a compound wall. The top of the entrance is adorned with stucco images of Shiva and Parvati, with Vinayaka and Murugan flanking them on either side. Beyond this entrance, there is a three-tiered Rajagopuram. Between the entrance and the Rajagopuram lies the Nandi mandapam.
Main Deity and Sanctum
Inside the east-facing sanctum, the presiding deity Amirtha-kalasa-Nathar is enshrined in the form of a Shiva Linga. The Goshta Murthas here include Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhava, and Durga. The sannidhi of the Goddess is located facing south, and a Navagraha sannidhi is also present within the temple complex.
Special Sculptures
The Sapta Matrika sculptures, intricately carved in relief on a single stone, are especially beautiful and deserve close admiration. The Dakshinamurthy idol here is uniquely depicted, with the upper right hand holding a rudraksha mala, the upper left hand bearing fire, the lower right hand showing the chin mudra, and the lower left hand holding a palm-leaf manuscript. His hair is styled like a radiant solar halo, and he is shown with the right leg folded while the left leg rests on the demon Muyalaka.
The Lingodbhava sculpture here is carved from green emerald stone, adding a distinctive elegance to its appearance. The relief of Tapasvi-amman is also remarkably beautiful. The Ardhanareeswara relief sculpture found in this temple is yet another exquisite piece that deserves close attention and appreciation.
Natural Beauty of the Temple — Description by Sundarar
The hymn composed by Sundarar in praise of the presiding deity of this temple is included in the 7th Thirumurai. As per the 10th verse of this Pathigam, it is evident that during Sundarar's time—around the mid-9th century CE—the temple existed as a grand complex surrounded on all sides by cool lotus-filled tanks.
Gallery
