Of
all these temples, that of Peru-Udayar (called Periya Avudayar
Kovil) is by far the most important and deserves special
mention. Located near the railway line on the banks of the
shanmuga Nadi in sylvan setting, it is about four kilometres
from the bus-stand reached by two stages, by buses going
on the Old Dharapuram road for three kilometres and by walking
one kilometre from the arch on that road. It is convenient
to go by a taxi or auto rickshaw and alight at the doors
of the temple. In the evening and in the pre-dawn period,
sounds of birds are heard and if you have a tape-recorder,
you cannot afford to miss recording these. The air here
is unpolluted and good breeze can be had. The Devasthânam
has put up a Kalyana Mandapam behind the temple.
The
temple is dedicated to Peru Udayar or Brihadeesvarar a name
that became a legend in the days of the great Raja Raja
Cholo. The deity here is a swayambhu linga (i.e. naturally
formed lingam) and so, local belief is that it existed even
before Bhogar. Only male gods are found in the temple. A
majestic figure of Dakshinamûrti, a rare Rudran and
other gracious images in stone, as also the 16 old inscriptions
should be taken note of.
Peru
Udayar Temple Circuit:
The
entrance faces south, and in the east is Vinayagar. This
along with the Karuppanna Swami belong to later days.
Passing them we enter in and see Bairava in the circuit
facing east. The western circuit commences frim this place.
Midway in this passage is a way that leads to the river.
This
shrine is located in a peaceful natural setting. The puranas
speak of it as 'Kannikara Vanam'. Perhaps that is
the reson the Sapta Kannis and Karuppanna Swami keep
watch over this places. It is said that this temple was
built about a thousand years ago. the first consecration
was held in 1915 and then a second time in 1962.
The
niche of Brahma in the north corridor is within the walls
of the inner sanctum. The Chandisa cell is towards the east.
then comes the Vishnu cell in the sanctum wall.
Here
one has to pause and think. It is cusomary to erect the
Chandisa cell in the northeast, when the main deity faces
east. Here the main God looks west and the main entrance
looks to the south. Strictly speaking the Chandisa cell
should be in south west or south east. But here it is in
the northeast and farther in contrast to the rule that no
other cell should be in a line with this, the cell of Tirumal
and three others are found. About 150 years ago, certain
repairs were carried out in this temple, when some cells
were newly build, that of Chandisa was left untouched.
To
the north of Chandisa is the Navagraha dais with iron bars
all round. Then we pass in to Dakshinamurthi and
Nataraja. It is very easy to fix the directions by
a look at these images. Both will always look to the south.
