Sathyamurthi Perumal Temple

Coordinates: 10°14′49″N 78°45′07″E / 10.246945°N 78.751996°E / 10.246945; 78.751996
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Sathyamurthi Perumal Temple
pudukottai
Deity
Location
LocationTamil Nadu, India
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Sathyamurthi Perumal Temple is located in Tamil Nadu
Sathyamurthi Perumal Temple
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates10°14′49″N 78°45′07″E / 10.246945°N 78.751996°E / 10.246945; 78.751996
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture, rock-cut architecture

Sathyamurthi Perumal Temple in

Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Sathyamurthi Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Ujeevana Thayar.[1]

The temple is believed to have been built during the 9th century by the

The temple tank
is located inside the premises.

The temple is maintained and administered by the

Krishna Jayanti
during Avani (August - September) and Adi Puram during July - August being the most prominent.

Legend

The

Adishesha, the serpent-mount of Vishnu, wanted to convert his guna (quality) from tamas (darkness) to satvik (purity). He performed a penance at this place via the netherworld in a path, which went on to become the river Pamapar. Vishnu appeared to him in the form of Hayagriva and granted him a boon. Chandra also performed penance at this place. Vishnu was pleased by his devotion and appeared to him in the form of Vamana.[2]

As per another legend, a sage named Satya performed penance at this place. Pleased by his devotion, Vishnu granted him a boon that he would appear to the sage whenever he wished. The sage had no wish to move away from river where he was performing the penance. Vishnu converted the river to a Pushkarani, the rock to Meyyam hill and banyan tree to Asvatta tree. The sage performed penance again and wished salvation. Vishnu told him that he would attain salvation at the same time as king Pururava. Vishnu appeared in the form of a boar and created havoc in the kingdom of Pururava. The king chased the boar to the forest where the sage was performing penance. The sage was disturbed and opened the eyes, while the king saw the boar disappeared. Vishnu appeared to grant a vision to both of them. He granted salvation to the sage and directed the king to build a temple at this place, which went on to become the Satyamurthi Perumal temple.[2]

History

Historians believe that the temple was built during the 9th century by the

Pallavas following the Rock-cut architecture of Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram built by Mahendravarman I (590-630 CE) and his son Narasimhavarman I.[4] An inscription in the temple indicates contributions to the temple by Perumbidugu Perumdevi, mother of Sattan Maran, a contemporary and vassal of Pallava king Nandivarman II (731-796 CE).[5]

The fort, the

Kattabomman, Oomathurai was ensnared and imprisoned. An old armor used by him is exhibited here.[6]

Architecture

The Temple tank of Thirumayam temple

The temple is located in

Sannidhanam (sanctum), Mahavishnu's sculpture is in sleeping position, called ari thuyil in Tamil, sleeping with a sense of knowing what is going on at present. Sculptures of Mahavishnu in this position can be viewed in many temples, although this is one of the largest examples. There are many other sannidhis in the temple. All the statues are sculptured beautifully.[7] It is where the largest Anantasayi (Vishnu in reclining pose) in India. It is a natural cavern which has been rockcut to have various images. The hall preceding the sanctum, the Ardha mandapa is rectangular in shape, similar to the sanctum. The wall behind the presiding deity has images of Garuda, Chitragupta, Markandeya, Brahma, the devas, the vasus, and the kinnaras.[5]

The temple is adjacent to the Sathyagiriswara Sivan temple, located in the same complex. The temple is maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a ticketed monument.[8][9]

Religious significance, Religious practices and festival

The view of the temple as seen from Thirumayam Fort

Sathyamurthi Perumal temple is revered in

Adishesha in the temple is believed to as a protecting force. Once it emanated fumes on the attacking asuras who wanted to destroy it. Following the legend, the image is sculpted in such a way showing flames emanating from it.[2]

The temple follows the traditions of the

Krishna Jayanti during Avani (August - September) and Adi Puram during July - August being the most prominent. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.[10]

References

  1. ^ M. S., Ramesh (1993). 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Pandya Nadu. Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam.
  2. ^ a b c R., Dr. Vijayalakshmy (2001). An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies. pp. 537–9.
  3. JSTOR 3249518
    .
  4. ISBN 9781482834628
    .
  5. ^ a b "Thirumayam Rockcut temples". CPR Environment Education centre, Chennai. 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  6. ^ Tourist Guide to Tamil Nadu
  7. ^ 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams (Vol. 4.Ramesh, M. S. (1996))
  8. ^ "Alphabetical List of Monuments - Tamil Nadu". Archaeological Survey of India. 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  9. ^ "List of ticketed monuments - Tamil Nadu". Archaeological Survey of India. 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  10. ^ a b "Sathyamurthi Perumal temple". Dinamalar. 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.

External links

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