Thirusoolam temple: A cradle of heritage

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Mention Thirusoolam and it would bring to mind the railway station just opposite Chennai airport. Some would remember the beautiful hills which are a shooting spot.

But, not many are aware that this idyllic spot in the city derives its name from the ancient Sri Thirusoolanathar temple. Archaeological findings date Thirusoolam to the megalithic period.

The temple survived the ravages of time and the Muslim invasion. It is said during Malik Kafur’s period, the invaders damaged the nose of the idols of Goddess Tripurasundari and Goddess Durga.

Even to this day, the priests cover up the broken nose with sandal and vermilion. The inscriptions on the walls recount the Chola kings’ contribution.

First renovated around 1070 AD by Chola king Kulothunga I, the temple’s sanctum sanctorum is in gajabrishta style or thoongaanai maadam – resembling the back of an elephant.

As that style translates to the vimana, it has a broad, rounded shape rather than being conical. The theertham is Brahma Theertham.

Since Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Siva here asking for the boon to perform ceaseless creation activity, it was initially known as Brahmapuri or Brahmapureeswarar.

Being surrounded by four hills – symbolically representing the four Vedas - it was also called Thiru Churam (churam is valley, a barren place between rocky hills).

It was also called Chaturvedimangalam but, later on, it assumed the present name after presiding deity Thirusoolanaathar.

Thirusoolanaathar, in Linga form, faces east, and His consort Tripurasundari, stands next to Him.

Though Goddess Tripurasundari’s idol, holding lotus and japamala, was kept in a separate shrine, the then king shifted it to inside the sanctum sanctorum after the Lord appeared in his dream and told him to place the damaged deity next to Him. The new idol made by the king is in a shrine outside the sanctum.

Naaga Yagnopaveetha Ganapati, a unique Veerasana Dakshinamurthy, Sri Maha Vishnu, Subramanyar, Durga, Bhairavar, Naalvar, Lord Surya and Lord Chandran, are also found.

Sculptures on Vali-Sugriva fight, Kannappan’s story, Hanuman worshipping Lingam are depicted on the inner praakaram walls.