I had the opportunity to visit this ancient temple on 11/06/16 .though I could not find many references to this temple it appears very ancient and is definitely the underdog temple hugely overshadowed by the more famous Sri Bhuvaraha swami temple. The Shiva temple is situated at the back of the more famous Bhuvarahaswamy temple in Srimushnam and very few visit this temple.The priest had finished the first kala puja and left when I visited hence the temple garba gruha was locked but I did get a good darshan and lot of serenity during the visit.
Nearby there is the Uttaradhi mutt with Raghavendra swami Brindavanam also.The temple tank and the Sthalavruksham of the Bhuvarahaswami are both in front of the Shiva temple.both The Shiva and Ambal Brihannayaki are found having separate sannidhi with Nandi too in front and both are facing east
How to Reach:
Srimushnam can be reached either from Vriddhachalam ( approx. 20 kms)proceeding south towards Andimadam where in you take a left about 20 kms before andimadam after crossing Rajendrapattinam. You cam also travel from Kumbakonam( approx. 67 kms), Gangaikonda cholapuram /Jayamkondan to Srimushnam.( Recently I have travelled along all these roads and they are in excellent condition as of June 2016)
There is a single prakaram and the Shiva complex has a vestibular approach of two passages up to the garba gruha
The navagrahas in the far corner in the second corridor with other minor vigrahas
The garba gruha
The koshta vigrahas were all unique but many were mutilated too Ganesha, UmaMaheshwara and Agasthya
Arumugham
Dakshinamurthy
Ardhanarishwara
Durga
Chandikeshwara
Navagrahas
On the northern side is the complex of Devi Brihannayaki Ambal. it is a separate temple by itself and was serenity personified. The Goddess is about 5 feet tall and standing unfortunately I was too far away to get a better darshan
a unique carving inside on the pillar
The huge Banyan tree in front of the temple. Sri Bhuvarahaswamy is said to have manifested in this tree and the pond in front
Clearly an ancient temple which has had its glorious times today sadly needs more patronage
Very useful information.
ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDeleteMany thanks! I am reading it on my way to the temple.
ReplyDeleteVisited this temple on Aug 18, 2023. Such a divine feel. There is a lot of inscriptions in this temple that I couldn't read and understand but will be helpful for researchers . The temple is empty as opposed to Bhuvaragaswamy temple on the other side.
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