THE TIRUSULAM SHIVA TEMPLE

 

  

 

 

The Thirupurasundari Samedha Thirusoolanathar Temple (Tirusulam Sivan Temple as it is commonly known) is 1000 years old built during the reign of Kulothunga Chozha.

 

The main Lord is Brahmapureeswar is seen with his consort Thirupurasundari here.  Both the Lord and the Ambal are seen giving darshan from separate sanctum santorums, but there is another Ambal idol just behind the lord in His sanctum sanctorum.  She is called as Soundarambicaa Ambal.  Legend says that Soundaraambicaa Ambal was the original consort but the idol was damaged by Muslim invaders and hence a new consort Thirupurasundari idol was installed.  Later the Lord appeared in the priests dream and instructed to place the damaged idol next to Him in His sanctum sanctorum.  Accordingly the Soundaraambicaa Ambal graces devotees standing alongside Thirusoolanathar.

 

The devotees can see that the invaders have broken the thumb finger of the left hand of the Soundaraambicaa idol.  Later as per instructions of Mahaperiyavaa, the damaged finger has been made in pure gold and fixed permanently.  Even today, while we have darshan of Soundaraambicaa ambal, we can clearly see the golden finger glitter.