STRUCTURE OF SRI MATHIYASTHANATHER TEMPLE AT DARUGAPURAM AND THIRUPPATHISWARAMUDIYA NAYANAR TEMPLE AT TENMALAI - A HISTORICAL STUDY

P. SIVAKUMAR

Volume : VIII, Issue : VI, June - 2019

STRUCTURE OF SRI MATHIYASTHANATHER TEMPLE AT DARUGAPURAM AND THIRUPPATHISWARAMUDIYA NAYANAR TEMPLE AT TENMALAI - A HISTORICAL STUDY

P. Sivakumar

Abstract :

The aim of this paper is to highlight the structure of Mathiyasthanather temple at Darugapuram and Thiruppathiswaramudiyanayanar temple at Tenmalai. Mathiyasthanather – Akilandeswari temple at Darugapuram is situated three kilometers. South East of Suamaniyapuram on Tenkasi – Madurai road in Sivagiri taluk of Tirunelveli District. Seventh century inscriptions referred this village as Malaiyadikurichi. This village is situated under the foot of western ghats. In later period this village is mentioned as Darugapuram. Darugapuram means the town is surrounded by the trees. The Lord of Siva temple of this village is called as Pinakkaruthamahathevar. In Sanskrit language Pinakkarutha Mahadevar is known as Mathiyasthanather. According to Purana Chera and Pandya rulers were fought against each other in frequently for the border areas like Darugapuram. The Lord of this temple to solve the problems between the Pandya and Chera. So this Lord was known as Mathiyasthanather