Tiruppalthurai Mahadev Temple is 14 km from
Tiruchirapalli, on the
Srirangam-Grand Anicut road. Dedicated to
Lord Shiva, the temple belongs to the 9th century.
The unique feature of the temple is that the statues of Lord Shiva, Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma adorn the four sides of the main vimana of the temple combined by the Ashtadik devas, Nrithi, Lord Agni, Varuna, Lord Vayu, Kubera, Lord Indra and Eesanan. A three ft tall statue of Sankara Narayana adorns the koshta, on the southern wall of the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Brahma.
A Rajasabha is seen outside the sanctum sanctorum, guarded by two brilliantly carved Dwarapalakas (gatekeepers). The pillars of the Rajasabha are adorned with sculptures. The shrine of Nithyakalyani Amman is seen sporting Nilothpalam and lotus in her hands. On the third day of the Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October) and Panguni (March-April), the rays of the rising sun fall on the Adimuleswarar Lingam in the sanctum sanctorum.
