THIRUPOONTHURUTHI
Thirupoonthuruthi, a village in Thiruvaiyaru block of Thanjavur district is renowned for Thirupoonthuruthi Mahadevar temple, an Early Chola temple and also one among the Thiruvaiyaru Saptasthanam group of temples. The temple is also associated with saints like Appar, Sundarar, Narayana Thirtha. Saint Appar established a mutt and did weeding work in this temple. Appar and Gnanasambandar had their second meeting in this temple and both sung on Poonthuruthi Mahadevar. Thirupoonthuruthi Mahadevar temple is a huge three prakara complex rich in architecture, sculptures and inscriptions. Vinadhara Dakshinamurti, Ammaiyappar, Bikshatana, Saptamatrikas, Kshetrapala are beautiful sculptures to mention.
Lord Kshetrapala is kept in the maha-mandapa of Goddess Soundaranayagi shrine. The God is formed as a bas-relief sculpture, in nude posture, is standing in sama on a padma-pitha, the locks are arranged as sudarmudi and decked with head-patta, crescent moon in the right, scull in the middle. The ears are elongated and decked with patrakundalas, kandigai, charapali adorns the neck, keyura and kankanas in the arms, a snake is seen entwining the abdomen as udarabanda, another snake is seen entwining the thigh. Yajnopavita is worn in upavitha fashion, along with this a long scull garland extending upto the knee bejewel the God. In addition, thazhseri and virakkalal is worn above the ankle. The God is adorned with eight arms, four on each side, all the hands are in kataka and carry objects; among the front pair of hands the right is carrying sula and the left is holding the scull bowl. The back hand on the right carry sword, pasa and damaru, spreading in order bottom to top respectively, as like, the back hands on the left carry arrow, snake and bow. A pair of sharp fangs are shown extending on the sides.
This small and beautiful Kshetrapala in boyish look with broad smile, fangs ejected, eyes wide open, the eight arms decked with weapons and objects, undoubtedly exhibits the mastery of Chola art.
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