THIRUNERKUNDRANATHAR TEMPLE, THINNAKULAM
Thinnakulam is a small hamlet in Pullambadi taluk in Tiruchirappalli district. The village is credited with a Chola period temple dedicated to Lord Siva in the name Thirunerkundranathar. Thirunerkundranathar temple is a single prakara complex, with the main shrine consists of a vimana, mukha-mandapa, maha-mandapa and open pillared mandapa, encompassed by huge compound wall with a gopura in the east. The main vimana is a dvitala misra vesara vimana, the aditala a stone edifice however the superstructure is a brick work. The shrine of Pathaleswara is seen on the north-western side of the complex. Thiruchurru is shown in the west and east side of the prakara, various sub-shrines are seen in the thiruchurru that lies on the western side. The temple is rich in inscriptions and the earliest inscription of this temple complex belongs to Parantaka Chola I. Very few sculptures are seen in this temple complex in that Lord Kshetrapala kept in the northern side of Thiruchurru malika is remarkable one.
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 ornamental head-patta and patrapurima, crescent moon in the left, snake in the right. The ears are elongated and decked with patrakundala in the left, makarakundala in the right, kandigai, stone studded charapali and pearl mala adorns the neck, keyura and kankanas in the arms, udarabanda in the abdomen, rings in the fingers. In addition, thazhseri decks the ankle and virakkalal is worn just above the ankle. Yajnopavita is worn in upavitha fashion, along with this a long scull garland extending upto the thigh bejewel the God. A pair of snakes is seen entwining the waist with their hood raised on either side under the front pair of arms and their tail dangle in the thigh.
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 a long sword, damaru, and a stick like thing probably the arrow spreading in order bottom to top respectively, as like, the back hands on the left carry snake, shield and bow. A pair of sharp fangs are shown extending on the sides. The deity is decked with a beautiful tholmalai in the shoulders. Thinnakulam Kshetrapala in broad smile, fangs ejected, raised eyebrows and eyes wide open, the eight arms decked with weapons and objects, undoubtedly exhibits the mastery of Chola art. The attributes of the sculpture place it to C.E. 12 or 13th century.