| Description:
This Shivastalam is located near Poonthottam on the Peralam Tiruvarur railway line. This
temple is noted for its shrine to Kali and to Kaalakandeswarar. Ambar is 3 km southeast of
Poonthottam, while Ambar Maakaalam is 1 km east of Ambar. Ambarmaakaalam
is considered to be the 55th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the
Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri. Legend has
it that the demons Amban and Ambaran were vanquished by Kaali here. Kaali took the form of
an enchantress, accompanied by Vishnu in the guise of an old man and through chicanery
caused Amban to kill Ambaran, and then devoured Amban herself. To rid herself of the sin
of having killed, she prayed to Shiva here, hence the name Ambar Maakalam.
Vishnu in the form of Veetrirunda Perumaal is worshipped in a shrine nearby. There is
an image of Kali the enchantress in the Vishnu temple. Shiva (Tyagaraja
of Tiruvarur) is said to have appeared as a Chandala in a yagnam conducted by
Somaasi Maaranaar. (The image above, is that of Tyagaraja at Tiruvarur).
Sundaramoorthy Nayanar is said to have attended this sacrifice.. This event is
commemorated in the month of Vaikasi - Ayilyam.
The temple covers an area of 6 acres and has several towers with
attractive stucco images. Ambar is yet another
Shivastalam near Ambar Maakalam, and Somaasi Maaranar's Yagasalai is located between the
two temples . An image of the Chandala form of Shiva is seen in the Ambar Makalam temple.
A number of inscriptions from the period of Kulottunga Chola I (1075-1120) are seen in
this temple, speaking of endowments made to the temple. It was during his period that the
Ambal shrine was built. The stone structure of the sanctum is also attributed to him. The
prakaram and the surrounding walls were built during the rule of his son Vikrama Cholan. |
