Essay name: Sucindrasthala-mahatmya (critical edition and study)
Author:
Anand Dilip Raj
Affiliation: University of Kerala / Department of Sanskrit
The essay studies in English the Sucindrasthala-mahatmya which represents a significant Sthalamahatmya from South India detailing the origins and development of the Trimurti temple at Suchindram in Tamil Nadu. The study reveals its legends, customs, and religious practices.
Chapter 3 - Suchindram temple and other places and rivers mentioned
43 (of 53)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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"prakkai" is derived from "paravaikkarasoor - the village of the king of birds - which indicates the relation of Garuda to this place.³ 34 The old temple of Madhusoodana is facing Eastward and there is a
tank in front of it. On the Easternside of the tank there is a shrine dedicated
to Lord Siva called as Akkrai Mahadeva. The idol of inside the
temple exhibits marvelous skoll of workmanship. It is nearly 4½' to the right
side of the deity there is one shrine of T in a posture.
an अञ्जलिहस्त
[ñᲹٲ
] There is also another beautiful image TG in wood inside the temple.
there is a local legend about this:
"A शल्प� [ś辱 ] by the grace of God created a wooden image of गरुड
[ḍa
] at Kanchepuram in Tamil Nadu. It was perfectly made in accordance with
that it assumed life and began to fly away. Reaching
kilalamangalam (the old name of Parakkai) it uttered the word "Kandenkulam
ie., tank of the temple. After taking bath in this tank, the bird reached the
temple to worship the God. In an attempt to drive away the bird, the 24
threw his chisel and of cut off its right wing. Shouting the word
Madhusoodana, the bird fell down in the north west corner of the temple
and this corner is now called Garudanmukku", the corner of Garud.
The inscriptions mention that Kilalamagalam (the old name of
parakkad) was
Bramadaya in Nanchinadu and the temple of
Madhusoodana was consecrated there in.
It may be inferred that it is due to brahmanical influence, the story of
Garuda has been associated with this place. As the inscriptions of the
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