Puravacheri Shanmugar

The main Shiva Lingam is Sundareswarar and the name of the Ambal is Meenakshi. Interestingly, Dakshinamurthy is in Ambal’s Sannidhi and the deity of Idumban is with Kavadi. The other deities include Yoga Narasimhar, Sakthi Vinayakar, Annadaana Pillayar, Sri Singaravelar, Dandayudhapaani, Krithikkai Pillayar and Navarathri Amman. 

The 3 stone statues of the Shanmuga on the peacock in Ennkann Ettukudi and Puravacheri were made by the same Sirpi (sculptor). According to Sthala Puranam, Mutharasu Chozhan ordered the sculptor to make the statue of Shanmuga in Puravacheri. Struck by the beauty of the statue and in an attempt to prevent the sculptor from making a similar statue, the king ordered the sculptor’s thumb to be cut off. However the sculptor went on to make the replica of the Shanmuga in Ettukudi without thumb also. Mutharasu Chozhan then removed the Sirpi’s eyes as punishment. Aided by Ambal who came in the form of a small girl who guided the Sirpi, the Sculptor went on to make the third replica of the Shanmuga statue in Ennkann without eyes and thumb. On completing the statue in Ennkann, Lord Muruga gave salvation to the Sculptor after returning the sculptor’s thumb and eyesight. Mutharasu Chozhan also realized his mistake and repented for his mistake.

The striking feature in the three identical statues is the intricacy of the details depicted. One can see the venation in the peacock’s legs and the plumage in full flourish. Needless to say, the three statues are of the same height, width etc. When we recall the physical challenges with which the sculptor completed the statues, one cannot fail to admire the divine intervention which made the feat possible.