I visited Thakkolam, yesterday. It is approximately 15 Kms off Arakonam on Arakonam - Kanchipuram route.
The route to the temple is very pleasing with lots of greenaries around. The temple has only one kurukkal, Babu Kurukkal.
He explained the temple is 2000 years old and this place has witnessed a war. The because of this war the 'Mathil suvar', was parially demolished and reconstructed. The difference in stones of Mathil Suvar is very evident.
But, I guess Cholas and Rastrakutas did not destroy the city that much as compared to Manimangalam.
There are lot of inscriptions in this temple and the kurukkal told me they studies by lot of people, of which he remembers Muthupillai, IAS, to have produced a book on these inscription.
The city has got its name as Lord Shiva stopped the "Olam of Thakkan". Intrestingly the city is gaurded by Eashwara on eight directions. There is a Nandhi nearby, from which Spring is supposed to flow out. Becaue of excess heat and no water this was not there now.
The main lings is on Navapaashaanam. The most famous Yoga Dhakshina Murthy, is here, and we require thousand eyes to see his beauty. The Durgai Sirpam is also very different and she rests on Mahishan's head with only one foot, and the other raised up. She is a chaturbhuja Durgai here. The entire temple is of architechtural splendor.
Temple has got a Shasta, shrine, which the priest said is ancient. Presiding goddes is Giri Raja Kannikaamba, the ambal has 'Raja Kalai'.
Route :
Go beyond Kanchipuram, where you will hit with a Bridge, take the left lane to the bridge and a right turn, (left turn will take you inside kanchipuram, 'Vella Gate') (This road is Arakonam - Kanchipuram Road). Travel straight, and beyond Sentha Mangalam. On the right side you will have 'Thakkolam koottu Road' or Cross Road. There is a huge Banyan tree on this junction. Take a right turn. The road is bit pathetic. Six Kms from this junction is Thakkolam. Then a small left and a eight turn will bring you to the Gopuram of this ancient temple.
Please have food at Kanchipuram or Arakonam.
We then left to Nemili, Balathirupurasundari temple.
I guess, they should, anyway I am there on Monday, as I am performing a abhishekam. I will lt you know. But, Shankaran has got this snap of Thiru Durgai, so it should be possible. I will try to get the most possible smaps of this place and post it here.
Itz tough take a pic. of dhakshinamurthy in thakkOlam. other icons are easily capturable as pics. The dhakshinamurthy icon is a rare depiction in terms of iconography. usually one finds the lord with crossed legs called 'veeraasanam'. the dhakshinamurthy sitting posture is rare (not unique though) and is termed as 'utkudi aasana'.
a travelogue written by Ramnath on this temple can be read in varalaaru.com's archives.
Itz tough take a pic. of dhakshinamurthy in thakkOlam. other icons are easily capturable as pics. The dhakshinamurthy icon is a rare depiction in terms of iconography. usually one finds the lord with crossed legs called 'veeraasanam'. the dhakshinamurthy sitting posture is rare (not unique though) and is termed as 'utkudi aasana'.
a travelogue written by Ramnath on this temple can be read in varalaaru.com's archives.
it is the same. (can bee seen in travelogue too). Do u remember howm much we had to struggle to take of pic. of dhakshinamurthi. taking pics of other icons were fairly easy.