One of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Sthalams and 42nd Shiva sthalam on the southern banks of divine Cauvery, Sembanarkoil Shri Swarnapureeswarar temple is a mada koil built by Chozha king Kochenganan. This is located in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamizhnadu very close to the eastern coast. Around 8 km to the south of this well known temple town lies a quaint village called Thiruvilaiyattam.
Thiruvilaiyattam is a modified name of Thiruvidaiyattam which literally means "The land given to Vishnu temples". It suggests that during Chozha rule, this land would have been donated to a Vishnu temple which still stands today in the village. To the west, there lies an ancient Chozha era Shiva temple. The presiding deity is Shri Annamalaiyar. In this east facing temple, sannidhis are made of granite stones in the basement and bricks in the roofs. The pancha kosta murthis (Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Vishnu Durga) are missing on the kosta though the space meant for them are beautifully sculptured. One can spot Vinayaka at the entrance of the sannidhi with no roof on him while Ambal's sannidhi is deserted. Despite of the present condition of the temple, Shri Annamalaiyar blesses in a radiant linga thirumeni. Seeing the resplendent divinity emanating, one can remember the words of Sambanda peruman.
காதலாகி கசிந்து கண்ணீர் மல்கி ஓதுவார் தம்மை நன்னெறிக்கு உயிப்பது வேதம் நான்கிலும் மெய் பொருளாவது நாதன் நாமம் நமசிவாயவே.
Those who chant it immersed in love, yielding to him with tears of bliss – it guides them to the path of virtue; It is the essence of all four Vedas; It is the nama of my lord, Namachivaya.
The present condition of the temple is agonizing as this Chozha era marvel is in decaying state. Let us pray ardently for its revival. With HIS divine blessings, let us join hands in reviving our magnificient temples which reflect our illustrious history.
Om Namah Shivaya !
Credits to Kadambur Vijay.
Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/aP22tGi6obeU7SA78
References:
1. The Cholas : The State and the Central Administration
Will try to visit