A REDEEM ON SATTANATHAR CULT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SATTANATHASWAMY TEMPLE AT SIRKAZHl

Sri Sattanathaswamy temple at Sirkazhi is one of the most ancient and biggest temples in South India. Few temples can excel this in having preserved the sculptures and the original placement for such a long period. In its sculptural richness and elegance, this temple ranks as one among the great temples of Tamil Nadu. The more important iconographic feature of Sattanathar cult its development, and its peculiarities are critically examined in relation to the time and ritual significance. This culmination of Bhairava cult and its practice came into existence in the 16th century A.D. It is proved by a literary reference viz., Tirukkazhumala mumanikkovai of Pattinathadigal. Other literary evidences pertaining to Sattanathar are the history of Sattanathar, Maruthavana puranam and Thirumayilaipuranam. The modelling of this image is superb. The very purpose of this paper is to identify the image Sattanathar and assess its age and style