{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox temple | name = Tirusoolanathar Tripurasundari temple | image = Trisulanathar temple.jpg | alt = | caption = Tirusoolanathar Tripurasundari temple at [[Tirusulam]] | map_type = India Tamil Nadu | map_caption = Tirusulanathar Temple, [[Chengalpattu district|Chengalpattu]], [[Tamil Nadu]] | coordinates = {{coord|12.9735|N|80.1661|E|display=inline,title}} | country = [[India]] | state = [[Tamil Nadu]] | district = [[Chengalpattu district|Chengalpattu]] | location = [[Tirusulam]] | elevation_m = 45.86 | deity = Lord [[Shiva|Tirusulanathar]] | year_completed = 11th century CE | architecture = | creator = | website = }}

'''Tirusoolanathar Tripurasundari Temple''', also known as the '''Tirusoolanathar Temple''', is a [[Hindu temple]] located in [[Tirusulam]], a suburb of [[Chennai]], [[India]]. The presiding deity is [[Shiva]]. The goddess is Tirupurasundari. The temple has inscriptions dating from the [[Pallava]] period.<ref>{{cite book | last = Muthiah | first = S. | author-link = | title = Madras, Chennai: A 400-year Record of the First City of Modern India, Volume 1 | publisher = Palaniappa Brothers | series = | volume = 1 | edition = 1 | date = 2008 | location = Chennai | pages = 107 | language = | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=tbR_LLkqdI8C&dq=ravishwarar+temple&pg=PA105 | doi = | id = | isbn = 978-81-8379-468-8 | mr = | zbl = | jfm = }}</ref>

== Etymology == [[File:NandhiStatueAtTirusulamTemple Aug2024 01.jpg|thumb|200px|Nandhi statue at the temple]] [[File:GardenAtTirusulamTemple Aug2024.jpg|thumb|200px|Nandavanam (garden) at the temple]] [[File:OuterCorridorAtTirusulamTemple Aug2024.jpg|thumb|200px|Outer prakaram (corridor) at the temple]] [[File:VimanamAtTirusulamTemple Aug2024.jpg|thumb|200px|The temple's vimanam (innermost gopuram)]] The temple gets its name from Trichuram family which ruled over the region.

== History == Sri Thirusoolanathar, Thiruchuram was constructed by the [[Medieval Chola]] king [[Kulothunga Chola I]] and later renovated by Sundara Cholar. The temple has inscriptions dating from the 11th century CE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamilbrahmins.com/temples-pilgrimage/14934-tirusula-nathar-temple-trisulam-chennai-suburb.html|title=Tirusula Nathar Temple, Trisulam, Chennai suburb (திருசுல நாதர்)|work=tamilbrahmins.com}}</ref> The Moolavar is facing east and his consort Thirupurasundari is facing south. Inside the main sanctum is another deity of Thirupurasundari, which was damaged by intruders during Muslim invasion kept next to Thirusoolanathar.

The walls of the temple have inscriptions from the [[Chola]] period, and Pandiya kingdom, which denotes by the temple inscription The temple has big historical mysteries behind the walls. There is a story of a hiding place for precious metals and jewelry beneath the earth, where a secret path is said to exist. Kulothunga I is said to have hidden treasures somewhere here, instead of inside the temple. There exists a subway under the temple that connects the temple to the nearby hills known as "Panchapandava's Hills", where the king had his palace.

== See also == * [[Religion in Chennai]] * [[Heritage structures in Chennai]]

== References == {{reflist}}

== Further reading== * {{cite book | title=Madras Rediscovered| last=Muthiah| first=S.| year=2004| authorlink=S. Muthiah| publisher=East West Books (Madras) Pvt Ltd| isbn=81-88661-24-4|page=129}} * {{cite book | last = Narasiah | first = K. R. A. | author-link = | title = Madras: Tracing the growth of the city since 1639 | publisher = Palaniappa Brothers | series = | volume = | edition = 1 | date = 2016 | location = Chennai | pages = 272–273 | language = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 978-81-8379-687-3 | mr = | zbl = | jfm = }}

{{Chennai topics}} {{Places of worship in Chennai}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Chengalpattu district]] [[Category:Shiva temples in Chengalpattu district]] {{TamilNadu-hindu-temple-stub}}