the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

As per the Sthala Puranam of this temple, although Goddess Parvathy is present along with Lord Shiva, her idol cannot be seen in the sanctum sanctorum. As per another Sthala Puranam, Goddess Lakshmi worshiped Lord Shiva here and was granted many boons. After obtaining the boons from the lord, she travelled back to her place. Hence the lord here is also praised as Sri Pirayana Pureesar and this place gets the name Pirayana Puri (pirayanam means travel in Tamil). As per legend, an orphan Brahmin boy named Susarithan, from a village along the banks of Gauthama river, underwent pilgrimage to various Shiva sthalams. When he reached this place, Yama, the lord of death, informed him in his dreams that his life would be taken after five days. The frightened boy surrendered to Lord Shiva and begged for his life. It is believed that the lord, through his divine voice, advised the boy to go to Thiruvaiyaru temple immediately. The lord further told him that thereafter he would be safe. Hence the lord is praised here as Sri Aabath Sahayeswarar (Aabath means danger, Sahayam means to help and Eswarar refers to the lord). Saint Thirunavukkarasar stayed in this temple for some time and rendered his services. It is believed that in a nearby village called Thingalur, he restored the life of a boy who had died due to a snake bite. He did so by singing the following Pathigam – “Oṉtṟuko lāmavar sinthai yuyarvarai oṉtṟuko lāmuya rum'mathi chūṭuvar.”. This boy was the son of a stanch Shiva devotee called Apputhi Adigal. In his hymns, Saint Thirunavukkarasar praised Apputhi Adigal’s services and his devotion towards Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Mahavishnu, Lakshmi, Kuberan, Puthan, Ayan, Chandran, Sage Kousika, Saptharishis, Ashtathik Palakas, Adithan, Angi and Soman have worshiped Lord Shiva here.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 50th Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This is one of the Saptha Sthana temples of Thiruvaiyaru. This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers. There is no flag post (Dwajasthambam) here. The historical names of this place are Thiruppazhanam, Kathalivanam, Kausikasramam, Prayanapuri and Pazhanappathi. Pazhanam means fertile land. True to its name, this place is surrounded by many such fertile fields. It is believed that this temple was constructed by Chola kings Aditha Cholan-I and Paranthaka Cholan-I. This temple is one of the 88 temples controlled by the Tanjore Palace Devasthanam. This temple is also under the purview of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE). In this temple, the shrines of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy are facing the east direction. Goddess Parvathy’s shrine is on the right side of Lord Shiva’s shrine. This is considered to symbolise their wedding posture. The idols of Lord Dakshinamurthy, Saptha Rishis and Kamadhenu look very beautiful. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple twice – a rare occurrence. Lord Murugan’s idol here has six faces and it looks very beautiful. Lord Shiva’s sanctum tower (Vimanam), is constructed entirely using granite. It is a wonderful structure and even the sculptures are beautifully carved. It is believed that Lord Chandran (Moon) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam every year for ten days in the Tamil months of Purattasi (Sept-Oct) and Panguni (Mar-Apr). This occurs on full moon days and two days before and after it. This temple is considered to be significant for its three important attributes – Moorthy, Sthalam and Theertham - glory of Lord, sacredness of the land and the auspicious temple tank. It is believed that worshiping the lord here will help devotees attain salvation and will help them break away from the repetitive cycle of birth and re-birth. Those seeking wedding boon or those facing difficulties in their marriage proposals can pray to the lord here.

Sapthasthanam (ezhur) festival is celebrated in a grand manner. Some of the other important festivals celebrated in this temple are – Aani Thirumanjanam in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July), Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug), Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Somavaram (Mondays) in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr). Pradosham is also observed regularly.