the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

According to legend, in ancient times this region was densely covered with bamboo trees. It is believed that everyday a shepherd who was carrying milk would trip over a bush and fall down at one particular place. Angered by his regular loss of milk, one day he decided to clear the bushes. While cutting down the bushes with his axe, he found a lingam that was bleeding. Frightened, the shepherd informed about this to the local people who in turn informed the king. The king ordered a temple to be built there. The scars on the lingam due to the use of the axe can still be seen. Also, the lingam is slightly leaning towards the left side. Owing to the scar on the lingam, this lingam is not touched by human hands and pujas are performed without touching the deity. Bamboo is called Pasu – Moongil in Tamil. Since the lord here is believed to have been found in a bamboo forest, he is named Sri Pachura Nathar and the place is called Thirupachur. Another legend associated with this temple is that once, a local chieftain called Kurumban failed to pay the taxes that were owed to his liege lord - the Chola King Karikalan. Kurumban was an ardent devotee of Goddess Kali. When the king invaded his region for recovering the dues, the chieftain prayed to Kali who helped him defeat the king and his army. The king, being a Shiva devotee, prayed to Lord Shiva for his help. Lord Shiva sent Nandhi to control and bind Kali. Nandhi defeated Kali and bound her with a golden chain. To honour this incident, this temple has a shrine for Swarna Kali where Goddess Kali’s legs are bound. Evening pujas are performed in this shrine on full moon days. It is also believed that when Chola King Karikalan was constructing this temple, his enemy Kurumban with the help of some Jains (samanar) had sent a poisonous snake in a container to kill the King. Without knowing what was in it, he tried to open the container but Lord Shiva came in the form of a snake charmer, saved his life and blessed him. Hence the lord here is also known as Pambatteswarar (Pambatti means snake charmer in Tamil).It is said that Goddess Parvathi worshipped Lord Shiva here. Pleased by her penance, it is believed that Lord Shiva addressed her as Than-kathali (meaning beloved in Tamil). It is also said that Lord Mahavishnu worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple to seek absolution for the sin that he had accrued by killing the demons (asuras) - Madhu and Kaithaba, who were believed to have stolen the vedas. As Lord Shiva absolved Lord Mahavishnu’s sins here, he is also praised as Perumal Vinai Theertha Easwarar. It is believed that Chandran and sage Kaushika have also worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.

This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 16th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is Theendathirumeni. The vimanam (roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is exclusive to Pallava architecture - the Gaja Brishtam, that looks like the rear of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear). This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.It is believed that Chola King Karikalan had built this temple. The place is also called Than-kathalipuram after the name of Goddess Thangathali. Other historical names of this place are Mayapuri, Abhayapuram, Manickapuri and Cholapuram. Both Lord Shiva and Goddess Than-kathali’s shrines are east facing. Here, Goddess Parvathy’s shrine is on the right side to Lord Shiva’s shrine. Such temples are considered very auspicious. The unique feature of this temple is that the shrines of Lord Shiva’s entire family is in a straight line. Goddess Than-kathali’s shrine is on the right side of Lord Shiva and in between we can see the shrines of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Murugan with his consorts. There is a group of 11 Vinayakars placed in a hall in the middle of this temple - called Ekadasa Vinayagar (Ekadasa means 11 in Sanskrit). This is another unique feature of this temple. The Sri Chakra installed by Sri Adi Sankara can be seen in the hall in front of Lord Shiva’s shrine (Artha Mandapam). Devotees pray to Goddess Than-kathali for conjugal unity. Also, devotees pray for removal of obstacles from their marriage proposals.

10-day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June), Margazhi Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January) and Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (February-March) are the major festivals celebrated in the temple. Every month Pradosham is also observed.