Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 59th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - North |
Chola Naadu - North | 5th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
The historical name of
this place is “Nallur Perumanam” – Nallur is the village where Saint
Gnanasambanthar’s bride hails from. “Perumanam” or “periya thirumanam” means a
“big wedding” in Tamil. Other historical names of this place are Shivalogam,
Thirunallur, Mukthipuram and Thirumanavai. Now it is known as Achalpuram.
Shivapada
Hrudayar:
Gnanasambanthar’s
father, Shivapada Hrudayar, chose Mangai Nallal (Sthothra Poornambigai) – the
daughter of Nambandar Nambi of Nallur village as the bride for his son. Nallur
is very near to this place and it is believed that the bride was brought in a
procession from that village for their marriage. The wedding took place at this
place. Thiruneelanakka Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, conducted the rituals.
While circumambulating
the wedding fire pit with his bride, Gnanasambathar prayed to Lord Shiva to
protect him from the problems of a marital life and praised him with Kallur
Perumanam hymn. Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a huge fire (Agni) and
invited Sambanthar to merge with him (Shiva Jyothi) along with the entire
gathering. Enchanted with Lord Shiva’s darshan, Sambanthar sang his last
Pathigam – “Namachivaya Thiruppathigam” and merged with Lord Shiva in the fire
(“Agni”) along with the entire gathering and attained salvation. His last
pathigam highlights the glory of “Panchakshara Mantra” – Na Ma Shi Va Ya.
4
Nayanmars:
This is the only temple
where 4 Nayanmars – Thirugnanasambandhar, Thiruneelanakka Nayanar,
Thiruneelakanda Yazhpaanar, Muruga Nayanar – have attained Mukthi (Salvation).
Apart from them, Thiruneelakanda Yazhpaanar’s wife, Mathanga Soolaamaniyar also
merged in the Agni and attained salvation.
Goddess
Parvathy herself gave Vibudhi:
Goddess Parvathy
herself gave Vibudhi (sacred ash) prasadam to the entire marriage gathering,
Goddess Parvathy is called Thiruvenneetru Umaiyammai and this place is called
Achalpuram. So, as a unique feature of this temple, Vibudhi prasadam is given
in the Goddess’s shrine. This Vibudhi prasadam is considered very auspicious.
The name Achalpuram is
believed to have been arrived at from “Aayal” which means Goddess Parvathi and
“Puram” which means place in Tamil.
Another reasoning behind
this name is that it is believed to have been derived from the name
“Achariyapuram”. “Achariya” means learned guru and “Puram” means place in
Tamil. This name signifies the fact that Saint Thirugnasambanthar attained
salvation here as he is often referred to as “Achariya”.
Sri
Shivalokathyakar:
Sages Vashishtar,
Kakabujandar, Viswamithrar, Parasara, Jamadagni, Dhurvasar, Brigu and Manthatha
were blessed with a vision of Shivalokam (Kailash darshan) after their
rigourous penance here. For this reason, Lord Shiva of this temple is also
praised as “Sri Shivalokathyakar”.
Sage
Kakabujandar:
Sage Kakabujandar
travelled to this place by walking with his hands. He considered this place so
sacred that he did not want to soil it by placing his feet there. It is believed
that he was also one of the attendees of Sambanthar’s wedding and he also
attained salvation here.
People
who worshipped here:
Lords Vishnu, Brahma,
Murugan, Indhiran, Chandran, Ganga Devi and king Manthatha of Ayodya are also
believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
· It is said that Saint Thirugnanasambanthar attained salvation (mukthi) here during this wedding along with the entire gathering. Hence, this is the only temple where Thirugnanasambanthar can be seen with his wife.
· Thirugnanasambanthar sang his last Pathigam here.
· In the corridor, there is a relief of Narthana Ganapathy, carved in the wall. The specialty of this relief is that it looks like a small temple in itself.
· It is believed that there are 11 Theerthams (holy waters) associated with this temple. Of these, the “Panchatchara Theertham” (temple tank) is situated opposite to the temple.
· There is a beautiful 100-pillared hall in front of the sanctum. This hall houses the shrine of Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and his wife.
· Saint Thirugnanasambanthar’s Mutt as well as a small temple for Naadi Vakkiyar Saint Kakabhujandar are situated near this temple.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Shivalokath Thyagaraja Swamy, Sri Perumanamudaya Mahadevar |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Venneetru Umaiyammai, Sri Swetha Viboothi Nayaki |
|
Theertham |
Panchakshara,
Brihu, Ashwa, Vasishta, Athiri, Jamadagni, Vyasa and Mirukandu Theerthams |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vilvam
tree |
BELIEF:
This temple is
considered to be a Mukthi Sthalam (a place to attain salvation).
It is believed that
worshiping Lord Rina Vimochanar (a form of Lord Shiva) here will clear all our
debts and remove obstacles from marriage proposals. It is also believed that
those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to this lord. It is
considered especially auspicious to worship him on Mondays.
It is significant to
note that Lord Rina Vimochanar is present only in three temples – Thirucherai,
Thiruvarur and Achalpuram.
In Goddess Thiruveneetru Ammai’s shrine, sacred ash is given as prasadam instead of the usual Kumkum. It is believed that by applying this sacred ash on their forehead, women will be blessed with a long and prosperous married life.
The event of
Sambanthar’s wedding where the entire gathering was blessed by Thiruveneetru
Ammai (Goddess Parvathy) and attained salvation is commemorated every year
during the Moolam star day in the Tamil month of Vaikasi.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Vaikasi |
May-June |
Sambanthar’s wedding |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
HOW
TO REACH:
Achalpuram is situated
at a distance of about 5 kms from Kollidam. Kollidam is on the Chidambaram to
Mayiladuthurai route. There is a railway station in Kollidam on the Chidambaram
to Mayiladuthurai line.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Shivalokath Thyagaraja Swami Temple,
Achalpuram,
Sirkazhi,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu – 609 101.
LOCATION:
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