32. SRI PATHANJALI NATHAR TEMPLE AT KANATTUMULLUR (KANATTAMPULIYUR)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	86th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	32nd Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

Some sages from Dandakaranya visited this place to worship Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva created many lingams here so that the sages could worship him. In fact, the lord created so many lingams here that there was no space left to place one’s foot. The sand of this place is in itself considered very auspicious and devotees carry some of this sand with them. For this reason, this place gets the name “Athishta Miruthika Kshetram” (“Athishta” means luck and “miruth” means sand in Tamil). This ancient temple is located on the northern bank of the river Kollidam. The historical names of this place are Mathookavanam, Athishta Miruthika Kshetram and Thiru Kanattu Mullur.

Saint Sundaramurthy came to Kanattumullur after worshiping the lord at Thiru Mannippatikkarai (Iluppaipattu). He was unable to proceed further to this temple as the entire place was filled with Shiva lingams that resembled thorny bushes. He did not want to step on them and decided to render his pathigam from the outskirts itself. Hence this place is also called “Kaal Naattam Mul Oor” (which can roughly be translated as “the village where you cannot place your foot”). This was later changed to Kanattumullur and Kanattam Puliyur.

Adhisheshan:

Adhisheshan (the serpent on which Lord Mahavishnu rests), conveyed his desire to watch Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance. Lord Mahavishnu advised him to take birth on earth as sage Pathanjali and worship Lord Shiva.  When Adhisheshan followed Lord Mahavishjhu’s advice, he was blessed with the darshan of Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance in Chidambaram.

Sri Pathanjali Nathar:

On the advice of Nandhi, sage Pathanjali visited this place and worshiped the lord. He wanted to see the dance again. Lord Shiva appeared as Sri Pathanjaleeswarar and performed his cosmic dance again. Lord Shiva is praised here as “Sri Pathanjali Nathar” because sage Pathanjali worshiped him here. 

People who worshipped here:

Lord Suryan created a tank here and worshiped Lord Shiva. Lord Indra also worshiped the lord in this place.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This east facing temple withits main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.
·        It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam every year for three days in the Tamil month of Chithirai (Apr-May).
·        Lord Dakshinamurthy here is seen without his usual “Kallala” tree (banyan tree).
·        Goddess Valli is seen wearing an hanging ear ornament called “Pambadam” (or “Thandatti”), an ornament usually worn by elderly women.
·        It is believed that there are six Theerthams associated with this temple. They are – Surya theertham, Kama theertham, Vishnu theertham, Parvathy theertham, Indra theertham and Ganathipa theertham. Of these, Surya theertham is right in front of this temple and the others are located around the temple.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Pathanjali Nathar
Ambal	Sri Kol Valaikkai Ammai, Sri Kaanarkuzhali, Sri Ambujakshi
Theertham	Surya Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vella Erukku Plant

BELIEF:

Devotees pray to Goddess Kol Valaikkai Ammai to seek boons for early marriage and child birth (“Santhana Prapthi”).

Devotees believe that worshipping Lord Shiva here will bless them with wealth and prosperity.

Devotees worship Sage Pathanjali here to seek relief from the adverse effects of serpent planets.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Vaikasi	May-June	Vaikasi Visakam
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chathurthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai

HOW TO REACH:

Kanattumullur is situated at a distance of about 22 kms from Chidambaram on the Chidambaram – Kattumannarkoil - Omampuliyur route. It is very close to Muttam village. From Omampuliyur, this place is about 5 kms.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Pathanjali Nathar Temple,
Kanattumullur (Kanattam puliyur),
Muttam ,
Kattumannarkoil,
Cuddalore,
Tamil Nadu – 608306.

LOCATION: