31. SRI AABATHSAKAYESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRU THEN KURANGADUTHURAI (ADUTHURAI)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	148th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	31st Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

This ancient temple is located on the southern banks of the river Cauveri. The historical names of this place are Thiraimur Nadu, Boobalakulavalli and Thirukkurangaduthurai.

Lord Ram:

Lord Ram, while searching for Sita, came here with Hanuman and Sugreev and worshiped the lord here.

Kurangaduthurai:

There are two places by the name of “Kurangaduthurai”. At these two places, Lord Shiva is believed to have been worshiped by two monkeys (“kurangu” in Tamil) from Ramayana – Sugreev and Vaali. This place is called “Then Kurangaduthurai” since it is located on the southern side of the river Cauvery. It is believed that Sugreevan worshiped the Lord Shiva here. The other Kurangaduthurai is called as “Vada Kurangaduthurai” as it is located on the northern side of the river Cauvery and Vaali to have worshiped Lord here.

Annaparavai:

At this place Lord Shiva rescued Sugreev from a fight with his brother Vaali. Unable to defeat Vaali, Sugreev prayed to Lord Shiva for help and the lord changed him to the form of an “Annaparavai” (a mythological bird) and he changed Sukreev’s wife to a “Parijada” tree (a variety of jasmine). The lord further hid Sukreev by camouflaging him with the Parijada tree such that Vaali could not find him. Since Lord Shiva helped Sugreev here, he is praised as “Sri Aabathsakayeswarar” (meaning one who helped a person in danger). 

Thirumangalakkudi:

This temple is that of a pregnant lady who was saved by the lord. The lady who was from the nearby village of Thirumangalakkudi was a staunch Shiva devotee and would regularly visits this temple. One day after she completed her worship, she could not return to her village as there was heavy rain and the river was flooded. In the meantime, she also developed pain and prayed to the lord for help. The lord took the form of a lady physician and performed the delivery in time.

Saint Harathathar:

Saint Harathathar who borne in a Vaishnav family in Kanchanur, a nearby village, but later became an ardent Lord Shiva devotee. He used to visit 7 Shiva temples (Kanchanur, Thirukkodikka, Thiruvalankadu, Thiruvavaduthuri, Aduthurai, Thirumangalakkudi and Thirumanthurai) every day before taking his dinner. One day when he left this temple, there was heavy rain and in the darkness, he was unable to find the way back to his village. It is believed that Lord Shiva came in the guise of a brahmin and took him home.

Sage Agasthiar:

Sage Agasthiar and other rishis, Lord Shiva granted his cosmic dance performance to them here. Hence this place is also known as Natarajapuram. Sage Agasthiar also installed and worshiped lord “Sorna Bairavar” here.

Sage Narada:

Hanuman worshiped the lord here and got relieved from a curse by Sage Narada. Hanuman is believed to have regained his art of singing.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This east facing temple has a 3-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram).

·        A beautiful sculpture depicting the sthala purana of Sukreev worshiping the lord, Lord Shiva changing Sukreev’s form to an “Annaparavai” and Sukreev’s wife to a “Parijada” tree can be seen here.

·        The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (akazhi in Tamil).

·        All the stone sculptures in this temple are exquisitely carved. The idols of Sri Natarajar, Gangadharar, Vishnu Durgai, Pitchadanar, Bairavar are especially beautiful.

·        It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam for three days in the Tamil month of Chithirai 5 to 7 (April).

·        There is a hall named “Appar Arangam” in which the temple festivals are performed.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Aabathsakayeswarar
Ambal	Sri Pavalakkodi Ammai, Sri Vandar Karumenkuzhal Mangai
Theertham	Sakaya Theertham, Surya Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Pavazha Malli tree

BELIEF:

It is believed that offering sandalwood oil to Saint Agasthiar’s idol on full moon day would fulfil one’s wishes.

It is also believed by devotees that by worshiping Lord Suryan and Saneeswaran here, the strained relationship between father and son would get better.

Devotees also worship Lord Shiva of this temple for prosperity and wisdom.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Annabishekam
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Auduthurai is located at a distance of about 3 kms from Thiruvidaimarudhur and 13 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam to Mayiladuthurai route. From Mayiladuthurai it is about 20 kms. Auduthurai has a railway station and the temple is one kilometre away from it.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Aabathsakayeswarar Temple,
Aduthurai,
Thiruvidaimaruthur,
Tanjure District,
Tamil Nadu – 612101.

LOCATION: