Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 31st Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 31st Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
Sage
Vamadeva visited many Shiva Sthalams seeking relief from a curse he had
incurred. When he came to this place, he was taking rest for a while under a
peepal (Arasu) tree. Mesmerized by the beautiful surrounding and atmosphere, he
started imagining how pleasant it would be to have a temple for Lord Shiva
built under this tree. Knowing the Sage’s wish, Lord Shiva blessed him with an
appearance, relieved Vamadeva’s curse and stayed there as a swayambumurthy.
Since the Lord appeared under an Arasu tree, he is named Sri Arasaleeswarar and
this place itself is named Arasili.
However,
over a period of time, this Shivalingam disappeared from this place and is
believed to have gotten submerged under the earth.This temple has a small main
tower (Rajagopuram) and a single corridor. It is east facing and is believed to
have been built by the kings of Chalukyas.
Chalukya King Sathyaviradhan:
The
Chalukya King Sathyaviradhan, a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva developed a
garden (nandavanam) with flowering plants specifically for making offerings of
flowers during worship. He did not have any children and was praying for the
boon of child birth. However, he noticed that gradually the quantity of flowers
was decreasing.
He
was intrigued and decided to keep a check on his garden. He found that a couple
of deers were grazing the garden and trampling the flowers. Angered, the king
tried to kill them with his arrow but the deers escaped into a bush. To the
surprise of the king, a hunter came out from the bush and started fighting with
him. Suddenly the hunter also went into the bush and disappeared.
The
king realised that this was Lord Shiva’s doing and that it was the lord himself
who had appeared as both the deer and the hunter. The king started clearing the
bush and found a lingam which was bleeding after being struck by his arrow. It
is believed that, at that point, Lord Shiva appeared before him and blessed him
that he would have children. This lingam is said to be the one that was earlier
installed by the sage Vamadeva. The arrow scar on this Lingam is still visible
and is covered with a piece of cloth during poojas.
The
King Sathyaviradhan’s son Indirasenan and his granddaughter Sundari lived and
worshiped this lingam here. The village’s name “Ozundiyapattu” is derived from
“Odi olindu akapattu” which represents that the lord came here as a deer, hid,
escaped and was later found.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
Lord
Dakshinamurthy’s portrayal is somewhat different in this temple. The demon
“Muyalagan” under Lord Dakshinamurthy’s feet is mostly depicted as facing the
right side. However, in this temple he is facing left. Another unique feature
of this shrine is that above Dakshinamurthy’s idol, there is a Natarajar
sculpture in the “Ananda Thandavam” pose.
·
It is said that
Saint Thirugnasambanthar stayed here for a few days and worshipped the lord. A
mutt called the “Thirugnanasambanthar Mutt” can be seen on the southern side of
the temple.
·
The kings from
the Chalukya dynasty worshiped Lord Shiva on Prathosham days here, poojas on Prathosham
days is famous.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Arasaleeswarar / Sri Arasili Naathar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Periya Nayaki |
|
Theertham |
Arasili Theertham / Vamadeva Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Peepal Tree (Arasa) |
BELIEF:
This
temple’s Sthala Viruksham (peepal tree) is related to star poosam, this
temple is considered as a Parihara Sthalam for Poosa nakshathirm.
Devotees
believe that worshiping Lord Shiva here will grant the boon of childbirth to
childless couples.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Vaikasi |
May-June |
10 day
Brahmotsavam |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
HOW
TO REACH:
This
temple is about 15 kms away from Puducherry on the Puducherry to Tindivanam
route. After crossing Morattandi, there is a small road on the right going to
Ozhindiyapattu village. Travel along that road for about 1.5 kms to reach the
temple.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Arasaleeswarar
Temple,
Ozhindiapattu, Vanur ,
Villupuram ,
Tamil Nadu - 605 109.
LOCATION:
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