19. SRI PAALAIVANANATHAR TEMPLE AT THIRU PAALAITHURAI

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	136th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	19th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

This place is called Paalaithurai as the temple has the “paalai tree” as sthala viruksham. Also, since it is situated on the banks of Kudamurutti (a tributary of Cauvery) river, the place is known as Paalaithurai (“thurai” means river bank in Tamil). The historical names of this place are Brahmavanam, Paalaivanam, Arasavanam and Punnahavanam.

There is an enormous and world-famous granary (paddy storage) in this temple that has a breadth of 86 feet and a height of 36 feet. It is built using bricks in a conical shape and it has a capacity of about 3000 Kalams* (a unit of measurement followed in those days). The granary was built by Tanjure Nayak King Ragunatha (AD 1600-1634). This shows how much income this temple received in those days.  It is not in use now. This granary is now under the control of archaeological survey of India as a “Protected Monument”.

*(1 kalam = 12 marakkal = 48 padi = 36 kgs. 3000 kalams = 108,000 kgs. approx).

Dharukavanam:

This temple involves some arrogant sages from a place called Dharukavanam. In their excessive vanity, they thought themselves to be superior than gods. To teach them a lesson, Lord Shiva asked Mahavishnu to take the form of “Mohini” (a beautiful angel) to divert the attention of the sages from their penance which they claimed was unparalleled.

It is believed that the sages failed in their penance because they were attracted by Mohini. At the same time, Lord Shiva took the form of Pitchandavar and went to the sages’ house to ask for alms.  It is believed that the wives of the sages were so enamoured by Pitchandavar that they started following him. This incident further shattered the sages’ claims that their wives were most pious and devout.

When the sages realized that this was all a play by Lord Shiva, they decided to perform a Yagna and used evil spirits and mantras to kill Lord Shiva. They created various weapons including a tiger to kill him. Lord Shiva stopped all their weapons, vanquished the man-eater and used its skin as his dress. This event is believed to have happened in this place.

Sage Vashistar:

Sage Vashistar performed penance under a peepal tree here. He also created a tank here which is now called Vashista Theertham. This place is also called Arasavanam because of the significance of the peepal tree (“Arasa maram” in Tamil).

Pandiya king Malaiyathuvajan:

Pandiya king named Malaiyathuvajan. It is believed that he insulted Sage Kalava once for which the sage cursed him and turned him into a bear. As advised by Sage Agasthiyar, the king visited this temple and worshiped the lord here. The lord is believed to have blessed him and restored him back to his original form. 

Arjuna:

During the forest life (“Vanavaasam”) of the Pandavas, as advised by Sage Dhoumya, Arjuna came to this temple, worshipped Lord Shiva and learnt all the techniques of archery. It is also believed that he went to the underworld and married Uloopi.

Saint Thirunavukkarasar:

Saint Thirunavukkarasar’s pathigams contains 10 stanzas whereas in this temple’s pathigam, he has rendered a pathigam with 11 stanzas. Secondly, in one of the stanzas he used the “Panchaksharam” (“Sivayanama”). Such a reference to the Panchaksharam has only been made in three of his pathigams.

Papanasam:

In Papanasam, a nearby place, there is a temple having 108 Shivalingams. This is referred as “Keezhai Rameswaram”. These Shivalingams were installed by Lord Ram to get absolution from the sins accrued by killing Ravana and others in battle. Since his sins were cleared here, this place gets the name “Papanasam” (“Papam” meaning sin and “Nasam” meaning cleared in Tamil).

People who worshipped here:

Lord Mahavishnu, Brahma, Ram, Sita, Sage Dhoumya, Sage Vashishtar, Pandavas and Ashtathik Balakas have worshiped Lord Shiva here.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This east facing temple with main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.

·        There is no flag post in this temple.

·        In this temple, the shrines of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy are facing east.

·        Goddess Parvathy’s shrine is on the right side to Lord Shiva which signifies their wedding posture.

·        This temple is one of the seven temples (“Sapthasthanam”) associated with Thirunallur Shiva temple.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Paalaivananathar
Ambal	Sri Thavala Vennagaiyal
Theertham	Vashishta Theertham, Indra Theertham, Yama Theertham and river Cauvery
Sthala Vriksham	Palm tree and Paalai (not exist now)

BELIEF:

Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, obstacles from their marriage proposals will be removed.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Thiru Paalaithurai is situated at a distance of about 2 kms from Papanasam bus stand on the Thanjavur to Kumbakonam route. It is about 12 kms from Kumbakonam. Nearest railway station is Papanasam which is about one kilometre away from this temple.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Paalaivana Nathar Temple,
Thirupalaithurai,
Papanasam,
Thanjavur,
Tamil Nadu – 614 205.

LOCATION: