40. SRI PAALUGANTHA NATHAR TEMPLE AT THIRUVAIPPADI

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	94th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	40th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

A brahmin couple, Echathathan and Pavithrai in Seinganur. They had a son called Visara Sarmar. His sacred thread wearing ceremony (Upanayanam) was performed when he turned seven. He was gifted and quickly learnt the vedas and other scholarly arts at a very young age. He was also very devout and would always think about Lord Shiva.

One day he saw a shepherd beating a calf that had attempted to hit him. Visara Sarmar asked the shepherd not to beat the cows whereupon the shepherd asked the child in jest to take up the job of shepherding. Visara Sarmar thought that this would be the best way for him to serve Lord Shiva as he saw the cows to be representing Kamadhenu (the divine cow). He further considered the cows in high esteem because they give “Panchakavyam” (five offerings) to the lord. So he decided to take up the shepherd’s offer and requested the cattle owners that he be given the job of grazing the cows. They agreed to his request. He used to bring the cows to Thiruvaipadi for grazing. As he showed much affection towards the cows, the cows reciprocated his love by producing plenty of milk.

As Visara Saruman was always drowned in thoughts about Lord Shiva, he made a lingam with the river sands, installed it on the banks of the river under an Aathi tree and performed pujas. He would offer milk to the lingam which he himself milked from the cows. In spite of this, the cows gave their routine amount of milk to their owners too. The shepherd from whom Visara Sarmar took the job watched his activities and complained to the cow owners that the boy is milking the cows and wasting some of the milk which could be used for other purposes. This news reached his father and he wanted to know the truth. One day he visited the grazing place and saw his son performing pujas and abishekam. Angered by what he saw, his father hit Visara Sarmar and then kicked away the pots of milk.

Since Visara Sarmar was deep in his worship, he did not see who was disrupting his pooja. Instinctively, he retaliated by attacking the intruder with a stick and then continued his worship. However, the stick turned into an axe and cut the legs of his father. At this point, Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvathi granted darshan to Visara Sarmar and said that he had cut his own father’s legs because of his devotion. The lord was so impressed by his devotion that he decided to act as Visara Sarmar’s father. The lord further honoured Visara Sarmar by embracing him and adorning his neck with a garland that he himself had worn. The lord also made him the chief caretaker of his wealth. The lord further named him as “Chandikeswara”.  In his hymn of this temple, Saint Thirunavukkarasar mentioned about this incident.

While praying to Chadikeshwarar, devotees click their fingers or clap. This is to show Chandikeshwarar that their hands are empty and that they are not taking away any of Lord Shiva’s wealth. Since Chandikeshwara is always in deep meditation, this clicking / clapping sound is also to awaken him.

As the Lord was happy to accept the milk, he is praised as Sri Paal Ukantha Nathar. (“Paal” means milk, “Ukantha” means to accept willingly and “Nathar” means the lord in Tamil). As Chandikeswarar grazed the cows here, this place gets the name “A Paadi” (“A” meaning cow and “Paadi” meaning place in Tamil). Now it is known as Thiruvaippadi. This ancient temple is situated on the southern banks of the river Manniyaru. The historical names of this place are Veerakkan and Thiru Aaippadi.

Chandikeswarar:

Chandikeswarar is one of the 63 revered Nayanmars and is the only one with the title of “lord” (Easwaran). His birth place is Seinganur which is very near this place.

Sandikeswara Naynar:

It is believed that Sandikeswara Naynar attained salvation (“Moksham”) here on a new moon day on Shivrathri.

A shepherd:

This temple is that of a shepherd who used to live here. After milking his cows, he used to carry the milk for sale in the local market. To his anguish, every day he would slip at a particular place and thus spilling all the milk that he carried. Frustrated by this, he wanted to know the reason for this occurane. One day he dug the ground using a tool and to his surprise blood started oozing out of the ground. The shepherd took the help of some villagers and started digging deeper. They found a Shivalingam there which they installed in the temple. 

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This is the place where Chandikeswarar, one of the 63 revered Nayanmars, attained salvation.
·        In this temple, Sandeswara Nayanar’s shrine can be seen in the hall in front of Lord Shiva’s sanctum which is quite unique.
·        Behind the sanctum sanctorum, on either sides of Lord Lingothbavar, there are idols of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma in a worshipping posture. Devotees can enjoy the darshan of all the three lords (Trimurthys) – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This is considered to be very auspicious.
·        The front hall (Mandapam) of this temple is designed to look like the forehead of a bat (“Vovval Nethi Mandapam”). This looks very beautiful. 
·        The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (akazhi in Tamil).

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Paalugandha Nathar, Sri Ksheerapureeswarar
Ambal	Sri Periyanayagi, Sri Brahannayaki
Theertham	Ksheera Theertham, river Manniyaru
Sthala Vriksham	Aathi

BELIEF:

Devotees believe that worshiping the lord here on Maha Shivratri day and on new moon days will grant them absolution and relief from the sins of their previous birth.

Special poojas are performed on all new moon days.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chathurthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Brahmotsavam for Chandikeswarar on the new moon day
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Annabishekam

HOW TO REACH:

Thiruvaippadi is situated at a distance of about 2 kms from Thiruppanandal. This sthalam is situated on the Kumbakonam to Anaikkarai road and is about 2 kms before Thiruppanandal. From Kumbakonam it is about 18 kms.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Paalugantha Nathar Temple,
Thiruvaippadi,
Thiruppanandal,
Thiruvidaimarudur,
Tanjore,
Tamil Nadu- 612 504.

LOCATION: