100. SRI SAKSHINATHAR TEMPLE AVALIVANALLUR

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	217th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	100th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

Avalivanallur Satchinathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Avalivanallur in Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, as the moolavar presiding deity, in his manifestation as Satchinathar. His consort, Parvati, is known as Soudnaranayaki. 

This Shivastalam is located in the vicinity of Haridwaramangalam. Saliyamangalam on the Tiruvarur Thanjavur railroad is the nearest railhead.

Both this temple and the one at Haridwaramangalam are associated with the Varaha Avataram of Vishnu. Legend has it that Vishnu in his Varahavataram after losing his horn, worshipped Shiva here. Shiva is said to have played the role of a witness in settling a marital dispute among his devotees hence the name Avalivalnallur.

Pancha Aranya Sthalams:

Aranyam means forest and the following five temples at different forests Thanjavur / Kumbakonam / Thiruvarur region are revered as “Pancha Aranya Sthalams”.

1. Sri Mullaivananathar Temple at Tirukkarugavur – Mullai vanam

2. Sri Satchi Nathar Temple at Avalivanallur – Paadhiri vanam

3. Sri Paathaaleswarar Temple at Thiru Aradaipperumpazhi (Haridwara mangalam) – Vanni vanam

4. Sri Aapathsahayeswarar Temple at Thiru Erumpoolai (Alangudi) – Poolai vanam

5. Sri Vilvavaneswarar Temple at Thirukollam Pudhur – Vilva vanam

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        A panel with images of Shiva and Parvati on the Rishabha vaahanam is seen behind the Shivalingam in the sanctum.

·        This east facing temple has a south facing ambal shrine and shrines to other parivaradevatas. West of this Shivastalam is Poolaivanam - Irumpoolai (Alankudi), east - Patalivanam, Sameevanam (Haridwaramangalam) and Vilvavanam (Kollampudur).

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Saakshi Nayakeswarar
Ambal	Sri Soundara Nayaki
Theertham	Chandra Pushkarini Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Bamboo tree

BELIEF:

People take bath in tamil month of thai in Chandra pushkarani theertham to get cure from skin disease.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti
Thai	Jan-Feb	Thai Amavasai
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

This sivasthalam temple is situated 3.5 Kms to the west of another paadal petra sthalam at Tiruaradai Perumpaazhi (Haridwara Mangalam). Town bus service from Kumbakonam to Ammapettai goes via this sivasthalam. Likewise the town bus service from Thanjavur to Haridwara Mangalam also goes via this sivasthalam. Avalivanallur is situated 13 Kms west of Alangudi.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Sakshinathar Temple,

Avalivanallur,

Thiruvarur,

Tamil Nadu.

LOCATION: