22. SRI SAKTHIVANESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE AT THIRU SHAKTHI MUTHAM (SHAKTHI MUTRAM)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	139th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	22nd Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

Goddess Parvathi was interested in establishing the power of “bhakti” (devotion). She wanted to proof that bhakti alone is the right way to attain salvation. Lord Shiva advised her to come to this place (Shakthi Mutham) and perform penance here. Goddess Parvathi came to the Surya Pushkarini /Soola Theertham on the southern side of the river Cauvery. She performed rigorous penance here by standing on one leg. Lord Shiva wanted to test the extent of her devotion and thus he delayed his darshan.

However, this did not deter her from her resolve. Lord Shiva finally appeared before her in the form of a huge column of fire (“Jyothiswaroopam”). Knowing that this Jyothiswaroopam was nothing but the lord himself, she embraced him and kissed him. Hence the lord here is praised as “Sri Sivakkozhuntheeswarar” and the place gets the name “Sakthi Mutham” (“Sakthi” means Goddess Parvathy and “mutham” means kiss in Tamil). The Shivalingam here has the traces of Agni (“theechudar”) in it.

In ancient times, this place was a part of the Chola capital “Pazhayarai”. The capital consisted of many villages such as Patteswaram, Muzhayur, Udayalur, Shakti Mutram, Cholan Maligai, Darasuram and Ramanathan Koil. Many Chola kings ruled from Pazhayarai. The historical names of this place are Rajarajapuram and Sithimutham.

Goddess Parvathy:

Goddess Parvathy was performing her penance here, Lord Shiva caused heavy floods in the river Cauvery. The Shivalingam that Goddess Parvathy had created was about to be destroyed by the flood.

She immediately embraced it and protected it from the water. Pleased with her penance, Lord Shiva appeared and blessed her and took her back to Mount Kailash. Hence the lord here is also praised as “Sri Thazhuvakkuzhaintha Nathar”.

Saint Thirunavakkarasar:

He prayed to Lord Shiva that he be blessed with the “Thiruvadi Deeksha”. Thiruvadi deeksha means that the lord’s feet be placed on the devotee’s head. It is believed that Lord Shiva asked him to go to the nearby Nallur temple to receive this deeksha from him.

Saint Thirugnanasambhanthar:

Saint Thirugnanasambhanthar after offering his prayers in this temple, it is believed that the saint wanted to go to the nearby Patteswaram temple. It was a peak summer day and in order to protect him from the oppressive heat, Lord Shiva created a tent lined with pearls (“Muthu panthal”) and sent it through his attendants (“Bhootha ganas”).

People who worshipped here:

Goddess Parvathy, Sage Agasthiyar, Saints Thirugnanasambanthar, Thirunavukkarasar, Arunagirinathar and Ramalinga Adigal have worshipped Lord Shiva here.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        Lord Shiva offered a tent lined with pearls (“Muthu panthal”) to Saint Thirugnanasambanthar here.

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

·        History of the Temple

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

·        It is believed that Poet Sakthimutram, who wrote the “Narai Vidu Thoothu”, lived here. 

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Sakthivaneswarar, Sri Sivakozhuntheeswarar, Sri Sakthi Thazhuviya Udayar, Sri Thazhuvakkuzhaintha Nathar
Ambal	Sri Periyanayaki, Sri Brahannayaki
Theertham	Soola Theertham/Surya Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam

BELIEF:

Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, obstacles from their marriage will be removed. They further believe that worshiping the lord here will lead to removal of sins that they might have accrued in their previous births.

Those seeking “Santhana Prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here and worshiping Lord Shiva here will result in the reunion of estranged couples.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Aani	June-July	Gnanasambanthar’s pearl tent festival
Aani	June-July	Aani Thirumanjanam
Aadi	July-Aug	Aadi Pooram
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thiru Karthikai and Somavaram (Mondays)
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Thai	Jan-Feb	“Ratha Sapthami”
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Thiru Shakthi Mutham is situated at a distance of about 8 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam to Avoor route. From Swamimalai, it is about 3 kms and from Dharasuram, it is about 4 kms. Both Swamimalai and Darasuram have railway stations.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Sakthivaneswara Swamy Temple,
Thiru Sakthi Mutram,
Patteswaram,
Kumbakonam,
Tanjure,
Tamil Nadu – 612 703.

LOCATION: