Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 100th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - North |
Chola Naadu - North | 46th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)
and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) |
HISTORY:
The end of every “yuga”
is marked by a huge flood that leads to the destruction of all living beings on
the earth. This is called the “Pralayam”. During the deluge at the end of the
“Krutha yuga”, on the instruction of Lord Shiva, Vinayakar of this temple saved
this place by diverting the water of all the seven seas into this temple’s
well. This well is called the “Saptha Sagara Koobam” (“seven sea well”) and it
is located on the eastern bank of this temple’s tank. Hence the Vinayakar here
is praised as “Pralayam Katha Vinayakar”. This place gets the name Thiru
Purambayam because it was an exception and wa not affected by the Pralayam
(“puram” means exception and “payas” means water in Tamil).
The temple is situated
on the northern bank of the river Manniyaru and is surrounded by three rivers -
Manniyaru, Kollidam and the Cauvery. The historical names of this place are
Thirupurambiam, Kalyanamaanagar and Punnaahavanam. Some of the idols in the
koshtam and the corridor are badly broken. It is believed that this was done a
long time ago by people from other religious backgrounds.
The
idol of Vinayakar:
The idol of Vinayakar
in this temple is believed to have been created by Lord Varunan (the god of
water) using foam and shells from the sea. No abhishekam is performed to this
Vinayakar except on the Vinayaka Chathurthi day. On this day, abhisheham is
performed to him for the entire night with honey only. All the honey that is
poured on the idol gets fully absorbed.
64th “Thiruvilaiyadal”:
This temple is that the
64th “Thiruvilaiyadal” of Lord Shiva took place here. Thiruvilaiyadal is a
collection of sixty-four epics and devotional stories written in the
16th century by Saint Paranjothi Munivar. They record the stories of Lord
Shiva appearing on earth in various disguises to test his devotees.
This
64th Thiruvilaiyadal refers to the following story. It is believed that a
businessman (a chettiyar) from Kaveripoom Pattinam (Poompuhar) had a daughter
named Rathnavalli. He wanted to marry her to his nephew who lived in Madurai.
He fell ill and called his nephew to Poompuhar and gave him Rathnavalli’s hand
in marriage before passing away from his illness. The boy decided to go back to
Madurai with the girl and on their way, they spent the night in this temple.
But unfortunately, he died of a snake bite on that night. Rathnavalli cried and
prayed to Lord Shiva for help. It is believed that Lord Shiva brought him back
to life and got them married under a Vanni tree in this temple’s corridors.
Since there was no one else present at that time, the wedding took place in the
presence of inanimate objects like this temple’s kitchen, its well and the
Vanni tree.
Later Rathnavalli’s
marriage was challenged by the businessman’s first wife in Madurai. In order to
show proof of the wedding, Lord Shiva went to Madurai’s Sri Sundareswarar
temple along with the items that had witnessed the marriage - the kitchen, the
well and the Vanni tree from Thiruppurambayam. Hence the lord here is praised
as “Sri Satchinathar” (the lord who stood witness). Even today one can see the
kitchen, well and the Vanni tree in the corridors of the Madurai temple.
Interestingly, all the three items can also be seen here.
Lord
Shiva (in the form of Lord Dakshinamurthy):
A wood cutter (a
“Pulainjan”) from the nearby village Govandhaputhur, who supplied fire woods to
this temple got darshan of Lord Shiva (in the form of Lord Dakshinamurthy).
King
Haridwajan:
King Haridwajan of
Magada kingdom had suffered from a disease called “Muyalagan” due to a curse by
Sage Durvasa. He visited many Shiva temples and finally came to this place and
worshiped the lord here. It is believed that he was relieved of his curse and
was cured.
People
who worshipped here:
It is believed that
Lord Brahma, Sukreev, Sages Agasthiyar, Dhronachary, Viswamithrar and Sanakathi
Rishis (four) have worshipped the lord here.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
The 64th “Thiruvilaiyadal” of Lord
Shiva took place here.
·
This is one of the 24 important temples
for Lord Dakshinamoorthy.
·
This is one of the 44 Paadal petra
sthalams where the “Moovar” (the three saints - Saint Thirugnanasambanthar,
Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered
their Pathigams.
·
This is east facing temple with its main
tower Rajagopuram has 5-tiers.
·
Apart from the separate shrine for the
Goddess Karumbanna Sollammai, there is also a separate shrine for Goddess
Guhambika. She is seen with Murugan (as a child) in her lap. This idol is made
out of clay (“sudai”).
·
In Tamil Nadu, this is the only place
where Lord Dakshinamurthy has a separate temple. He is also praised as “Sri
Aram Uraitha Nayanar”. This temple is situated outside the entrance of the main
tower and on the southern bank of the temple’s tank. This is one of the 24
sacred Dakshinamurthy shrines and is considered to be very auspicious.
·
There are beautiful sculptures on the
roof of Nandhi’s shrine.
·
It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun)
worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam every
year for three days in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr) on 3rd,
4th and 5th.
·
Saint Pattinathar has also visited this
temple and rendered his pathigam praising Lord Shiva.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Satchinatheswarar, Sri Punnaivana Nathar |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Karumpadu Solliammai, Sri Ishuvaani |
|
Theertham |
Brahma
Theertham, river Manniyaru and Saptha Sagara Koobam (well) |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Punnai
tree |
BELIEF:
Women worship Goddess
Parvathy here asking for a child boon (“Santhana Prapthi”).
Devotees believe that
by worshiping Lord Shiva here, obstacles from their marriage proposals will be
removed. This is because Lord Shiva himself had conducted the marriage of
Rathnavalli here.
Devotees also worship
Sri Pralayam Katha Vinayakar and offer honey on Vinayaka Chaturthi days for the
blessing of prosperity and wisdom.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Vinayakar
Chathurthi |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Masi Maham |
|
Thai |
Jan-Feb |
Makara Sankranthi |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Navarathri |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Annabishekam |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiruppurambiyam is
situated at a distance of about 10 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam to
Thiruvaiyaru route (via Puliancheri). Take the diversion road from Puliancheri
and proceed for about 6 kms to reach this temple.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Satchinatheswarar Temple,
Thiruppurambayam,
Kumbakonam,
Tanjore,
Tamil Nadu – 612 303.
LOCATION:
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