46. SRI THANTHONDREESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRU AAKKUR

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	163rd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	46th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

The historical name of this place is Shankharanyam. There are two temples called “Maadam” in the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams. “Maadam” refers to the fact that the temples are situated on top of a man-made hill. These are “Thoonganai Maadam” at Pennakadam and the “Thanthontri Maadam” at Aakkur (this temple).

King Kochengat Cholan:

It is believed that during the construction of this temple, King Kochengat Cholan had developed some ailments. He prayed to Lord Shiva for a cure. It is believed that at this point the lord’s divine voice was heard saying that the king should feed 1000 people for 48 days (“Annadhanam”). Following the lord’s instructions, the king started feeding 1000 people every day. However, for 47 days, he noticed that only 999 people were participated in the banquet.

He once again prayed to Lord Shiva to tell him about the shortfall of one person. To satisfy the king, it is believed that on the last day, the lord himself came in the form of an old man holding a stick in his hand to complete the count of one thousand people. For this reason, the lord here is known as “Aayirathil Oruvar” (one among one thousand in Tamil).

Since the king had never seen the old man before in his life, he enquired about his whereabouts. Instead of giving a direct answer to the king, the old man countered with a question “Place? Whose place?” (“Yarukku Oor?” in Tamil) and disappeared in an anthill. The king realised that the man is none other than Lord Shiva himself.

When they removed the anthill, they found a Shivalingam there. During its extraction, a cut was formed on top of the lingam which can still be seen.  A beautiful sculpture depicting this event can also be seen in the temple.

Sage Agasthiyar:

This temple is also believed to be one of the places where Lord Shiva gave his wedding dharisanam to Sage Agasthiyar. For this reason, Goddess Parvathy’s shrine is located on the right side of Lord Shiva’s shrine (similar to their wedding posture).

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This is the birth place of Sirappuli Nayanar, one of the revered 63 Nayanmars.

·        This temple is counted as one of the 70 Maadak Koils built by King Kochengat Cholan.

·        This east facing temple with main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.

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

·        It is believed that King Kochengat Chola built about 70 “Madakkoils”. The distinguishing feature of a Madakkoil is that it is not easily approachable by an elephant. He built these temples at an elevation and there are a few steps that need to be climbed before seeing the lord. Also, the sanctum sanctorum’s (Karpagragam) entrance is narrow such that no elephant can enter it.

·        There is a separate shrine for Goddess Saraswathy here.

·        The shrine of Lord Murugan is in the form of a chariot and it looks very beautiful.

·        In his hymn of this temple, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar praised the learned brahmins and the devout devotees of Aakkur village.

·        This is the birth place of Sirappuli Nayanar, one of the revered 63 Nayanmars. It is believed that he always served food to devotees without saying “no” to anyone and at any time. It is believed that he attained salvation here.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Thanthondreeswarar, Sri Swayambhu Nathar
Ambal	Sri Vaalnedungkannammai, Sri Katka Nethri Ambal
Theertham	Kumudha Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Sarakondrai, Vilva and Paakku trees

BELIEF:

It is believed that those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here.

Devotees also 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
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Sirappuli Nayanar’s “guru poojai” on the Pooradam star day
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	108-conchs abhishekam, Somavaaram
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Thai	Jan-Feb	Makara Sankranthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Aakkur is situated at a distance of about 17 kms from Mayiladuthurai on the Mayiladuthurai to Tharangambadi route. The temple is behind the Aakkur bus stand.  It is about 5 kms from Semponar Koil.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple,
Akkur,
Tharangambadi,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu – 609301.

LOCATION: