Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 16th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 16th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) |
HISTORY:
In
ancient times this region was densely covered with bamboo trees. It is believed
that everyday a shepherd who was carrying milk would trip over a bush and fall
down at one particular place. Angered by his regular loss of milk, one day he
decided to clear the bushes. While cutting down the bushes with his axe, he
found a lingam that was bleeding. Frightened, the shepherd informed about this
to the local people who in turn informed the king. The king ordered a temple to
be built there. The scars on the lingam due to the use of the axe can still be
seen. Also, the lingam is slightly leaning towards the left side. Owing to the
scar on the lingam, this lingam is not touched by human hands and pujas are
performed without touching the deity. Bamboo is called “Pasu – Moongil” in
Tamil. Since the lord here is believed to have been found in a bamboo forest,
he is named “Sri Pachura Nathar” and the place is called “Thirupachur”. Chola
King Karikalan had built this temple. The place is also called
Than-kathalipuram after the name of Goddess Thangathali. Other historical names
of this place are Mayapuri, Abhayapuram, Manickapuri and Cholapuram.
Swarna Kali:
This
temple is that once, a local chieftain called Kurumban failed to pay the taxes
that were owed to his liege lord - the Chola King Karikalan. Kurumban was
an ardent devotee of Goddess Kali. When the king invaded his region for
recovering the dues, the chieftain prayed to Kali who helped him defeat the
king and his army. The king, being a Shiva devotee, prayed to Lord Shiva for
his help. Lord Shiva sent Nandhi to control and bind Kali. Nandhi defeated Kali
and bound her with a golden chain. To honour this incident, this temple has a
shrine for “Swarna Kali” where Goddess Kali’s legs are bound. Evening pujas are
performed in this shrine on full moon days.
Chola King Karikalan:
When
Chola King Karikalan was constructing this temple, his enemy Kurumban with the
help of some Jains (samanar) had sent a poisonous snake in a container to kill
the King. Without knowing what was in it, he tried to open the container but
Lord Shiva came in the form of a snake charmer, saved his life and blessed him.
Hence the lord here is also known as “Pambatteswarar” ("Pambatti"
means snake charmer in Tamil).
Than-kathali:
Goddess
Parvathi worshipped Lord Shiva here. Pleased by her penance, it is believed
that Lord Shiva addressed her as “Than-kathali” (meaning “beloved” in Tamil).
Perumal Vinai Theertha Easwarar:
Lord
Mahavishnu worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple to seek absolution for the sin
that he had accrued by killing the demons (asuras) - Madhu and Kaithaba, who
were believed to have stolen the vedas. As Lord Shiva absolved Lord
Mahavishnu’s sins here, he is also praised as “Perumal Vinai Theertha
Easwarar”.
People
who worshipped here:
Chandran
and sage Kaushika have also worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
This lingam is
not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is
“Theendathirumeni”.
·
The vimanam
(roof tower) of the sanctum sanctorum is designed in a special way that is
exclusive to Pallava architecture - the Gaja Brishtam that looks like the rear
of an elephant (Gaja - elephant, brishtam - rear).
·
This east facing
temple with main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.
·
Lord Shiva and
Goddess Than-kathali’s shrines are east facing.
·
Goddess
Parvathy’s shrine is on the right side to Lord Shiva’s shrine. Such temples are
considered very auspicious.
·
The unique
feature of this temple is that the shrine of Lord Shiva’s entire family is in
straight line. Goddess Than-kathali’s shrine is on the right side of Lord Shiva
and in between we can see the shrines of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Murugan with
his consorts.
·
There is a group
of 11 Vinayakars placed in a hall in the middle of this temple - called
“Ekadasa Vinayagar” (Ekadasa means 11 in Sanskrit). This is another unique
feature of this temple.
·
The “Sri Chakra”
installed by Sri Adi Sankara can be seen in the hall in front of Lord Shiva’s
shrine (Artha Mandapam).
TEMPLE
INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Vaacheeswarar, Sri Pachura
Nathar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Pasupathi Nayaki, Sri
Than-kathali Ammai, Sri
Suyamohanambal |
|
Theertham |
Chozha Theertham, Mangala
Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Bamboo |
BELIEF:
Devotees
pray to Goddess Than-kathali for conjugal unity. Also, devotees pray for
removal of obstacles from their marriage proposals.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Vaikasi |
May-June |
10-day
Brahmotsavam |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thirupachur
temple is at a distance of about 3 kms from Thiruvallur on the Thiruvallur to
Arakkonam route.
Nearest
railway station is in Kadambathur which is at a distance of about 4 kms from
this temple. Thiruvallur is about 40 kms away from Koyambedu, Chennai.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Shiva Nandeeswarar
Temple,
Thirukandalam,
(Thirukallil),
Vengal-Via,
Oothukottai,
Thiruvallur,
Tamil Nadu - 601 103.
LOCATION:
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