Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 132nd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - South |
Chola Naadu - South | 15th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
During the great deluge
(“pralayam”), when the entire universe was submerged, this place stood aloft
like a sand dune (Thittai in Tamil). It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared at
this place as a Swayambu Lingam. Hence this place gets the name Thenkudi
Thittai (sand dune on the southern side).
Thenkudi Thittai is
located between the rivers Vennaru and Vettaru, both of which are tributaries
of river Kaveri. This place is also known as Therur or Rathapuri which
originates from the legend that the chariot (“Ther”) of a king got stuck in the
sand dunes here. The historical names of this place are Vilvaranyam,
Vasishtasramam, Dhenupuri and “Kudeethveepam” (in Sanskrit).
Shivalingam:
It is believed that
there are 28 places where Lord Shiva emerged in the form of a Shivalingam.
Apart from this place (Thittai), some of the other such places are Chidambaram,
Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvarur, Thiruvaiyaru and Thirukkazhukkundram.
Guru:
Guru (“Viyazhan” in
Tamil) is the seventh son of Sage Aankirasa. Guru became a very learned scholar
and became the teacher (Guru) to the Devas. Under his stewardship, the Devas
lived peacefully. Once when he had gone to visit Indira, Indira did not receive
him as he was busy watching Urvasi’s dance. Angered by this slight, Guru abandoned
the Devas and started living as a recluse.
Without his guidance, the life of Devas became miserable and the demons started terrorising them. Realising his mistake, Indira searched for Guru in order to ask for his apology but he could not find him. Indira visited many Shiva temples and prayed to the lord to help him find Guru. When he visited this temple, Guru decided to appear before him and pardoned him.
Sage
Vashishtar:
It is believed that
Sage Vashishtar had his hermitage here, he installed a lingam and performed
penance. Hence, Lord Shiva is praised here as “Sri Vashishteswarar”. Also, as a
mark of respect, Guru stood up and received teachings from Sage Vashishtar. It
is believed that Lord Shiva elevated Guru to a place in the Navagrahams at this
place.
Chola
king Jayan:
Chola king named Jayan
performed the maha yagna “Rudra Paasupatha” here, which is equal to performing
100 “Aswametha yagna”. This earned him the position of Indira.
Goddess
Ulakanayaki:
The Goddess Ulakanayaki
of this temple is also praised as Sugantha Kunthalambigai because she is
believed to have given rebirth to the husband of a girl named Suganthi.
People who worshipped here:
Lord Brahma, Vishnu,
Murugan, Vedas, Bhairavar, Suriyan, Saneeswaran, Yama (the lord of death), Parasuramar,
Indiran, Aadisheshan, Kamadenu, Sage Vashishtar, Sage Gautamar and Sage
Jamadagni have worshipped the lord here.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
This is one of the famous Guru (Jupitar)
Parikara sthalam.
·
Drops of water fall from the ceiling on
the main deity in the sanctum sanctorum every 24 minutes without fail.
·
This east facing temple with main tower
(Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.
·
In most of the temples Lord
Dakshinamoorthy is worshipped as Guru Bhagwan but only in three places –
Thittai (here), Thiruvalithayam (popularly known as Padi near Chennai)
and Thiruchendur, the Navagraha star Guru is worshipped as Guru Bhagawan.
·
This is probably the only place in the
world where Guru Bhagavan has a separate shrine with a separate Vimanam. This
shrine is in between the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. Also, this
is the only place where you can see Guru Bhagavan in a standing posture with 4
hands – two of them holding his weapon and books and the other two in the
“Abhaya Hastam” posture.
·
A unique feature of this temple is that
a drop of water falls on the main deity, exactly every twenty-four minutes (1
Naazhigai in Tamil) from the roof. But for a small hole, there is no visible
source of water on the tower (Vimanam) of the main deity. It is believed that two
stones "Suryakaanthakkal" and "Chandrakaanthakkal"
(precious stones) which are placed at strategic points above the tower is the
reason for this miraculous phenomenon. These 2 stones absorb moisture from the
atmosphere, convert it into a water droplet and perform a natural abhishekam of
the lord. This is a clear testament to the advanced scientific and
architectural knowledge that our country had possessed.
·
In front of the hall of Goddess
Parvathy’s shrine, on the ceiling, 12 zodiac signs are carved beautifully in
stone. It is believed that by standing under one’s respective zodiac sign and
praying to the goddess, one’s wishes will be fulfilled.
·
Thittai is one of the holy places,
extolled by Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, who holds the sanctity of this place in
high esteem.
·
There are many beautiful granite reliefs
that are artistically carved in the pillars such as those of the Nalvars, Lord
Shiva and Goddess Parvathy seated on the bull mount, lord Vinayakar, lord
Murugan, etc.
·
Thengudi Thittai is one of the “Sabthasthanam”
temples of Thiru Karanthattaikudi (Karanthai). The other temples are -
Thiruvennaru, Thirukudalampathi (Kudalur), Thirukadanapatham (Kadakadappai),
Thiru Punnainallur Maariyammankoil (Shiva’s shrine) and Thiru Poomaalai
Ravuthankoil.
·
There are 4 Shivalingams installed on
the four corners of this temple keeping the main deity at the centre. Hence
this temple is also known as “Pancha linga Kshetram”. It is believed that
worshiping the lord here is equal to worshiping the lord at all the Pancha Bhootha
Sthalams (Chidambaram, Kalahasthi, Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvanikka and
Kanchipuram).
·
It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun)
worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam twice in
a year – on 15th,16th and 17th of the Tamil month of Aavani
(Aug-Sept) (“Thatchinayana punya kalam”) and on 25th , 26th and
27th of the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr) (“Uththarayana punya
kalam”).
·
This temple is considered to be
significant for its three important attributes – Moorthy, Sthalam and Theertham
- glory of Lord, sacredness of the land and the auspicious temple tank.
·
Another significance of this temple is
that the entire temple is constructed using granite - from foundation to the
tower.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Vashishteswarar, Sri Dhenupureeswarar, |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Suganda Kundalambikai, Sri Ulaganayagi, |
|
Theertham |
Pasu
Theertham, Soola Theertham, Chakra Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Mullai,
Chenbagam and Chevvanthi |
BELIEF:
Devotees can get relief
from the adverse effects of planet Jupiter by praying to the lord here.
Students pray to the
lord here for attaining excellence in their studies.
As Guru was elevated to
Navagraham in this place, devotees believe that worshiping Lord Shiva here will
yield promotion in their work.
It is believed that
those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here.
Devotees can also pray for removal of obstacles from their marriage proposals.
Devotees also believe
that worshiping Goddess Parvathy here will result in a long and prosperous
married life.
Guru transition day is
celebrated here in a grand manner.
Surya Puja is performed
during the time when Sun worship the lord here.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Chithirai |
Apr-May |
Chitra Pournami |
|
Vaikasi |
May-June |
Brahmotsavam and the festival
commemorating Vasishtar’s marriage with Arundhathi |
|
Aani |
June-July |
Aani
Tirumanjanam |
|
Aadi |
July-Aug |
Aadi Pooram |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Vinayakar
Chaturthi |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Annabishekam |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thittai is situated at
a distance of about 10 Kms from Thanjavur on the Tanjure - Melattur -
Kumbakonam route. Nearest railway station is Thittai on the Kumbakonam to
Tanjure line which is two kilometres away from this temple.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Vashishteswarar Temple,
Thenkudi Thittai
Pasupathikoil,
Thanjavur ,
Tamil Nadu – 613 003.
LOCATION:
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