51. SRI YAZHMURINATHAR TEMPLE AT DHARUMAPURAM

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	168th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	51st Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

Lord Shiva stopped Yama, the lord of Death, and punished him before he could take the life of Sage Markandeya in Thirukadayur. As Yama had already thrown his noose around Sage Markandeya, he is believed to have repented for his sin by worshiping Lord Shiva here.

Yama came to this place, created a spring and performed penance. Lord Shiva granted darshan to Yama and told him that he would be restored of his position as the lord of death in due time. As Yama is also known as “Dharman”, this place gets the name Dharmapuram.

Thiru Neelakanda Yazhpanar:

A Shiva devotee by the name of Thiru Neelakanda Yazhpanar. He was a renowned musician and his preferred instrument was the “Yazh”. Yazh is a string instrument similar to the Veena or violin. Neelakanda Yazhpanar and his wife Madanga Soolamani joined Saint Thirugnana Samabanthar on his pilgrimages.

Yazhpanar would compose the music for Sambanthar’s hymns. Since Yazhpanar was a maestro in the art of composition, a sense of arrogance rose in the minds of his relatives as they felt that Sambanthar’s popularity was mostly because of Yazhpanar’s music. Yazhpanar harboured no such thoughts and was distressed when this came to this light. He apologised to Sambanthar who readily forgave him.

Sambanthar then expressed his desire to visit Yazhpanar’s mother and seek her blessings. For this reason, they came to Dharmapuram.

However, when Sambanthar sang “Yaazhmoori Padhigam” in this temple, Yazhpanar was not able to compose music for it. In his frustration, Yazhpanar decided to break the Yazh but Sambanthar stopped him to do so. Lord Shiva intervened, took the Yazh from Yazhpanar, composed the music for the hymn and also danced to it. It is for this reason that Lord Shiva of this temple is praised as “Sri Yazh Moori Nathar”.

It is believed that when Lord Shiva composed the music for Sambanthar’s hymn, Goddess Parvathy sang in a voice that was “as sweet as nectar”. For this reason, she is praised as “Sri Thene Amirthavalli” (“Thene” means honey and “Amirtham” means nectar in Tamil).

It is also believed that Lord Mahavishnu, Lord Brahma and Yudhistra have worshiped the lord here. Yudhistra is also known as Dharmar. This is another reason why this place is called Dharmapuram. 

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This east facing temple has a 5-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram).

·        This is the birth place of Saint Thiru Neelakanda Yazhpanar’s mother. Yazhpanar is one of the 63 Nayanmars.

·        Saint Thirugnanasambanthar’s hymn praises Lord Shiva’s music composition and Goddess Parvathy’s melodious voice.

·        When Lord Shiva played the Yaazh, it is believed that Lord Dakshinamurthy learned back to enjoy the performance. For this reason, Lord Dakshinamurthy is seen in a leaning position here. 

·        Behind the sanctum sanctorum, on either sides of Lord Lingothbavar, there are idols of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma in a worshipping posture. Devotees can enjoy the darshan of all the three lords (Trimurthys) – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This is considered to be very auspicious.

·        This place has a shrine for the revered Guru Gnanasambanthar, the founder of the Dharumapura Adheenam. 

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Yazhmurinathar, Sri Dharmapureeswarar
Ambal	Sri Madhuraminnammai, Sri Thenamirthavalli, Sri Abhayambikai
Theertham	Vishnu Theertham/ Dharma Theertham, Brahma Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Plantain / Panana tree ("Vaazhai")

BELIEF:

Those aspiring for excellence in music can worship Lord Shiva and Lord Dakshinamurthy here.

Those facing “Puthra doshas” – problems related to child’s well-being can worship Goddess Durgai here on the days of the “Utharada” nakshatram. 

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Vaikasi	May-June	Guru Pooja for Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, ) on the day of “Moola” nakshatram
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Masi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Dharumapuram is situated at a distance of about 3 kms from Thirunallaru on the Thirunallaru to Karaikkal route. From Karaikkal also this temple is about 3 kms only. The nearest railway station is Karaikkal.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Yazhmurinathar Temple,
Dharumapuram,
Near Karaikkal,
Puducherry - 609 602.

LOCATION: