Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 53rd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Nadu Naadu |
Nadu Naadu | 21st Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)
and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) |
HISTORY:
In ancient times the
cows did not have any horns and were frequently tormented by other wild
animals. According to Hindu mythology, all gods including Lords Shiva,
Mahavishnu, Brahma, Goddess Parvathi, Lakshmi and Saraswathi and all Devars
reside in the body of the cow. It is believed that the cows went to Nandhi
(Lord Shiva’s bull mount) to seek protection. Nandhi advised them to come to
this place and worship the lord. Nandhi, Kamadenu (the divine cow) and other
cows came to this place and worshiped the lord by pouring their milk on the
lingam. The marks of the cow’s hoof and rivulets due to the pouring of milk can
be seen on the lingam. Pleased with their penance, Lord Shiva blessed them with
horns to protect them-selves. The name of this place “Thiru Amathur” is derived
from “Thiru Aa Matha Vur” - “Aa” means cow, “Matha” means mother, “Vur” means
village in Tamil and “Thiru” is a respectful prefix. For this reason, this
place is revered as the “parental house” of cows and this
subsequently became “Thiruvamathur”. Thiruvamathur is located on the banks of the Pampa
River, a tributary of the Pennai River.The historical names of this place are
Gomathrupuram, Gomatheeswaram and Gomathupuram.
Lord Ram cleanses himself for the sin of
killing Ravana:
Lord ram cleanse
himself for the sins accrued by killing Ravana, Lord Ram worshiped Lord Shiva
here. There is a well inside this temple called “Dhanda Theertham” which has
been created by Lord Ram. The lord’s name “Sri Abhirameswarar” is derived that
Lord Ram worshiped Lord Shiva here. “Abhi” means affectionately and “Eswarar”
is a respectful way of referring Lord Shiva. Saint Thirunavukkarasar had
mentioned about Lord Ram’s affection towards the lord of this temple.
Goddess
Muthambikai punishes for false promise:
Even today, people who
have been made some crime come to the “Sathya Palakai” at the “Thiru
Vattaparai” and make pledges of their innocence. It is strongly believed that
if someone makes a false promise at this place, they will be severely punished
by the Goddess. Goddess Muthambikai once punished a man by having him bit by a
snake because he had cheated his younger brother and made a false promise at
this place. To signify this event, the tail portion of a snake adorns the
Goddess’s chest. This can be seen during abishekam.
Sage
Brungi Muni turned into tree by a curse:
Once Sage Brungi Muni
went to Kailash to worship Lord Shiva but found that the lord was with Goddess
Parvathi. The sage was such an ardant devotee of Lord Shiva that he refused to
worship anyone else. So, he took the form of a fly and went around Lord Shiva
and worshiped him. When Goddess Parvathi came to know that the sage had ignored
her, she cursed him. Her curse turned the sage into a tree. The sage realized
his mistake and worshiped both of them and sought pardon. It is believed that
he performed penance in this temple and got absolution. The Vanni tree, which
is the sacred tree of this temple, signifies the fact that sage Brungi was
turned into a tree by Goddess Parvathy’s curse.
Lord
Murugan blessed with “Vel”:
Lord Murugan worshiped
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi here and was blessed with the “Vel” (spear)
before marching on demon Surapadman.
Poet
Illam Surya and Muthu Surya sang “Thiruvamathur Kalambakam” with Small mistake:
Another legend
associated with this temple is that of poets Ilam Surya and Mudu Surya (Ilam
means junior and Mudu means senior in Tamil). One of them was blind and the
other was lame. They travelled from one town to another singing the glory of
Lord Shiva. While singing about the lord of this temple, “Thiruvamathur
Kalambakam”, they made a small mistake – they said that this temple is on the
western side of the river Pampa although it is on the eastern side. Some of the
people who had assembled in the temple started teasing them. The lord came to
their rescue and caused a heavy downpour. It rained so much that the river
changed its course overnight. When the people reassembled the temple the next day,
there was no need for the poets to correct their verse – the temple was now on
the western side of the river.
People
Worshipped lord shiva here:
Goddess Parvathy,
Vinayakar, Murugan, sages Agasthiyar, Vashistar, Durvasar, Brungi, Parasarar,
viswamithar, Veda Vyasar, Roma Rishi, Narathar, Mathanga Muni, Ashta Vasus,
Nandhi and Kamadenu have worshiped the lord here. Also, Lord Ram, Sita,
Lakshman and Hanuman have worshiped Lord Shiva here.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
Lord Shiva’s idol has the impression of
a hoof at the top, with multiple rivulet markings which signify that this lord
was worshiped with milk that flowed from udders of cows.
·
Vannacharabam Sri Dandapani Swamigal
lived in this place; he set up a “Kaumara Madam” here and spent most of his
time in spreading the glory of Lord Murugan. The first Kaumara Madam in the
world. It is believed that in his lifetime he wrote about one lakh poems. His
final resting place (“Samathi”) can be seen inside the madam.
·
“Sri Chakra” in the goddess’s shrine is
believed to have been installed by Sri Adi Sankara.
·
Saint Arunagirinadhar has sung songs in
praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.
·
Lord Shiva is facing east and Goddess
Muthambikai is facing west.
·
Lord Shiva’s temple has a 7-tiered main
tower (Rajagopuram) and the goddess’s temple has a 5-tiered main tower.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Abirameswarar, Sri Azhakia Nathar |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Muthambigai, Sri Azhakia Nayagi |
|
Theertham |
Ambalam
Poompoigai (tank); Dhanda Theertham (well); Pampai/ Kadamba River |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vanni
tree |
BELIEF:
The shrines of Lord
Shiva and the Goddess Parvathi are on either side of the road and are facing
each other. There is a hole in the compound walls of the two temples through
which the lord and goddess can see each other. Hence devotees believe that
married couples come to this place and worship the lord, so that marital
discord will be removed and their relationships will improve.
People
pray to Goddess Muthambikai for removal of obstacles in their marriage
proposals.
Devotees worship goddess in this temple for seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon)
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Panguni |
Mar-Apr |
10 days Brahmotsavam |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Navrathri |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiruvamathur
is located at a distance of about 8 kms from Villupuram on the Villupuram to
Gingee route.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Abirameswarar Temple,
Thiruvamathur Post,
Villupuram,
Tamil Nadu-605 402.
LOCATION:
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