10. SRI ATHMANATHESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVALAMPOZHIL, THIRUVAIYARU

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	127th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	10th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

Tiruvalampozhil is a village near Tanjore town in South India. It is located near Tirukkandiyur, which in turn is located near Tiruvaiyaru. The village has an important temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

A temple called Athmanatheswarar temple situated in a place called thiruvalampolil in thanjavur district is said to be a nice place to get this mental state of cosmic bliss.This temple is said to be more than 1000 years old. Durgai here is said to be very powerful. Dhakshinamurthy here is called as Metha Dhakshinamurthy. Here the Prime Deity Aaathmanaatheswarar, the self-manifested deity (swayambu) stands facing west and blesses. This is a place worshiped by the ashtavasus and is also one of the sapta sthanas. It is believed that Kashyapa rishi and Ashta Vasus worshiped the main deity of this temple.

Aatmanatheswarar temple is located in a small village Tiruvalampozhil. It is considered as the 10th Tevara Paadal Petra Stalam located in the Chola region south of Cauvery river. The west facing small temple has a tower. Although it is an ancient temple, the temple looks new thanks to white washing and renovation. In fact, it has lost its ancient beauty due to this.

Aatmanatheswarar is found in the form of a slightly large sized Shiva Linga in the main shrine. Adjacent to his shrine, the shrine of Goddess Gnanambikai is found. The temple has only one prakara. The sub-shrines of Ganesha and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena are located in the prakara. Dakshinamurti, Vishnu, Durga and Vishnu Durga are found as the niche images around the main shrine. As usual, Chandikeshwarar sub-shrine is also found.

Worshiped by Kasyapar, Ashtavasus. Within the temple, are the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Subrahmanya, Navagrahas and for the Quartets of Thevaram (‘Naalvar’). Lord Indra had his bath in the white lotus pond of this temple and got his curse warded off. Sundarar was reminded of the wedding of Nandi in this place. The tradition is that by worshipping the Goddess here, one can attain wisdom.

Tenparampaikuti tiruvalam polil utaya nathar:

The inscription of this holy place notes the Lord as "tenparampaikuti tiruvalam polil utaya nathar". Appar also in his Tirutantakam has sung "tenparampaikutiyinmeya tiruvalm polilanai cinti nence". From this we can understand that the city was known as parampaikuti and the temple tiruvalam polil.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        Moolavar is syuambu.

·        Lingothbavar, Bali Peedam and Dwajasthambam are not to be seen in this temple.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Vadamoolanathar, Sri Aathmanatheswarar, Sri Then Parampaikudi Thiruvalampozhil Udayanathar
Ambal	Sri Gnanambikai
Theertham	Kudamurutti river
Sthala Vriksham	Banyan Tree (not available now), Bael tree

BELIEF:

Prayers are offered to the Lord to cast off the obstacles in marriage proposals, to beget issues and to have the best acquisition in knowledge and education. After the fulfillment of the prayers, people complete their vow by conducting ‘abhishekam’ (Sacred Bath) to the Deity and adorning Him with new clothes.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Avani	Aug-Sept	Avani Moolam
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai and Somavaram
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

This sivasthalam temple is located 9 Kms in the north direction from Thanjavur Town. Another paadal petra sthalam Tiruppoonturuthi is located at a distance of less than 2 Kms from here. Nearest town is Thanjavur. The temple is on the main road and 4 Km from Kandiyur.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Aaathmanaatheswarar Temple,
Tiruvalam Polil,
Tiruppanturuti via Tirukkantiyur – Tiruvayyaru,
Thanjavur,
Tamil Nadu – 613103.

LOCATION: