Pazhaiyarai Pancha Krosham
The temples in this Pazhayarai Pancha Krosham are Keezha Pazhayarai, Patteeswaram, Avoor, Sathimutram and Thiruvalanchuzhi
Sri Kapardeeswarar temple, Thiruvalanchuzhi
Temple Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : +91 435 245 4421, 245 4026.
Location : Tiruvarur 36 km Thanjavur 35 kms
Nearest town : Kumbakonam 8 kms Swamimalai 2 kms
Important days : Rahu Kalam on Sundays
Important for : Naga Dosham
The Moolavar is Kapardeeswarar and the ambal is Pariynayaki, Brihannayaki.
When the Kaveri river was liberated by Vinayaka and started flowing towards Chola naadu, King Haridhwajan received her with respects. The river circumambulated Lord Siva (valan-chuzhi) and entered a hole near the Lord (called the piladwaram). After unsuccessful attempt to block her, the king took the help of sage Herandar, who as ordained by Lord Siva became a bee and blocked the hole. Then the Kaveri started flowing again, out of the earth up from here and this place is called Melakaveri.
The Vellai Pillaiyar Vinayaka here was made the froth from the ocean when parkadal was churned. Indra carried the Vinayakar to many Shiva temples to get rid of the curse he received from Ahalya. In this place Vinayakar wanted to stay here and requested Lord Siva who appeared as a small boy and Indra requested the boy to carry the Vinayaka till he returned. The boy kept the murti on the ground as soon as Indra left and when Indira returned, he found the murti under the bali peetham and could not move it.. Then Vinayaka told him to worship him every Vinayaka Chathurthi day and It is believed that Indra visits even today.
Since Vinayakar is made of sea froth, abhishekam is done here only with camphor.
When a visiting King ordered abhishekam to be done, The priest refused and prayed to the Lord to save him who cursed the king to be dissolved in abhishekam waters. When The king realized his mistake and sought pardon, He was directed to erect a mandapam before night fall to be relieved of the curse. Thus came into being the Mannipu manadapam.
It is believed that the temple’s association extends to the legend that His marriage was solemnized here! Kamalambal (born from the eyes of Lord Vishnu) and Vani (born from the speech of Brahma), said to be Siddhi and Buddhi are his consorts.
During a yagna by Sage Durvasa, many of the sages present, installed lingams on their own and worshipped as seen from the many lingams here in the outer prakaram.
Adiseshan comes through the piladwaram on Maha SIvaratri day to worship the Lord Siva at this temple besides Tirunageswaram, Tirupampuram and Nagai Karonam.
Astha-bhuja-kali and Bhairavar are considered special here. To reduce his malevolent effects, the Bhairavar’s murti here is slightly cracked, on purpose.
Sri Kalyanasundareswar temple, Nallur
Temple Timings : 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon 5.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : 04374 222863 - Kannan
Location : Tiruvarur 49 km Thanjavur 30 kms
Nearest town : Kumbakonam 13 kms Ariyalur 42 kms
Important days : Magam star
Important for : Dip in the holy waters for sin redemption
When Kunti was cursed for having borne the children of the pancha boothas, She sought relief and Narada advised her to bathe in the seven oceans. As this was impossible, she was advised to pray to Kalyanasundareswarar at this temple. Lord Shiva ordered Narada to the waters of all the seven oceans here, and Kunti bathed in that water on Magam star day (her birth star) in the month of Masi which is said as equivalent to bathing at Kumbakonam’s Mahamaham tank.
Lord Siva is called Panchavarneswarar as the idol presents itself in five different colors during the day – copper, pink, gold, emerald and another unidentifiable colour. Another unique happening is that on the day of the Mahamaham festival in Kumbakonam, the Lord Siva as Linga sweats, and is fanned to keep Him cool. The Linga also has many holes / spots, believed to have created by Sage Bringhi when he tried to bore through between the male and female aspects of Lord Siva and Parvati as Ardhanari.
Lord Siva and Parvati gave Agastar a vision of their kalyana kolam here. Agastyar installed a Lingam behind the main Lingam here for worship and hence behind the main idol is a limestone form of Lord Siva and Parvati in kalyana kolam, Periya PuranamAmaraneethi Nayanar, was blessed here.
Appar received Siva’s pada darsanam and Deeskha here. Hence in this temple the devotees are blessed by placing the sadari (representative of the Lord’s feet) on their heads (a practice is followed only at Perumal temples).
When Vayu and Adiseshan’s fought over Kailasam, two parts of Kailasam a part of is said to have fallen here and the other at Avoor (Pasupateeswarar temple).
We can see two unique representations of Lord Siva’s 64 forms – Mahasadasivam (with 25 faces, and 52 arms); and eka-pada Trimurti depicting Lord Siva on one leg, with Brahma and Vishnu emerging from either side. Siva – as Gananatha – is said to reside in the form of the Balipeetam as in Kasi.
Ashtabhuja MahaKali (with eight arms) is seen in the outer prakaram
Full Circumambulation is not allowed in this temple as it is believed that the jata mudi (locks of matted hair) of Lord Siva is at the rear of the temple, and worship and prayers for pitrs are done here.
Sri Pasupateeswarar temple, Avoor
Temple Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Phone : 04374 222863 - Kannan
Location : Tiruvarur 44 km Thanjavur 30 kms
Nearest town : Kumbakonam 11 kms Ariyalur 47 kms
Important days : Magam star Shivarathri in Vaikasi Thiruvathirai
Important for : Smooth Progress of Marriage alliance. Progress in Education
Kamadhenu, along with her children Nandini and Patti, living in mullai vanam (Tirukarukavur), used to collect flowers for Lord Siva”s puja. Patti did the same at Patteeswaram. The cows assembled in Avoor where they grazed became go-iruntha-kudi (Govindakudi). Patti created a Lingam here, prayed everyday with her milk and requested Lord Siva to bless her and stay here permanently. Hence the Lord is known as Pasupateeswarar.
When Parvati undertook prayers to the Lord here, All the rishis and devas became trees and vines and stayed praying to the Goddess. Pleased, Lord Siva appeared with his jatamudi, and blessed her and hence he is also known as Kapardeeswarar.
Kamdhenu, who was cursed by Brahma, came here and was relieved of her curse.
It was King Dasaratha who saw the Lord alone, installed the murti of Parvati called as Pankajavalli. When doing so, a heavenly voice told the king about five Bhairava murtis buried under the ground. He unearthed them and installed them opposite the goddess, and is worshipped even today. Dasaratha is seen praying to Lord Siva here
Murugan at this temple is seen in the form of a hunter, with a bow in his left hand and arrow in his other hand instead of the usual Vel.
Sri Thenupureeswarar temple, Pateeswaram
Temple Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Phone : 91- 435- 2416976
Location : Tiruvarur 43 km Thanjavur 35 kms
Nearest town : Kumbakonam 7 kms Myladuthurai 46 kms
Important days : Ashtami. Karthigai
Important for : Relief from Rahu/Kethu effects, Child /wedding boons
Kamadhenu had four daughters who worshipped at four temples in different directions – Patti worshipped at Keezhthali (east) which is Patteeswaram (the place is named after her, and this is the temple she worshipped at); Vimali worshipped at Vadathali (north) ; Sabali at Metrali (west) and Nandhini at Thehthali (Muzhayur) (south).
When Parvati wanted to undertake penance here to please Lord Siva, The devas and rishis joined her taking the form of various plants. Patti was sent by Kamadhenu to assist Parvati. Siva, pleased with Parvati’s penance appeared with his long, flowing hair as Kapardeeswarar. The Inspired Patti made a Lingam out of sand and prayed by offering her milk. Pleased, Siva gave her darshan and stayed on forever in the Lingam created by Patti. Hence the Lord became Pattesar / Patteeswarar, and the village also was so named.
When Sambandar reached Tirusakthimutram near Patteeswaram and found it difficult to walk because of the heat, The Lord erected a pandal made of pearls, to make him comfortable. The 5 Nandis between the eastern entrance and the main sanctum, were asked by him to move a bit, so that He could have a vision of Sambandar coming into the temple. Hence these Nandis are off alignment.
The Cholas worshipped Ambal as Gnanambikai as their prime deity and during later times, Durga (just another form of Sakti) took prominence.
Rama was relieved of Sayagathi dosha for killing Vali here. Parvati performed penance here. Vishwamitra was acknowledged as Brahmarishi. Navagrahas here face Suryan and are positioned as per the Agama vidhi. (not the Vedic tradition).
Sri Sivakozhundeeswarar temple, Sivasakthi Muttram
Temple Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon. 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : 91- 435- 2416976
Location : Tiruvarur 43 km Thanjavur 34 kms
Nearest town : Kumbakonam 7 kms Myladuthurai 45 kms
Important days : Muthu Panthal, Ratha Sapthami, Karthigai
Important for : Early wedding. Reunion of Separated couple
Parvati performed a penance at Sakthi Mutram near the Kaveri river bank, on one leg. To test her the Lord did not appear for long and gave darshan as a jyoti and knowing it was the Lord, Parvati embraced the jyoti. There is a separate shrine for Parvati depicted doing penance standing on one leg and embracing the Lingam. Hence the place is called Sakthi Muttram. The Lord here enables timely marriage and removes the misunderstanding between couples.
He is Swambhu murti. The Natarajar and Sarabeswarar here are worshipped with great fervour.
The Vinayakar is with his other half and as Uchishta Ganapati .
Sri Someswarar temple, Pazhaiyarai
Temple Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : 91 - 98945 69543
Location : Tiruvarur 41 km Thanjavur 31 kms
Nearest town : Kumbakonam 6 kms Myladuthurai 45 kms
Important days : Aipasi Pournami. Thirukarthigai Mahasivarathri
Important for : Marriage. Excellence in Arts. Cure from illness
The Lord is Someswarar and the Ambal is Somakamalambigai.
Pazhaiyarai was once the capital city of the Cholas. This is a maadakoil built by early chola in the shape of a chariot, and remodelled by the later Cholas.
The lord is a Swambhu murti. Chandra got relief from kayarokam, afterwhich his radiance increased by they day and his breathing problems.
Garuda was carrying the nectar obtained from Indra for the cure of his mother. On the way he had to fight with the demons, during which, three drops of nectar fell on the ground. One drop became Lord Siva, another became Parvati, and the third became a holy spring. Garuda took bath in the spring and won over the demons. The spring made by Garuda is called Jatayu Theertham.
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