This is a Shiva temple located at Thirupazhanam on Thiruvaiyaru – Kumbhakonam route. This is the second sapta sthana temple in Sapta-sthana temples around Thiruvaiyaru and is also one of the 276 padalpetra sthalam revered by Nayanmars. This temple is very close to Thingalur Navagraha (Chandra temple). The temple is about 1500 years old. This is the place where Lord Shiva collected fruits for the marriage of Shri Nandi deva. Hence this place got the name Thirupazhanam (Pazham in Tamil means fruit).
Mulavar: Shri Apathsahayar, Shri Amrutalingeshwarar, Shri Pazhanapiran, Shri Pirayana-pureeshwarar, Shri Parmeshwarar
Devi: Shri Periya-nayaki, Shri Shiva-sundari, Sundar-nayaki, Kalyani, Bogashakti-amman (ambaal/Ambika)
Sacred Teertha: Kaveri river, Devi Kupam, Amrut teertha, Kuber teertha, Muni kupam, Mangal teertha (now it is destroyed), Panchakshar teertha
Khetra vruksha: Bilva, Kadali (Banana), Punnaga
Pouranik Names: Kadali vanam, Kaushika aashram, Pirayanapuri, Palani pathi
The mulavar (Shiva linga) is swayambhoo. The temple is facing east and has 2 corridors (prakarams). The raja-gopuram is 5 tiered. There is no flagstaff in this temple. We find Nandi and Bali peetha in front of Shiva linga. Vimanam (tower) above sanctum sanctorum is made of granite. This entire place is surrounded by fertile green field.
Other shrines and idols at this place:
In the outer corridor, we have the shrine of Shri Ganesha and Shri Subramanya. On the right hand side of the mandap, we find the mounts (vahan) that are used for festivals. After worshiping Shri Ganesha, when we move towards the left we have the shrines of Shri Sapta-matrika, Shri Ganesha, Shri Venu-gopala, Shiva lingas, Nataraja sabha, Bhairavar and Navagraha shrine.
Two days before and two days after the new moon day and on the new moon day, the rays of the Moon in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-April) and Purattasi (Sept-Oct) fall on Shiva linga.
In the koshtam, we have the koshta moorthis, Shri Vinayaka, Shri Dakshinamurti and Shri Durga Devi. In the shrine of Shri Dakshinamurti, we come across the idols of sapta-rishis, Kamadhenu pouring milk over the Shiva linga (known as Pashupatishwarar) and a devotee Appu-adigal. There is a separate shrine for Shri Parvati Devi facing the east. In the shrine of Shri Subramanya, in the outer corridor, Shri Subramanya has six faces. Shri Parvati Devi's shrine is to the right of Shri Shiva i.e. in her bridal form. At the first tier of gopuram, in the east we have Shiva Parvati, in the west we have Annamalaya, in the south we have Shri Dakshinamurti and in the north we have Shri Bramha. The linga worshiped by Shri Maha Vishnu, the idols of Shri Aadi-Vinayaka, Shri Arumuga (Murugun) with his consort Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai, Shri Veerabhadra, Shri Nrutya Vinayaka, Shri Kaashi Vishwanath, Shri Gajalakshmi and Shri Chandikeshwar are found in the temple.
Outside temple premises, we have the holy jackfruit tree, the kadali (banana) tree and a holy teertha. There is a place near this jackfruit tree where people feel that Sage Agastya worshipped Shri Shiva.
Kshetra puran:
As per puran, in the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Shri Parvati Devi cannot be seen though She is present there.
Shri Lakshmi Devi worshiped Shri Shiva and got a number of boons and She went back to Her place. Hence Shri Shiva is known as Shri Pirayana Pureeshwarar and the place is known as Pirayana Puri.
According to the kshetra puran, a bramhin boy named Susarithan was on a pilgrimage in search of peace as he had lost his parents. When he was staying at Thirupazhanam village for the night, Shri Yama appeared in his dream who informed him that he will die in 5 days. The boy sought the refuge of Shri Shiva who saved him. Hence Lord Shiva is known as Apathsahayar.
Shri Vishnu and Shri Lakshmi Devi came to this place and installed a Shiva Linga. They got rid of their curse by worshiping the Shiva Linga at this place. Therefore, there is a separate shrine for Shri Venu-gopala whose kshetra vruksha is jackfruit tree.
Sage Kaushika had kept his share of nectar at this place, safely. Asuras who came to know about the nectar, came to steal the same. Shri Shiva created, Shri Aiyanar and Shri Kali Devi to save the nectar. Sage Kaushika made Shiva linga out of the nectar and worshiped Shri Shiva. Hence the Lord is known as Shri Amruteshwarar, the place is known as Kaushik-aashram and Amrutapuree.
Others who worshiped at this place
Shri Maha Vishnu, Shri Lakshmi Devi, Shri Kubera, Shri Budha, Shri Aaiyan (Bramha), Shri Chandra, Sage Kaushika, Sapta-rishi, Shri Ashta-dikpals, a devotee known as Dharamsharma.
Festivals:
Chittirai (Mar-April) - The sapta sthana festival is held on Vishakha nakshatra
Aani (Jun-Jul) - Thirumanjam of Lord Vishnu
Aadi (Jul-Aug) - festival known as Aadi-pooram (purva falguni nakshatra)
Aavani (Aug-Sept) - Ganesh Chaturthi
Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navaratri
Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skandashashthi
Kartigai (Nov-Dec) - Karthigai deep festival
Margazi (Dec-Jan) - Ardra darshan
Maasi (Feb-Mar) - Shiva Ratri
Panguni (Mar-April) - Panguni utthiram (Uttara falguni nakshtra)
In addition, pradosha pooja is held regularly besides the daily worship.
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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