This Shiva temple is located at ThazaMangai on Tanjavur-Kumbhakonam route near Papanasam.
The temple is on the banks of river Kudamurutti, which is a tributary of river Kaveri. The temple is more than 1500 years old. This is one of the Sapta-Mangai Sthala where Goddess Parvati, along with Indrani (Mahendri), one of the Sapta-Matrikas, performed Sharad NavaRatri. This temple is associated with Goddess Indrani, one of the Sapta-Matrika.
Moolavar (Main deity): Shri ChandraMoulishwarar.
Devi (Consort): Shri RajaRajeshwari
Kshetra Vruskha: Screw pine flower tree (Ketaki), Thazai in Tamil.
Scared Teertha: Kaveri river.
Old name: ThazaMangai
Taluka: Papanasam
District: Tanjavur (TamilNadu)
Kshetra Purana:
As Chandra was more attached to Rohini (daughter of Daksha) than other daughters of Daksha, he was cursed by Daksha. Along with Rohini, Chandra came to Thazavanam, which was infested with lots of snakes (due to fragrance of screw pine flower). He did penance here along with Rohini. Due to Rohini's penance, Chandra got relief by grace of Lord Shiva. As a token gesture, Lord Shiva took the third phase of the waxing moon (3rd day of shukla-paksha) and wore it on his head.
As Lord Shiva wears the crescent moon, he is known as Shri ChandraMoulishwarar.
When the King had a problem in installing the Nandi at Tanjavur temple, he was advised by the Siddha Karuvu to worship Lord Shiva at this place using sandal paste. He worshiped as per the directions of siddha on Satabhisha nakshatra and was able to install the Nandi. This place is considered as Parihar-Sthala for eye related problems.
According to Siddhas, worshiping Lord Shiva, at this place on Satabhisha narshatra in the Tamil month of Chitrai (April-May), by applying sandal paste, gives contentment and happiness for three generations.
A staunch devoted couple Shri NadaSharma and Shri AnaVidya got the divine darshan of Goddess AdiParaShakti as a kumarika.
Those who worshiped at this place:
Lord Chandra and his wife Rohini, Sage Agastya and King Rajaraj Chozhan worshiped Lord Shiva at this place.
This is a very small temple which has only one parikrama. It has Nandi and Balipeeth. But there is no flagstaff. This is a very rare temple of Goddess RajaRajeshwari as there are very few Goddess RajaRajeshwari temples in the South India.
The original temple was ravaged by flood water of Kaveri, the present temple was renovated by Chola Kings and Maratha generals.
Once upon a time this place was full of screw pine flower trees, hence the name ThazaMangai or Thazavanam.
Goddess Parvati and Goddess Indrani worshiped Lord Shiva on the 6th day of Sharad NavaRatri and had darshan of crescent moon on Lord Shiva's head.
This is known as PiraiChandra (crescent moon) darshan. In Tamil, Thaz means to bow down with respect. As Goddess Indrani bowed to Lord Shiva, this place is known as ThazaMangai.
Festivals:
Masi (February-March): MahaShivaRatri festival
Panguni (Mar-April): SaptaSthana festival
Vaikasi (May-June): ShivaRatri festival
Aippasi (October-November): AnnaAbhishek
Marghazhi (Dec-Jan): ArudraDarshan (known as Thiruvathirai)
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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