This is a Shiva temple connected with Saptasthana temples of Kanjanur. It is about 16 kms from Kumbhakonam and 23 kms from Mayiladuthurai on Mayiladuthurai-Kumbhakonam highway. It is very close to Suryanar Kovil (about 1 km).
The temple finds a reference in the hymns sung by shaiva saint Sambandhar. The present temple is about 1300 years old and was renovated by Chola kings. Shaivacharya Haradatta is closely associated with the Saptasthana temples of Kanjanur.
The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga believed to be more than 3800 years old.
Mulavar: Shri ThirumanthuraiNadar, Shri Amrabaneshwarar, Shri AkshaynadSwamy
Devi (consort): Shri Yoganayaki
Sacred teertha: Chandra Teertha (Crescent moon shape), Surya Teertha
Kshetra Vruksha: Mango Tree
This is a east facing temple, it has a 3 tiered rajagopuram and two parikramas. There is an arch behind rajagopuram. At the entrance we have a sculpture which depicts Shri Vishnu and Shri UcchishthaGanapati worshiping Shri Shiva. As soon as we enter we find Shri Vinayaka under Dhwajastambha known as Dhawajastambha Vinayaka, Balipeeth and Nandi in the outer parikrama facing the sanctum. The sanctum is in the shape of a Shiva Linga.
Koshta murtis: Shri Dakshinamurty, Shri Brahma, Shri Durga Devi, Shri Chandikeshwar is in a separate shrine. Shri Ambika is in a separate shrine facing the east. This shrine is to the right of sanctum. At the north western corner we come across the shrine of Shri Vishnu along with ShriDevi and Bhudevi. We also come across shrines of Shri Bhairav, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra and Shaiva saint Sambhandhar. The shrine of Haradatta Shivacharyar is facing the south. In southwest corner we come across shrine of Shri Ucchishtha Ganapati with his consorts. In a north facing shrine we come across Shri Sthala Durga. Besides this we come the shrines of Shri Ganapati, Shri Subramanya with his consorts, Shri Mahalakshmi Devi, the four Shaiva saints (together known as Nalavar) and Manikanthan. There is no separate Navagraha shrine in this temple. The temple tank never dries. The water level in the tank rises during waxing of moon and falls during waning.
Those who worship at the temple: Shri Parvati Devi, Sage Kala, Navagraha, Shri Indra, Shri Varuna, Shri Chandra, and Pandavas.
Kshetra Purana:
Once Shri Parvati Devi was cursed by Shri Shiva to be born as a parrot on the earth. She was asked to come to this place (Amravana) and worship the Swayambhu linga at this place. She came here and did penance and was absolved of the curse. Later she married him at this place. Hence we find her shrine to the right of Shri Shiva’s shrine.
Sage Kala and the Navagrahas were affected with leprosy due to a curse. They came to know that Shri Parvati Devi was relieved of her curse at this place. They came here and worshiped Shri Shiva and got rid of the curse. Hence there is no shrine for Navagrahas (as Navagrahas worshiped Shri Shiva).
Once there was a severe drought in Devaloka. Shri Indra and Shri Varuna were advised to worship Shri Shiva at this place in order to get rid of drought condition. They came to this place and worshiped Shri Shiva and Devaloka was saved during the drought.
During Dakshayadnya, Shri Chandra had attended the yadnya. He was punished by Shri Shiva for attending the yadnya. He was also cursed by Daksha as he was more attached to Rohini than his 26 other daughters. Due to this curse, Chandra had lost his luster and beauty. He was advised by Shri Brihaspati (Guru) to do penance at this place. On account of this penance he was blessed by Shri Shiva and Shri Ucchishtha Ganapati. He was granted a boon by which those who worship him on Mondays will be blessed with happiness and prosperity.
Greatness of this place:
This is a parihara sthala for Chandradosha.
When people born on Rohini nakshatra worship at this place during the waxing phase of the moon, it gives them innumerable benefits.
This is a parihara sthala for those born in Vrushchik Rashi. They should pray during the waxing phase of the moon.
Temple timings:
8 to 12 in the morning and 5 to 7.30 in the evening.
Address: Shri Amravaneshwarar Temple,
Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluka, Tamil Nadu
Phone numbers: 9994032380
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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