Aduthurai was also known as Thenkurungaduthurai in olden days. This Shiva temple located at this place is connected with the saptasthana Shiva temples of Kanjanur. It is situated at a distance of 13 kms from Kumbhakonam on Mayiladuthurai- Kumbhakonam route. It is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam revered by Shaiva saints Shri Appar and Shri Sambandhar. Shaiva saint Shri Arunagirinathar has praised Shri Muruga of this temple in his hymns. The temple is situated on the southern bank of Kaveri.
Mulavar: Shri Apatsahayeshwarar
Devi (Consort): Shri Pavalakodi Ammai
Kshetra Vruksha: Parijat tree (Pavalamalligai in Tamil).
Sacred Teertha: Sahay Teertha, Surya Teertha (in front of the Temple)
Puranik Names: Thenkurungaduthurai, Thiraimurnadu, Bhoobalakulavalli
Present Name: Aduthurai
About the temple:
This is east facing temple with a three tiered Rajagopuram and two Prakarams. Originally the temple was a brick structure. Later, it was renovated to a granite structure by Chola queen Shri Sambian Mahadevi. There are about 15 stone inscriptions which give an account of the work done by Chola and Pandya kings of the Temple. When we enter through the Rajagopuram we come across Nandi and Bali Peeth in their normal positions but there is no Dhwajastambha. The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga. The sanctum sanctorum is in a form of moat.
Koshta murtis are Shri Narthana Vinayaka, Sage Agastya, Shri Nataraja, Shri Dakshnimurty, Shri Lingodbhava, Shri Brahma, Shri Gangadeva, Shri Bhikshatanar, Shri Durga Devi. Shri Ambika Devi's shrine is south facing in the outer parikrama. Navagraha shrine is in a inner prakaram where all the Navagrahas are facing Surya.
We come across the shrines and idols of Shri Gajalakshmi, Indra linga, Kuber Linga, Shri Chandikeshwar, Shri Chandikeshwari, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra, Shri Ganesha, Shri Subramanya with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai, Shri Somaskanda, Nalavar, Shri Vayu, Shri Mahaganapati, and Shri Kashi Vinayaka in the corridors. In the outer prakaram we come across shrines of Shri Kashi Vishwanath and Shri Vishalakshi, Shri Vinayaka, Shri Muruga, and Shri Nataraja with Shri Shivakami Devi.
In a mandap next to Shri Nataraja’s shrine we come across shrines of Shri Shanishwarar, Shri Banalinga, Shaiva saint Haradatta and Shri Swaranaakarsha Bhairav. A stucco image depicts the sthala puran, Sugriva worshiping Shri Shiva, Shri Shiva changing Sugriva to a white Swan and his wife to a Parijatak tree. There is a sculpture which depicts Shaiva saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar and Queen Sambian Mahadevi worshiping Shri Apatsahayeshwarar.
The hall in which all the festivals are held is named as Appar Arangam.
Kshetra Purana:
It is believed that Shri Bhairav and Sage Agastya worshiped Shri Shiva at this place.
As Sage Agastya and other sages could not witness the cosmic dance of Shri Shiva at Chidambaram Shri Shiva performed a dance at this place on their request. This Tandav is known as Anand Tandav.
On his way while having darshan of various shiva sthalams Sage Agastya reached this place. He installed a Swarnaakarsha Bhairav at this place and obtained several boons from Shri Shiva.
Once Shri Hanuman was deeply engrossed in singing the hymns of Lord at Kailash. When Sage Narada reached that place he was mesmerized by singing and sat there to listen. He kept his musical instrument on the ground. He was so engrossed that by the time he realized Veena was covered by Snow. When he tried to retrieve it he could not as it was buried in the snow. He cursed Shri Hanuman who lost his art of singing. Shri Hanuman came to this place and by worshiping Shri Shiva got his singing again.
This is the temple from which Shaiva saint Haradatta was escorted by Shri Shiva from the rain as an old man to a temple at Kanjanur.
It is believed that if father and son worshiped together Shri Surya and Shri Shani at this place they will have a very good relation.
Every year on the 5th, 6th and 7th day of Tamil month Chitrai, the rays of the Sun fall on the Shiva linga.
Prayer:
Father and son worship together on Saturday and Sunday for good relationship
For prosperity and wisdom, the people worship Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi
On full moon day people worship Sage Agastya by applying a special oil for fulfillment of their desires.
For relief from Kalasarpa dosha people perform abhishek of Shri Shiva.
Festivals:
Avani: Vinayaki chaturthi
Aipassi: Annabhishek
Margazhi: Thiruvathurai
Maasi: Mahashivaratri
Besides this, fortnightly pradosha puja, daily regular pujas are performed.
Address: Shri Apatsahayeshwarar temple, Aduthurai post, Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluka, Tamil Nadu 612101
Telephone numbers: 9443463119, 9442425809
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