This is the first of the seven Saptasthana Shiva temples associated with Thirunallur. The temple is at about 15 kms from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam-Papanasham-Tanjore route and about 3 km from Papnasham. This is one of 276 Padal Pethra Sthalam revered by Shaiva saints Sambandhar, Appar in their sacred hymns. The temple is on the southern bank of Kaveri and is one of the 70 Madakovils built by the Chola king Kochengat Cholan. This temple is also considered as Dakshin Kailash and the present structure is about 1500 year old. There are number of stone inscriptions in the temple which explains the contributions and the work done by various Chola kings.
Mulavar: Shri Kalyan Sundareshwarar, Shri Sundarnayakar, Shri Panchavaneshwarar, Shri Panchavateshwarar
Devi: Shri Kalyansundari, Shri Tripursundari, Shri Girisundari, Shri Parvatamman
Kshetra vruksha: Bilva tree
Sacred teertha: Saptasagaram, River kaveri
Puranic name: Thirunallur
Kshetra Puran:
1. During a fight between Vaayu and Aadishesha, Aadishesha was not able to hold on to mount Meru against the fierce force of Vaayu. Due to this, 2 small peaks got detached from mount Meru and fell on the earth at Nallur and Aavoor. It is believed that they formed Shiva Linga.
2. To witness the celestial wedding of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi, one and all reached mount Kailash. The earth got tilted due to this i.e. the north went down and south went up. Shri Shiva directed Sage Agastya to head south to bring about balance by his greatness. As Sage Agastya was reluctant to miss the celestial wedding, Shri Shiva promised to provide a similar darshan to him in the south. Sage Agastya reached Nallur with an idol of Shri Shiva (Shivalinga) and started his worship. This idol can be seen in the sanctum to the south of Shivalinga. Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi along with Shri Bramha and Shri Vishnu provided darshan to him in their wedding posture at this place. There are old paintings to illustrate this event on the walls of the sanctum.
3. Kuntidevi: According to puran, Kuntidevi had committed sin by having a child before wedlock. She had put the male child in a basket and set him afloat in the river. He was later brought up by Kauravas as Karna. For atonement of this sin, she approached Sage Narada and she was advised to take bath in the seven seas on Magha nakshatra in the Tamil month of Masi and then advised her to go to this place. She came to this place and prayed to Shri Shiva. Shri Shiva instructed, all the seven seas to come to this temple tank so that she could a dip in the seven seas. Hence the temple tank is known as Saptasagar. She took bath in this tank and was absolved of the sin. A relic in the temple depicts this incidence.
4. As explained earlier Sage Bhringi refused to do pradakshina of Shri Parvati Devi, he became a bee and did pradakshina of Shri Shiva only. She cursed Sage Bhringi who later was absolved of the curse by his penance on Shri Shiva. This fact is illustrated by Shiva linga with number of small holes in it.
5. It is believed that emperor Muchukunda stayed at this place along with the seven idols of Shri Tyagaraja given by Shri Indra on his way to his kingdom for 3 days. During this period he worshiped Shri Shiva at this place.
6. Amarnithinayanar: According to Kshetra puran, he spent his entire life in supplying under garments to all worshipers of Shri Shiva. To test his devotion Shri Shiva appeared as a brahmin and deposited a piece of cloth in the custody of Amarnithinayanar. Shri Shiva made it to disappear and demanded equal amount of gold in return for the same. Amarnithineyanar, deposited his entire wealth on one pan of the scale. Even after that since pans did not balance, he himself sat on the pan along with his wife. Shri Shiva was pleased by his devotion and bestowed with all his wishes.
7. Thiruvadi (holy feet) diksha for Shaiva saint Appar: Appar wanted to lay his life at the feet of Shri Shiva. He started his yatra from Thiruvathigai. He had darshan at Chidambaram, Sirkali and Thiruvidaimaruthur. Pleased by his devotion, Shri Shiva directed him to come to Thirunallur. When he reached this temple Shri Shiva gave him Thiruvadi diksha by placing his feet on the head of Saint Appar. In memory of this event, Shataari (like in Shri Vishnu’s temple) is placed on the head of devotees in this temple also. This is an unique feature of Thirunallur Shiva temple. Appar stayed here for sometime and then moved to Thirupalaiturai, Thirukarukud, Thiruavoor and Thirupazhanam. Finally he stayed at Thiruvaroor. Appar praised this place as ten (south) Kailasham in his sacred hymns.
This is an East facing temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram and 3 Parikramas. The temple shrines are located on an artificial hill. The Shivalinga is a swayambhoo linga and it changes its color 5 times in a day i.e. every 2 hours 24 mins. The temple kshetra puran is associated with Sage Agastya and Amarneedhinayanar. There are 2 Shivalingas on a single square Avudaiyar (base). One of them was installed by Sage Agastya and other is a swayambhoo linga. It is believed that the jata of Shri Shiva occupies the back portion of the temple. Hence no pradakshina is allowed. The Shiva linga has a number of small holes in it as it is believed that sage Bhringi took the form of a bee to do pradakshina of Shri Shiva alone. It is believed that Sage Vaalkilya performed penance in these holes as a bee and attained moksha.
Koshta murtis are: Shri Narthan Vinayaka, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Lingothbhavar, Shri Bramha, Shri Vishnu, Shri Vishnu Durga and Shri Chandikeshwar (in usual position). In the interior of the sanctum we come across sculpture of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi in wedding position on the western side. There is a sculpture of Shri Vishnu on the Northern side and Shri Bramha on the Southern side. In the first parikrama there is a shrine for Shri Girisundari (Shri Kalyansundari). There is a bronze idol of Shri Nataraja. There are idols and sculptures of Shri Ganesha, Sage Agastya, three Shaiva saints and Shri Somaskandha. Outside the main entrance, we have the sacred teertha. Shri Tripurasundari Devi is in a separate shrine. There is a separate shrine in which we come across, Shri Nataraja (known as Shri Chaturtandavanathar), Shri Kashivishwanathar, Sage Agastya, Shri Ganesha. An image of Shri Kalyansundarar and his consort are behind this Shivalinga. Other shrines and idols in parikrama – Shri KashiVinayaka, Shri Kailash Ganapati, Shri Ucchishta Ganapati, Shri Subramanya with his consorts, 8 Shiva lingas, Saptamatrikas, 63 Nayanmars, Shri Muchukunda Linga, Sangukarna lingam, Sumati lingam, Varun lingam, Vishnu lingam, Bramha lingam, Shri Gajalaxmi Devi, Shri Kailashnathar, Shri Bhairav, Shri Shanishwarar, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra, Baanlinga, Shri Mahalaxmi Devi, Shri Jwarahareshwarar and Shri Jwarhareshwari and Lingas worshiped by Indra and Agni. In the third parikrama which is downstairs there is a shrine of Shri Ashtahooja Kali.
Special features:
1. Sculpture of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi in wedding posture behind the lingam along with Shri Bramha and Shri Vishnu in the sanctum.
2. Shri Gananathar (Ganapati) is near the balipeeth, which is present only at Varanasi and this place.
3. The Shivalinga changes its color every 2 hr 24 mins. 6 to 8.24 am copper color, 8.25 to 10.48 am – red color, 10.49 to 12 pm – golden color, 1.13 to 3.36 pm – emerald green, 3.37 to 6 pm – multi-color.
4. Shri Ucchista Ganapati is along with his consorts.
5. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung sacred hymn on Shri Murugan of this temple.
Sacred vruksha is very very old and known as Aadhimaram and is believed to be first on the earth. The sculpture of Shri Shiva in the corridor is very beautiful. The old saying gives the importance of this place. It states that magam (magha nakshatra) festival of Nallur and Mahamagam festival of Kumbhakonam are very sacred. There are 23 stone inscriptions which give the detail work of Chola, Hoysala and Vijaynagar kings.
Those who worshipped at this place:
Sage Agastya, Sage Bhringi, Sage Kaakbhujandar, Kunthi, Muchukunda Chakravarti, Shaiva saints Sambandhar, Appar, Manikavasagar, Ramalinga Adigalar, Sekkaizhar, Nambi, Nambiyandar, Nambiyandar nambi
Greatness of the temple: This temple is for Magha nakshatra. People worship Lord for the eradication of sins committed by them. Holy dip in the sapta sagaram is supposed to be as holy as a dip in Kumbhakonam Mahamagam tank.
Festivals:
Aani (Jun-Jul): Aani Thirumanjanam
Aadi (Jul-Aug): Aadi Pooram
Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navarathri
Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Skanda Shashti and Annabhishekam
Karthikai (Nov-Dec): Thiru Karthikai, Karthigaideepam
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathira, Arudradarshan
Pujas:
6 times puja in a day 1) Ushakaal puja 5.30 am 2) Kaalsandhi puja 8 am 3) Ucchikaal puja 10 am 4) Sayraksha puja 5 pm 5) Irandakaal puja 7 pm 6) Ardhajama puja 8 pm
Weekly special pujas on Monday and Friday. Fortnightly pujas, pradosh puja, puja on new moon and full moon days.
Monthly pujas:
Besides these, there is Guru puja every year and Magha maham festival every year in the month of Feb-March. Somaskandha Murti is taken in procession around the temple during this festival. Pregnant women conduct bangle ceremony at shrines of Devi and Kaali for the smooth and safe delivery. People perform first time tonsure ceremony of children in this temple.
Timing: 7.30 to 12.30 pm and 4 to 8 pm
Address: Shri Kalyansundareshwarar temple at Thirunallur post via Sundarperumal Kovil, Thiruvarur district, TN 614208
Phone: 91-04374-312857;
Cell phone of priest: 9443668306, 9488110697
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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