This temple is located at Papanasham in Tanjore district of Tamilnadu. It is one of the saptasthana Shiva temples connected with Thirunallur. This is about 15 kms from Kumbhakonam on the Kumbhakonam-Tanjore route. It is on the southern bank of river Kudumurutti which is a tributary of Kaveri.
Mulavar: Shri Ramalingaswami
Devi: Shri Parvatvardhini
Sacred Teertha: Surya Teertha
Puranic name: Keezhrameshwaram
Kshetra Puran:
1) After rescuing Sita, Shri Rama came back to Ayodhya worshiping Shri Shiva at number of places to get rid of the dosha. He had performed Shiva pooja at Rameshwaram also. But on reaching Ayodhya he could feel that the sin still clung to him, sin due to killing of the asura brothers – Dhooshan and Khara was following Him everywhere. In order to get rid of this dosha, he installed 107 Shiva lingas at this place. In order to install the 108th Shiva linga, he sent Shri Hanumaan to Kaashi. After installing the 108th Shiva linga, he got rid of his dosha. The main Shiva linga is named as Shri Ramalingaswami after him and Shiva linga brought by Anjaneya is named as Hanumanta. A shrine was built for Shri Parvati Devi, naming Her as Shri Parvatvardhini.
2) Sage Agastya advised Shri Ram to install the idol of Kamadhenu. It is stated in puran, Sage Agastya himself did the pradosha pooja for Kamadhenu. It is believed that he does pooja during pradosha kaal in gupta roop.
Present structure of the temple is more than 1000 years old. This is a west facing temple. It is believed that West facing temples have more energy. This temple is believed to grant the wish of devotee very quickly in a short span as it is west facing. There are 108 Shiva lingas in this temple. Hence the temple is popularly known as 108 Shiva linga temple of Papanasam. All the Shiva lingas face the West. It is stated in Ramayan that these 108 Shiva lingas were in fact installed by Prabhu Shri Ram. It is believed that anyone who visits this temple gets the benefit of visiting 108 Shiva temples. In the main sanctum, we come across mulavar Shri Ramalingaswami. To the right of sanctum, there is a mandap, in which 107 Shiva lingas are arranged in 3 rows. 108th Shiva linga which is known as Hanumant Shiva linga is just outside the temple. We can worship all 108 Shiva lingas on our own. In the parikrama we come across, a painting which depicts Shri Ram, Shri Laxman and Shri Sita Devi worshiping a Shiva linga. As temple has connection with Ramayan, we come across the idols of Shri Aanjaneya & Shri Sugriva in the temple with bowed head. It is believed that the idol of Shri Sugriva was installed as he played a great part in freeing Shri Sita Devi. In the Parikrama there is an idol of Shri Subramanya with His consorts. In the shrine, we come across Shri Kashivishwanath and Shri Annapurna. In another shrine we come across, Shri Kaalbhairava, Shri Surya and Shri Shanishwar. In the sanctum, we come across Nandi, in front of Shri Shiva. At this place we come across Kamadhenu along with Nandi. There is a separate shrine for Shri Parvatvardhini Devi.
Special features:
1) 108 Shiva lingas installed by Prabhu Shri Rama.
2) Pradosha pooja for Kamdhenu
3) The shikhar (vimana) of the Shri Shiva is similar to that at Rameshwaram temple. The shikhar on the Shri Hanumanta linga is similar to that in Kaashi. The place came to known as Papanasam as Shri Ram, Shri Laxman, Shri Sita Devi and Shri Anjanya got rid of their dosha for killing in the war at this place.
Prayers:
1) People worship here for getting rid of pitru dosha and sins committed due to ignorance. They take a wove to perform abhishek with milk and honey once there prayers are answered.
2) Those who cannot go to Kashi and Rameshwarm, worship Shri Shiva at this place and get the same benefit.
Festivals:
Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri
Aippassi (Oct-Nov): Annabhishek on full moon day
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvadurai, Arudra Darshan and procession of Shri Natraj
Masi (Feb-Mar): Mahashivaratri the whole day and night, rudra abhishek is done to 108 Shiva linga 4 times. During this pooja, devotees do pradakshina of the temple 108 times.
In addition on every Pradosha day puja is performed.
Temple timings: 6.30 to 12.30 pm; 4 to 8.30 pm
Temple Address: Shri Ramalingaswami temple, Papanasam, TN 614205
Telephone: +91-9790116514
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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