This is a Shiva temple and is one of the Saptasthana Shiva temples at Tanjavur. The temple is also known as Kuberpureeshwarar temple. It is older than Bruhadeeshwarar temple of Tanjavur. Tanjavur is probably named after the main deity of this temple. It is situated on the bank of Vennar river. This is a Tevarvaippu sthalam. This is very old temple, must have existed before 7th century. It is believed that the Bruhadeeshwarar temple was built only after worshiping at this temple. This fact is mentioned by Shaiv saint Sundarar in the sacred Tevar hymns. Present structure maybe around 1200 years.
Mulavar: Shri Tanjapooreeshwarar, Shri Kuberpooreeshwarar
Devi: Shri Anandavalli
Kshetra Vruksha: Shamee
Sacred teertha: Vennar teertha, Shivaganga
Kshetra puran:
The Kshetra puran is related to Shri Kubera. Hence first we give some details of Shri Kubera. Shri Bramha had a mind born son named Sage Pulasthi. Sage Vishwaras was the son of Sage Pulasthi. He married to the daughter of asura Sumali named Kaikasi. He got Ravana, Kumbhakarna as his sons and Surpanakha as daughter. All of them had the qualities of asura which they derived from their mother. Later Sage Vishwaras had 2 more sons, Bibhishana and Kubera with good qualities derived from their father and grand-father. Ravana and Kubera were worshipers of Shri Shiva. Kumbakarna was worshiper of Shri Bramha and Bibhishana was worshiper of Shri Vishnu. But Shurpanakha has the trades of asura. By his great devotion to Shri Shiva, Ravana got the boon that only a human being can slay him. Kubera with his great devotion to Shri Shiva, became the Lord of the north. He was given the charge of handling the wealth of Shri Shiva and distributing to deserving people according to their fate. Shri Mahalaxmi Devi who had 8 different shaktis like Dhana, Dhanya, Santaan, etc handed them over to 2 youths namely Sankanidhi and Padmanidhi. Shri Kubera appointed these 2 youths as his accountants. It is presumed that they occupy the 2 seats on either sides of Kubera. Shri Vishwakarma created a city known as Alakapuri for Kubera to rule. Kubera sat on a fish shaped throne and ruled the world. He sat under a pearl umbrella wearing golden crown and gold ornaments. His hand was in abhayamudra. Shankanidhi who sat on the right side had a conch in his hand and was responsible for getting wealth from Kubera and for getting permission to distribute. He had a diamond mudra on him. Padmanidhi had a lotus on his hand and sat on the left side. Conch and lotus are considered as symbol of wealth.
Ravana took away all wealth of Kubera on the strength of his penance. In order to regain his wealth Shri Kubera visited a number of Shiva temples and worshiped Shri Shiva. Finally when he came to this place it is believed that he came across a small Shiva temple. He worshipped Shri Shiva at this place and regained his wealth by Lord’s grace. As Shri Shiva gave shelter (Thanjam in Tamil) to Kubera he is praised as Tanjapooreeshwarar and the place got the name Tanjavur. Shri Shiva is also praised as Kuberapooreeshwarar as He helped Shri Kubera in recovering the wealth.
About temple:
In this temple we come across inscriptions in Marathi indicating the work done by Maratha king. The temple is west facing temple with a 3 tiered Rajagopuram. The sanctum is west facing. Shri Ganesha and Shri Subramanya are on either side of entrance to the sanctum besides the dwarapalakas. Facing the sanctum we come across Balipeetha, Nandi and Dwajastambha. This is a swayambhoo linga. At the entrance of the temple we come across Shri Ganesha, Shri Subramanya and Sage Agastya idols. In the corridor we come across the idols of Shri Nataraja with Shri Shivagami Devi, Shri Ganesha and Shri Ardhanareeshwaar, Shri Panchamukhi Hanuman & Navagraha.
Koshta murtis are Shri Nataraja, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Bramha & Shri Durga Devi. The shrine of Shri Chandikeshwarar is in usual position. We also come across shrines of Shri Shaneeshwarar and Shri Bramha. The arthamandap is in the shape of head of a bat. In the main shrine on a pillar we come across sculpture of Shri Kubera and Shri Mahalaxmi Devi. She occupies the position of Shri Dhanalaxmi and Shri Dhaiyalaxmi. Shri Ambika Devi is housed in a separate south facing shrine and idol is in a standing position. There is a Nandi facing her shrine. At the entrance of Her shrine we come across 2 dwarapals and Shri Ganesha. In the parikrama of Shri Pravati Devi we come across, a stucco idols of Shri Ashtalaxmi & Shri Laxmi Devi worshiping a Shiva linga. We come across a number of beautiful idols, Shri Saraswati Devi, Shri Ganesha, Shri Bramha, Shiva lingas and Shri Dakshinamurti.
Prayer: It is believed that if one worships Shri Kubera at this temple on Fridays and Diwali day, performing abhishek and offering vastra, he will get plenty of wealth.
Festivals:
Masi (Feb-Mar): Mahashivaratri
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvadurai
Panguni (Mar-Aprl): Panguni uttaram
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Kartigai Deepam
Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Diwali
At this temple on new moon day in the month of October, Kubera yagnya is performed.
Address: Shri Tanjapooreeshwarar temple/ Kuberapooreeshwarar temple, Tanjavur 613002
Telephone: +91-96778114
Connectivity: 350m from Kodiamman temple, 4 kms from Tanjavur old bus stand, 6 kms Tanjavur railway station, 37 kms from Kumbhakonam
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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