This Shiva temple is one of the 7 sapta sthanam Shiva temples of Tanjavur. This is at distance of 10 kms from Tanjavur on Malattur-Kumbhakonam route and is one of the 276 Padal Pethra sthalam revered by Shaiva saint Sambandhar. This is on the southern bank of river Kaveri. This place is between rivers Vannar and Vattar, which are tributaries of river Kaveri.
Mulavar: Shri Vasisteshwarar, Shri Dhunuupooreeshwar, Shri Pashupateesharar
Devi: Shri Sungandhakundalambika, Shri Ulaganayaki, Shri Mangaleshwari
Sacred Teertha: Pasu teertha, Shoola teertha, Chakra Teertha
Sacred Vruksha: Jasmine, Chafa and Shevanti, Jackfruit and Palasha tree
Puranic name: Bilvaaranya, Vasishtashram, Thittai, Dhenupoori, Rathapoori (Therur in Tamil)
Kshetra puran:
A small ground at a higher level and surrounded by water is known as Thittai. Prior to great deluge there were 28 big holy places which Shri Shiva loved. After the deluge 26 of them vanished and 2 places remained as Thittai. They were Sirkazhi and Thenkudithittai. During the great deluge Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi were in a boat (Thoni in Tamil) powered by the pranav mantra Om. It came to a halt at Sirkazhi known as Thonipuram. At that time there was a sound of Pranav mantra from that place. At the same time the mantra HUM along with other mantras emerged at Thenkudithittai. Sirkazhi is known as Vadakudithittai and this place is known as Thenkudi (south) Thittai. Hence Thenkudithittai is known as Wisdom spot (in Tamil Ghyanmedu).
2) According to purana, Guru (Shri Jupiter) was the 7th son of Sage Angirasa. Guru (known as Bruhaspati) was a scholar and highly learned person. Hence he became the Guru for the devas. Once he had gone on a visit to Shri Indra who did not receive him properly as he was engrossed in the dance of Urvashi. In anger, Guru left the devalok and started leaving as a recluse. In the absence of Bruhaspati, devas life became miserable due to asuras. Shri Indra went searching for Shri Bruhaspati. He was finally able to meet him at this place with guidance from Shri Shiva. Shri Bruhaspati pardoned Shri Indra at this place. Hence this is a Guru parihar stahala.
3) According to puran, Sage Vasishta had a ashram at this place. He had installed a linga and did penance at this place. Hence Shri Shiva is praised as Vashisteshwarar. At this place Shri Bruhaspati stood up and received upadesh from Sage Vasishta. Shri Shiva elevated Shri Bruhaspati to the status of a graha i.e one of the Navagrahas.
4) The Chola Jayan performed the mahayagna known as Rudrapashupatha yagnya which is equal to performing 100 ashwamedha yagnyas. This earned him the position equal to that of Shri Indra. Devi Uladhanayaki is believed to have given life once again to the husband of one of her staunch devotees named Sugandha. Hence she is praised as Sugandhakundalambika.
5) During pralaya, Shri Bramha and Shri Vishnu worshipped Shri Shiva for protection. While searching for a safe place they found this mound (Thittai). There was a Shiva linga at this place. When they worshipped the Shiva linga, Shri Shiva appeared before them, He delegated the duties of creation and protection to them.
This temple must have existed before 7th century. Then the structure was renovated by Chola kings and the structure is renovated once again about 200 years back. The Shiva linga is a swayambhoo linga. This temple is considered as Panchalinga kshetra as there are 5 Shiva lingas representing 5 basic elements. Of these 4 are at the 4 corners of the temple and 5th is the Shri Vasishteshwarar. This is an east facing temple with a 3 tier Rajagopuram having 2 parikramas. The temple is completely granite structure including ceiling. The dwajastambha is also made of granite. Balipeeth, Dhwajastambha and Nandi are facing the sanctum. The koshta murtis are Shri Narthanvinayaka, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Lingodbhavar & Shri Durga Devi. Shri Parvati Devi is in separate shrine. There are shrines of Shri Siddhivinayaka, Shri Mahalinga and Shri Ambika Devi, Navagraha and Shri Bramha in the corridors. There is a separate shrine for Shri Jupiter (Guru) and he is worshipped as Rajaguru. This shrine is situated between the shrines of Shri Shiva & Shri Parvati Devi. He is depicted with 4 hands holding weapons, book and with Abhaya mudra. Chakra teertha (is a pond) is at the entrance of the temple. In most of the temples Shri Dakshinamurti is worshipped as Guru bhagwan except at 3 places, namely 1) Thenkuditthitai (this place) 2) Padi near Chennai (known as Thiruvalithayam) 3) Thiruchendur
This is probably only place where Shri Jupiter’s shrine is with a Vimanam (shikhar).
Salient features:
1) Lord Guru is standing with 4 hands
2) A drop of water falls from the roof in the sanctum on the Shiva linga every 24 mins. It is stated that there is no source of water on the temple tower but there are 2 precious stones at 2 strategies points on the roof. They are named as Suryakanthikal and Chandrakantikal. They absorb moisture from the atmosphere and convert into droplets which drop down on the Shivalinga.
3) There are stone carvings on the ceiling of the mandap opposite to Ambika’s shrine depicting the 12 zodiacs. It is a belief that one begates whatever he wishes if he prays to Shri Parvati Devi standing under his zodiac sign.
4) The pillars in the temple are sculptured with sculptures of Shaiva saint Naalvar, Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi mounted on Vrushabha, Shri Muruga & Shri Ganesha.
5) This is considered as a panchalinga kshetra.
6) The temple tank is believed to have been constructed by the Sudarshan chakra of Shri Mahavishnu.
7) The rays of the Sun fall on Shiva linga twice in a year on 15, 16, 17 Tamil month of Aavni (Aug) and 25, 26, 27 of Tamil month Panguni (May). It is believed that Shri Surya prays to Shri Shiva on this days.
8) This is one of the 3 places where Shri Jupiter has a separate shrine
9) Thittai – it means a wisdom spot. There are 6 chakras in a human body. It is believed that Shri Muruga gives the benefits of this chakras. He gives enlightenment and final bliss by activating the chakras. He is the moolamurti at this place. The body is Thenkudi and bliss is Thittai.
10) This is a Parihar sthala for planet Jupiter.
11) At this temple a special abhishek is done in the name of Nityaabhishek. This is done on behalf of Shri Chandra which cannot be seen anywhere else.
Those who worshipped at this place:
Shri Bramha, Shri Vishnu, Shri Muruga, the 4 Vedas, Shri Bhairava, Shri Surya, Shri Shaneeshwar, Shri Yama, Parshuram, Shri Indra, Aadishesha, Kaamdhenu, Sage Vasishta, Sage Gautama, Sage Jamadagni.
Prayers:
People worship Guru who is Rajaguru at this place for relief from Gurudosha. Students worship for success in exam for education and attain knowledge. Devotees worship for the removal of obstacles in marriage, for child boon and for prosperity and happiness in married life to Shri Parvati Devi.
It is believed that worshipping Guru at this temple who has the status of Rajaguru and worshipping Chandra on the same day at Thingalur (a Navagraha kshetra for Chandra) gives the benefit of Guru Chandra yog.
Festivals:
Chitrai (Apr-May): Chaitrapoornia
Aavani (Aug-Sept): Ganesh Chatrurthi
Aipassi (Oct-Nov): Anna abhishek
Kartigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukartigaideepam
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thirvathirai
Maasi (Feb-Mar): Shivaratri
Vaikasi (May-June): Annual bramhostav and celebration of sage Vasishta’s marriage to Arundhati.
Puja:
Special pooja on Guru transition day. Surya pooja on the days when the rays of the Sun fall on the Shiva linga. Besides these pradosha pooja, daily worship and other weekly and fortnightly poojas are performed regularly.
Temple timings: 7am -12.30pm; 5pm – 8.30pm
Temple address: Shri Vasishteshwarar temple, Thenkudithittai at Pashupathikovil, Tanjore district, TN – 613003
Phone number: +91-4362252858, +91-9443586453
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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