This temple is also known as Shri Alamthurai Nathar Kovil. The place is also known as Vellalapasupathi kovil. The temple is at a distance of 12 kms from Papanasam, 15 kms from Tanjavur, 12 kms from Thiruvaiyaru and 26 kms from Kumbhakonam. This is one of the 70 Maada kovil built by Ko Chengat Cholan.
This Shiva temple is one of the 276 Shiva temples revered by Shaiva saint Sambandhar. This temple is on the southern bank of Kaveri and on the bank of Kudumurutti river. This temple must have existed even before the 7th century and it is believed to be more than 2000 years old. This temple is associated with various groups of temples. It is also a Saptamangai Sthalam where Shri Parvati Devi, along with Shri Chamundi, one of the Sapta Matrikas, performed navaratri utsav on the Saptami (seventh day) of Navaratri.
This temple was reconstructed by ParanTaka Chola I in the 9th century as a stone structure. The stone inscriptions in the temple give an account of the endowments and work done by Chola and Maratha kings. The temple was submerged by the flood water of Kudumurutti river a number of times.
Moolavar: Shri Pasupateeshwarar, Shri Pasupati nathar, Shri Bramhapurishwarar, Shri Alanthurai nathar
Devi: Shri Soundaryanayaki Devi, Shri Alliyankothai
Kshetra Vruksha: Banyan tree (in Marathi “Vad”)
Sacred Teertha: Kaveri, Kudamurutti
Puranik Name: Thirupullamangai
Present Name: Pashupati kovil
District: Tanjavur, TamilNadu
Kshetra Puran:
1. According to the purana, Goddess Parvati worshiped Lord Shiva as a ChakraVak bird. Hence the place got the name PullaMangai. It is believed that Ashta-Nagas (the 8 divine serpent) worshiped Lord Shiva with 30 crores of Naga-Linga (KailashPathi) flowers on the night of ShivaRatri. Hence this place is considered as Naga-Shakti shrine.
2. In the temple, we come across a sculpture which depicts the celestial cow KamaDhenu worshiping Lord Shiva.
3. At this place Lord Brahma got rid of his curse by worshiping Lord Shiva.
Those who worshiped at this temple:
Lord Brahma, Goddess Parvati, Ashta-Nagas, KamaDhenu, Ko chengat Cholan, SaptaRishis, Shaiva saint Sambandhar and Goddess Chamundi.
Salient features:
1. The NavaGraha shrine is moat shaped.
2. There is a Nandi at the center of NavaGraha shrine.
3. Eagles are always found hovering over the Gopuram.
4. The place was earlier known as Alamthurai (Alam in Tamil means Banyan tree). As Lord Shiva is having a Banyan tree as Sthala Vruksha, he is praised as AlanThuraiNathar.
5. The idol of Goddess Durga is unique.
About the temple:
The temple is east facing with a 3-tiered RajaGopuram. Balipeeth and Nandi are in the Mukha-mandap. The Shivalinga is Swayambhu Linga and it is comparatively big. There is no Dhwaja-Stambha in the temple. There is a moat surrounding the temple.
Koshta-Murtis:
Lord Vinayakar, Lord DakshinaMurti, Lord Lingothbhavar (Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu are on both sides), Lord Brahma and Goddess Durga.
Ambika is in a separate south facing shrine in the Mukha-mandap.
The shrine of Chandikeshwarar is in the usual position.
Idols and Shrine in the parikrama:
Shrines of Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Shri Bhairava, Shaiva saints Nalvar , Lord Surya and NavaGrahas.
At the entrance of MahaMandap, we have the idol of Lord Ganesha. There are several panels which depict purana of Lord Shiva, Shiva ganas which are holding various musical instruments. Besides these, scenes from Ramayana and other Vaishnava puranas are depicted, though this is a Shiva temple. There are scenes depicting Krishna-Leelas as well.
Durga idol in this temple has a special feature and is known as Shri Mahishasur-mardini. She is standing under an umbrella with her leg on the head of Mahishasur. She has conch, chakra, sword, bow, mace, trident, ankush and khatvanga as her weapons. On either side, a deer and lion are depicted in standing position. A sculpture depicts two soldiers. One is offering his head and the other is offering blood from his thigh. One of her hands has Abhaya mudra.
It is believed that the Idol of Goddess Durga at ThiruNageshwaram and Pattieshwaram and at this place were made by the same sculptor.
Shri Parvati Devi worshiped Shri Shiva at this place as a Chakravak bird (Ruddyshell Duck) along with Shri Chamundi - one of the saptamatrika. They had the darshan of the divine serpent on Lord Shiva’s neck. Hence it is known as Shiva-Nag-Bhushan darshan.
Prayers:
Devotees worship at this place for removal of marriage obstacles, wealth, prosperity and for excellence in education.
Pooja:
Daily rituals, Pradosh pooja and other important weekly and monthly worships.
Festivals in the temple:
Masi (February-March): MahaShivaRatri festival
Panguni (Mar-April): SaptaSthana festival
Vaikasi (May-June): ShivaRatri festival
Aippasi (October-November): AnnaAbhishek
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): ArudraDarshan (known as Thiruvathirai)
Temple timings:
6am to 11am, 4pm to 8:30pm.
Temple address:
Alamthurai Nathar Kovil, Pasupathikovil, District : Tanjore, TN 614206.
Phone numbers: +91-9791482102, +91-8056853485
Courtesy: Various blogs and websites
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