This Shiva temple is one of the 7 sapta sthanam Shiva temples of Tanjavur. This is at a distance of 10 kms from Tanjavur-Melattur-Kumbhakonam route and is one of the 276 Padal Pethra Sthalam revered by Shaiva saints. This temple was praised 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.
Moolavar: Shri Vasishteshwarar, Shri Dhenupooreeshwar, Shri Pashupateeshwarar
Devi: Shri Sungandhakundalambika, Shri Ulaganayaki, Shri Mangaleshwari
Sacred Teertha: Pasu teertha, Shoola teertha, Chakra Teertha
Sacred vruksha: Jasmine, Chafa, Shevanti, Jackfruit and Palasha tree
Puranic name: Bilvaaranya, Vasishtashram, Thittai, Dhenupoori, Rathapoori (Therur in Tamil)
Kshetra purana:
1. A small ground at a higher level and surrounded by water is known as Thittai. Prior to the great deluge there were 28 big holy places which Lord Shiva loved. After the deluge 26 of them vanished and 2 places remained as Thittai. They were Sirkazhi and Thenkudithittai. During the great deluge Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were in a boat (Thoni in Tamil) powered by the pranava 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 puran, Guru (Lord 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 Lord 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 recuse. In the absence of Bruhaspati, devas life became miserable due to asuras. Lord Indra went searching for Bruhaspati. He was finally able to meet him at this place with guidance from Lord Shiva. Bruhaspati pardoned Indra at this place. Hence this is a Guru parihar stahala.
3. According to purana, Sage Vasishta had an ashram at this place. He had installed a linga and did penance at this place. Hence Lord Shiva is praised as Shri Vashisteshwarar. At this place Bruhaspati stood up and received upadesha from Sage Vasishta. Lord Shiva elevated Bruhaspati to the status of a graha i.e one of the Navagrahas.
4. The Chola king 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 Lord 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, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord 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, Lord Shiva appeared before them, He delegated the duties of creation and protection to them.
Those who worshiped at this place:
Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Murugan, the 4 Vedas, Lord Bhairava, Lord Surya, Lord Shaneeshwarar, Lord Yama, Parshurama, Lord Indra, Adishesha, Kamadhenu, Sage Vasishta, Sage Gautama, Sage Jamadagni.
Salient features:
1. Lord Guru is standing with 4 hands
2. A drop of water falls from the roof of 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 strategic 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 begets whatever he wishes if he prays to Goddess Parvati standing under his zodiac sign.
4. The pillars in the temple are sculptured with sculptures of Shaiva saint Naalvar, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati mounted on Vrushabha, Lord Muruga & Lord Ganesha.
5. This is considered as a panchalinga kshetra.
6. The temple tank is believed to have been constructed by the Sudarshan chakra of Lord Mahavishnu.
7. The rays of the Sun fall on Shiva linga twice in a year on 15, 16, 17 Tamil month of Aavani (Aug) and 25, 26, 27 of Tamil month Panguni (May). It is believed that Lord Surya prays to Lord Shiva on these days.
8. This is one of the 3 places where Lord Jupiter has a separate shrine
9. Thittai – it means a wisdom spot. There are 6 chakras in a human body. It is believed that Lord Murugan gives the benefits of these chakras. He gives enlightenment and final bliss by activating the chakras. He is the moola moorti 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 Lord Chandra. This abhishek cannot be seen anywhere else.
This temple must have existed before the 7th century. Then the structure was renovated by Chola kings and the structure was again renovated once 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 Vasishteshwarar. This is an east facing temple with a 3 tier Rajagopuram having 2 parikramas. The temple has a completely granite structure including a ceiling. The dhwajastambha is also made of granite. Balipeeth, dhwajastambha and Nandi are facing the sanctum.
The koshta murtis are Lord Narthanavinayaka, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Lingodbhavar & Goddess Durga. Goddess Parvati is in a separate shrine. There are shrines of Siddhivinayak, Lord Mahalinga and Goddess Ambika, Navagraha and Lord Brahma in the corridors. There is a separate shrine for Lord Jupiter (Guru) and he is worshipped as Rajaguru. This shrine is situated between the shrines of Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati. He is depicted with 4 hands holding weapons, a book and Abhay mudra. Chakra teertha (is a pond) is at the entrance of the temple. In most of the temples Lord 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 the only place where Lord Jupiter’s shrine is with a Vimanam (shikhar).
Prayers:
1. Devotees worship Guru who is Rajaguru at this place for relief from Gurudosha. Students worship for success in exam for education and attain knowledge.
2. Devotees worship Goddess Parvati for the removal of obstacles in marriage, for child boon and for prosperity and happiness in married life.
3. It is believed that worshipping Guru at this temple who has the status of Rajagura and worshipping Chandra on the same day at Thingalur (a Navagraha kshetra for Chandra) gives the benefit of Guru Chandra yog.
Pooja:
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.
Festivals:
Chitrai (Apr-May): Chaitrapoornia
Vaikasi (May-June): Annual brahmotsavam and celebration of Sage Vasishta’s marriage to Arundhati.
Aavani (Aug-Sept): Ganesh Chaturthi
Aaipassi (Oct-Nov): Annaabhishek
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukarthigaideepam,
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thirvathirai
Maasi (Feb-Mar): Shivaratri
Temple timing: 7am -12.30pm; 5pm – 8.30pm
Temple address: Shri Vasishteshwarar temple, Thenkudithittai at Pashupathikovil, Tanjore district, TN – 613003
Phone number: +91-4362252858, +91-9443586453
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