This temple is also known as Dharmapurishwarar temple. It is situated at a distance of about 3 kilometers from Thirunallaru on the Thirunallaru-Karaikkal route. The place is now known as Kovilpathu. This is a Padal Pethra sthalam on the southern bank of Kaveri revered by Shaiva Saint Sambandhar. The temple must have existed before the seventh century. It was built as a stone structure by the Chola king. The extensions were done by Vijaynagar kings and Maratha kings.
Moolavar: Shri Yazhmurinathar, Shri Dharmapurishwarar
Devi: Shri Maduraminnammai, Shri Thenamrutvalli, Shri Abhayambika
Sacred Theertha: Vishnu Theertha, Dharma Theertha, Brahma Theertha
Sacred Vruksha: Plantain tree (Banana tree)
Kshetra Puran:
1. According to puran, Lord Shiva came to the aid of Sage Markandeya when Lord Yama came to take away the life of Sage. At that time Lord Yama had put a noose around the neck of Sage. Lord Shiva removed Yama from his position of Lord of Death, hence there was no death taking place anywhere and the population started increasing rapidly. Bhumadevi requested Lord Shiva to restore Lord Yama to his original position. At the same time Lord Yama also repented for his sin. He was advised by the Lord to come to this place, create a theertha and do penance. Lord Shiva granted him darshan and told him that he will be restored to his original position in due course of time. As Lord Yama is also known as Dharman the place came to be known as Dharmapuram. Lord Shiva is praised as Dharmapurishwarar.
2. There is another puran where Lord Shiva is praised as Yazhmurinathar. Shri Neelakantha Yazhpanar Naayanar was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva who lived in this village known as Erukathamba Puliyur. Having heard about Shaiva Saint Sambandhar, he joined him in his pilgrimage of Shaiva sthalam. Neelakantha Naayanar used to set very sweet music with his yazh (musical instrument) for the sacred hymns of Sambandhar. As the music set by him became popular, Neelakantha Naayanar became egoistic. He started feeling that his music is responsible for the popularity of Padigam (sacred hymns). Lord Shiva decided to remove his ego and teach him a lesson. When they reached this temple as usual, Sambandhar sang a hymn to which the Nayanar tried to set music. However he tried but he could not set the music. As he could not give proper music Nayanar became sad. He tried to break the musical instrument and commit suicide. At that very instant Lord Shiva graced him and took away the instrument from his hands and set music for the hymn. He also danced while playing the instrument. Nayanar lost his ego, on hearing music and padigam. As Lord Shiva played the yazh and broke the ego of Neelakanth Yazhpanar he is praised as Shri Yazhmoori (break) Nathar. When Lord Shiva played Yazh and danced, Goddess Parvati sang the padigam in a very sweet and melodious voice. It was as if honey (Then) and amrut were flowing from her mouth. Hence Goddess Parvati is praised as Then-amruta-valli. It is believed that at that time a koyal also joined and sang with a melodious voice.
When Lord Shiva played the Yazh, Lord Dakshinamurti was hearing with attention and enjoying it. He was so much engrossed in the music that without his own knowledge he leaned back. This is depicted in the koshta wall where the idol of Lord Dakshinamurti is slightly inclined towards the back.
Those who worshiped here:
Lord Mahavishnu, Lord Brahma, Yudhisthir, Shaiva Saint Sambandhar, Lord Yama, Neelakantha Yazhttanar.
Special Features:
1. Lord Dakshinamurti is slightly inclined towards the back. Generally Lord Dakshinamurti is adorned with a yellow color cloth in all the temples. But here he is adorned with saffron color cloth.
2. Shaiva Saint Sambandhar has praised Lord Shiva as music composer and Goddess Parvati for her melodious voice in his sacred hymns.
3. There is a shrine for revered Guru Dnyanasambandhar, founder of Thiru Dharmapura Adheenam.
4. There is a Sacred Theertha at this place known as Dharma Theertha which was created by Lord Yama in the prakaram.
5. This place is known as Dharmapuram as Yudhishthira (Dharma) worshiped Lord Shiva at this place.
About temple:
The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, Antarala, Ardha mandap, Maha mandap and Mukha mandap. A mandap is present around the sanctum. The temple has five tiered Rajagopuram in the first level and three tiered Rajagopurm in the second level. There is no Dhwajastambha. Balipeetham and Nandi are in between the two levels. Stucco image of Shaiva Saint Sambandhar and his wife is on the first tier of Rajagopuram. Shiva Linga is a swayambhu linga with a kavach.
Koshtha murtis: Lord Narthana Vinayaka, Lord Dakshinamurti with his head in slanting position as if he is hearing the yazh (stringed instrument) played by Lord Shiva, Lord Lingodbhavar with Lord Vshnu or Lord Brahma on either side, Goddess Durga with Mahishasur behind her. Lord Chandikeshwarar shrine is in the usual position.
The Shiva Linga is covered by a silver kavach, hence no abhishek is performed on the Shiva Linga, but only Civet is applied. Goddess Ambika is in a separate shrine in a sitting posture with one hand on her thigh as if she is singing. The other shrines and idols in the parikrama are Lord Vinayaka, Lord Subramanya with his consorts, Lord Somaskanda, Lord Nataraja, Shaiva Saint Naalvar, Sanatana Kuravas, Sixty three Naayanmars, Lord Chandrasekhar, Lord Kashi Vishwanath with Goddess Vishalakshi, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Navagraha, Lord Surya, Lord Chandra and Lord Bhairav. Lord Vinayaka is praised as Lord Karpaga Vinayaka. The procession idol of Lord Yazhmurinathar is with the musical instrument Yazhi in his hands. He has Shaiva Saint Sambandar and Naayanmar Yazhpanar by his side. The procession idol of Lord Yama is very beautiful.
Prayers:
1. Those who want to excel in vocal music, perform abhishek and donate Vastra to Goddess Ambika.
2. Those who wish to learn and excel in playing musical instruments worship Lord Dakshinamurti and Lord Shiva.
3. It is believed that drinking theertha from the sacred theertha after prayers one’s sins are removed.
4. Devotees perform Ayushyahomam and the sixtieth year birth ceremony at this place.
5. Devotees worship here for removal of marriage obstacles and putra dosha by performing abhishek of Goddess Durga on Uttarashadha nakshatra.
Pooja:
Daily rituals, pradosha pooja, monthly and weekly poojas. Special pooja. Shaiva Saint Sambandhar's Guru pooja on Mula nakshatra in tamil month of Vaikasi.
Important Festivals:
Maasi (Feb-March): Shivaratri
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thiru Karthigai
Time: 7 am to 12 noon, 5 pm to 9 pm
Address:
Shri Yazhmurinathar temple,
Dharmapuram,
Near Karaikkal,
Pondicherry, 609602
Phone: +91-4368226616
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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