Shri Padikasunathar Swamy Temple at Azhagaputhur

This temple at Azhagaputhur is at a distance of 8 kms on Kumbhakonam - Nachiar route from Kumbhakonam. This is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam on southern bank of Kaveri revered by Shaiva Saint Sambandhar, Appar and Sundarar. The temple is on the south bank of river Arisalaru which is a tributary of Kaveri. This is one of the Maad-kovils built by Chola King Kochengat Cholan. This is one of the few temples where all the three Shaiva Saints have sung sacred hymns. The temple is believed to be in existence from the third century. The present masonry structure was built by a Chola king in the 9th century. There are seven stone inscriptions dating to Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagar kings which give an account of work done by them. 

Moolavar: Shri Padikasunathar, Shri Swarnapoorishwarar, Shri Kuberlingeshwarar
Devi: Shri Soundaryanayaki, Shri Azhagambigai
Utsav Murti: Shri Somaskandar
Sacred Theertha: Amrutpushkarini, Arisilaru
Sacred Vruksha: Bilva
Agama / Puja: Shiva Agama
Puranik Name: Arisikaraiputhur, Seruviliputhur

Kshetra Puran: 

1. According to the Sthala Purana, Pugazh Thunai Nayanar was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva and he lived at this place. He worked in this temple as a temple priest. He used to perform abhishek of the Shiva Linga with cool and fresh water which he brought in a pot by fetching from the river. Once there was a great famine in the area but still he continued his duty and worshiped Lord Shiva. After sometime he became weak and fragile due to hunger but still he continued his daily duties. One day he fainted while performing the abhishek and fell down. At that time, the pot of water fell on the Shiva Linga and broke. Lord Shiva appeared before him in dream and stated that he will leave a gold coin in the temple as wages for his labor. He was asked to sustain himself and others in the village using that coin during the famine. Hence Lord Shiva is praised as Lord Padikasunathar (In Tamil, Padi means allowance or step and Kasu means coin). Pugazh Thunai Nayanar found the gold coin daily at the foot of the Shiva linga. He continued his services till the end of his life. Lord Shiva granted him salvation and made him one of the 63 Nayanmars.

2. We have already explained in the earlier blogs, how Lord Muruga punished Lord Bramha for his ignorance about the meaning of Pranav Mantra. Later, Lord Shiva punished Lord Muruga for his misconduct. As an atonement, Lord Muruga worshiped Lord Shiva at a number of places. He came to this place and did penance. Lord Shiva finally explained to Lord Muruga that anyone can point out the mistake but they should not punish the person having committed a sin. 

3. According to the Puran, once the demons were tormenting the Devas in the celestial world. The Devas approached Lord Shiva for relief. Lord Shiva instructed Lord Muruga to destroy the demons. When Lord Muruga was preparing for the war, Devas gave him many weapons. Lord Vishnu gave him Conch and Chakra. With these weapons he destroyed the demons. Hence we find him at this place with weapons – Chakra and Conch.

Those who worshiped at this place: Lord Muruga, Anand Muni, Sage Unmaiyan Nanda, Pugazh Thunai Nayanar, Shaiva Saints Sambandhar, Appar, Sundarar.

Salient Features: 

1. This is the birth place of Pugazh Thunai nayanar.

2. The three Shaiva Saints have sung sacred hymns at this place. Hence this place is revered as Moovar Padal Pethra Sthalam.

3. The place has the name Arisikaraiputhur meaning on the bank of river Arisalaru.

4. We find the unique placement of idols of Surya and Chandra in the Navagraha shrine.

5. In this temple the Navagraha are worshiped in Vaayu roop in the pits.

6. In the shrine of Lord Muruga, the idol is unique.

7. Shrine of Goddess Mahalaxmi is near Lord Muruga’s shrine which is unique.

About the temple:

This is a west facing temple with a three tiered Rajagopuram and single parikrama. Surya, Chandra are in small shrines on the 2 sides of the Rajagopuram. In the outer parikrama, we come across the Lord Dhwajastambha Vinayaka under the Dhwajastambha. Dhwajastambha, Balipeeth and Nandi are facing the sanctum in a newly built mandap. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardhamandap and Mahamandap. This Shiva Linga is a Swayambhoo Linga. The Shiva Linga is tall and is mounted on a square avudayar. The Sanctum is shaped like a linga. There is a three tiered Vimanam above the sanctum. 

Koshtha Moortis: Lord Nardana Vinayaka, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Lingothbhavar, Lord Bramha and Goddess Durga.

The shrine of Lord Chandikeshwarar is in its usual position. The shrine of Goddess Ambika is in the Mahamandap and she is facing the south. Idols of Shaiva Saint Naalvar, Pugazh Thunai Nayanar and his consort Goddess Laxmi, Shaiva Saint Sundarar with consort Paraivainachiyar are in the Mahamandap. In the Ardhamandap there is a sculpture which depicts Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva mounted on Rishabh. He is praised as Lord Rishabheshwarar. In the shrine of Lord Muruga he is praised as Lord Kalyansundar Shanmukha. Lord Subramanya with his consorts is seated on a peacock. He has 12 hands with a Conch, Chakra (discuss), like Lord Vishnu with other hands holding different weapons. This is very unique, not seen in any other temple. The metal arch behind Lord Subramanya which looks like aura (Prabhaval in Marathi) is in the form of the Tamil letter Om (ௐ). Adjacent to this shrine we come across the shrine of Goddess Mahalaxmi. Lord Vinayaka is in a separate shrine and is known as Lord Swarna Vinayaka. He is worshiped first before proceeding to other shrines. There is a Navagraha shrine in which the Sun and Moon face each other. Opposite to this shrine there are nine small pits. It is believed that there are planets in the form of Vaayu in these pits. Besides this, we also come across shrines of Goddess Laxmi, Lord Swarnabhairav and Lord Kaalbhairava in the parikrama.

Prayers: 

1. Devotees worship Lord Shiva for removal of their sins.

2. Devotees worship Lord Shiva by offering even number of coins or notes. They take back these coins or notes with the belief that this will give them prosperity. 

3. Devotees worship Lord Muruga for removal of poison and toxin due to insect bites, other animal and creature bites.

4. Devotees believe by worshiping at this place, they will get mental strength for facing difficulties.

5. Devotees worship Lord Muruga on New Moon day for removal of marriage obstacles, eradicating pitru dosha by offering a special kind of rice pudding (in Tamil it's known as Paalpayasam) as Naivedya. 

6. Devotees who have not performed the rights for their ancestors, perform special worship for Surya and Chandra in the Navagraha shrine. They light lamps in the pits opposite to the Navagraha shrine. 

Pooja: 

Daily poojas are performed as per Aagamas. Weekly pooja on every Monday and Friday. Pradosh pooja is performed every fortnight. Special poojas are performed during New Moon, Full Moon, Sankashta Chaturthi and Krittika Nakshatra.

Important Festivals: 

Aani (June-July): Thirumanjanam
Aadi (July-August): Aadi Puram (pooja on Poorva Phalguni nakshatra)
Aavani (Aug-Sept): Shri Ganesh Chaturthi
Purattassi (Sept-Oct): Navratri
Aippassi (Oct-Nov): Aannabhishek and Skandha Shashti
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukarthigai Deepam
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai
Maasi (Feb-Mar): Shivaratri
Thai (Jan-Feb): Makar Sankranti
Panguni (Mar-April): Panguni Uttiram (pooja on Uttara Phalguni nakshatra)

There is a special 10 days festival, celebrated on Magha nakshatra day in the month of Maasi, known as Maasi-Magham. 

Gurupooja is performed on Anuradha nakshatra in the month of Aavani for Pugazh Thunai Nayanar.

Timings: 8 am - 12 noon and 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm

Address: 

Shri Padikasunathar Swamy Temple,
at Azhagaputhur,
via Sakkottai,
Taluka Kumbhakonam,
Tamil Nadu 612401

Phone: +91- 4342466939, +91-9943178294

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs