75 Friday Temple Visit
15th July 2022
வாரம் ஒரு கோவில் தரிசனம்
by S. Subramaniam
Shri Apathsahayar Temple, Thirupazhanam, Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Location
Shri Apathsahayar Temple is located in village Thirupazhanam, on the banks of river Cauvery, and lies about 4 kms from Thiruvaiyaru.
Salient features
The name of the Lord at this temple is Apath Sahayeswarar , Amrita Lingeswarar and Sudha Linga Murthy and name of Devi Parvati is Periya Nayaki and Kalyani. The sthala vrikshams are three in number (for Lord Shiva) namely, Mango, Vilvam and Punnagam. Lord Vishnu who graces the temple in the form of Venugopala has a separate sthala vriksham - the Jackfruit tree. We have seven Theerthams associated with the temple which are, the river Cauvery, Amudha Theertham, Deva Theertham, Panchakshara Theertham, Mangala Theertham, Asirakupam and Manikupam.
Uniqueness
The lingam of the temple is believed to have been installed by Sage Kaushika and is made up of sand and the sage's share of the divine nector.
Lord Shiva is believed to have taken initiative to conduct marriage of Nandi and collected fruits from this place.
This is the second of the group of Seven temples that are collectively referred to as Saptha Sthana temples.
History
The temple is a very ancient one and is more than 2000 years old. The construction of the present structure was started by Aditya Chozhan I (871-907 AD) and completed by his son / successor Parantaka Chozhan I (907-955 AD). Renovations were done later by the Pandyas, Vijayanagara and Tanjore Maratha rulers.
Legends
Legend 1 of 3 - Relating to marriage of Nandi Deva
Lord Shiva wanted to conduct Nandi’s marriage in a grand way. The marriage procession started at Thiruvaiyaru and crossed Thirupazhanam and other places finally ending back at Thiruvaiyaru.
This is the place where Lord Shiva collected fruits needed for Nandi’s marriage. Hence this place came to be known as Thirupazhanam (Pazham means fruit in Tamil).
Legend 2 of 3 - Relating to Apoothi Adigal
The temple and the place is associated with Apoothi Adigal, one of the 63 Nayanmars and an ardent devotee of Appar / Thirunavukkarasar. Without even meeting Appar, Apoothi Adigal built various resting houses, water tanks and welfare schemes in his name in this village. During his visit to this temple, Appar was surprised at Adigal's devotion. Adigal arranged for a feast for Appar and his son was bitten by a snake and died while plucking plantain leaves. Appar is believed to have sung a Pathigsm praying to Lord Shiva who brought the boy back to life and thus came to be known as Apathsahayar.
Legend 3 of 3 - Relating to Sage Koushika
Sage Koushika had kept his share of nectar at this place as a safest location from Asuras. However Asuras figured this out and tried to steal the nectar. Lord Shiva directed Aiyanar to kill the Asuras and save the nectar. Sage Koushika later made Shiva Linga out of nectar and sand and worshipped him at this location.
The Temple
The temple premises measuring some 5 acres of area is one of the largest temples in Tamil Nadu.
Other deities
Apart from the main shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati, there are shrines for Lord Vinayaka, Muruga, Durga, Pasupatheeswarar, Apputhiadigal, Saptha Rishi, Bhairavar and Nataraja. Dakshinamurthy appears here as Medha Dakshinamurthy and there is a separate shrine for Sri Venugopala presented here holding a flute. Eight of the Navagrahas in standing position facing Surya is a specialty in this temple.
Sapta Sthana temple worship
The famous Saptha Sthanam festival is conducted at Tiruvaiyaru during April every year. It witnesses the convergence of seven glass palanquins carrying principal deities of respective temples from seven places at Tiruvaiyaru. The seven temples are (1) Aiarappan Temple, Thiruvaiyaru, (2) Apathsahayar Temple, Thirupazhanam, (3) Odhanavaneswarar Temple
Tiruchotruthurai (4) Vedapuriswarar Temple, Thiruvedhikudi (5) Kandeeswarar TempleThirukkandiyur (6) Puvananathar Temple, Thirupanturuthi and (7) Neyyadiappar Temple, Tiruneithaanam.
The palanquins are paraded and the crowd witness the Poochoridhal (flower festival) in which a doll offers flowers to the principal deities in the palanquins. After the Poochoridhal, the palanquins leave for their respective places.
Literary mention
This Temple is one of the Padal Petra Sthalam praised in the Thevaram hymns by Thirunavukarasar and Gnanasambandar.
O My Lord on his bull is seen chanting the Vedas, wearing the sacred thread and the tiger skin, He removes sins of both believers and non-believers, and He is in Pazhana Nagar : Pathigam by Thirunavukarasar.
Contact
Sri Abadhsahayeswarar Temple,
Tirupazhanam Post, Tiruvaiyaru,
Thanjavur district
Phone: +91 4362 326 668
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