Friday Temple Visit - Week # 88
14th October 2022
வாரம் ஒரு கோவில் தரிசனம்
by S. Subramaniam
Sri Abath Sahayeswarar Temple, Aduthurai, near Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu, India.
Location
Sri Abath Sahayeswarar Temple, is located on the southern banks of River Cauvery in the town of Aduthurai which is about 3 kms from Thiruvidaimarudhur, 13 kms from Kumbakonam and 20 kms from Mayiladuthurai.
Uniqueness:
There are two Aduthurais in Thanjavur District - one located on the Northern bank of River Cauvery near Papanasam and the other on the Southern bank of the River near Kumbakonam.
Both come with the prefix Kurangu (monkey in Tamil) and in ancient times, were called Kurangaduthurai. To distinguish the two, the northern one was called Vada Kurangaduthurai and the southern one, Then Kurangaduthurai.
However, these days both the places are simply referred to as simply Aduthurai only.
Curiously, the idol at the temple of the northern one was worshipped by the Monkey king of Kishkinda Vali and the southern one by his brother Sugreeva. Hence the word Kurangu.
Salient features
The name of the presiding deity of the temple is called Sri Abath Sahayeswarar and Devi Parvati is known by the names Sri Pavalakkodi Amman and Sri Vandar Karumenkuzhal Mangai. The Sthala Vriksham (Holy tree) of the temple is the Night Jasmine tree (Pavazha Malli) and the Sthala Theertham (Holy waters) of the temple are two in
numbers, the Sahaya Theertham and the Surya Theertham.
Name of the Place:
The historical names of this place were Thiraimur Nadu, Boopala Kulavalli and Thiru Kurangaduthurai. The Lord is believed to have saved Sugreeva from Vali by converting him into a swan and there by hiding him from the eyes of Vali and hence he is called Abath Sahayeswara (the one who helps at the time of a crisis). The Lord also converted Sugreeva's wife into a Pavazha Malli tree (the Sthala Vriksham of the temple) and that's how Devi Parvati in this temple got the name Pazhavakodi.
This place is also known as Natarajapuram as Lord Shiva is believed to have performed the Ananda Thandavam at this place, at the request of Sage Agastya.
History of the temple
The temple is a very ancient one and is believed to be more than 2000 years old. It has been in existence since the Ramayana days. However the present structure was constructed by the Raj Mata of Chozha dynasty Sembiyan Madevi during the reign of her son Uttama Chozhan (970 - 985 CE).
Legends
Legend 1 of 4- Relating to Sugreeva
As mentioned earlier, the Lord saved Sugreeva from his brother Vali and got the name he is known by in this temple. The Sthala puranam (Legend of the Temple) also mentions, about Sugreeva and Hanuman bringing Lord Rama and Lakshmana to this temple to worship the Lord.
Legend 2 of 4 - Hanuman regains his singing prowess
Once, Lord Hanuman had visited Mount Kailash and was seen singing hymns in praise of Lord Shiva. Sage Narada who was passing by that side, got mesmerized by the singing of Lord Hanuman. He sat down and started listening to the songs. Meanwhile his Mahati Veena got struck amidst snow. Narada blamed Hanuman for the heavenly music and cursed him that he would forget all his music so that such problems are avoided in future. Hanuman prayed to Lord Shiva at this temple and got back his musical prowess.
Legend 3 of 4- Relating to Saint Harathathar
Saint Harathathar who was born in a Vaishnava family in Kanchanur, a nearby village, but later became an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, had the daily habit of visiting the Seven Shiva temples called the Saptha Sthana Temples of Kanjanur. On one of the days, it was pouring like anything and in the binding rain, he lost his way,. The Lord in the disguise of a temple priest (Gurukkal) is believed to have helped him reach home.
Legend 4 of 4 - Relating to a Pregnant Lady.
The Lord is believed to have appeared before a pregnant lady, an ardent devotee of the Lord, in the disguise of a lady physician (similar to the legend of Thayumanavar) and helped her in safely delivering the baby.
The Temple
This Temple faces east and has three Rajagopurams. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found immediately after the Rajagopuram. There is no Dhwaja Sthambam (flag staff) in this temple. The Vimana over the sanctum follows Vesara style.
The sanctum sanctorum is of Agazhi type. It is surrounded by a moat like formation on all the four sides. Mostly in other temples, the Sun rays
directly fall on the Lord but here the reflection fall on the Lord.
Deities in the temple
Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Lords Vinayakar, Muruga with his consorts, Nataraja, Somaskandar and Nalvar can be found on the corridor.
Sage Agasthiar is believed to have installed and worshiped Lord “Sorna Bairavar” in this temple. Devotees offer sandalwood oil to Agasthiar’s idol on full moon day to get one’s wishes fulfilled.
There are also some reliefs that depict Karaikkal Ammaiyar worshiping Lord Aabath Sahayeswarar and Queen Chembian Madevi worshiping the Lord.
Literary Mentions:
Thirugnana Sambandar and Appar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Saint Arunagirinathar has sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.
Contact:
Sri Abathsahayeswarar Temple,
Aduthurai, Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk,
Thanjavur District – 612 101
Mobile: +91 94434 63119 / 94424 25809.
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