Samabandar Appar Medu

Address

Samabandar Appar Medu

Vellamperambur,

Thanjavur District,

Tamil Nadu 613101

Moolavar

Sambandar, Appar

Introduction

• The Sambandharmedu Shiva Temple is located in Vellamperambur, a place on the Kandiyur Thirukkattupalli highway, about one and a half kilometers away from Mettusalai Nirttam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Appar, also known as Tirunavukkarasar.
• The temple is believed to be over 1300 years old, though it has been renovated in recent years after the original structure fell into ruins.

Puranic Significance:

• Apparswamy (Tirunavukkarasar), a revered Saiva saint, established a Thirumadam (a place of worship) in Tirupundurthi. He was known for performing plowing work and was deeply devoted to Lord Shiva.
• Tirunavukarasar began contemplating Gnanasampandar, another great saint, who was a prodigy and a devotee of Lord Shiva. Gnanasambandara (also known as Sambandar) traveled to Thanjavur, and as he made his way, he was carried by a procession of uniformed men adorned in pearl dress.
• Sambandar, desiring to visit Tirunavukkarasar, expressed the wish to go to Tirupundurthi. A servant arrived with news about Lord Boonthurthi, associated with the servants, which caused Thirunavukkarasar’s heart to warm with joy.
• As Sambandar approached the Sampandharmedu area, Apparswami (who had been carrying the robe of Sambandar) bowed down in devotion. At that moment, Sambandar ran to embrace Appar and touch his feet, a gesture of respect and love for his spiritual father.
• The meeting of these two great devotees, Sambandar and Appar, in Tirupundurthi and their mutual homage to Lord Shiva is an important event in Saiva history.
• The event is commemorated annually with a festival called ‘Tholkodutha Peruvizha’, which is held at Thirualampozhil Thiruthalam to honor their spiritual bond and devotion.

Special Features:

• The Sambandharmedu Temple stands as a tribute to the great devotion and spiritual significance of Appar and Sambandar.
• The temple has been renovated to preserve the ancient significance, and it continues to be a center of worship and pilgrimage for those devoted to Lord Shiva and the great Saiva saints.

Century/Period

1300 years old.

Nearest Bus Station

Vellamperambur

Nearest Railway Station

Thanjavur

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Location on Map

lightuptemple