Parakkalakottai Podhu Aavudaiyar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Parakkalakottai,

Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu 614613

Phone: +91- 4373 – 283 295, 248 781.

Podhu Aavudaiyar

Gajalakshmi

Location:

Situated at Parakkalakottai, near Pattukkottai in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India.

Temple History:

The temple is believed to be 1000 years old.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Madhyapureeswara or Podhu Aavudaiyar, and the Mother is known as Gajalakshmi.
The temple has a unique feature: there is no Vimana above the Lord’s idol, as He is believed to bless devotees in the form of a tree. The branches and leaves of the tree are considered to be the Vimana.

Puranic Significance:

Sages Vankobar and Mahakobar questioned whether marital or ascetic life is more sacred. Lord Nataraja asked them to come to this place, where He delivered His judgment under a banyan tree.
Lord Shiva declared both paths are righteous when followed correctly and then merged with the tree. As He was impartial to both paths, He was named Podhu Aavudaiyar (the impartial Lord).
The feet of Lord Shiva are installed in front of the tree where He granted darshan to the sages.

Temple Features:

The sanctum sanctorum houses Lord Shiva in the form of a tree, and Mother Gajalakshmi is placed in front of the Lord.
Pujas are performed simultaneously to both Lord Shiva and Mother Gajalakshmi.
Unique rituals include dressing a part of the tree with sandal and vastras as a Shivalinga during temple opening.
Lord Veera Sakthi Vinayaka and Peddha Perumal (guardian deity) have shrines outside the temple.
Vankobar and Mahakobar are represented as idols under a tamarind tree, symbolizing their distinct forms.

Beliefs:

Devotees pray here for various wishes, and many offer items they desire, such as paddy, pulses, and even gold coins.
There is a unique practice where women offer brooms made from coconut tree leaves for hair growth.

Special Practices and Timing:

On Karthikai Mondays (November-December), devotees offer farm yields like paddy, pulses, clothes, and gold coins. Large tents are set up to receive the offerings.
The temple is opened at midnight on Mondays, where pujas are performed and darshan is allowed only after midnight.
On Makara Sankranti (Thai Pongal), the temple is open from early morning to evening, and sun rays fall on the Lord during this day.
Arasa Maram (Peepal tree) leaves are given as prasadam, believed to bring prosperity and good farm yields.