Saturday Feb 15, 2025

Pazhayarai Vadathali Sri Someswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Pazhayarai Vadathali Sri Someswarar Temple, Pazhayarai Vadathali, Patteeswaram Post, Kumbakonam Taluk, Tanjore District, Tamil Nadu – 612 703. Tele: +91 – 98945 69543.

Deity

Sri Somanathar, Sri Someswrar Amman: Sri Somakamalambigai

Introduction

Pazhaiyarai Someswarar Temple, or Pazhaiyarai Vadathali is dedicated to Someswarar, a form of Shiva. It is located 6 km from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam- Aavoor Road, 2 km away from the Thenupuriswarar Temple at Patteeswaram and 3 km from Darasuram. It is served by buses from Kumbakonam or mini buses from Darasuram, the bus stop is Cholan Maligai. The temple is believed to be built during the Chola period and has several inscriptions dating back to the 8-9th century. The presiding deity, Someswarar, has a cursory mention in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Vaippu Sthalam. Theertham (Holy water): Soma Theertham, Jatayu Theertham, Indra Theertham, Kamala Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Amla tree

Puranic Significance

Historical Importance of Pazhayarai

  • Ancient Chola Capital:
    • Pazhayarai was once a major Chola capital.
    • Many Chola kings ruled from Pazhayarai, which was a vast city.
  • Geographical Spread:
    • The city spanned 8 km in length and 3.5 km in width.
    • Included several villages, such as:
      • Patteswaram, Muzhayur, Udayalur, Shakti Mutram, Cholan Maligai (King’s palace), Darasuram, and Ramanathan Koil.
  • Division into Four Blocks:
    • Vadathali, Metrali, Keezh Thali, and Then Thali.
    • This temple is located at Keezh Thali.
  • Bounded by Rivers:
    • Mudikondan River (also called Pazhaiyaru) flows to the south.
    • Thirumalairayan River flows to the north.
    • The village on the northern side is called Pazhayarai Vadathali (“Vada” means north, “Thali” means temple).

Pazhayarai in Historical Records

  • 7th century – Known as Pazhaiyarai Nagar.
  • 8th century – Referred to as Nandhipuram.
  • 9th-10th centuries – Called Pazhaiyarai Nandhipuram.
  • 11th century – Renamed Mudikonda Cholapuram.
  • 12th century – Became Rajarajapuram.

Chola Dynasty Contributions

  • Built by Chola King Aditya.
  • Renovated by King Raja Raja Chola (birth name: Arunmozhi Devan).
  • The place is also called Arunmozhi Thevecharam in honor of Raja Raja Chola.
  • The temple is currently under the administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE), Government of Tamil Nadu.

Mythological Legends

Garuda’s Devotion to Lord Shiva

  • Garuda, the eagle mount of Lord Mahavishnu, wanted to free his mother from slavery.
  • To do so, he had to bring a pot of nectar (Amrita) from Lord Indra.
  • On his way, demons (asuras) attacked him, causing three drops of nectar to fall at this site.
  • These three drops transformed into:
    1. A Shiva Lingam.
    2. A Goddess.
    3. A Holy Theertham (sacred water body).
  • Garuda bathed in this theertham and worshipped Lord Shiva, creating a sacred pond known as Jatayu Theertham.

Chandran’s Worship and the Creation of Soma Theertham

  • Chandran (Moon God) had to perform penance to relieve his curse.
  • He created a sacred theertham (holy pond) at this site.
  • After bathing in the theertham and worshipping Lord Shiva, he regained his strength and brightness.
  • Hence, the theertham is called “Soma Theertham”.
  • Lord Shiva here is revered as Soma Nathar, and the goddess is called Soma Kamala Nayagi.

Other Celestial Worshippers

  • Chandran (Moon God).
  • Aadhi Seshan (Serpent King).
  • Garudan (Eagle Mount of Lord Vishnu).
  • Ganga (Sacred River Goddess).
  • Kamadenu’s Daughter, Vimali.

Spiritual Significance

  • Worship at this temple is believed to bestow devotees with divine blessings, prosperity, and relief from past karmic effects.
  • The temple’s theerthams, Jatayu Theertham and Soma Theertham, are considered sacred for purification and removing doshas (curses and negative influences).

Beliefs

Devotees believe that taking a dip in this temple’s holy water (Soma Theertham) can cure them from mental disorder like “sitha piramai”. Devotees also believe that taking a dip in the Jatayu Theertham can cure disease like leprosy.

Special Features

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 24th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This is the birthplace of Amarneethi Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars. This is the birthplace of Mangayarkkarasiyar, one of the 63 Nayanmars. This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) is in a dilapidated /unfinished condition. Its second entrance tower has 3-tiers. There is no flag post (“dhwajasthambam”) in this temple. The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place on 29.01.2016. Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Vinayakar (4), Murugan with his consorts, Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Nalvar with Sekkizhar, Mangayarkarasi, Kailasa Nathar, Navagraham and Chandikeswarar can be seen in the main hall and the corridors. In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Dakshinamurthy, Ardhanareeswarar with Vishnu and Brahma on his either side and Veera Durgai can be seen.

Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated here are – Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug), Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Makara Sankranthi in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb), Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr). Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Century/Period/Age

1000 to 2000 years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Pazhayarai Vadathali

Nearest Railway Station

Kumbakonam

Nearest Airport

Trichy

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