Azhagaputhur Sri Padikasu Nathar Temple,Thanjavur

Address

Azhagaputhur Sri Padikasu Nathar Temple, Azhagaputhur, Thiru Arisil Karai Puthur, Thanjavur district – 612 401Phone: 0435 -2466939, 99431 78294.

Deity

Padikasu Nathar / Swarnapureeswarar/Kubera lingam, Amman: Soundaranayagi/ Azhakaambigai

Introduction

Location: Azhagaputhur, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.
Presiding Deity:
- Shiva is worshiped as Padikasu Nathar / Swarnapureeswarar / Kubera Lingam.
- Goddess is called Azhakaambigai / Soundara Nayaki.
Geographical Significance:
- The temple is situated on the southern banks of the Arasalaru River.
Historical & Religious Importance:
- It is one of the Mada Temples built by Kochengat Chola, an early Chola emperor.
- Revered in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, making it a Paadal Petra Sthalam.
- Sundarar, the 8th-century Saiva saint poet, praised the temple in his hymns.
Temple Features:
- Sacred Tree (Thala Virutcham): Vilwa.
- Sacred Tank (Theertham): Amirtha Pushkarini.
- Religious Practice: Follows Shivagama Pooja rituals.

Puranic Significance

The temple is historically significant as a Maadakoil built by Kochengat Chola.
An inscription (ARE 283 of 1908) on the northern wall states that Pullai Sattan Karivelar Gandaradittan alias Mummadi-Solvarayyar built the temple and offered lands to it.
Another inscription (ARE 283 of 1908) from Rajaraja I’s 22nd regnal year records a gift of land by Tirupattur Mahadevar.
A third inscription (ARE 283 of 1908) from Rajaraja I’s 28th regnal year records a gift of lamps to the temple.
A record (ARE 289 of 1908) from Rajendra I’s 4th regnal year mentions the construction of Suryadevar shrine and a gift of land.
The temple was originally reconstructed using stone during Rajaraja I’s period but was rebuilt in the early 20th century.
The temple is praised in Thevaram hymns.
Alagaputhur is the birthplace of Pugalthunai Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars.
Pugalthunai Nayanar, a poor farmer and staunch devotee of Shiva, brought water daily for the deity’s ablution.
During a severe famine, he continued his service despite hardships.
As he grew old and weak, he collapsed near the deity and prayed for the region’s well-being.
Shiva, pleased with his devotion, offered a daily coin (Padikasu), relieving both the saint and the region from suffering.
Due to his unwavering devotion, Shiva recognized him as one of the 63 Nayanmars.

Beliefs

Devotees praying here will have the courage to fight injustice and a sense of tolerance to bear hardships. Those facing problems in their wedding proposals and concerned about the safety and welfare of their children pray to Lord Muruga on New Moon day offering pujas and milk porridge – Paal Payasam in Tamil – for relief.

Special Features

The Padikasu Nathar Temple is located in the village of Alagaputhur which is situated at a distance of 6 kilometres from Kumbakonam on the way to Tiruvarur in Thanjavur district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. There are shrines to Shiva, Vishnu and Murugan.The idol of Shiva is a swayambhumurthy. There are images of Surya and Chandra close to entrance tower indicating the legend that both of them worshiped Shiva at this place. The temple has two precincts and all the shrines are enclosed in concentric granite walls. The temple is approached through a three tiered gateway tower on the eastern side. The sanctum is located axial to the gateway tower and the flagstaff located ahead of the entrance tower. The presiding deity in the form of lingam is housed in the sanctum. The shrine of the consort is located in a south facing shrine close to the sanctum. The image of Sundarar and Paravai Nachiyar is housed in the hall leading to the sanctum.

Festivals

There are weekly rituals like somavaram and sukravaram, fortnightly rituals like pradosham and monthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moon day) and sathurthi. The most prominent festival of the temple, Maasimagam, is celebrated for ten days during the Tamil month of Maasi (February – March). The festival deity of Padikasunathar and his consort circumambulate the temple and the streets in the village in different vehicles. The other festivals in the temple are Nayanmar Guru Puja and Asesha Ayilya