Aakkoor Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Aakkoor Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple, Aakkoor , Tharangambadi Taluk, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609301.Phone: 098658 09768 and 097877 09742.

Diety

Thanthondriyappar Amman: Kadaganethri

Introduction

Akkur Thanthondreeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Akkur in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Thanthondriappar. His consort is known as Valnedunkanni. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Tirugnanasambandar and Tirunavukkarasar. This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 46th 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 birth place of Sirappuli Nayanar, one of the revered 63 Nayanmars. This temple is counted as one of the 70 Maadak Koils built by King Kochengat Cholan. Theertham (Holy water): Kumudha Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Sarakondrai, Vilva and Paakku trees

Puranic Significance

According to legend, it is believed that during the construction of this temple, King Kochengat Cholan had developed some ailments. He prayed to Lord Shiva for a cure. It is believed that at this point the lord’s divine voice was heard saying that the king should feed 1000 people for 48 days (“Annadhanam”). Following the lord’s instructions, the king started feeding 1000 people every day. However, for 47 days, he noticed that only 999 people were participated in the banquet. He once again prayed to Lord Shiva to tell him about the shortfall of one person. To satisfy the king, it is believed that on the last day, the lord himself came in the form of an old man holding a stick in his hand to complete the count of one thousand people. For this reason, the lord here is known as “Aayirathil Oruvar” (one among one thousand in Tamil). Since the king had never seen the old man before in his life, he enquired about his whereabouts. Instead of giving a direct answer to the king, the old man countered with a question “Place? Whose place?” (“Yarukku Oor?” in Tamil) and disappeared in an anthill. The king realised that the man is none other than Lord Shiva himself. When they removed the anthill, they found a Shivalingam there. During its extraction, a cut was formed on top of the lingam which can still be seen. A beautiful sculpture depicting this event can also be seen in the temple. This temple is also believed to be one of the places where Lord Shiva gave his wedding dharisanam to Sage Agasthiyar. For this reason, Goddess Parvathy’s shrine is located on the right side of Lord Shiva’s shrine (similar to their wedding posture).

Beliefs

It is believed that those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here. Devotees also believe that by worshiping the lord here, obstacles from their marriage proposals will be removed.

Special Features

In this temple, the shrines of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy are facing east. It is believed that King Kochengat Chola built about 70 “Madakkoils”. The distinguishing feature of a Madakkoil is that it is not easily approachable by an elephant. He built these temples at an elevation and there are a few steps that need to be climbed before seeing the lord. Also, the sanctum sanctorum’s (Karpagragam) entrance is narrow such that no elephant can enter it. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Saraswathy here. The shrine of Lord Murugan is in the form of a chariot and it looks very beautiful. In his hymn of this temple, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar praised the learned brahmins and the devout devotees of Aakkur village. This is the birth place of Sirappuli Nayanar, one of the revered 63 Nayanmars. It is believed that he always served food to devotees without saying “no” to anyone and at any time. It is believed that he attained salvation here. Saint Arunagirinadhar has sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated in the temple are – Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec),Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), Makara Sankranthi in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) and Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar). 108-conchs abhishekam is performed to the lord in the Tamil month of Karthikai on all Mondays (Somavaaram). Sirappuli Nayanar’s “guru poojai” on the Pooradam star day in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec) is also celebrated in a grand manner. Pradosham and Pournami are also observed regularly.