Aavoor Sri Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Aavoor Sri Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Aavoor Post Valangaimaan Taluk, Tanjure District, Tamil Nadu – 612 701. Tele: +91 – 94863 03484.

Diety

Pasupatheeswarar Amman: Mangalambikai

Introduction

Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Avoor dedicated to Shiva, located in the village Avoor. The temple is one of the 70 madakoil built by 2nd century Chola king, Kochengat Chola. The temple is known for the Panchabairavar, the five images of Bhairavar. The temple is revered in the verses of Tevaram, the 7th century Tamil Saiva canon by Tirugnana Sambandar.This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 21st 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 temple is called “Then Kayilayam” and it is considered to be as auspicious as Mount Kailash. Theertham (Holy water): Brahma Theertham, Kamadhenu Theertham, Chandra Theertham, Agni Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Arasu (peepal tree)

Puranic Significance

This village is called Aavoor and this temple is called Pasupathecharam. As per Hindu mythology, Adisheshan (the serpent on whom Sri Mahavishnu rests) and Vayu (lord of the winds) fought among themselves frequently to test their superiority. During one such struggle, because of Vayu’s severe wind, Adhiseshan failed to hold on to the Mount Meru. In this process, two rocks from the mountain were dislocated and fell onto the earth – one at this place (Aavoor) and the other at Nalloor, a nearby village. It is believed that during the 2nd century, this place was under the rule of Chola kings and this temple was their fort. The historical names of this place are Manikoodam and Asvatha Vanam. According to legend, once, the divine cow Kamadenu was cursed by Sage Vashistar. On the advice of Lord Brahma, she came to this place and worshiped the lord to get rid of the curse. The name “Aavoor” is derived from “Aa” meaning cow and “Oor” meaning village. There is a village nearby called Govindakudi where Kamadenu is believed to have first visited the earth. The name “Govindakudi” is derived from “Go vantha kudi” – “Go” meaning cow, “vantha” meaning came and “kudi” meaning village. Since the divine cow Kamadenu worshipped Lord Shiva here, this place is called “Pasupatheeswaram” (“Pasu” means cow and “eswaram” refers to Lord Shiva). It is believed that a king by name of Darmadhwaja visited this place, took a dip in this temple’s holy water (Brahma Theertham) and worshiped the lord. He was then cured of his leprosy. It is believed that Goddess Parvathy, Lord Brahma, Saptharishis (Sages Atri, Bharadwaja, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa, Vashista and Vishwamitra), Devars, Indra, Suryan, Kamadenu, Patti (daughter of Kamadenu), Navagrahas, King Dasarath and Saint Thirugnanasambanthar have worshiped Lord Shiva here.

Beliefs

Worshiping the five Bairavars here on Ashtami days is considered to be very auspicious. Devotees can get relief from the fear of death and the fear of tantricism (black magic). It is also believed that by worshiping the lord here, strained relationships among family members can be mended.

Special Features

Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Niruthi Vinayakar, Dhanus Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, few Shivalingams, Somaskandar, Navagraham, Sapthamathas, Sri Mukthikandar, Sri Sastha (2) and Bathrakaali can be seen in the hall and corridors. In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Narthana Vinayakar, Koshta Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Vishnu Durgai and Chandikeswarar can be seen. There is a shrine that houses five idols of Lord Bairavar. These are – Guru Bairavar, Sanda Bairavar, Kaala Bairavar, Unmatha Bairavar and Asithanga Bairavar.

Festivals

On each of the four Sundays of Karthigai, Lord Pasupatheeswarar goes out on a street procession and Theerthavari is performed. Lord goes out on a street procession on Thei Pirai (immediately after the full moon day) on the Ashtami day every month with Homam, Abhishekam and Anna Dhanam being a special feature on that Shivarathri in Vaikasi (May-June), · Annabishekam in Iyppasi (October-November) · Tiruvadhirai in Margazhi (December-January)