Arasur Agatheeswarar Shiva Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Arasur, Thiruvaiyaru circle,

Thanjavur District,

Tamil Nadu 613202

Moolavar

Agatheeswarar

Amman

Anandavalli

Introduction

Arasur Agatheeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Arasur village, Thiruvaiyaru circle, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur – Thiruvaiyaru Main Road, Arasur is a village half km east from here. It is called Arasur because many government officials based in Tanjore administered the government from here. This temple is a later creation of the Cholas. Here the presiding deity is called as Agatheeswarar and Mother is called as Anandavalli. Lord’s plane is beautiful and wide; Arthamandapam is made of limestone and wood.

Puranic Significance

History says that there were 64 temples under his administration during the reign of Thanjavur Maratha king II. One of them is the Ananda Valli sametha Agastheeswara Swamy Temple in Arasur. The Maratha kings maintained the temple by giving land grants so that daily pujas and festivals could be held in the temple. Even now, the heirs of the Maratha family are the hereditary trustees of this temple. It is believed that this temple was built in 17th Century CE.

The Lord is facing west and can be seen as Periyalingamurthy. Ambigai has a south-facing sanctum, opposite to the main gate. It is also revered as one of the places where Lord – Agatheeswarar – Anandavalli Agathiya Munivar was worshipped. In this temple, which has large circular walls, Vinayagar, Sandesar and Murugan are also enshrined. Mariamman is in the front hall. Nandi is standing in front of the Lord with the separate mandapam. There is also a Navagraha shrine. Tenmugan is the only one in Karurai Kottam. Every month the evening sun shines its rays directly on Agastheeswarar.