Avanam Paruthiyur Sri Vishahareswara Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Avanam Paruthiyur Sri Vishahareswara Temple, Thiruvarur Avanam Paruthiyur, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu 612604

Diety

Sri Vishahareswara Amman: Prasanna Parvathy Devi.

Introduction

Vishahareswara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The village of Kodandaramapuram, which later became part of Avanam Paruthiyur, situated on the banks of the Kudamurutti River, a tributary of the Cauvery. The temple faces south. The presiding deity of this temple is a form of Shiva called Vishahareswarar, and his consort Prasanna Parvathy Devi.

Puranic Significance

This Vishahareswara temple was built by Aditya Chola (C.E. 870-901). The Chola name for the temple was Thiru Aditteeswaram. The temple was renovated and taken care by a great Shiva Bhaktar by the name Paruthiyur Venkatesha Sastri, popularly known as Annaval. Annaval had spent most of his time in this temple with his parayanams of the Shiva Purana, teaching the scriptures, spreading bhakti and promoting Hindu Dharma. He was an authority on Saivite traditions. Annaval addressed several issues by answering the queries on Dharma Shastram and traditions, often posed to him by Vedic scholars and pundits. His authority on the administration of dharma made many legal luminaries come to them seeking their advice on issues concerning Hindu law. Paruthiyur Venkatesha Sastri Annaval (1770–1841), along with his brother Paruthiyur Sri Krishna Sastri Ayyaval (1773–1860), was the doyen brothers of Paruthiyur and for the Religion. The great exponent of the Ramayana, Philanthropist and Pravachan Pioneer Bramasri Paruthiyur Krishna Shastrigal (1855–1911), renovated this Vishahareswarar Temple and did Kumbabishekam in 1905. Once Rahu approached with his mouth agape to eclipse the Sun, he became very angry when he saw the burning rays of the Sun. He began to emit poisonous breath in his serpent form, blackening the face of the Sun. Having lost his glorious face by Rahu’s poisonous breath, the Sun sought the favor of Lord Shiva and worshiped him on the northern banks of the Kudamurutti River, a tributary of the Cauvery, under a Bilwa Tree. First Goddess Parvathy Devi blessed Sun, and then Lord Shiva himself joined her and the divine couple blessed him. Lord Shiva relieved the Sun of the evil effects of Rahus’s poison and the Sun regained his charm and brightness. Rahu then felt remorse for his actions and begged Lord Shiva’s pardon. The Shiva temple was built here to commemorate Shiva blessing the Surya. The temple hosts Shiva as Vishahareswarar, which means “poison remover”, along with his consort Prasanna Parvathi Devi

Beliefs

Also, it is said that the poison of a snake will be ineffective at this place. Though there are many snakes and cobras in every nook and corner of the village, there has never been a snakebite or poison attack. It is also believed that worshiping Shiva & Parvathy here gets one relieved of the evil effects of Rahu, Kethu and Mars, and also finalizes marriages. Parithi means the Sun. Since it was here where the Sun worshiped Lord Shiva, this holy place got the name Parithipuram. People with poisonous bites and deadly diseases come from distant places and to pray to Vishahareswarar, the poison remover.

Special Features

The temple hosts Shiva as Vishahareswarar, which means “poison remover”, along with his consort Prasanna Parvathi Devi. The temple faces south. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree.