Belur Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple, Salem

Address

Belur Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple, Belur, Salem District- 63 61 04 Tamilnadu, India Phone: +91- 98658 09768, 9787709742

Diety

Sri Thanthondreeswarar Amman: Dharmasamvarthini.

Introduction

Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple is located at Belur in the Indian state of Tamilnadu. The temple was built by the Cholas kingdom in the 12th century AD. The main deity is Lord Thanthondreeswarar (Lord Shiva) and the female deity is Goddess Dharmasamvarthini. Thanthondreeswarar Temple is located on the banks of Vasishta Nadi (Vasishta River).The temple has a serene atmosphere and is surrounded by beautiful hillocks. This temple comes under the Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment Department.

Puranic Significance

The inner sanctum was constructed by ‘Milagu Chetty’ and the rest were constructed by King Paranthaka Chola (Paranthaka Chola). Construction of Rajagopuram was started during the 12th century by King Paranthaka Chola, but was left incomplete. It also showcases the Dravidian architecture and is representative of the Chola Empire’s Ideology and the Tamil civilization. Story of Milagu Chetty: Manickam Chetty, a pepper merchant was living near a village close to the temple. His job was carrying loads of pepper and selling it in the market place. One day he was crossing this dense forest where the shrine is located at present. As darkness sunk in, he wanted to take rest. In order to eat, he crossed pea aubergine (Sundaikai, an edible vegetable) with a stone. Suddenly he heard a voice saying, “The stone hurts my head. Apply some pepper on my head. Bewildered by this incident, the merchant said that he did not have any pepper and added that he had only Black Gram (Ulundu). Next day he proceeded to the market place and opened his baggage. He was shocked to find black gram instead of pepper. He worshipped God and prayed for his forgiveness. God asked him to bring some mud from the place where he had crushed pea aubergine (Sundaikai) and spray it in the baggage containing black gram. He followed his instructions and black gram transformed into pepper again. On his way back, out of curiosity, he examined the place where he took rest. He was surprised to find a Suyambu Lingam (Lingam which originates by itself from earth). He worshipped the Lord and it is believed that the inner sanctum of the temple was built by him. Henceforth he was called Milagu Chetty (Milagu means Pepper) and the place where pepper transformed into black gram is called Ulundurpettai. The place has retained its name since then. As per history the inner sanctum was constructed by Milagu Chetty and the rest was constructed by king Paranthaka chola. This has been mentioned in the Arjuna, during his pilgrimage came to the Theerthamalai nearby and worshipped Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu advised him to use his arrow with the worshipful thought of Lord Shiva. Pleased with his worship and the arrow shot, Lord Shiva parted with one tenth of the Ganga water under his control. It was a crystal white water that flowed as Vellaru – White River. Sage Vasishta added more reputation to the place with his Yajna.

Special Features

The wonder of the temple is that Mango, Jack and Iluppai are in a single tree. Sage Vasishta planted a jack tree here for the worship of Lord Thaan Thondreeswarar. A close study of the tree with the cuttings made in it for building the temple, shows that it dates far back the temple. SageVasishta stayed here as advised by the Lord to conduct his yajna. The Yajna ash (still available) is offered as Vibhuti (sacred ash) Prasad in the temple. This brings prosperity to the devotee, it is believed. Brahmanda Purana: Brahmanda Purana, is one of the 18 Puranas in Sanskrit and is written by the great saint, Vedha Vyasa. In 130th chapter of this Purana, Sudamuni narrated the glory of Lord and this temple to his disciples and other saints. Temple Architecture: The temple is constructed in such a way that every year, the rays of Sun fall on the presiding deity from Chithirai 3 to 10 during April-May. Lord Shiva in the temple here is Suyambu Lingam (Lingam originated itself from earth). The temple’s Specialty is the main deity and mother is together in the temple. There is a horse vahanam sculpture in the temple made of a single stone. A structure of a mythical lion, Yazhi (A statue of lion) made out of a single stone with a rolling ball inside its mouth is carved on two pillars. A structure of Lord Shiva riding a vedhic horse is carved on The Rajagopuram is about 97 feet tall having 7 stages (floors). Consecration Ceremony (Kumbabishekam) for the new Rajagopuram was performed on the 24th of February 2002. Planet Sani Bhagwan is under the Vanni tree in the temple. Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy. Lord and Mother grace the devotees together. Mango, Jack and Iluppai together are in one tree.

Festivals

Aadi 18 in July-August; Karthikai in November-December; monthly new moon days and pradosha days are the festivals celebrated in the temple. Farm yields, education, wisdom and prosperity. Many pray here seeking peace of mind. Devotees perform abishek with milk, oil and green coconut to Lord and mother offering vastras. Some undertake some kind of fasting and feed the poor – Annadhanam.