Pandanallur Sri Pasupatiswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Pandanallur Sri Pasupatiswarar Temple, Pandanallur Post, Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu – 609 807. Tele: +91- 435-2450 595, 435-2450 595.

Diety

Pasupatheeswarar Amman: Venubhujambikai, Kaambana Tholi Ammai

Introduction

Pasupatiswarar Temple is located in Pandanallur in the Thiruvidaimarudur taluk of Thanjavur district. Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy in an anthill form. The Sannidhi of Swami is called “Thirugnana Sambandar entrance”. There is a separate temple for Parmalavalli (Parvathi) with Aadhikesava Perumal inside the complex. The lingam appears white in color and is believed to have derived the colour from the milk poured by Kamadenu. Thala Virutcham : Sara Kondrai Theertham : Surya Theertham

Puranic Significance

Mother Parvathi expressed her desire to Lord to play balls. Lord made balls of the four Vedas. Parvathi continued her play for too long a time. Though it was time for sunset, Sun only delayed the setting. The Rishis could not perform their Sandhya Vandanam due to delay in sunset. They asked Surya to act but he said that he could not afford to incur the wrath of Parvathi. They appealed to Lord Shiva. Mother did not notice Shiva coming to herand therefore was cursed by him. He tossed the ball that fell under the Sarakondrai tree here. Lord said she would be relieved of the curse by performing milk abishek to the Linga under the tree. As the ball (Pandhu in Tamil) extinct here (Anaindhadhu in Tamil), the place came to known as PandhuAnaindha Oor – Pandhanaindha Nallur. To help his sister Parvathi, Mahavishnu came to the place as a shepherd. He left his cow to graze during the day and supplied milk to Sage Kanwa in the evenings. The cow saw an anthill and poured the milk there. Sage Kanwa had no milk that day. Lord Vishnu hit the cow, which jumped and placed its leg on the anthill. Immediately, the cow and the shepherd were back to their original form. Cow – Parvathi begged Lord to accept her in marriage. Lord advised her to perform penance facing north and reach him. Ambica followed the advice and realized her wish. Lord Shiva appears in the Sanctum Sanctorum as Kalyana Sundarar. This place has been referred to in Thevaram written by Saint Poet (7th Century AD) Thirugnana Sambandhar.

Beliefs

Those with impaired vision use to bathe in the sacred spring of the temple for regaining sight. Those facing effects of Pithru doshas (effects caused by ancestors), delays in marriage, mental peacelessness, shyness, debt burdens pray in the temple for relief. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother offering vastras.

Special Features

Lord is praised as Pasupatheeswarar as he came here as the Lord of cow – Pasu-cow, Pathi-Lord, Easwarar-God – Pasupatheeswarar. Navagrahas are on a straight line to have the wedding darshan of Lord and Mother; hence the planets are only merciful here. Those facing any adverse planetary effects are advised to circumambulate around Lord, Mother and the Navagrahas for remedy. There is no special Sabha for Lord Nataraja. LordVishnu graces from a separate temple. Son of King of Kaambeeli got back his eye sight by the grace of Lord in this temple. Lord Vishnu, Sage Kanwa, Vali, Indira, Brahmma, Sun had worshipped Lord in this temple. Saints Arunagiriar, Ramalinga Adigalar and Patteeswaram Mounaguruswami had sung the glory of the temple in their hymns. Pasupatiswarar Temple, narrating the saga of Parvati and Shiva, houses a Shivalingam white in colour. It is believed that it obtained the white colour from the milk being poured on it by Kamadhenu. The Sannidhi of the Swami is known as ‘Thirugnana Sambandar entrance.’ The temple complex also has a separate shrine housing the idol of Parmalavalli, i.e. Goddess Parvati along with Aadhikesava Perumal. Lord is facing east and Ambica in penance form is facing north in this temple with a 7 tier Rajagopuram and 2 prakarams. Kottai Muni Andavar is at the entrance. Nava Lingas, Lords Muruga, Sattainathar, Dakshinamurthi and the Navagrahas in a straight line, Mothers Gajalakshmi, Annapoorani and Saraswathi are in the prakara shrines. Lord Ganapathy is worshipped as Nruthi Ganapathi.