Paridiniyamam Sri Paridhiyappar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Paridiniyamam Sri Paridiyappar Temple , Orathanadu Taluk, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu- 614904, India PH:04374-256910

Diety

Bhaskareswarar, Parithiappar Amman: Mangalambigai

Introduction

Sri Bhaskareswarar, Parithiappar (Parithi Niyamam) temple is located in the city of Parithiappar Koil, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu and is about 1000-2000 years old. The temple is adulated in the Thevaram songs of Saints Tirugnana Sambandar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar. This is the 101st Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery lauded in songs. Thala Virutcham : Arasu (Bodhi tree) Theertham : Surya Pushkarini, Chandra Pushkarini Karunguzhi Theertham

Puranic Significance

Once, Sun God known as Parithi in Tamil was affected by a severe disease. He surrendered to Lord Shiva for relief. Lord advised Sun to reach this place, create a holy spring, install a Shivalinga and worship Him. Sun meticulously followed Lord’s advice and gained relief from the disease. As Lord Shiva graced the Sun, He is named Parithi Appar in Tamil and Bhaskhareswara in Sanskrit. The other story is that Emperor Shibi, belonging to Lord Sri Rama’s Surya dynasty in the ascending order, renounced his royal life and set out on a pilgrimage of Shiva sthalas. He is the king who rendered justice to a dove offering his own flesh. During the pilgrimage, the emperor was relaxing at this place. His escort was gathering grass for feeding the horse. While he dug the land for grass, his instrument touched the Shivalinga. below and began to bleed. The king ordered for further digging and found the Surya Linga. He performed abishek to the Linga and worshipped. A scar on the Linga is still an evidence of this event, according to sthala purana. The emperor learnt the origin of Linga from a sage. The Linga installed by Sun was brought out to the world through one belonging to his own dynasty. The rays of Sun fall on Lord during March-April (Panguni Tamil month on 18, 19 and 20).

Beliefs

This is the place where Sun was relieved of his doshas, hence noted for its importance to perform rituals for the ancestors. Pithur dosha may fall on one due to the adverse aspect of any planet. Those born on Karthika, Uthiram, Uthiradam star days, those undergoing Sun main period in life, those born under Leo ascendant and Rasi and in the months Chithirai (April-May), Aavani (September-October), Aipasi (October-November) and on the first day of any Tamil month, pray here on the first Sunday of the full moon fortnight to get relieved from all adverse aspects affecting them.

Special Features

Sun God partook in the Yajna conducted by Daksha without the permission of Lord Shiva and was therefore punished by Lord Akora Veerabadra and incurred doshas. For relief, Sun worshipped Lord in 16 Shiva sthalas. Sankarankoil, Thalai Gnayiru,Suriyanar Koil and Tirumangalakudi in South and Konark in north are among these 16 places. This is also the shrine granting longevity to devotees. It is believed that Sage Markandeya is worshipping the Lord even now formlessly. Those suffering from prolonged and severe ailments draw benefit from praying to Lord Shiva in this temple. People attaining the age of 60, 70 and 80 celebrate Ayush Homa (longevity worship) in this temple. One Brhamma Shrama and his wife Susheelai incurred a curse to be born as eagle and parrot. They worshipped Lord Shiva here and were relieved of the curse