Ponnur Sri Aabhathsagayeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Ponnur Sri Abathsahayeswarar Temple, Ponnur, Pandur Post Via Needur, Mayiladuthurai Taluk, Nagapattinam district- 609 203, PH:04364-250758

Diety

Aabhathsagayeswarar Amman: Brahakunnayagi

Introduction

Anniyur Abathsahayeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Ponnur in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India. The historical name of the place is Tiru AnniyurThe presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Abathsahayeswarar. His consort is known as Perianayaki. t is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Tirugnanasambandar and Tirunavukkarasar. Thala Virutcham : Lime Theertham : Agni, Varuna theerthams

Puranic Significance

Demon Taraka was harassing the Devas with the boon he obtained from Brahmma. Devas fell at the feet of Lord Shiva for protection. As Lord Shiva was in deep meditation, they could not wake him up. So they engaged cupid-Manmatha the authority to trigger passion in the mind of anyone to shoot the arrow of flowers on Lord. Opening His forehead eye in fury, Lord Shiva reduced Manmatha to ashes. His wife Rathi begged the Lord for her husband. Lord said that she would get him back at an appropriate time. Rathi performed penance on Lord. Manmatha was restored to life and they both jointly worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. Granting darshan to them Lord came in here as a swayambulinga.

Beliefs

Devotees perform special abishek and pujas to Lord and Mother offering vastras and curd rice nivedhana

Special Features

Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthy in the temple. Lord is also praised as Agnipureeswarar. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord for five days in the month of Panguni-March-April. Lord Murugawith His consorts Valli and Deivanai appears with Kuzhai-circle shape ear rings. Varuna the God of Rain and King Harichandra had worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. Planets Sun, Sani Bhagwan and Lord Bhairava are side by side in a shrine. Though SaniBhagwan, son of Sun is generally considered a malefic planet, He is all good to devotees in the temple. Those facing adverse Sani aspects pray here for relief. Lord Muruga with His consorts graces majestically in a different form wearing Kuzhai a circle shape design ear rings. Women pray here for longevity of their Sumangali status and from any grievances they may have. For Hindu women, the wealth they aspire for is the wearing of the Mangalsutra the wedding knot, the kumkum tilak, ear rings, bangles and the Metti in their toes till the end of their life. Widowhood is a curse they would not like to incur and endure. They pray to Lord for this prosperity. This is their Sumangali status. For Hindu women, all other wealth is purely secondary.