Poovanur Sri Chathuranga Vallabha Nathar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Poovanur Sri Chathuranga Vallabha Nathar Temple, Poovanur ,Thiruvarur District PH: 04365-284573,9442399273

Diety

Chathuranga Vallabha, Amman: Rajarajeswari, Karpagavalli

Introduction

chathuranga Vallabhanathar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Poovanur in Needamangalam Taluk in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity of the Temple is a Swayambumurthy. He is called as Chathuranga Vallabha Nathar. Urchavar is Pushpavaneswarar. There are two Mothers in this temple namely Rajarajeswari and Karpagavalli. This place is also called as Pushpavanam.This is one of the prominent temples of Lord Shiva famous for its stunning architectural work with wide circumambulatory paths, famous for craftsmanship. The temple is frequented by asthma patients. Sambandar had sung praises of the temple in his Thevaram. This is the 220th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 103rd Sthalam on the south side of River Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Thala Virutcham : Jack tree Theertham : Pamani, Ksheera Pushkarini Krishna Kushtahara theertham Agamam / Pooja : Karana Agama

Puranic Significance

A king Vasudevan by name visited a number of Shiva temples seeking child boon. They worshipped with all devotion Lord Nellaiappar in Tirunelveli. Pleased with their prayer, Lord made Mother Parvathi to be their daughter and Mother Chamundeeswari Her nurse. When the royal couple was bathing in Tambiraparani, they found a conch floating on a lotus. When they picked up the conch, it became a child. They named the child Rajarajeswari. As decided by the Lord, Chamundeeswari one of the Saptha Madhas became the nurse of the child Raja Rajeswari. Rajarajeswari mastered all the arts and the Chess in particular. The king announced that the one who won his daughter in Chess would have her hand. But none could win her. The king, as advised by a sage took on a pilgrimage with his queen, daughter, her nurse Chamundeeswari and his convoy. Lord in the guise of a Siddha met the king and claimed that he was master of chess game. The king welcomed the siddha to play with his daughter. Lord in the guise of Siddha won the game and appeared in His true form granting darshan to all. The divine wedding took place with all its due pomp and splendour. As Lord won the chess game-Chaturangam in Tamil, came to be praised as Chaturanga Vallaba Nathar. Ambica and Her nurse Chamundeeswari bless the devotees from their respective shrines. Lord joined them to stay in the place. The temple came into being.

Beliefs

It is believed that Asthma patients would see relief if they pray in this temple. Devotees pray to Mother Chamundeeswari for solution in finance business problems, removal of delays in marriage proposals and for child boon. Those suffering rat and poisonous bites come here on Sundays, tie a root in hands and bathe in the theertham for relief.

Special Features

This temple has a 5 tier Gopuram (Tower) with high and majestic compound walls and a broad courtyard inside the temple. The Temple is facing east. There are two shrines for the presiding male deity and two separate shrines for the female deity. Presiding Deity of the Temple is a Swayambumurthy. He is called as Chathuranga Vallabha Nathar. Urchavar is Pushpavaneswarar. There are two Mothers in this temple namely Rajarajeswari and Karpagavalli. Sthala Vriksham is Jack Tree. Theerthams of this temple are Pamani, Ksheera Pushkarini, Krishna Kushtahara Theertham and Karunkuzhi Theertham. Dhandayuthapani and Gopura Vinayagar are located below Rajagopuram. Vinayagar, Dhakshina Moorthy, Annamalaiyar as Lingodhbava (Brahma and Vishnu on both sides.), Brahma, Arthanareeswarar, Durgai, Bitchadanar, and Sandeswarar are located in Koshtas. There is no Natarajar in Natarajar Sannadhi. In the mandapam, Natarajar Saba, Bronze Nandhi is in standing posture, in front of Somaskandar believing it as Thyagarajar.

Festivals

10 day Chithirai Mother Chamundeeswari festival commencing from the first day after new moon day in April-May; Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; Aavani Moolam in August-September; Aadi Pooram in July-August; Aipasi Annabishekam in OctoberNovember; Karthikai Deepam in November-December; Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January; Thai Poosam in January-February; Maha Shivrathri in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.