Sri Akashapureeswarar Temple- Pooradam Nakshatra

Address

Sri Akashapureeswarar Temple, Kaduveli, Tiruvaiyaru Taluk, Thanjavur district. Phone Numbers: +91 96267 65472, 94434 47826

Diety

Akashapureeswarar Amman: Mangalambikai

Introduction

Akashapureeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kaduveli Village in Thiruvaiyaru Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamilnadu. This Temple is also called as Kaduveli Siddhar Temple. Presiding Deity is Akashapureeswarar and Mother is Mangalambikai. The temple is associated with Pooradam Nakshathra and is called as Pooradam Star Temple. The place is considered as birthplace of Kaduveli Siddhar. POORADAM STARERS: The Pooradam starrers are generally fond of luxuries and they are determined to achieve their goals in their life. They have a greater capacity of analyzing, assessing the situations and providing useful advice. They tend to be stronger mentally than physically.

Puranic Significance

Lord Akasapureeshwarar is said to be the authoritative Lord of the Pooradam Nakshathira. As per the Sthala Purana, this is the place that gave birth to the famous Siddhar named Kaduveli Siddhar. (Kaduveli means Open Space). Kaduveli Siddhar performed Tapas here in order to get the Darshan of Lord Shiva. Being satisfied by his penance, the Lord appeared and gifted him with the skills in Siddhis known as Ashta Siddhis (an Art of 8 Branches). Then Kaduveli Siddhar taught the wisdom that he learned to his people. This temple was built by a Chola King some 2000 years before. He named this place as Kaduveli after the Siddhar Kaduveli. Of all the Five Elements namely Akash (Space), Vayu (Wind), Agni (Fire), Appu (Water) and Prithvi (Earth), this temple is dedicated to Akash. Hence the name Akasapureeshwarar. It is also believed that in this temple Nandi moved aside to give way for the Kaduveli Siddhar to have the Darshan of Lord Shiva. Initially, the temple did not have the idol of the Kaduveli Siddhar. Later the idol was found by itself when the temple was renovated a few years back. The main Goddess of this temple is Sri Mangalambika. Since the Goddess grants Her devotees all the prosperity (Mangalam) and the happiness, she is known by the name, Mangalambikai –Mother of prosperity.

Beliefs

The belief is that this temple is engulfed with the brilliant energy in the form of light from space of Poorada Nakshathra. Since Kaduveli means open space, and the open space begins at the edge of the cosmic rays Kaduveli where the temple exists is believed to be the edge of cosmic space. Lord Shiva created a magnificent light at Kaduveli to reveal His existence at the Kaduveli Temple in the form of space. The Poorada Nakshathra remains serving Lord Akashapureeswarar. It is believed that entire deities residing in space and Lord Vastu worship Lord Akashapureeswarar on Poorada Nakshathra days.

Festivals

Aipasi Annabishekam in Oct-Nov, Thai Poosam in Jan-Feb, Shivarathri in Feb-March, Navarathri in Sep-Oct and Panguni Uthram in Mar-Apr are the festivals celebrated in the temple.