Sri Akshaya Pureeswarar Temple- Poosam Nakshatra

Address

Sri Akshaya Pureeswarar Temple, Vilankulam 614612. Peravurani Taluk, Thanjavur District. Phone Numbers: +91 97507 84944, 96266 85051.

Diety

Akshayapureeswarar Amman: Abivruddha Nayaki

Introduction

The Akshayapureeswarar Temple is located at Vilankulam in Thanjavur district – Tamil Nadu is dedicated to Shiva and a great art work achieved by Cholas in Tamil architecture Built in 1350 AD by Parakrama Pandyan in Vilankulam, it turned 700 years old. POOSAM: If Poosam nakshatra people visit this temple during Saturdays and poosam star day and Akshaya Tritiya and offering Abhishekam to Sani Bhagawan all their sorrows will disperse in air. Besides those belonging to Poosam star praying for removal of planetary afflictions, those handicapped and those suffering from leg pain and those facing obstacles in wedding proposals throng the temple for remedy. Poosam starrers are advised to perform abishek to Sani Bhagawan (plant Saturn) with eight objects as oil, panchamirtham, punugu a cosmetic paste, green coconut, milk, curd etc. They also have to circumambulate the shrine eight times.

Puranic Significance

The place is closely associated with Planet Saturn. His son, Yama the God of Death hit him on his leg and became lame. Saturn began a pilgrimage to all Shiva temples for remedy. When he came here, he fell down struck by the roots of Vila tree. It was a Saturday (Shani’s own day) combined with Pushyam star and Akshaya Trithiya indicating prosperity. As he fell, the spring Poosa Gnanavavi, hidden till then, rose with force and took him up. Lord Akshaya Pureeswara granted darshan to him and blessed Shani with wedding. His leg became straight. Combined with the names of Vila tree and the Gnanavari spring, the place came to be known as Vilankulam. Kulam-spring. A Siddha, Poosa Marungar by name, living in Shaneeswara Loka (world), used to spill the Sanivari theertha on the springs of Shiva temples. Shaneeswara has importance in such temples. The Siddha has a rare power of visiting the world of Sun and the world of the Pithrus (departed ancestors) and is the Guru of the crows. It is believed that the Siddha is visiting the temple for worship daily.

Special Features

The adage goes that Poosa Padam brings friendship. Padam denotes Saturn. When his leg was affected, Saturn worshipped Akshaya Pureeswarar in the temple.

Festivals

Mahasivarathri in February-March, Tirukarthikai in November-December and Margazhi Thivadhirai in Decmber-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple.