Sri Athitheeswarar Temple- Punarpoosam Nakshatra

Address

Sri Athitheeswarar Temple, Vaniambadi – Old Vaniambadi, Vellore district.635751 Phone: +91 4174 226 652,99941 07395, 93600 55022

Diety

Athitheeswarar Amman: Periyanayaki

Introduction

Athitheeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Vaniyambadi Town in Vellore District of Tamilnadu. The shrine is believed to be more than 1000 years old. This is the special parihara Sthalam for people born on “Punarvasu” star *PUNARPOOSAM: 1. Punarvasu or Punarpoosam is a male star with Satvic characters. Some of the basic characteristics of people born in Punarvasu nakshatra include their being religious in their orientation and sincere in their efforts. They are good in their ability to communicate and are well in control of themselves. It is their combination of strong physique as in the case of broad shoulders, and a strong mind that makes them unique. While they are generally popular among people, they would also have frequent illnesses. Punar poosam is the birth star of Lord Rama. . It is believed that kids before starting their education must worship goddess Saraswathy to become intelligent Punar poosam starrers are generally intelligent and more talented in debating, interested in tourism and could identify others’ characters easily. 2. The temple is associated with Punarpoosam Nakshatra born people. Those people born in Punarpoosam star having trouble in horoscope will get relief after doing pujas here. Punarpoosam Star people are advised to visit this temple during their star day and are suggested to do flower pooja to the God, in order to get rid of their adverse planetary effect.

Puranic Significance

Vaniyambadi: The legend goes that Lord Brahma once cursed mother Saraswathi to lose her sense of speech. Saraswathi came to Earth and reached Sringeri and began to meditate. Lord Brahma went in search of her and finally found her in Sringeri, convinced her and took her back to Heaven. While going back they reached this temple on the Northern belt of River Palar, stayed and worshipped Lord Shiva here. Lord Shiva was pleased on her worship and gave back her speech. On getting back the speech mother Saraswathi sang here. Hence this place was called as Vaniyambadi. Athitheeswarar: The other Legend is Saint Kashyap’s wife Athithi worshipped Lord Shiva here on every Punarpoosam day and got a boon. Hence Lord Shiva here, being called in her name as Athitheeswarar. This temple is also Parihara Temple for person born in Punarpoosam star.

Beliefs

Lord Dakshinanurthy in the temple graces sitting on the Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva holding a deer, battle-axe with a Chinmudra a symbol keeping the thumb and second finger together while the other three fingers are together seperately. the philosophy behind the thumb and the second finger touching each other is, that the Jeevatma (Second finger) bends to join the Paramatma (thumb) thus keeping away from the other three fingers representing arrogance, fate and illusion. These three drag the Jeevatma the second finger from Paramatma the thumb.

Festivals

Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April-May, Mahasivarathri in February-March, and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are grandly celebrated in the temple.