Sri Tiruvaneshwar Temple- Poorattadhi Nakshatra

Address

Sri Tiruvaneshwar Temple, Ranganahapuram Post – 613 104, Via Tirukattupalli, Tiruvaiyaru Taluk, Thanjavur district. Phone No: +91 94439 70397, 97150 37810

Diety

Tiruvaneshwar Amman: Kamakshi

Introduction

Presiding Deity is called as Gajaranyeswarar / Tiruvaneshwar / Karivanathar / Aanaikkara Peruman / Gaja Arohaneswarar / Aanesar and Mother is called as Kamakshi. The temple is associated with Pooratadhi Nakshathra and is called as Pooratadhi Star Temple. It is believed that this is one of the Mada temple built by Kochengata Chola. Those born in Poorattadhi star are capable of understanding others and have a steadfast mind and all physical fitness. They like to lead a comfortable life. They love their wives. Also friendly in nature and move freely with others. They also concentrate on their jobs.

Puranic Significance

The great spiritual leader of the 20th century, His Holiness Kanchi Sri Maha Periaval chose this temple for meditation and stayed here for a week. Poorattadhi starrers are advised to visit this temple and worship as often as they could or at least on their annual birth star day. Worshipping the Lord on these days would help developing mental stability and wisdom. They are also advised to donate clothes of different colours to the poor which would protect them even in their subsequent births washing off all their sins committed knowingly or unknowingly. We may recall that Sahadeva, last of the Pandava brothers was a man of letters. He had a wonderful knowledge in astrology. Duryodhana, the arch rival of Pandavas came to Sahadeva seeking an auspicious day to commence the war against them. He knows the integrity and honesty of Sahadeva who would not, even for high gains, betray even his enemy. Sahadeva gave him the best and true prediction asking him to declare the war against them on new moon – Amavasya-day. Worshipping in this temple would ensure such knowledge and noble mind to the devotee. Yet, Lord Krishna played his own trick and advanced Amavasya to defeat the Duryodhanas. Kala Bhairava, the authority of Time, created seven days under the Poorattadhi star, took them on an elephant in procession. According to the land history (Sthala Purana) this took place in this temple land. Vimana of the presiding deity (tower above the sanctum sanctorum) is called Gaja Kataksha Vimana. It is believed that Iravadham elephant (white elephant) and Indira worship in this temple on Poorattadhi star days.

Beliefs

While Poorattadhi people pray for solutions to their problems, for proficiency in Music, many pray the Lord of the temple.

Special Features

The presiding deity Lord Tiruvaneshwar graces faces east and Mother Goddess grace faces south in a standing form. There are also shrines for Valampuri Vinayaka and Chandikeswara. Lord Subramania with Valli and Deivanai, Gajalakshmi, Mother Durga, Brahmma, Navagrahas the nine planets and Nandhi have shrines in the prakara-corridor