Thachur Sri Picheeswarar Swamy Temple, Thiruvannamalai

Address

Thachur, Arani circle,

Tiruvannamalai District – 632326

Moolavar

Thachur Sri Picheeswarar Swamy Temple, Thiruvannamalai

Thachur, Arani circle,

Tiruvannamalai District – 632326

Amman

Prankannayagi

Introduction

Thachur Sri Picheeswarar Swamy Temple is dedicated to lord Shiva, Located in the Thachur, Arani circle, Thiruvannamalai district, Tamilnadu. Here the Presiding deity’s is called as Picheeswarar, and Mother is called as Prakannayagi. The temple is worshipped daily by the Agappeyar Siddhar, and snakes also worship him. The temple which gives freedom from all kinds of snake doshas. Thachur is located at a distance of 10 kilometres on the road from Arani to Devikapuram in Arani circle of Thiruvannamalai district.

Puranic Significance

In Hindu mythology, it is said that there are eight divine serpents that hold the universe: Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkotaka, Shankhapala, Gulika, Padma, and Mahapadma. These eight are considered the leaders of all serpents. These eight serpent kings, seeking power, leadership, longevity, and immortality, visited various Shiva temples on Earth and performed Shiva linga worship. This type of collective worship of these eight serpent kings is believed to have been undertaken to absolve themselves and other beings of sins and curses, thus leading to the term “Aalayam,” which means temple sanctum.

In ancient times, the place called Thachur was covered with dense forests filled with fragrant jasmine trees. It was in this forest that Picheeswarar, the self-manifested form of Shiva, resided. He was worshipped daily by the eight serpent kings, who brought jasmine flowers from the forest and performed rituals.

As a result of this worship, Lord Shiva, pleased with their devotion, appeared before the eight serpent kings and granted them the boon of dispelling the sins and curses of all serpents and beings, thus granting them dominion over the celestial world (Nagaloka). In gratitude, the eight serpent kings, even today, continue to perform rituals worshipping the deity of this temple. Many serpents are believed to inhabit this area, and devotees visiting the temple testify to their encounters.

Among the Siddhas who constantly contemplate Lord Shiva, there is one called Agappeyar Siddhar. He visits this temple every day and narrates the story of how Agathiyar, through the guidance of serpents, worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple. According to Agappeyar Siddhar, during the time when Agappeyar Siddhar undertakes worship, several extraordinary events take place in this town, as recounted by the local people.

Special Features

Before the time of the Chola dynasty, the Shiva Lingam of this temple remained hidden within a cave. It was revealed due to a task assigned to someone in a dream. According to a legend, blood came out from the top part of the Shiva Lingam hidden inside the cave, and snakes slithered out carrying sacrificial offerings, revealing that the lingam’s head portion was severed and thrown away while a ritual was performed at the temple’s base. Initially known as Taiyalur, the town that later came to be known as Thachur.

The first structure of this temple was constructed by Parantaka Chola. However, due to various reasons, the construction could not be completed, and the structure remained incomplete. Consequently, with the goodwill of the people, the temple was rebuilt, and the consecration ceremony was performed. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, Picheeswarar swamy, a form of Shiva, is enshrined alongside Chaturavudaiyaar, who embodies the Self-Manifested Lingam. The pit for the lingam in the temple’s sanctum is shaped like a mortar. Picheeswara murthi is worshipped daily by the Agappeyar Siddhar, and snakes also worship him. When approaching from the left side of the temple, he blesses devotees individually, as Prakannayagi. In the eastern direction of the temple, the nine planets and Kalabhairava reside. The main deity of the temple is Pichchi tree, and there is also the Karakotakam Tirtham (tank) nearby. The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old.