Thiruchitrambalam PuradhanaVaneswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Thiruchitrambalam PuradhanaVaneswarar Temple, Thiruchitrambalam. Pattukottai via, Thanjavur District-614628

Diety

Thiruchitrambalam PuradhanaVaneswarar Temple, Thiruchitrambalam. Pattukottai via, Thanjavur Distric

Introduction

Puradhana Vaneswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thiruchitrambalam in Pattukottai Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Puradhana Vaneswarar and Mother is called as Periyanayaki. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Sundarar.

Puranic Significance

According to popular legend, Lord Shiva wanted to emphasize that a living in forests for some time also is part of an ideal life. With his consort, he came to this place along with sages and Devas to this forest region. Lord Shiva went into deep meditation. The demons, taking advantage of the absence of Lord’s other activities, gathered their strength and became resurgent to trouble the rishis and innocent people. They could be controlled only if Lord opened his eyes. All the celestial beings feared to woke him up from his deep meditation because of Lord Shiva wrath. Mother Parvathi suggested that Manmatha (cupid) may be asked to send his Passion Arrows (cupid is the power to create love and passion on all beings). Though Cupid was afraid to accept the test against Lord Shiva, for the sake of the world, he obliged by shooting his Passion Arrows on the Lord. As these arrows are made of Flowers, which the cupid used, the place came to be known as Poovanam (Forest of Flowers). Opening his eyes, Lord Shiva turned his look at the direction from where the arrows were shot. Unable to bear the heat emanating from the eyes of Lord, cupid was burnt. This place is called Madanpattavur (place where cupid was burnt). All the Rishis fell at the feet of the Lord and told him why and how this happened and begged him for cupid’s life. Milk was spilled to give cupid his life back. This place is called Palatheli (where milk was sprayed on cupid). Representing this episode, people of this place celebrate Cupid Festival – Kaman Pandigai in a place known as Kamankottal.

Beliefs

Mother graces his worshippers with child boon and remedy from illness. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother with Vastras – clothing

Special Features

This is an east facing temple with an entrance arch. There is a beautiful pond, located to the side of the Temple premises. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found in the outer prakaram facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Puradhana Vaneswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Mother is called as Periyanayaki. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. An idol of Ganesha is present in the right side in the shrine of Periyanayaki Ambal. This Ganesha Idol has the reputation of devouring the flowers offered by the devotees through his ears, very peculiar in this temple. People place flowers on his ears while submitting their prayers to him. If the flowers are absorbed by the Lord, the devotee is blessed, and his/her ambition would be realized. The tradition is followed even today. The temple is also known as Poovizhungi Vinayaka Temple (Vinayaka devouring flowers) representing this wonder. Kalyana Mandapam, Linga Mandapam and New Mandapam can be found in the Temple premises. There are shrines of Vinayaga, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Navagrahas, Nataraja, Dakshinamoorthy, Chandikeswarar and Durga in the Temple premises. There is a well situated to the right side of Mother Shrine

Festivals

Mahashivaratri in the month of Masi (February-March), Vinayagar Chathurthi, Thiruvadhirai, Chithirai, Monthly Pradoshams, Tamil New year, English New Year, Karthigai and Annabishekam are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.