Thirunattiyathangudi Sri Rathnapureeswarar Temple , Thiruvarur

Diety: Rathnapureeswarar-Manickavannar Amman: Mangalambigai
Temple Address: Thirunattiyathangudi Sri Rathnapureeswarar Temple , Thirunattiyathangudi Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. PH:9443806496
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Rathnapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirunattiyathangudi Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Rathnapureeswarar / Manikkavannar / Karinatheswarar. His consort is known as Mangalambikai. Sthala Vriksham is Mavilangai. Theerthams of this Temple are Surya and Chandra Theerthams. Thirunattiyathangudi is considered to be the birthplace of Kotpuli Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars. This place is also called as Palakkurichi. Hymns praise of the temple has been sung by Sundarar in the Thevaram. This is the 235th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 118th Sthalam on the south side of River Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Thala Virutcham : Mavilangai Theertham : Surya and Chandra Theerthams

Puranic Significance

Kotpuli Nayanar: Kotpuli Nayanar is associated with this temple and his association is commemorated each year in the month of Aadi. Kotpuli Nayanar, one among the celebrated 63 Nayanmars and a native of this place was the commander of the Chola army. He was a furious tiger (Puli in Tamil) before the enemies, hence called Kotpuli. He used to spend a major part of his earnings in procuring paddy to be used for temple renovation purpose. Once, when he left for a war against the enemies, he left strict instructions to members of the family all stocks of paddy should be in tact saying that they belonged to Lord and warned that any personal or misuse by anybody would end in their death. Meantime, they can use it for temple use genuinely, he said. After his departure, famine engulfed the country. The family had but to use the paddy meant for temple use. Nayanar returned victoriously but was shocked that the paddy in store had been used by his people. He asked his security to see that none escape from the house. He called his parents, wife and children and mercilessly murdered them with his sword. One little boy was in a corner. The security asked Nayanar to spare him as he did not take food for days. Nayanar simply replied that though he did not eat the rice kept for the Lord, he would have been breast fed by his mother who misused God’s paddy and cut him into two pieces. Lord appeared before him with Mother Parvathi on his bull vehicle Nandhi and said that all his people had reached his Lotus feet and asked Nayanar to join them. He granted salvation to Kotpuli Nayanar. Sundarar got darshan of Shiva & Parvathy as farmers: When Saint Sundarar came to the temple he was shocked that Lord and Mother were absent. Lord Kai Kattu Vinayakar showed the saint the northeastern direction where Lord and Mother were planting paddy siblings. Sundarar with the right of a devotee asked the Lord to stop the work for the day and requested to return and that he could do the pending planting next day. Responding to the appeal of the devotee they came in to the temple. Karinaleswarar: An elephant created a spring here, bathed daily and was worshipping Lord Shiva and attained salvation. That spring is known as Kari (elephant) Theertham. The name Karinaleswarar stems from the worship offered by an elephant here. Kotpuli Nayanar offered to Sundarar his daughters Singadi and Vanapagai: Kotpuli Nayanar offered to Sundarar his daughters Singadi and Vanapagai as maids to serve him. Sundarar accepted them as his daughters. All the Moorthys in the temple are wearing a Rudraksha called Makarakandiga. Rathnapureeswarar: King Ratnendra Chola and his brother wanted to partition the diamonds left by their parents. They did not agree with the value determined by various assessors. Only confusion continued. Both sought the help of Lord of the temple to decide the issue. Lord came in the guise of diamond merchant and solved their problem and also in sharing the kingdom. As Lord came as diamond (Rathna in Sanskrit and Gem in English) merchant, He is praised as Rathnapureeswarar.

Beliefs

People come to pray to Lord seeking solutions for problems in family, assets that could not be partitioned and for high yield in agriculture. It is the staunch belief of the devotees that Lord will guide in such complex issues. Devotees perform abishek to Lord offering vastras.

Special Features

This is a small temple facing east. The Rajagopuram is of a five tier structure. Presiding Deity is called as Rathnapureeswarar / Manikkavannar / Karinaleswarar. Lord Shiva in the temple is Swayambumurthy. His consort is known as Mangalambikai. Sthala Vriksham is Mavilangai.Theerthams of this Temple are Surya and Chandra Theerthams. Shrine for kaikaattiya Vinayagar for Sundarar is located at the entrance of the temple and is facing west. There are shrines for Lords Vinayaka, Muruga,Viswanatha, Mother Gajalakshmi and the Navagrahas the nine planets in the inner prakara. Lords Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbava, Brahmma are on the Goshtam, the wall around the sanctum sanctorum. It also has Kotpuli Nayanar. Nataraja Sabha and procession deities are in the Mahamandapam.

Festivals

Kotpuli Nayanar Guru Puja on Jyeshta (Kettai in Tamil) star day in Aadi (July-August) is the main festival of the temple. Also, all Shiva related festivals are observed. The Nadavu Utsavam in the month of Aadi is of importance here.