Thirupparaithurai Sri Dharukavaneswarar Temple, Trichy

Address

Thirupparaithurai Sri Dharukavaneswarar Temple, Thiruparaithurai Post, Trichy district Tamil Nadu – 639 115. Tele: +91- 99408 43571.

Diety

Paraithurainathar, Amman: Pasumpon Mayilambal

Introduction

Thirupparaitturai is a village in the Srirangam taluk of Tiruchirappalli district in Tamil Nadu, India. It is situated on the south bank of the River Cauvery. Trichy-Karur National High Way, Trichy-Palakkad Railway Line (Railway Station: Elamanur) have been laid through this village. It is 16 kilometers away from Trichy. The ancient Shiva Temple is at a bosom of this village. There were a lot of parai trees in ancient days. As parai trees had grown in abundance in this village in olden days this village is called Thiru “parai” thurai. This village is also a home to Shri Rajagopalan Swami. The 150 year old temple is adjacent to the Shiva temple.This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 3rd Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai). Theertham (Holy water): River Cauvery Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Parai tree

Puranic Significance

In ancient times, this region is believed to have been densely covered with “Parai” trees. The Shivalingam of this temple was found among the Parai trees and this temple was later built around it. This temple’s “sthala viruksham” is also the Parai tree. Generally, the names of temples that are located on river banks end with “Thurai”. Following this tradition, as this temple is situated on the banks of the river Kaveri, it gets the name Paraithurai. In Sanskrit, Parai tree is known as “Dharuka Viruksham”. Hence, the historical name of this place is Dharukavanam. There are 83 stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of Paranthaka Chola-I, Rajakesari Varman, Sundarapandiyan and Krishnadeva Maharayar. This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE). The legend of this temple involves some arrogant and very egoistic sages from a place called Dharukavanam. In their excessive vanity, they thought themselves to be superior than gods. To teach them a lesson, Lord Shiva asked Mahavishnu to take the form of “Mohini” (a beautiful angel) to divert the attention of the sages from their penance which they claimed was unparalleled. It is believed that the sages failed in their penance because they were attracted by Mohini. At the same time, Lord Shiva took the form of Pikshandavar and went to the sages’ house to ask for alms. It is believed that the wives of the sages were so enamoured by Pikshandavar that they started following him. This incident further shattered the sages’ claims that their wives were most pious and devout. When the sages realized that this was all a play by Lord Shiva, they decided to perform a Yagna and used evil spirits and mantras to kill Lord Shiva. They failed in all their attempts and realized that it was a mistake to try and fight against the lord. The sages understood that learning all the mantras and Vedas was not for their self- preservation but was instead a way to promote the welfare of humanity. They surrendered to Lord Shiva and sought his blessings. It is believed that Kuberan, Indran and Saptharishis have worshiped the lord here.

Beliefs

Those suffering from skin diseases or even cancer can worship Lord Shiva here to seek relief. Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, obstacles from their marriage proposals will be removed. Children facing speech impairment, especially stammering, can worship the lord here for relief.

Special Features

Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of lords Valampuri Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Natarajar, Somaskandar, Pikshandavar, Mahalakshmi, Gajalakshmi, Pancha Bhootha lingams, Sapthamathas, Iyanar, Nalvar, 63 Nayanmars, Kangalamurthy, Mahavishnu, Mahalakshmi, Durga Lakshmi, Bairavar and Navagraham can be seen in the corridors. In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Narthana Vinayakar, Dakshinamoorthy, Arthanareeswarar (in place of Lingothbavar), Brahma, Durgai and Chandikeswarar can be seen. Lord Shiva (as Pikshandavar) graces in the hall (Mandap) as the procession deity. The 12 zodiac signs are drawn on the roof of the mandap. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva and Lord Pikshandavar by standing under the zodiac signs would relieve devotees of all adverse effects caused by the position of planets in their horoscope. Idols of Lord Murugan are housed in two separate shrines. In one of these idols, he is depicted as Sri Dandayuthapani and in the other he is shown having six faces. In the pillars in front of the Goddess Parvathy’s shrine, beautiful sculptures of Lord Oorthuva Dhandava Murthy and Goddess Kaali can be seen. Similar to “Kadai Muzhukku” in Mayiladuthurai, “Thulasnanam” (Theerthavari) takes place here on the first day of the Tamil month of Aipasi (October-November) in the river Cauvery. On that day, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy are taken on a “Rishaba Vahan” for “Theerthavari”. Devotees believe that taking a dip here on this day would cleanse them of their sins. Thirupparaithurai is one of the “Sabthasthana temples” (seven temples) in this region – the other six temples are Thiruvaanaikkaval, Thiruppainjeeli, Thiruchenthurai, Thiruvasi, Thiruvedhikkudi and Thiru Alanthurai. On the pillars of the Nandhi mandapam (Hall), sculptures of Thirugnanasambanthar, Thirunavukkarasar, Manickavasakar and V.V.Nagappa Chettiayar (who renovated this temple) can be seen. Meditating under the Sthala Viruksham here is considered to be very auspicious. There is a Shivalingam also under this temple’s Sthala Viruksham. It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam every year on the 18th day in the Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October). Lord Vinayakar is praised as “Parali Vinayakar” who graces from a shrine situated outside the temple’s main tower. Lord Dakshinamurthy’s shrine has a Kallala tree (banyan) as the roof and four lions are depicted holding the four pillars. Normally idols of Lord Arthanareeswarar are not depicted along with his “Rishaba Vahan” (bull mount). However, the unique feature of Lord Arthanareeswarar’s idol here is that he is shown with his bull mount. The river Cauvery near this temple is revered as “Akanda Cauvery” (“Akanda meaning wide in Tamil). Saint Arunagirinadhar has sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh. Saints Manickavasakar and Pattinathar have also rendered songs praising the lord of this temple. Parai tree is considered to be an important medicinal plant – its sap, leaves, seeds and roots are used to treat cancer, skin diseases, snake bites, bloody nose, diarrhoea etc.

Festivals

12-day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June). Thula Snanam (Theerthavari) on the first day of the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct.-Nov). Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), nnabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan) and Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).