Thirusakthimutram Sri Sakthivanesvara Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Thirusakthimutram Sri Shivakozhundeesar Temple, Tiruchathi Muttram, Thanjavur district – 612703 PH: 9443678575

Diety

Sivakasvantesar, Thazhuva Kuzhainda Nathar Amman: Periyanayaki

Introduction

Sakthivanesvara Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva located in a small village called Thirusakthimutram, near another small (but relatively better-known) village, Patteswaram. The nearest urban centre, about seven kilometres (four-and-a-half miles) away, is Kumbakonam in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Here the presiding deity Sakthivanesvara is a form of the Hindu god Shiva, in which his usual worship symbol the Lingam is hugged by his consort Parvati, hence he is also known as Sivakozhundeesvara and Sakthi Mutham. It is believed that when one prays to Sakthivanesvara with faith, one is blessed with the life partner of one’s choice.It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar. The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of River Kaveri. It is located on the banks of Kudamurutti, a tributary of river Kaveri. Theertham : Shoola Theertham

Puranic Significance

Parvathi was doing penance at this place to seek the hands of Shiva. Shiva is believed to have appeared as a column of fire and Parvathi could not bear the heat, she embraced Shiva, give the name Sakthimutram (meaning, Sakthi (Parvathi) embracing Shiva). Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi wanted to establish the truth that bhakti (piety) alone is the singular path to salvation. Mother Parvathi was performing penance in the Shathimuttram near the Surya Pushkarini Shoola theertha on the southern side of Cauvery. But Lord delayed His darshan to Mother Parvathi. This could not deter mother from Her resolute penance standing on a single leg. Lord Shiva granted darshan to Mother as a fire ball. Yet, knowing that the fire ball was but Lord Shiva, Mother Parvathi embraced the fire jyoti. Lord Shiva was cooled. This shows that though problem burn a family as fire, this could be solved by mutual love between the couples .

Beliefs

Youth and virgins awaiting marriage pray to Lord embraced by Mother Shakti for early wedding, removal of bad aspects on them and a well and happily settled wedded life. Also couples separated due to some difference of opinion will be blessed with re-union. Devotees perform abishek, offer vastras and contribute for the renovation of the temple.

Special Features

The temple is big in size facing east. Lord Vallabha Ganapathy graces the devotees at the entrance. The temple has a five tier Rajagopuram and vast outer prakara. There are shrines for Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga at the entrance of the second tower. Shrine of Mother Ambica is facing south. There is also a Nataraja mandap. At the main entrance are shrines for Lord Somaskanda on one side and Mother Shakti and Sthala Aideekamurthy on other sides. In the inner prakara are shrines for Somaskanda, Arumuga Peruman (Muruga) and Gajalakshmi.

Festivals

Muthu Pandhal on the first day of Aani in June-July; Thai month Ratha Sapthami in January-February and Karthikai Monday worship in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.