Thanjapureeswarar Temple (Kuberapureeswarar Temple)

Address

Thanjapureeswarar Temple (Kuberapureeswarar Temple),

Thanjavur – 613 002 Thanjavur District

Mobile: +91 96778 18114

Moolavar

Kuberapureeswarar/ Thanjapureeswarar

Amman

Anandhavalli.

Introduction

• The Thanjapureeswarar Temple, also known as the Kuberapureeswarar Temple, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Thanjavur Town, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.
• The Presiding Deity is Thanjapureeswarar (also known as Kuberapureeswarar), and the Mother is Anandhavalli.
• The temple is believed to be the original temple of Tanjore (Thanjavur), and the town is thought to have been named after its deity.
• The temple is older than the Brihadeeswarar Temple and is considered more than 2000 years old.
• It is situated on the banks of the Vennar River, opposite the Maamani Koil Divya Desam.
• The temple is one of the 88 temples managed by the Thanjavur Palace Management Committee.

Puranic Significance:

• According to the legend, Pulasthya, a Manasa Puthra (mind-born son) of Brahma, gave birth to Vishrawas, who later married the demoness Kekasi.
• Kekasi gave birth to Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana, and Surpanakha, with Kubera being an exceptional figure due to his devotion to Lord Shiva.
• Kubera, the ruler of wealth, lost his kingdom and treasure to his half-brother Ravana. He traveled to various Shiva temples in search of redemption.
• After visiting the Thanjapureeswarar Temple, Kubera was granted his lost wealth and glory, and the Lord is hence called Thanjapureeswarar (the Lord who offers asylum to those who surrender).
• The town of Thanjavur is believed to have been named after the deity, and the temple became an important place of worship for those seeking prosperity.
• Kubera Yagna is performed annually on the new moon day in October, as Kubera is believed to have received his treasures on this day.

Beliefs:

• Thanjapureeswarar is worshipped as the Lord who offers asylum to those who surrender to him.
• Deepavali and Fridays are significant days for worshipping Kubera, ensuring prosperity.
• Devotees show their devotion through Abisheks (ritualistic bathing of the deity) and offering vastras (clothes).

Special Features:

• The temple features a three-tiered Rajagopuram and is west-facing, which is rare for Shiva temples.
• It is believed to have been constructed before the Brihadeeswarar Temple, with the latter built only after the worship of Thanjapureeswarar.
• The presiding deity is in the form of a large Shiva Linga, housed in the west-facing sanctum.
• The temple has idols of Ganesha, Subramanya, and Dwarapalakas (door guardians) at the entrance of the sanctum.
• There are niche images of Nataraja, Dakshinamurti, Brahma, and Durga around the sanctum.
• A small shrine dedicated to Chandikeswarar is located at its usual position, along with shrines for Sani Bhagawan and Bhairavar in the Mukha Mandapam.
• The temple features a unique sculpture of Kubera on a pillar opposite the main shrine.
• The goddess Anandhavalli is housed in a separate south-facing shrine, and Mahalakshmi resides near Kubera as Dhana Lakshmi and Dhairya Lakshmi.
• The temple has stucco idols of Ashtalakshmi (eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi) on pillars of the mandapam.
• Theerthams (holy waters) associated with the temple include Vennar River and Sivagangai Theertham.
• The Sthala Vriksham (sacred tree) is the Vanni Maram (Prosopis tree).
• Marathi inscriptions are found within the temple premises.

Festivals:

• Maha Shivarathri (February-March), Margazhi Thiruvadhirai (December-January), Panguni Uthiram (March-April), and Tirukarthikai (November-December) are the main festivals celebrated.
• Deepavali is especially significant, and Kubera Yagna is performed on the new moon day in October to honor Kubera’s blessings.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/05/thanjapureeswarar-temple-thanjavur.html

Century/Period

2000 years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE)

Nearest Bus Station

Thanjavur

Nearest Railway Station

Thanjavur

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Location on Map

lightuptemple