Thanjapureeswarar Temple (Kuberapureeswarar Temple)

Address

Thanjapureeswarar Temple (Kuberapureeswarar Temple),

Thanjavur – 613 002 Thanjavur District

Mobile: +91 96778 18114

Moolavar

Kuberapureeswarar/ Thanjapureeswarar

Amman

Anandhavalli.

Introduction

Thanjapureeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thanjavur Town in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is also called as Kuberapureeswarar Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Thanjapureeswarar / Kuberapureeswarar and Mother is called as Anandhavalli. It is supposed to be the original temple of Tanjore. Thanjavur was probably named after the main deity of the temple, Thanjapureeswarar. It is believed that this temple is older than the temple of Brihadeeswarar. The temple is situated on the banks of Vennar River just opposite the Maamani Koil Divya Desam. Alahai and Alagapuri are the historical names of this place. The temple is said to be more than 2000 years old. This temple is one among the 88 temples which comes under the Thanjavur Palace Management Committee.

Puranic Significance

As per the legend, a son named Pulasthya was born from the mind power of Creator Brahma – Manasa Puthra. Vishrawas was then born to Pulasthya. Though belonging to the Rishi tradition, Vishrawas married a demon lady Kekasi whose heritage is noted for cruel qualities. She delivered two sons Ravana and Kumbhakarna and a daughter Surpanakha representing cruelty. She also delivered Vibhishana and Kubera then. Ravana and Kubera were Shiva devotees. Vibhishana was a Vishnu devotee. Kumbhakarna was devotee of his great-grandfather Brahma. Surpanakha was the wicked one without any soft quality only searching for men to quench her physical lust. Ravana, through a Shiva devotee, was a womanizer. Kumbhakarna was a glutton. Kubera and Vibhishana were exceptional cases noted for their character of highest standards. They had no trace of any demon qualities in them. Ravana had the boon from Lord Shiva that he would not be killed by anyone except by a human. Kubera, by virtue of his devotion to Lord Shiva, became the ruler of North. Lord Shiva placed all the wealth of the world in Kubera’s charge with instructions that it be distributed among those working hard honestly and according to their fates. Mother Mahalakshmi acquired eight powers as wealth, food crops, progeny etc. She entrusted her powers to two youths Sanganidhi and Padmanidhi whom Kubera appointed as his accountants. These two had their seats on either side of Kubera. Divine sculptor Mayan constructed a special city for them named Alagapuri. Also, a palace was built for them with a court hall of exceptional aesthetic beauty where Kubera is seated in all royal paraphernalia. If the devotee suffering from poverty is free of any sin, he would be elevated to high wealthy status instantly. Sanganidhi is on the left of Kubera holding a conch and Padmanidhi on the right with a lotus on hand both symbols of prosperity. They are the two recommending boons to people based on their fate. Due to the internal feud, Kubera lost his kingdom and treasure to his half-brother Ravana. Kubera started visiting various Shiva temples to get back his glory. He visited this temple which was a small temple then. It is said he did not have to visit anymore temple after this. As Kubera surrendered to Lord Shiva here, Shiva is called as ‘Thanjapureeswarar’. The Lord Thanjapureeswarar meaning the Lord offers asylum to those surrender to him. The town was also named after the deity as Thanjavur. The Lord is also known by the name Kuberapureeswarar as he was worshipped by Kubera. It was believed that Kubera got all his treasures on new moon day in the month of October. So, every year in the month of October on new moon day, Kubera Yagna is done.

Beliefs

Lord Thanjapureeswarar meaning the Lord offers asylum to those surrender to him. Deepavali & Fridays are associated with Kubera worship ensuring prosperity, according to our faith. People show their devotion to the Lord with abisheks and vastras.

Special Features

The temple is having three tiered Rajagopuram. This is one of the rarest temples facing westward. This temple was built before Brihadeeswarar temple. It is believed that Brihadeeswarar temple was built only after worshipping this God. Although it is believed that the temple must be older than Brihadeeswarar temple, there is no visible evidence. The structure appears to be comparatively new. This temple is one among the 88 temples which comes under the Thanjavur Palace Management Committee. Presiding Deity is called as Thanjapureeswarar / Kuberapureeswarar. He is housed in the west facing sanctum in the form of big Shiva Linga. There are idols of Ganesha and Subramanya apart from the big attractive idols of Dwarapalakas at the entrance of the sanctum. As usual, Bali Peetham, Nandi Mandapam and flag staff is located facing towards the sanctum. The wall around the sanctum sanctorum enshrines the niche images of Nataraja, Dakshinamurti, Brahma and Durga. It is rare to find Nataraja as a niche (Koshta) idol.

There is a small shrine of Chandikeswarar at its usual location. Shrines of Sani Bhagawan and Bhairavar can be found in the mukha mandapam. Arthamandapam is of Vavval Nethi mandapam type. Sculpture of Kubera can be seen in a pillar just opposite the main shrine. Mahalakshmi occupies her place near Gubera as Dhana Lakshmi and Dhairya Lakshmi. Mother is called as Anandhavalli. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. She is in standing posture. There is a Ganesha idol and two big idols of Dwarapalakis at the entrance of her shrine. Nandi is found facing towards her shrine.

There is a mandapam in front of Mother shrine. Stucco idols of Ashtalakshmi can be seen on pillars of the mandapam. On the way to the Goddess shrine, the idols of Lakshmi and Kubera performing pooja to Shiva Linga are found. It is very unique. There are many ancient idols which were discovered nearby are kept in the outer prakaram. The idols of Saraswathi, Ganesha, Brahma, Shiva Lingas and Dakshinamurti are beautiful. Idols of Ganesha, Subramanya and Ayyappa are located at the entrance of temple below the tower. There are shrines of Nataraja & Sivakami, Gajalakshmi, Panchamuga Anjaneyar, Arthanareeswarar and Navagrahas in the Temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Vanni Maram (Prosopis Tree). Theertham associated with this Temple are Vennar River and Sivagangai Theertham. Marathi inscriptions can be found in the Temple premises.

Festivals

Maha Shivarathri in February – March, Margazhi Thiruvadhirai in December – January, Panguni Uthiram in March – April, Tirukarthikai in November-December and Deepavali in October – November are the festivals celebrated in the temple. In October month on new moon day, Kubera Yagna is done.

References

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