Thiruvaippadi Sri Paalugantha Nathar Temple – Thanjavur

Address

Thiruvaippadi Sri Paalugantha Nathar Temple, Thiruvaippadi, Thiruppanandal Post, Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu- 612 504. PH:9442167104

Diety

Balukantha Eeswarar, Amman: Periyanayaki

Introduction

Paal Ukandha Nathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thiruvaippadi Village near Thiruppanandal Town in Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk in Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Paal Ukandha Nathar / Ksheerapureeswarar / Paal Ukandheeswarar and Mother is called as Periyanayaki / Brihannayaki. This Temple is situated on the banks of Manniyaru River. This Temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram hymns. This Temple is the 94th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 40th sthalam in the north side of river Cauvery in chola nadu. Thala Virutcham : Aathi Theertham : Manniyaru

Puranic Significance

Thiruvaippadi was called as Veerakkan and Thiru Aaippadi during ancient times. There are inscriptions available in this temple dated to the periods of Rajaraja Chola II, Kulothunga Chola III, Sundara Pandya, Kadava King Kopperunchinga and Vijayanagara Kings. Lord Shiva was called as Aappadi Udaiyar in the inscriptions. This temple is under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE) Another legend associated with this temple is that of a shepherd who used to live here. After milking his cows, he used to carry the milk for sale in the local market. To his anguish, every day he would slip at a particular place and thus spilling all the milk that he carried. Frustrated by this, he wanted to know the reason for this occurane. One day he dug the ground using a tool and to his surprise blood started oozing out of the ground. The shepherd took the help of some villagers and started digging deeper. They found a Shivalingam there which they installed in the temple.

Beliefs

Devotees believe that worshiping Lord Shiva on Maha Shivaratri day and on new moon days will grant them relief from the sins of their previous birth. Devotees offer vastras to Lord and Mother and contribute to temple renovation funds. Chandikeswara among the 63 Nayanmars is the only one with Easwara title. Seignalur near this place is his birth place. Tiruvaipadi is the place where he installed Linga and worshipped and attained salvation. His shrine is close to the sanctum sanctorum.

Special Features

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 40th Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This is the place where Chandikeswarar, one of the 63 revered Nayanmars, attained salvation. This east facing temple has two corridors. Although it has no main tower (Rajagopuram), it has a beautiful arch at the entrance. There is no flag post here but only idols of Nandhi and Balipetam can be seen. The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place on 12.12.2010 and prior to that on 22.08.2004. This ancient temple is situated on the southern banks of the river Manniyaru. There are certain stone inscriptions available here which date back to the periods of Chola Kings Rajarajan-II and Kulothungan-III; Pandiya King Sundara Pandian; Pallava King Kopperunchingan; and Vijayanagara Kings Ariyappa Udayar and Mallikarjuna Mahadevar. The historical names of this place are Veerakkan and Thiru Aaippadi.

Festivals

Brahmotsavam for Chandikeswarar on the new moon day following Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Maasi (February-March). Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept) and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct – Nov). Special poojas are performed on all new moon days. Pradosham is also observed regularly.