The temple is praised in the hymns of Saints
Tirugnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar and Arunagiriar. This is the 79th
Lord Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Saivite hymns.
It is noteworthy that 8 Samharamurthys are in line in the
prakara ? Lords Bhujangalinga Murthy, Gaja Samharamurthy, Oordhva Thandavar,
Kaala Samharamurthy, Gangalamurthy, Bikshadana, Tripura Samharamurthy and
Bhairava. Their presence in a single
temple thus facilitates darshan of all Samharamurthys of Ashtaveera
sthalas-temples in various places. Lord
Subramanya with His consorts Valli and Deivanai blesses from a shrine sitting
on a demon peacock. Saint Arunagiriar
had sung the glory of Muruga in his celebrated Tirupugazh hymns. Mother Durga blesses from the goshta of Shiva
shrine with eight hands holding weapons, one of which is a bow, a different
form in this temple.
There is a sculpture in the temple showing Saint Siru
Thondar being taken to Mount Kailash. Lords Arthanareeswara, Brahmma, four Saivite Saints praised as
Naalvar, Nagar with Sanganidhi and
Padmanidhi and Twin Bhairavas have their shrines in the prakara. Sun God-Surya is alone in the Navagraha-nine
planets mandap on a high seat.
Lord Uthara Pasupatheeswarar adores the temple from a
shrine having its own Vimana right of the presiding deity
Ganapatheeswarar. He enjoys all priority in the temple. The place
also is named after Him. He is holding Udukkai, Trident and the Tiruvodu
the begging bowl.
The temple and the place occupy a place of importance in Saivism history.
This is the birth place of Paranjothi, a staunch Shiva devotee and Chief of the
Pallava army. He was always a winner and lost no battle as he was backed
by the blessings of Lord Shiva. The king thought that if anything unnatural
occurred to his commander, it would be a wrong committed against Lord Shiva and
therefore, granted retirement to him from services to continue a choice life
dedicated to the service of Lord. Paranjothi-later Siruthondar-was too
happy that he would be able to turn all his attention to a life of
spirituality.
He was married to Mangai Nallal mentioned as Tiruvenkattu Nangai in our Saivite
scriptures and a son named Seeralan. The couple was very particular to
have their food only after hosting a lunch to Shiva devotees. They served
what devotees wished. One day none turned up. Siruthondar left the
house in search of a devotee. When he was out, a Shiva devotee knocked at his
house. Tiruvenkattu Nangai and her maid Seerala Nangai welcomed the
devotee and invited for the lunch. The devotee said that he would not
accept the invitation when the male head of the house was absent and that he
would wait near the Kattathi tree at the temple. When Sirthondar returned
he was happy to hear that a Shiva devotee was waiting at the temple. He
rushed to meet him and extended his invitation. The Shiva devotee said
that he would dine with him only if Siruthondar slaughtered his only son, cook
and serve him the meat. Siruthondar had no hesitation to accept the
condition. He and his wife prepared the food with their son?s meat as
wished by the devotee.
When food was served, the Shiva devotee asked the host to call his son also to
join him. Shocked and surprised, the couple came out and cried Seerala,
Seerala. The boy in all flesh and blood came alive before them.
When they entered, the Devotee in His true Form granted darshan with Mother
Parvathi and salvation to all of the four including the maid. He was Lord
Pasupatheeswara. The Kattathi tree and a shrine of the family of
Siruthondar are just before the Shrine of Lord.
A king ruling this region then had no children. He prayed to Lord Shiva
for child boon. While he set out for hunting once, he found four
beautiful female children, brought them up as his own daughters in the
place. When they attained the marriageable age, he begged Lord Shiva to
marry them which Lord obliged. They are the four Ambicas?s in four temple
as Vaaitha Tirukuzhal Nayaki in this temple, Karundhar Kuzhali Ammai in
Tirupugalur, Sarivar Kuzhali in Ganapatheeswaram and Vandar Kuzhali in
Tirumarugal. They also bear the common name Shoolikambal as they took
care of a poor women during her labour time and helped safe delivery.
Shool in Tamil mean pregnancy. Hence the name Shoolikambal.
As Ambicas returned late at night after attending the pregnant woman, they did
not enter the temple and waited outside. Hence, their shrines also are
outside the temple. During the Arthajama Puja (final night puja), a nivedhana
made of Samba rice, pepper, Seeragam, salt and ghee (given to mothers after
delivery of the child) is offered to Ambicas.
Vinayaka worship came in to Tamilnadu with the arrival of Vadhaba Ganapathi
from north. During a war, Paranjothi saw this Vinayaka, worshipped Him,
won the war and brought the idol here as his Winner Cup. He installed the
Lord in this place, where Vinayaka earlier got relieved from the dosha for
killing demon Gaja Mukha Asura. Vinayaka idol worship began from this event
only, it is said. Hence, He is praised as Aadhi Vinayaka. He is in
a sitting form folding both legs. Special pujas are performed to Him on
Chaturthi days-fourth day of full or new moon. It is also believed that Lord
Shiva granted relief to Vinayaka earlier here from His dosha on a Sadaya star
day in Margazhi (December-January) month. Special pujas are performed on
this day with Lord Vinayaka procession.
A king wanted to make an idol for Shiva depicting His darshan to
Siruthondar. But the idol was not perfect despite several attempts.
A Shiva devotee came there and asked for water. The frustrated sculptors
offered the melting metal mixture to him. The devotee drank it and became
a perfect idol. There was a small projection due to excess metal on the
forehead. When the sculptors attempted to correct it by removing the
excess metal, it began to bleed. They immediately applied saffron and borneol
(pachai karpooram) to stop the bleedings. The scar on Lord Uthira
Pasupatheeswarar is still visible. During the evening pujas saffron and
borneol are used. Abishek are performed to Lord Uthira Pasupatheeswarar
on the Tamil monthly days of Chithirai-April-May, Aadi-July-August,
Aipasi-October-November, Thai-January-February, Chithirai Bharani star
day-April-May, Vaikasi Thiruvonam star day in May-June and Aipasi Bharani star
day in October-November.
As the blood of demon Gajamukhasura flowed as a river when he was destroyed,
the place is called Tiru Chengattan Kudi in Tamil and Raktharanya Kshetra in
Sanskrit.
Lord Vinayaka came to this place and worshipped Swaymabu
Linga Shiva to get relief from the dosha of killing demon Gajamukha
Asura. Lord Shiva granted darshan to Vinayaka-Ganapathy, hence
praised as Ganapatheeswarar
Moolavar: Ganapatheeswarar
Urchavar: Uthirapasupatheeswarar
Amman / Thayar: Vaaitha
Tirukuzhal Umai Nayaki
Thala Virutcham: Kattathi
Theertham: Surya,
Chandra Pushkarani
Agamam / Pooja: Kameekam
Old year: 1000-2000
years old
Historical Name: Ganapatheesaram
This temple is located 8 Kms from Nannilam
on the Tiruvarur - Tirumarugal road. It is about 2 Kms from another paadal
petra sthalam Ramanatheechuram.
Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy. The scar on
the forehead of Lord Uthara Pasupathy Easwarar is still visible. He is gracing
from a separate shrine.
Chithirai Bharani Child Meat Cooking Festival (Pillaikari)
in April-May
Margazhi Sadaya Sashti Ganapathy festival in December-January
Shivrathri in February-March
Tirukarthikai in November-December
Aipasi Annabishekam
in October-November are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Those seeking pardon for wrongs committed pray to
Lord. People also pray here for mental peace from
confusions. Pregnant women pray to Mother for safe delivery.
Realizing their wishes, devotees perform abishek, archanas
and offer vastras to Lord and Mother.
The temple is open from 6.45 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from
5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Sri Uthirapasupatheeswarar Temple, Tiruchengattankudi,
Tiruvarur District. Contact Number -+91 4366 270 278, 292 300, +91-94431 13025.
Do:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.
- Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.