Theerthamalai, Dharmapuri
Shri Theerthagirishwarar Temple is one
of the ancient temples constructed by Chola and Vijayanagara kings at
Theerthamalai. The site lies in the Harur taluk of Dharmapuri and is situated
at the top of a hillock. The temple is frequented by pilgrims and tourists
during celebrations of Mahasivarathri, when the temple is beautifully decorated
for the festival. Several processions are also hosted on this day in the
temple.
Theerthamalai is an important sacred
place in Harur taluk of Dharmapuri district located in Tamil Nadu, India. The name Theerthamalai in Tamil it
means Hill with Holy Water. Theerthamalai is a village situated about
16 km north-east of Harur. Theerthagirishwarar temple is located at the
top of a hillock. The temple situated about one km up the steep slope of a
hillock derives its name from the five springs in the temple. Lord Theerthagireeswar (Lord Shiva) is the worshipping deity.
This pilgrim and picnic centre becoming
very popular with the public. Lord Theerthagireeswar (Lord Shiva) is the
worshipping deity. According to the legend it was here that Lord Rama
worshipped Lord Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of having killed several
demons in the war against Ravana. Hence there is belief that a holy dip in the
waters of this spring will wipe out the sins committed by the people.
Location
It is located 60Kms from Dharmapuri on the
way to Thiruvannamalai via Haroor.
Deity: Theerthagirieeswarar
and Arulmozhi Vadivambigai
History
Theerthagirishwarar was built in 7th
century and many contributions were made by the Chola and Pandya Kings. Several
Inscriptions can be found in the Theerthagirishwarar Temple. In the
inscriptions on this temple says Chola emperors had regularly visited this
temple including Rajendra Cholan. Poet Saint Arunagirinathar referred to the
Temple of Theerthagirieeswarar in his compositions.
Several Inscriptions can be found in
the Theerthagirishwarar Temple. They relate to the Vijayanagar and Chola
rulers. There is one inscription in ancient Telugu and Kannada. Poet Saint
Arunagirinathar referred to the Temple of Theerthagirieeswarar in his
compositions. The Mandapam near the sanctum sanctorum is supposed to be built
by Sila Naicken. He is said to have maintained a well-fortified garrison
at the top of the hill from where a commanding view of the surroundings can be
on all sides is available.
Legend
According to the legend, in order to worship
to Lord Shiva, Rama sent Hanuman to fetch water from the River Ganga, but when
Hanuman did not return at the appointed time for pooja, Rama unleashed an
arrow onto the rocky slope of the hillock and water sprang forth, which today
is called Rama Theertham. The tiny waterfall drops from a height of about 30
feet is perennial and during the summer as well as the rainy season the water
falls on the bathing Ghat behind the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
The other Theertham, all of which have
their origin in different parts of the rocky surface, are the Agasthya
Theertham, Agni Theertham. Kumara Theertham and the Gouri Theertham, besides
these four Theerthams the Hanuman Theertham is situated about 16 km from the
main temple on the banks of river South Pennar. This too is also closely
associated with the temple. It is stated that when Hanuman returned with the
water from the Ganga, he found that Rama had brought the Ganga water with his
arrow. He then threw away in anger the vessel containing the Ganga water. This
water fell onto the riverbank.
Hanuman Theertham also is a very holy
place. During summer even when the river is dry there will be sweet water in
the spring that flows from rock in the riverbed. The waters of the
Theerthamalai are supposed to have medicinal values too. It may be mentioned
that Theerthamalai has huge reserves of magnetite iron ore that can be utilized
for the Salem Steel Plant.
There is another spring known as
Vashista Theertham higher up in the hill. Close by are the wonderful granite
pieces of Saptha kanyakas. The beauty of these sculptures is that they can be
viewed only through a very narrow crevice in the rock. The nine-day annual
festival at the Temple is in the month of March.
Lord Siddhi Vinayaka adores the
temple. Vayu Theertham and Varuna Theertham are on the western side of
the hill.
Indira Theertham is on the east.
Hanuman and Yama Theerthams are on the north and south respectively.
Vasishta Theertham is at the top of the hill. This is a divine hill
surrounded by holy theerthas
According to Puranas, Kumara Theertham
was created for abishek to Lord Muruga when He was crowned as the Supreme
Commander of the forces of the Devas. Bathing here or at least spilling
the drops blesses the devotee with knowledge and wisdom.
Gowri Theertham was created for Mother
Ambica. She worshipped Lord with this Theertha and got His hand in
wedding and became part of his body. Devotees worship Lord and Mother
with this Theertha for happy wedding boons.
Agasthya Theertham is a blessing of
Lord Shiva to cure the sage of ulcer troubles. It is said that the
Theertha contains copper and herbal properties. Devotees consume the
water and also use for cooking for relief from gastric problems. It
also cures stomach pain.
Agni Theertham relieved Agni himself of
the sins he earned due to passionate love of women. This balances the
heat in the body and is a wonderful medicine for cold attacks, tuberculosis
etc.
The antiquity of the temple dates far
back to over 1000 years. Renovations were done in the year 1014 during
the reign of Raja Raja Kulothunga Chola. Saint Arunagirinathar had sung
the glory of the temple in his Thirupugazh hymns.
List of Theertham
Theertham means Holy water in Tamil
language. All of which have their origin in different parts of the rocky
surface, they are
·
Agasthya
Theertham in the Hill
·
Ramar
Theertham
·
Agni Theertham
·
Gowri
Theertham
·
Kumara
Theertham
·
Vasishta Theertham
in the top of the Hill Cave
·
Vayu
Theertham, Harur
·
Varuna
Theerththam, Harur
·
Indira
Theerththam, Andiyur (Mondukuli)
·
Yama
Theertham, Veppampatty
·
Anuman Theertham,
Hanumantheerththam
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to
11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Prayers
People pray here for mental peace,
relief from diseases, child boon and family prosperity and release from debt
burdens. They believe that Lord and Mother hold the solution for all
their problems. Those seeking child boon use to tie a cradle and also tie
threads around the anthill. They also tie thread around the Pavalamalli
tree for wedding boon. People also tie the thread around the anthill for
relief from the adverse aspects of serpent planets. The wind carrying the
smell of the herbal plants around the hill improves the health of the devotee
while going up and coming down.
Thanks Giving
Tonsuring, ear boring are the main
prayer commitments followed by devotees. They perform abishek to Lord with
honey, oil, cosmetic powders, milk, curd, fruit juices, green coconut,
panchamirtham, sandal, rose water and sacred ashes and rice flour. The affluent
perform Swarnabishek – abishek with gold coins and also vastras to Lord and
Mother. Annadhanam is undertaken by some.
Festival
The famous festivals of the temple are
the 10 day Masi Brahmotsavam in February – March with procession of the
presiding Lord, car festival on the 7th day, wedding festival on the 5th day
and Sathaparana festival – Lord in reclining posture on the 10th day; Abishek
pujas with 365 litres of milk on the Chithirai new year day falling mostly on
April 14 or a day earlier or later occasionally, Navarathri in
September–October and Aadi 18 July–August with special abishek at night
followed by Girivalam – circumambulation of the hill. The devotee crowd in the
temple is usually big on Saturdays and Sundays. Pradosha is devotionally
observed. Also Tamil and English New Year Day are observed in the temple.
Contact
Sri Theertha Giriswarar Temple,
Theerthamalai-636 906
Dharmapuri district
Phone: +91- 4346 -253599