Athmanatheswarar Temple, Thiruvalampolil, Thanjavur

Athmanatheswarar Temple, Thiruvalampolil, Thanjavur

Athmanatheswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Thiruvalampolil in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva. 

Temple Speciality

Here the Prime Deity Aaathmanaatheswarar, the self-manifested deity (swayambu) stands facing west and blesses. This is a place worshipped by the Ashtavasus. The Prime Deity Aaathmanaatheswarar as a self-manifested icon faces west and renders blessings. 

Greatness of Temple

It is worshipped by Kasyapar & Ashtavasus. Within the temple, is the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Subrahmanya, Navagrahas and for the Quartets of Thevaram (‘Naalvar’). Lord Indra had his bath in the white lotus pond of this temple and got his curse warded off. Sundarar was reminded of the wedding of Nandi in this place. The tradition is that by worshipping the Goddess here, one can attain wisdom.

Significance

The Nayanmar saint Thirunavukarasar has sung praises of the temple in the Thevaram. The shrines are frequented by people to remove obstacles in marriage alliances or to have children.

Temple

Nayanmars have sung about this temple in Devaram and this is the tenth temple among the temples in the southern bank of Cauvery.  This temple has a 5-level tower.  Dwarabalagar are present in both sides of the tower entrance.  If we pass through the entrance of the tower, Subramaniar shrine is present in the left side.  

In the courtyard outside, shrines of Vinayagar, Vishwanathar and Vishalakshi are present.  In the next mandapam, Navagraha shrine is present in the right side and Ambal shine is present in the left side. Ambal is in standing position.

Here the Prime Deity Aaathmanaatheswarar, the self-manifested deity (swayambu) stands facing west and blesses.  In the paved corridor of the temple, the shrines of Subramaniar, Nalvar, Moola Vinayagar, Panchalingam, Dhakshinamurthy, Chandikeswarar, Kasi Vishwanathar, Murugan with Valli and Deivanai are present.  

This Lord was worshipped by Kasyapar, Ashtavasus.  Durga in this temple is considered to be very powerful.  Dhakshinamurthy appears as Medha Dhakshinamurthy and graces everyone.

Lord Indra had his bath in the white lotus pond of this temple and got his curse warded off.  Sundarar was reminded of the wedding of Nandi in this place.  The tradition is that by worshipping the Goddess here, one can attain wisdom; marriage obstacles can be relieved and blessed with children.  The name of this place Alampozhil has become Thirualampozhil.

In the paved corridor of the temple are seen Moola Vinayakar, Panca Lingam, Dakshinamurti, Chandikeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar, Lord Muruga with his Consorts Valli and Deivanai, the Navagrahas, Kasi Visalakshi, and Nataraja.

Shrines

The principal shrine is to Shiva as Athmanatheswarar. There are idols of Nataraja, Ganesha, Linga, Dakshinamurti, Chandikeswarar, Kasi Viswanatha and Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devayani and the Navagrahas along the corridors of the temple.

Inscriptions

The inscription of this holy place notes the Lord as "tenparampaikuti tiruvalam polil utaya nathar". Appar also in his Tirutantakam has sung "tenparampaikutiyinmeya tiruvalm polilanai cinti nence". From this we can understand that the city was known as parampaikuti and the temple tiruvalam polil.

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from morning 7 till noon and from 4’o clock in the evening upto 8’o clock

Singers

Thirunavukarasar Thevaram song – “Pollata en alukkil pukuvan ennaip Puram purame cotita punitan tannai Ellarum tannaiye ikala annallItupali enru akamtiriyum empiran”.

Festivals

·        Avanimoolam

·        Sashti

·        Navarathri

·        Karthikai Somavarams

·        Sivarathri

·        Margali Tiruvadirai

·        Aipasi Annabishekam

Prayers

Prayers are offered to the Lord to cast off the obstacles in marriage proposals, to beget issues and to have the best acquisition in knowledge and education. After the fulfillment of the prayers, people complete their vow by conducting ‘Abhishekam’ (Sacred Bath) to the Deity and adorning him with new clothes.

Contact

Arulmigu Aaathmanaatheswarar Temple,

Tiruvalam Polil P.O. Tiruppanturutti – 613 103,

Via Tirukkantiyur – Tiruvayyaru Taluk,

Thanjavur District.

Phone: +91-4365-284573, 322290

Connectivity

Thiruvalampolil is on the way to Tirukkaattuppalli via Kandiyur about 17 km. from Thanjavur. 

Nearest Railway Station: Thanjavur.

Nearest Airport: Tiruchy.