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Friday, February 12, 2016

Bhaskareswarar Temple, Paruthiapparkoil, Orathanadu, Thanjavur

Bhaskareswarar Temple, Paruthiapparkoil, Orathanadu, Thanjavur
Bhaskareswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Paruthiapparkoil village in the Orathanadu taluk of Thanjavur district in Tamilnadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva. Lord is a swayambumurthy in the temple. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord on 18, 19 and 20 in the Tamil month of Panguni. He is in a standing posture before the Linga in the temple, a rare darshan exclusively in this temple. There are 3 Chandikeswarars in the prakara. Lord Maha Vishnu and Sri Anjaneya are in the goshta wall behind the sanctum. 

Significance
Located on the Thanjavur-Pudukkottai road, Paruthiapparkoil was the place where Surya (the sun god of Hindu mythology) is believed to have worshipped Shiva. Hence, the temple built on the spot got the name "Paruthiapparkoil" which means "Temple of the Sun" in language and "Bhaskareswarar", an alternate name of the Sun-god Surya in Sanskrit. Later, Paruthiapparkoil was also used to denote the settlement which grew around the temple.
Legends
Once, Sun God known as Parithi in Tamil was affected by a severe disease.  He surrendered to Lord Shiva for relief.  Lord advised Sun to reach this place, create a holy spring, install a Shivalinga and worship him.  Sun meticulously followed Lord’s advice and gained relief from the disease. As Lord Shiva graced the Sun, He is named Parithi Appar in Tamil and Bhaskareswarar in Sanskrit.
The other story is that Emperor Sibi, belonging to Lord Sri Rama’s Surya dynasty in the ascending order, renounced his royal life and set out on a pilgrimage of Shiva sthalas.  He is the king who rendered justice to a dove offering his own flesh.  During the pilgrimage, the emperor was relaxing at this place.  His escort was gathering grass for feeding the horse.  While he dug the land for grass, his instrument touched the Shivalinga below and began to bleed.   The king ordered for further digging and found the Surya Linga.  He performed abishek to the Linga and worshipped.  A scar on the Linga is still an evidence of this event, according to sthala Purana.  The emperor learnt the origin of Linga from a sage.
The Linga installed by Sun was brought out to the world through one belonging to his own dynasty.  The rays of Sun fall on Lord during March-April (Panguni Tamil month on 18, 19 and 20).
Temple Speciality
Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy. Sun God dedicates his puja to Lord on Panguni 18, 19 and 20 in March-April with his rays submitted on Lord Shiva. This is the only temple where Sun stands before Lord enjoying his darshan. There are 3 Chandikeswarars in the prakara. Behind the goshta wall are Lord Maha Vishnu and Sri Anjaneya side by side.
Greatness of Temple
Sun God partook in the Yajna conducted by Daksha without the permission of Lord Shiva and was therefore punished by Lord Akora Veerabadra and incurred doshas. 
For relief, Sun worshipped Lord in 16 Shiva sthalas. Sankarankovil, Thalai Gnayiru, Suriyanar Koil and Tirumangalakudi in South and Konarak in north are among these 16 places. 
This is also the shrine granting longevity to devotees.  It is believed that Sage Markandeya is worshipping the Lord even now formlessly.  Those suffering from prolonged and severe ailments draw benefit from praying to Lord Shiva in this temple.  People attaining the age of 60, 70 and 80 celebrate Ayush Homa (longevity worship) in this temple. 
One Brhamma Sharma and his wife Susheelai incurred a curse to be born as eagle and parrot.  They worshipped Lord Shiva here and were relieved of the curse.
The Temple
It is very Ancient Temple. It is facing east. Five Rajagopuram are there. The entrance of first gopuram had a Kodimaram, Vinayagar, Nandhi, Pali peedam; Ambal temple is situated near to the Vasantha mandapam facing south. Accessing the second gopuram, Vinayagar, Murugan, Gajalakshmi Sannathis are there to worship. Natraja Saba is there. Near to that Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran and Navagraham are there. Murugan in this temple is worshipped as varaprasatha Moorthy.
After worshiping dwarapalakars and Vinayagar, One can enter into the Sannithi to worship Swayambu Moorthy. Opposite to Moolavar, nandhi and Pali peedam are located.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 a.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festivals
Akshaya Thirithiyai, Masi Ratha Sapthami in February-March, 10 day Panguni Surya puja in March-April are the festivals celebrated in this temple.
Singers
The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saints Thirugnana Sambandar, Thirunavukarasar and Sundarar.  This is the 101st Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in hymns.
Prayers
This is the place where Sun was relieved of his doshas, hence noted for its importance to perform rituals for the ancestors.  Pithru dosha may fall on a person due to the adverse aspect of any planet.  Those born on Karthika, Uthiram, Uthiradam star days, those undergoing Sun main period in life, those born under Leo ascendant and Rasi and in the months Chithirai (April-May), Aavani (September-October), Aipasi (October-November) and on the first day of any Tamil month, pray here on the first Sunday of the full moon fortnight to get relieved from all adverse aspects affecting them.
Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother with vastras and contribute for the renovation of the temple.
Contact
Sri Bhaskareswarar Swami Temple,
Parithiappar Koil, Orathanadu Taluk,
Thanjavur – 614 904
Phone: +91- 4372-256 910.
Connectivity
It is located 15 km far from Thanjavur on the Pattukkottai road. Parithiappar temple is 2 km east of Ulur. 
Nearest Railway Station is Thanjavur & Nearest Airport is Trichy.