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.