Palaivananathar Temple, Papanasam, Thanjavur
Palaivananathar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva located in Papanasam, Tamilnadu, India. It is a Paadal Petra Sthalam and is considered to be the 19th in the series of
Thevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri.
Palaivananathar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple
depicting the rich architectural elements of yesteryears. Papanasam meaning
destruction of sins is a panchayat town located in Thanjavur district. It is almost 25 kms away from Tanjore and 15 kms away
from Kumbakonam. The village is the confluence point of three rivers,
Kaveri, Tirumalairajan and Kudamurutti.
It is located 15kms West of Kumbakonam and one km East
of Papanasam on the Southern Banks of Kudamurutti (a tributary of Cauvery) is
the ancient Palaivana Nathar temple in Thiru Palaithurai whose legend extends
across the four Yugams. The temple in its current form and structure dates back
to the 12th century AD to the Chozha Period. Thirunavukarasar (Appar) has
praised the Lord in 11 verses with each of the verse ending with ‘Palaith
Thuraiyarey’.
Legends
Lord Rama worshipping Palaivananathar:
Lord Sri Rama, who visited and performed Pooja at 108
Shivalaya temples, also visited Thirupalaithurai - Palaivananathar temple and
worshiped the deity Lord Shiva and hence the name of the main deity at
Palaivananathar temple is called "Rama Lingam".
Lord Rama also placed his Bow and Arrow on the base of
Vanni Tree on a Vijaya Dasami day and performed Shiva pooja and prayed for
gaining victory. It was believed that worshipping the Lord Palaivananathar and
the Vanni tree on the Tamil month of Puratasi relives one's sin during this
birth and the previous births.
Palaivana Nathar provides darshan in Tiger’s skin:
To test the severity of the penance the rishis who were
seeking Mukthi, Lord Shiva and Parvathi took the form of Bhikshandar and
Mohini. Angered at finding them, the rishis created a Tiger from the Yagna and
let go the fierce animal on them. It was here at Thiru Palathurai that Lord
Shiva killed the Tiger and appeared before the rishis with the Tiger’s skin as
his dress.
Vashista installs Shiva lingam:
Seeking the title of Brahmma Rishi, Vashista installed a
Shiva Lingam and undertook severe penance. Pleased with his prayers, Shiva
appeared before him and anointed him. He also directed Sculptor Vishwakarma to
install a beautiful smiling idol of Ambal south of this Sannidhi.
Pandya King liberated from curse:
Another story goes that an arrogant Malaiathuvacha
Pandya ignored the advice of kalava Rishi and was cursed to become a bear. The
king’s wife invoked the blessings of Agastya Rishi who directed the bear to go
the Chozha Kingdom and to the sacred Thiru Palaithurai. Once here, the bear was
chased down by a hunter. A fear struck bear jumped into the Cauvery south
of the temple. Instantly, he was liberated from his curse and he regained his
original form. Delighted at this, Malaiathuvacha Pandya built the Mandapa and
initiated the Kalyana Utsavam at this temple.
One of the 21 sacred ‘Thurai’ Sthalams:
Thiru Pali Thurai is one of the 21 Sacred ‘Thurai’
Sthalams on the banks of Cauvery. Some of the others include ‘Maliyadu’ Thurai,
‘Maan’ Thurai, ‘Aavadu’ Thurai, ‘Poon’ Thurai, ‘Sen’ Thurai and ‘Then
Kurankadu’ Thurai.
Named after a Tree:
This is one of the 17sacred Devaram praised temples
named after a tree. Some of the others include Thillai Vanam, Thiru Nellikka,
Thiru Pananthaal, Vilva Vanam, Thiru Erukaththam Puliyur and Thiru Idai
Maruthur.
The Temple
Palaivananathar Temple, built during the reign of the
Chola Kingdom, is spread over an area of 3 acres of land. The temple has 2
prakarams i.e. outer courtyard and its entrance door is coroneted by a five
tiered Rajagopuram. Several ancient inscriptions of the Chola
Dynasty and Vijayanagar
Empire have been engraved on the walls of the temple. Lord Shiva, the
central deity of the temple is known as Palaivananathar by the devotees.
The temple also houses the idol of Goddess
Thavalavennagaiammai. Generous contributions have been made during the period
of Kulothunga Chola I and Kulothunga Chola III of the Chola Dynasty for the
development and maintenance of the temple.
The 5 Tier Rajagopuram at the
Eastern Entrance that has beautiful sculptures recording mythological stories.
The original construction of the temple complex was of brick with Chozhas
improving upon it and making it stronger with Granite Construction in the 12th Century
AD. Inside the temple in the inner prakara on the upper wall on the western
side, one finds beautiful paintings and several different sculptures depicting
ancient stories.
Presently, the temple is preserved and maintained by the
State Archaeological Department. There are two sacred tanks inside the
temple one relating to Indra and the other dating back to the period of
Vashista Rishi. Saneeswaran is seen facing Mahalakshmi at this temple.
Lord Subramanya has taken the form of the 6 faced Shanmugha at this temple.
Kalyana Kolam Temple:
This is one of the 8 temples in Chozha Kingdom where
Lord Shiva and Ambal are seen in a Kalyana Kolam. The others are Thiru
Vidaimaruthur, Thiru Kanjanur, Thiru Maan Thurai, Thiru Ambarmaakaalam, Thiru Chottruthurai,
Thiru Valanchuzhi and Thirukkara Veeram.
Granary:
There is also a world famous granary (Store House
of paddy) Breadth: 86 feet (26 m), Height: 36 feet (11 m) capacity of
3,000 Kalam (measure) constructed by Nayaks in 1600 - 1634. State
Archaeological Department declared it as a monument. Mention must be made of
those from the period of Kulothunga Chola I and Kulothunga Chola III speaking of gifts made to the temple during the Chola period.
This 400 year old Granary on the Northern side of the
Raja Gopuram is located at the Eastern entrance. This was built by Raghunatha
Nayak of Thanjavur. This is circular at the bottom and conical at the top with
three different entrances – one on the Western side at the bottom and one each
in the middle and the top on the Southern side. The granary has the capacity to
hold 3000 kalams of grains.
Inscriptions:
There are 11 inscriptions dating back to the Chozha
Period in the 12th Century AD that provide insights into the gifting
of tax free land, donations towards conduct of Aadi Pooram festival. Inscriptions
relate to the rule of Kulothunga Chozhan I and III, Vikrama Chozhan and Raja
Raja Chozhan II and III.
During the rule of Kulothunga I, taxes to be paid by
this village to bigger town of Nallur was waived. Later period inscriptions
relate to Pandya and Vijayanagar rulers. The pillars in the Maha Mandapa was
renovated and improved upon during the Vijayanagara period.
Temple Opening Time
·
Morning:
6.00 AM to 1.00 PM
·
Evening:
4.30 PM to 8.00 PM
Festivals
·
Chitra
Pournami
·
Sandal
Bath for Ambal on the last Friday of Aadi
·
Street
Procession on Thiruvathirai
·
Thai
Poosam
·
Maha
Sivarathri
·
Navarathri-
10day Utsavam
·
Karthigai
Deepam,
·
Pradosham
·
Somavaram
·
Annabishekam
Connectivity
Thiru Palaithurai Temple is located at a distance of one
km North East of the Papanasam Railway Station on the Thanjavur- Kumbakonam
Highway. Auto from Papanasam station will cost Rs. 50.
This temple is situated 2 Kms from Papanasam on the
Thanjavur - Kumbakonam road.
Nearest Railway Station is located at Papanasam. Nearest
Major Railway Station is located at Kumbakonam, Thanjavur & Mayiladuthurai.
Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.