Pasupatiswarar Temple, Pandanallur, Thanjavur
Pasupatiswarar Temple is located in Pandanallur in the Thiruvidaimarudur taluk of Thanjavur district. Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy in an
anthill form. The Sannidhi of Swami is called "Thirugnana Sambandar
entrance". There is a separate temple for Parmalavalli (Parvathi) with Aadhikesava Perumal inside the complex. The lingam appears white in color and is believed to have
derived the colour from the milk poured by Kamadenu.
Legends
Mother Parvathi expressed her desire to Lord to play
balls. Lord made balls of the four Vedas. Parvathi continued her
play for too long a time. Though it was time for sunset, Sun only delayed
the setting. The Rishis could not perform their Sandhya Vandanam due to
delay in sunset. They asked Surya to act but he said that he could not
afford to incur the wrath of Parvathi.
They appealed to Lord Shiva. Mother did not notice Shiva coming to her
and therefore was cursed by him. He tossed the ball that fell under the
Sarakondrai tree here. Lord said she would be relieved of the curse by
performing milk abishek to the Linga under the tree. As the ball (Pandhu
in Tamil) extinct here (Anaindhadhu in Tamil), the place came to known as
Pandhu Anaindha Oor – Pandhanaindha Nallur.
To help his sister Parvathi, Mahavishnu came to the
place as a shepherd. He left his cow to graze during the day and supplied
milk to Sage Kanwa in the evenings. The cow saw an anthill and poured the
milk there. Sage Kanwa had no milk that day. Lord Vishnu hit the
cow, which jumped and placed its leg on the anthill. Immediately, the cow
and the shepherd were back to their original form. Cow - Parvathi begged
Lord to accept her in marriage. Lord advised her to perform penance
facing north and reach him. Ambica followed the advice and realized her
wish. Lord Shiva appears in the Sanctum Sanctorum as Kalyana Sundarar.
This place has been referred to in Thevaram written by Saint Poet (7th Century AD) Thirugnana Sambandhar.
Greatness of Temple
Lord is praised as Pasupatheeswarar as he came here as
the Lord of cow – Pasu-cow, Pathi-Lord, Easwarar-God – Pasupatheeswarar.
Navagrahas are on a straight line to have the wedding darshan of Lord and Mother;
hence the planets are only merciful here. Those facing any adverse
planetary effects are advised to circumambulate around Lord, Mother and the
Navagrahas for remedy.
There is no special Sabha for Lord Nataraja. Lord
Vishnu graces from a separate temple. Son of King of Kaambeeli got back
his eye sight by the grace of Lord in this temple.
Lord Vishnu, Sage Kanwa, Vali, Indira, Brahmma, Sun had
worshipped Lord in this temple. Saints Arunagiriar, Ramalinga Adigalar
and Patteeswaram Mounaguruswami had sung the glory of the temple in their
hymns.
The Temple
Pasupatiswarar Temple, narrating the saga of Parvati and
Shiva, houses a Shivalingam white in colour. It is believed that it obtained
the white colour from the milk being poured on it by Kamadhenu. The Sannidhi of
the Swami is known as 'Thirugnana Sambandar entrance.' The temple complex also
has a separate shrine housing the idol of Parmalavalli, i.e. Goddess Parvati
along with Aadhikesava Perumal.
Lord is facing east and Ambica in penance form is facing
north in this temple with a 7 tier Rajagopuram and 2 prakarams. Kottai
Muni Andavar is at the entrance. Nava Lingas, Lords Muruga, Sattainathar,
Dakshinamurthi and the Navagrahas in a straight line, Mothers Gajalakshmi,
Annapoorani and Saraswathi are in the prakara shrines. Lord Ganapathy is
worshipped as Nruthi Ganapathi.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from
4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Masi Magam in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in
March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Those with impaired vision use to bathe in the sacred
spring of the temple for regaining sight. Those facing effects of Pithru
doshas (effects caused by ancestors), delays in marriage, mental peacelessness,
shyness, debt burdens pray in the temple for relief. Devotees perform abishek
to Lord and Mother offering vastras.
Singers
Saint Tirunavukkarasar had sung the glory of Lord of the
temple in his Thevaram hymns. This is the 35th Shiva temple on the
northern bank of Cauvery praised in hymns.
Contact
Sri Pasupatheeswarar Temple
Pandanallur-609 807
Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur district.
Phone: 91- 435-2450 595, +91- 435-2450 595, 98657
78045
Connectivity
Pandanallur is 30 km from Kumbakonam on Chennai route,
near Tiruppanandal. Bus facility is available. Those coming from Mayiladuthurai
can reach the place via Kuthalam. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai & Thanjavur. Nearest Airport is located at
Trichy.
