Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Kallar Pasupathi Koil, Thanjavur
Pasupatheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kallar Pasupathi Koil in Papanasam Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Pasupatheeswarar and Mother is called as Paal Vala Nayaki / Loga Nayagi. The Temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old and the temple is situated on the banks of Kudamurutti River, a distributary of river Cauvery.
The temple is also one of the 70 Maadakovil built by 2nd century Chola King, Kochengat Chola. Mada Kovil Temples are built with elevated structure where elephants cannot reach the sanctum, in the Chola empire. This temple is one of the 7 shrines associated with the Saptha Matrikas (Madhas / Mangais) around Ayyampettai / Pasupathi Koil area in the Thanjavur – Papanasam (Kumbakonam) route. This Temple is associated with Mother Varahi.
Legends
Pasupathi:
When Lord Shiva plays his Udukkai drum, He grants Beeja Veda Shakti blessings through the Beejakshara sound waves that he generates through the drum. Siva’s hand drum (Udukku or damaru) has two faces, one the Pasu side and the other the Pathi side. Pasu refers to the jivatma, the bound, individual soul. Pati refers to God as the lord of the bound souls who redeems them from their bonds (pasam). This Pasupathi Temple in Pasumangai is one of those sacred spots where the bound (Pasu) souls can reach the (Pati) Divine. Pray to Lord Pasupathi here for that divine Bija Veda Gnana wisdom that can unite you (the Pasu) with Him (the Pathi).
Kamadenu worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Divine cow Kamadenu worshipped Lord Shiva here.
History
This is one of the Mada Temples built by Chola king Kochenganan, who has built 70 other temples of this nature. The Temple was destroyed due to Cauvery floods and invasion by Malik Kafur and Arcot Nawabs. There are fragment of inscriptions in Chola style, Chola Style Architecture and the presence of Jyeshta Devi Idol proves that this temple belonged to Chola Period.
The Temple
The Temple is having three tiered Rajagopuram with single prakaram. Life History of Sage Markandeya, Story of Kannappa Nayanar, Lord Shiva with eight hands with weapons are depicted beautifully in stucco idols in the Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Pasupatheeswarar. Sanctum housing the presiding deity and Shrine of Uchishta Ganapathy are located on the elevated structure adjacent to each other. Uchishta Ganapathy Idol is sculptural masterpiece.
Saneeswara, Bhairavar, Durga, Dakshina Moorthy and Gajalakshmi can be found on the walls of the ground floor. Mother is called as Paal Vala Nayaki / Loga Nayagi. There is an idol of Manthan with his consort Manthi on the south west side of the prakaram. There is also an idol of Bhairavar on the north-west side of the prakaram.
There is an idol of Kalapidari located very close to this Temple. The Idol is located at about 1 Km from this Temple. The idol is located on elevated area. This Idol is called as Naduvircheri Sri Kalapidari during medieval Chola period as per the inscriptions in Pullamangai Temple. This form of Mother is called as Uragachudai Mulaichi in Silapathikaram.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 06.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 04.00 p.m. to 08.30 p.m.
Festivals
This Temple is one of the seven places forming seven Holy Kshetras in and around Pasupathi Koil where the annual Saptha Sthanam festival is held in the month of Panguni. The Deities from the main temple Chakkarapalli are taken in a procession in very huge “kannadippallakkoo” weighing more than 2000 Kgs by bearers on bare foot over more than 40 Kms in two days nonstop except for few hours halt at Kudamurutti river sands for the fireworks show at 4 am.
Religious Significance
For brief details, please refer below link;
Connectivity
The temple is located at about 1 Km from Pasupathikoil Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Pasupathikoil Railway Station, 4.5 Kms from Ayyampet Railway Station, 12 Kms from Papanasam, 15 Kms from Thanjavur, 13 Kms from Thiruvaiyaru, 14 Kms from Thingalur, 12 Kms from Thirupazhanam, 26 Kms from Kumbakonam and 69 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated at Kallar Pasupathi Koil, at about 1 Km South of from Pasupathi Koil bus stand. Devotees are advised not to be confused with other Pasupatheeswarar temple at Vellala Pasupathi Koil at 1 Km West of Pasupathi Koil bus stand. The Temple is situated on Thanjavur – Kumbakonam Road.