Sundareswarar Temple,
Elandurai, Thanjavur
Sundareswarar Temple is a Hindu
Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Elandurai village in Thiruvidaimarudur
Taluk in Thanjavur District in Tamil
Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Sundareswarar and Mother is called
as Abhirami. The Temple is considered as one of the Temples in Saptha Sthana
Temples of Thiruneelakkudi. The Temple is considered as Parihara Sthalam for
Chevvai Dosham.
Legends
Equivalent to Badrika Ashram:
When Veda Vyasa visited South
India, he was searching for a better place for his penance. He was mesmerized
by the beauty of the place. The place is full of Ilandhai Tree. Veda Vyasa
chose this place and settled here. This place is equivalent to Badrika Ashram.
Chevvai Parihara Sthalam:
It is believed Angaragan (Planet
Mars) got relieved of his curse by worshipping Lord Shiva here. Hence, this
Temple is considered as Chevvai Parihara Sthalam.
People worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Agasthya,
Durvasa, Markandeya, Bharadhwaja, Kashyapa, Brihu, Vyasa, Yajnavalkya, Kabilar,
Suryan, Nalan, Sadananda, Heyheya and Kandar worshipped Lord Shiva here.
The
Temple
This
is an east facing Temple with three-tiered Raja Gopuram. Presiding Deity is
called as Sundareswarar and is facing east. He is housed
in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Sun Rays fall on presiding deity on
three days in Chithirai Month. Mother is called as Abhirami. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine.
There is a shrine for Badri
Narayana Perumal in the western prakaram. He is having four hands. Upper Hands
are holding Akshara Mala & Tulsi Bouquet and Lower hands showing Varada
& Abhaya Hastha. He is gracing the devotees along with Sridevi and
Bhoodevi.
There are Idols and shrines of Deepa
Lakshmi, Vinayaga, Murugan, Dwara Ganapthy Gajalakshmi, Chandran, Suryan and
Navagrahas in the Temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Ilandhai Tree. Theertham
associated with this Temple is Vyasa Kulam (Vyasa Pushkarini). It is situated
to the east of the Temple.
Temple
Opening Time
The Temple remains open from
07.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 05.00 PM to 08.30 PM.
Festivals
Thiru Karthigai, Maha
Shivarathri, Thiruvadhirai and Kanda Sashti are the festivals celebrated here with
much fanfare. Theerthavari is conducted on last Tuesday of Karthigai Month
every year.
Religious
Significance
It was believed that after
achieving Chiranjeevi Status from Lord Shiva. He achieved this status at
Thiruneelakkudi Temple. As a mark of respect to Lord Shiva, Sage Markandeya
worshipped Lord Shiva in Seven Temples around Thiruneelakkudi. In remembrance
to this event, during annual Chithirai festival, Sage Markandeya accompany Lord
Shiva and Mother of Thiruneelakkudi and visit the remaining six Shiva Temples.
This is called Saptha Sthana Festival of Thiruneelakkudi.
The Saptha Sthana Temples of
Thiruneelakkudi are;
Prayers
Vyasa had made a tank here
called Vyasa Kulam. Anyone who takes a bath on the first Tuesday of Karthigai
will be blessed with a son. Taking a bath on the second Tuesday fetches wealth,
while the bath on the third Tuesday fetches Gnanam (Knowledge). A bath on the
fourth Tuesday gets one what he wishes for. Bath on the fifth Tuesday, if there
is one, brings all heavenly pleasures. Those who have Chevvai Dosham has it
dispelled by offering worship here.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 3
Kms from Thiruneelakkudi, 4 Kms from Ammangudi, 7 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur,
7 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur Railway Station, 7 Kms from Ayyavadi, 7 Kms from Thirunageswaram,
11 Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 12 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 14
Kms from Kumbakonam, 55 Kms from Thanjavur and 116 Kms from Trichy Airport. The
Temple is situated on Kumbakonam to Karaikal Route.
Location
