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Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Sundareswarar Temple, Elandurai, Thanjavur

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