Baleswarar Temple,
Thiruthalaiyur, Thiruvarur
Baleswarar Temple is a Hindu
Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thiruthalaiyur Village in Nannilam
Taluk in Thiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Baleswarar
/ Pasupathinathar and Mother is called as Parvathi. This Temple is considered
as Avathara as well as Mukthi Sthalam of Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar, one of the 63
Nayanmars. The
Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention
about this Temple.
Legends
Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar was a Nayanar saint,
venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism.
He is the 16th of 63 Nayanar saints
of Hinduism. The life of Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar is described in Periya
Puranam written by Sekkizhar (12th
century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars.
One of the most prominent Nayanars, Sundarar (8th
century) venerates Rudra
Pasupathi Nayanar in the Tiruthondar Thogai.
Pasupathi Nayanar was a learned
Brahmin devotee who practised chanting of the Shri Rudram Chamakam, a Vedic hymn
dedicated to Rudra (a
form of Shiva). Therefore, he is known by the name Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar. Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar was born in a
pious Brahmin family
in the small village of Thiruthalaiyur, now located in Nannilam
Taluk in Thiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu. Rudra
Pasupathi Nayanar was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.
He used to go to the water tank
in the early morning and evening and chant Shri Rudram Chamakam hymn with
folded hands raised above his head. The hymn hails Shiva as the Supreme Being
and is believed to accord the reciter Shiva's grace. The vibration of the
intense prayer of the Nayanar is described to reach the abode of Shiva, who
pleased with the Nayanar's devotion grants him salvation. Tamil month
Purattasi
– Ashwini star
is widely celebrated as Guru Puja Day of Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar.
The
Temple
This is an east facing Temple
with an entrance arch. Presiding Deity is called as Baleswarar /
Pasupathinathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of
Lingam. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. Mother is called
as Parvathi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. There are idols
and shrines of Vinayaga, Murugan, Navagrahas, Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar and
Lingas in the Temple premises.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 6
Kms from Kollumangudi, 7 Kms from Peralam, 7 Kms from Peralam Railway Stattion,
11 Kms from Nedungadu, 11 Kms from Koothanur, 22 Kms from Karaikal, 31 Kms from
Thiruvarur and 138 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on
Kollumangudi to Karaikal route via Nedungadu.
Location