Rathnapureeswarar Temple

Overview

The District of Tiruvarur was carved out as a separate district by detaching Valangaiman Taluk from Thanjavur District and Thiruvarur, Nannilam, Kudavasal, Needamangalam, Mannargudi , Thirutturaippundi Taluks from Nagappatinam District on 01.01.1997. There are 2 Revenue Divisions, 7 Taluks, 10 Blocks, 4 Municipalties and 7 Town Panchayats in Thiruvarur District. Thiru M. R. Mohan IAS was the first District Collector of Thiruvarur District. Thanjavur attained prominence under the Chola rulers who were paramount in South India during the 9th to 12th centuries. They were excellent rulers and mighty builders. Many examples are found in the district which bears testimony to this. Many of these temples reflect the geniusness and architectural proficiency in sculpture, painting and wood-carving. The administration of Thanjavur (Tiruvarur) was given over to English fully under the Treaty of 1799. The ruler of Thanjavur was allowed to retain the fort of Thanjavur with very limited powers. When the ruler died in 1841, without heir, the Thanjavur fort was also annexed by the British. Thanjavur remained under the British rule until 1947 when India attained freedom.

About The Temple

Rathnapureeswarar Temple is a Shiva temple situated in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu.The name of this temple is derived from the historical story of the Chola brothers. King Ratnendra Chola and his brother had inherited a hefty sum of diamonds from their parents which they were keen on partitioning between themselves. Unable to come to an agreement regarding the value of these precious gems, confusion clouded the minds of the two brothers.They decided to take their predicament to God Shiva at this temple to settle this matter once and for all. Shiva assumed the form of a diamond merchant and cleared their dilemma.Thus, the temple attained its name as Ratna translates to gem.

In the Tevaram hymns of Saint Sundarar, Rathnapureeswarar Temple is 118th temple to be praised and is situated on the bank of River Cauvery.The idol of God is a Swayambumurthy in this east facing temple which received significant contributions from the Nagarathar devotees. Other shrines are dedicated to Muruga, Mother Gajalakshmi, Viswanatha and the Navagrahas.The Rajgopuram of this temple is 5 storeys tall. On the walls of the Sanctum Sanctorum are the idols of Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbava, Brahma. In the Mahamandap, one can view the Nataraja Sabha as well as the procession deities. A Rudraksha called Makarakandiga can be spotted on all the idols in this temple.The idol of Kotpuli Nayanar can be seen at this temple and his solidarity with the temple is observed annually in the month of Aadi.

About The Deity

Lord Shiva in the temple is swayambumurthy.as the moolavar presiding deity, in his manifestation as Rathnapureeswarar. He is also known as Manikkavannar. His consort, Parvati, is known as Mangalambikai.

Legend and Stories

Kotpuli Nayanar was one of the famous Nayanmars and a fearless commander of the Chola army which earned him the name Pulia which means tiger in the Tamil language. A sizable amount of his earning from the paddy trade was solely used for renovation of this temple. When he had to leave his native place as his army was on the brink of war, he stringently instructed his family to ensure that the paddy inventories would be used for no purpose other than that which benefits the temple. He also left an ominous warning that anyone who flouts his instructions and uses it for their personal reasons shall be executed. As fate would have it, famine spread like wild fire across the country and the family was left with no other alternative but to use the paddy which they were expressly forbidden from using. When Kotpuli returned home on a victorious note, he was enraged to find that his family had committed such a blasphemous act and ruthlessly murdered every single one of them including a defenceless little boy.God Shiva appeared along with Goddess Parvathi, soon after and told Kotpuli that his family members had now arrived at His lotus feet and Kotpuli must join them upon their request. And thus, Kotpuli achieves his salvation.

Another legend follows the doings of Saint Sundarar who visited the temple but was taken aback when he found that Shiva and Parvathi were not at the temple. It is said that Vinayaka personally showed the way to Saint Sundarar to the north eastern spot where God and Goddess were planting paddy. And thereby Sri Vinayaka has been enshrined at the eastern entrance of the tower in the temple. A spring called Kari Theertham at this temple has a history of its own. An elephant attained salvation by bathing daily in a spring it created on its own and constantly worshipping God Shiva. The name Karinatheswarara is derived from this incident.

Festivals

Kotpuli Nayanar Guru Puja on Jeshta (Kettai in Tamil) star day in Aadi (July-August) is the main festival of the temple. Also, all Shiva related festivals are observed.

Thanks Giving

Devotees perform abishek to Lord offering vastras.

Significance

People come to pray to Lord seeking solutions for problems in family, assets that could not be partitioned and for high yield in agriculture. It is the staunch belief of the devotees that Lord will guide in such complex issues.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest Air terminal is about 1 km from Tiruchirapalli airport.

Railways

Ar train can be taken to Thiruvarur from Bangalore to reach in 6 hours. Thiruvarur Junction is the nearest railway station.

Road

Regular bus facilities are available to Thiruvarur from major cities of the country.

Temple Address

Sri Rathnapureeswarar Temple,
Tirunattiyathankudi Post-610 202,
Via Mavoor, Tiruvarur district.