Shivapuranathar Temple

Overview

This Shivastalam is located 5 km south east of Kumbhakonam. The Sivagurunathaswamy temple one of the Padal petra stalam, Hindu God, Shiva temples revered by 7th Century poets mentioned in the Tevaram. It is located in Sivapuram near Kumbakonam.Sivapuram is considered to be the 67th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri. Adulated by Gnanasambandar and Apparswamigal in Thevaram psalms. Little girl of slopes was perplexed When Lord fleeced the skin of elephant He is in Sivapuram This is the 67th temple on the southern banks of Cauvery.Tamil New Year day on Chithirai first (April-May), Aani Tirumanjanam (June-July), Vinayaka Chaturthi in Aavani (August-September), Navarathri in Purattasi (September-October) Skanda Sashti and Aipasi Annabishekam (October-November) Tirukarthikai and Karthikai Somavaras-Mondays, in (November-December), Danur month pujas and Tiruvadhirai in Margazhi in December-January, Thai Pongal falling very nearly on January 14, Mahashivarathri in February March and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the celebrations being praised in the temple."

About The Temple

The temple occupies an area of about 1.3 acres and has a 5 tiered Rajagopuram. The internal prakaram has a 3 tiered Gopura entrance; there are shrines to Subramanya and Gajalakshmi and others. There is also a sculptured image of the stalapuranam depicting Varahamurthy worshipping Shiva with flowers. The Bhairava shrine is considered to be of significance here; two worship services are offered to Bhairavar. The spot is otherwise called Kuberapuram, Bhoo Kailas and Shanbagaranyam. Ruler Vishnu as Swedhavaraha (white swine) venerated here. Likewise Kubera (the power for riches), Ravana and Agni the God of Fire venerated here. The temple is likewise noted for the Angapradakshinam undertaking by the enthusiasts. Nardana Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbava, Brahma and Durga grace from their particular places of worship in the passageway. A work of art portraying the love of Lord Vishnu of Shiva with lotus blossoms is on the close-by divider. On the external divider are the hallowed places for Vinayaka, Subramania and Gajalakshmi. Holy person Tirunavukkarasar in Thevaram psalms says the occasion of Lord Vishnu in white swine structure revering Lord Shiva in this temple in the melody starting with the lines "Paaravankan".

Legend and Stories

It is believed that there is a Shivalingam under the earth within this temple and that Tirugnanasambandar, aware of this and out of respect refused to set his foot in the temple premises, but circumambulated the temple through the ritual angapradakshinam. Taking after this conviction, Saint Thirugnanasambandar, while going by this spot, did the Angapradakshina so that the feet did not touch the ground and revered the Lord. Arisil stream streams adjacent. The spot where Gnanasambandar performed the Angapradakshina is called Arisil Thurai. Sage Pattinathar shows up in a sitting structure in the Vinayaka temple close-by.

Significance

The Lord is a swayambumurthy. This is one of the sanctuaries noted for Angapradakshinam (moving physically around the temple).The rays of Sun fall on the Lord on 3, 4, 5 of Chithirai month (April-May).appeal to Mother-Goddess for child boon by performing abishek and fasting on 11 Fridays with Archanas to the Goddess. They additionally appeal to God for the evacuation of doshas (unfriendly angles) and for soundness of the kids. On understanding their aspirations, devotees perform abishek with Vastras. Those monetarily well, contribute for the upkeep and redesign of the temple and to feed the poor.

Festival

Tamil New Year day on Chithirai first (April-May), Aani Tirumanjanam (June-July), Vinayaka Chaturthi in Aavani (August-September), Navarathri in Purattasi (September-October) Skanda Sashti and Aipasi Annabishekam (October-November) Tirukarthikai and Karthikai Somavaras-Mondays, in (November-December), Danur month pujas and Tiruvadhirai in Margazhi in December-January, Thai Pongal falling almost on January 14, Mahashivarathri in February March and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals being celebrated in the temple.

Prasad & Offering

Devotees pray to Mother-Goddess for child boon by performing abishek and observing fast for 11 Fridays with Archanas to the Goddess. They also pray for the removal of doshas (adverse aspects) and for health of the children. On realizing their ambitions, devotees perform abishek with Vastras. Those financially well, contribute for the maintenance and renovation of the temple and do poor feeding.

Near By Temple

Andalakkum Aiyan
Padikasu Nathar
Gajendra Varadhan
Hara Shaba Vimochana Perumal
Appakudathan
Adhivaraha Perumal

Accessibility

Air

The closest airport is in Trichy.

Rail

The closest railway station is in Kumbakonam

Road

The temple is situated on the southern bank of Arisil river 2 km northeast of Sakkottai on the Tiruvarur Sakkottai route. The visitor should get down at Pattamani Iyer stop at Sakkottai and proceed on the mud road branch of Sivapuri, worshipping the Banyan tree Vinayaka at Malayappanallur. The temple is 2 km from here. Vehicles can go up to the temple.

Temple Address

Sri Sivagurunathaswami Temple, Sivapuram,
Sakkottai Post – 612 401, Kumbakonam Taluk,
Tanjore district.