Arulmigu Aathmanaatheswarar Temple

Overview

The Sri Athmanatheshwarar Temple is located at Tiruvalampolil in Tamil Nadu and is dedicated to God Shiva. The deity of God Shiva is called Aathmanaatheswarar in this temple. This temple is the 274th Sivalayam Koil according to the Hindu mythology.

About the Temple

This temple is known to be the tenth temple among the temples located at the Southern bank of River Cauvery. It is a very ancient temple and it is known that Nayanmars have mentioned about this temple in the Devaram. The temple is pretty tall with a 5 level tower and there is a Dwarabalagar on each side of the entrance to the tower. Just when someone enters the tower, on the left side the shrine of God Subramaniar can be seen.

There are shrines of God Vinayagar, Vishwanathar and Vishalakhi in the courtyard outside the main shrine. There is also a navagraha shrine and Ambal shrine there. The shrine of Ambal is in a straight upright position.

According to the Hindu mythology, God Indra is known to have had taken a bath in the white lotus pond of this particular temple and through that he had got rid of his curse. Another interesting fact about this temple is that Sundarar was reminded of the wedding of Nandi here. There is a strong belief that whoever worships the Goddess in this temple attains a lot of wisdom. Not only that, problems in marriage (before or after) are solved. This place was earlier known as Alampozhil and now it is called as Thirualampozhil. On the paved corridor of this temple there are shrines of Moola Vinayakar, Pancha Lingam, Dakshinamurti, Chandikeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar, God Muruga who can be seen with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, the navagrahas, Kasi Visalakshi and Nataraja.

About the Deity

The chief deity of this temple is Aathmanatheshwarar and it is a self-manifested one i.e. swayambhu. The deity faces the West direction. Mostly, this place is worshipped by the Ashtavasus.

Legend and Stories

There are many inscriptions at this holy place. One of it notes that the God here is known as “tenparampaikuti tiruvalam polil utaya nathar.” In Appar’s Tiruvantakam also there is a verse as “tenparampaikutivinmeya tiruvalm polilanai cinti nence.” All this takes us to a conclusion that this city used to be known as parampaikuti and the temple was called tiruvalam polil.

Festivals

Various festivals are celebrated in this temple. Some of them include: Avanimoolam, Sashti, Navarathri, Karthikai Somavarams, Sivarathri, Margali Tiruvadirai and Aipasi Annabishekam.

Significance

Renowned Nayanman saint Thirunavukarasar has mentioned about this temple in the Thevaram. Mostly devotees who have problems in marriage or having issues to have children visit this temple to get blessed. After the prayers of the devotees are fulfilled, they come to this temple and conduct an Abhishekam to the chief deity and offer him new clothing.

Nearby Place To Visit

There are many interesting places to visit which are in close proximity to this temple. They are Andalakkum Aiyan, Padikasu Nathar, Gajendra Varadhan, Hara Shaba Vimochana Perumal, Appakudathan and Adhiyaraha Perumal.

Accessibility

Road

This temple is located at Tiruvalampolil which is around 17 kms on the way to Tirukkattuppalli from Thanjavur. The route to this places comes via Kantiyur.

Railways

The nearest railway station is Thanjavur.

Airport

The closest airport is Tiruchy.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Aaathmanaatheswarar Temple,
Tiruvalam Polil P.O. Tiruppanturutti – 613 103,
Via Tirukkantiyur – Tiruvayyaru Taluk,
Thanjavur District.