Paridhiyappeshvarar Temple

Overview

Sri Bhaskareswarar temple is a God Shiva Temple located at Parithiappar Koil,Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.It is a very antiquated temple and is considered as one of the 276 thevara Paadal petra sthalams.The sanctuary is a celebrated temple in the Thevaram psalms of Saints Tirugnana Sambandar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar. This is the 101st Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery adored in psalms.

About The Temple

It is said that the sun dutifully does his puja to God by submitting his rays on God at the time of Panguni that is, 18th, 19th and 20th day in March to April.This is the one and only main temple where Sun is seen standing before God relishing his darshan.Inside the prakara there are 3 idols of God Chandikeswaras.Behind the goshta divider are God Maha Vishnu and God Anjanya one next to the other.This temple has five rajagopurams.The passage of first gopuram has a kodimaram,God vinayagar, nandhi, palipeedam and temple of the Goddess is arranged close to the vasantha mandapam confronting south. Acrossing the second gopuram there are small shrines for worshipping God vinayagar, God Murugan, Goddess Gajalaxmi. Also there is a Natraja saba close to which are the shrines of God bairavar, suryan, chandiran and navagraham. God Murugan in this Temple has a great significance and is adored varaprasatha moorthy.

About The Deity

The presiding deity of this temple is Bhaskareswarar also called as Parithiappar. God Shiva in the sanctuary is in the form of Swayambumurthy. The Goddess is Mangalambikai.

Legend and Stories

Sun God took part in the Yajna led by Daksha without the authorization of God Shiva and was subsequently punished by God Akora Veerabadra and cursed by doshas.To get discharge from the dosha, Sun worshipped the God in 16 Shiva sthalas.Sankarankoil,Thalai Gnayiru,Suriyanar Koil and Tirumangalakudi in South and Konark in north are among these 16 spots. Once Brhamma Shrama and his concort Susheelai acquired a condemnation to be conceived as falcon and parrot.They venerated God Shiva here and were assuaged of the condemnation.Parithi implies for Sun and since the Sun God worshipped the God Shiva here, thus the spot got its name. Markandeyar is said to have been honored here on the auspicious day of Margazhi Thiruvadirai. King Sibi found this temple by accidently. Sambandar made the Pathigam.When,Sun God in tamil is alluded as Parithi,was influenced by a serious illness. He pleaded God Shiva for help. He directed the Sun to achieve this very spot, make a sacred spring, set up a Shivalinga and worship Him. Sun carefully took after Shiva's recommendation and got relieved from the sickness. As God Shiva blessed the Sun here, he is named Parithi Appar in Tamil and Bhaskhareswara in Sanskrit. The other story says Emperor Shibi, descendant of God Rama's Surya line in the rising request, repudiated his imperial life and set out on a journey of Shiva sthalas. He is the ruler who rendered equity to a pigeon offering his own particular tissue. Amid the journey, the sovereign was unwinding at this spot. His escort was social affair grass for nourishing the steed. While he burrowed the area for grass, his instrument touched the Shivalinga underneath and started to drain. The King requested for further burrowing and discovered the Surya Linga. He bathed the Linga in milk and water and worshipped him. There are some scars on the Linga is still a proof of this occasion, as per sthala purana. The ruler learnt the inception of Linga from a sage.

Festivals

Akshaya Thrithiya, Masi Ratha Sapthami in February-March, 10 day Panguni Surya puja in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Prayers

This is the place where Sun was relieved of his doshas, hence noted for its importance to perform rituals for the ancestors. Pithur dosha may fall on one due to the adverse aspect of any planet. Those born on Karthika, Uthiram, Uthiradam star days, those undergoing Sun main period in life, those born under Leo ascendant and Rasi and in the months Chithirai (April-May), Aavani (September-October), Aipasi (October-November) and on the first day of any Tamil month, pray here on the first Sunday of the full moon fortnight to get relieved from all adverse aspects affecting them.

Thanks giving

Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother with vastras and contribute for the renovation of the temple.

Significance

This is also the temple where devotees are blessed with long life span. It is accepted that Sage Markandeya still worships the God indistinctly. It is said that those who are suffering from chronic and extreme illness get health benefits by appealing the God Shiva in this temple. Individuals of the age of 60, 70 and 80 observe Ayush Homa (life span venerate) in this temple.

Nearby Places to Visit

1. Andalakkum Aiyan Temple
2. Padikasu Nathar Temple
3. Gajendra Varadhan Temple
4. Hara Shaba Vimochana Perumal Temple
5. Appakudathan Temple
6. Adhivaraha Perumal Temple

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is in Trichy.

Railways

The nearest railway station is in Thanjavur.

Road

Ulur is 15 km far from Thanjavur on the Pattukottai road. Parithiappar temple is 2 km east of Ulur.

Temple Address

Sri Bhaskareswara Swami Temple,
Parithiappar Koil, Orathanadu Taluk,
Thanjavur – 614 904.