Pushpavana Naathar Temple

Overview

The Sri Pushpavananathar Temple is located in the Thanjavur District and is dedicated to God Shiva.

About the Temple

God Shiva’s shrine in this temple is a swayambumurthy. This temple is the sixth of the Sapthasthanas i.e. the seven sacred places. This temple also boasts of a mutt which was established by the saint Tirunavukkarasar. Many of the great Gods and saints worshipped to God Shiva in this temple. God Indra was cured of his illness after he made a flower round in the temple. Also, it is known that the two vinjayas were cursed to be eagles but they got their real selves back after worshipping in this temple.

This particular temple is located between the Cauvery and Kudamurutti rivers. Saint Tirunavukkarasar is known to have done his services called Uzhavarthaondu here. It is known that he was holding a tool in his hand which was called Uzhavaram and using it he was plucking out all the thorny bushes while he was on his way to the Shiva temples. He did this so that all the devotees have a comfortable pilgrimage journey.

Once Saint Gnanasambandar hesitated to step on this soil, which was worked upon by Saint Tirunavukkarasar. God Shiva asked his vahana Nandhi to move away and then he gave his darshan to him. This all is mentioned in the sthalapuranas. Saint Tirunavukkarasar is known to have carried the palanquin of Ganasambandar because of this reason this placed is also called as Sambandar Medu.

Legend and Stories

Hindu mythology mentions that Cauvery took birth from the Kamandala water which was carried by Sage Agasthya. Cauvery took birth when a crow put the kamandala water in the pot upside down. The water flowed in the eastward direction and crossed through Senthalai, Andili, Vellambiyur, Arcot, Kandiyur, Tiruchotruthurai, tirupazhanam, Tiruvaiyaru, tiruneithanam and up to Sathanur and there it became very stagnant just like a sea. Various places which came in the way were submerged.

God Indra who is the King of celestial Gods worshipped God Iyarappar and then took the Cauvery further to the eastern direction and made all the land fertile. Kandiyur was the first place that came through that way followed by Poonthuruthi which had river sand.

According to a very famous historic tale, God Indra had been cursed by the Gautama sage that he would be having 1000 ugly signs on his body because of his immoral desires. God Indra worshipped to God Shiva here with flowers and got rid of the curse that he had been afflicted with. According to one another legend, this place was named so because God Indra worshipped God Shiva using flowers.

God Vishnu and Goddess Mahalakshmi had also worshipped here. It is proved by the sculptures that are made in the tower. The sculptures were made during the Naickers period.

Festivals

The major festivals that are organized and celebrated in this temple include Sapthasthana, Navarathri, Skanda Sashti, Tirukarthikai, Thurukalyanam, Tiruvadhirai, Mahashivarathri and Paarivettai.

Prasad & offering

After their wishes and aspirations are fulfilled, the devotees perform abhishekam for the God and also offer clothing.

Significance

Devotees who have any curse from their forefathers should undertake a clockwise round of the hill and worship the God. Devotees have a tradition of lighting a lamp in this temple as it is considered were auspicious.

Nearby Place To Visit

Prominent nearby places to visit include Andalakkum Aiyan, Padikasu Nathar, Gajendra Varadhan, Hara Shaba Vimochana Perumal, Adhivaraha Perumal and Appakudathan.

Accessibility

Road

This temple is located in the Mela Thirupoonthurthi village which is around 3 km far from Kandiyur on the Thanjavur-Tirukattaupalli-Kallanai route.

Railways

The nearest railway station to this temple is Thanjavur railway station.

Airport

The closest airport to this temple is in the city of Trichy.

Temple Address

Sri Pushpavaneswarar Temple,
Tirupoonturuthi Post,
Via Kandiyur – 613 103,
Tiruvaiyaru taluk, Thanjavur district.