Somanatha Pashana Lingeswarar Temple

Overview

The Somanatha Pashana Lingeswarar Temple is located in Timiri is a panchayat town in vellore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Legend and Stories

In the history of Vijayanagara Empire, Thimmi Reddy and Bommi Reddy, who were ruling with Vellore fort as Headquarters, were noteworthy kings. Their descendent, Sadhashivaraya did many good deeds in Divakarayar Ellai, a rural location next to Arcot in those days. In his rule, there was a wide spread epidemic, due to which people suffered a lot. Being very pious and caring, the King Sadhashivaraya discussed this with 'Raja Panditha Sironmani, Manthira Vaidhya Kesari' Kannika Parameswara Andhanar, who was the Raja vaidhyar (doctor) of his kingdom.
Vaidhyar, on Dhanvanthri methods, used 5 Chandra Pashanams, to make a lingam, called Somanatha Eeswara Pashana Lingam. Chandra pashanams are related to moon and the rays of moon will induce them to have better medicinal effect. The lingam measured 6 inches in height. Interestingly, Timiri, is name of one of the Pashanams used to make this Lingam.
In the Tamil month of Thai's Arudhra star of 1379A.D., the lingam’s pradhishtai was carried out inside the Thimiri fort by Sringeri Mutt’s 12th Sankarachariyar, Shri Vidhyaranya Swamigal. Since the lingam was made on both Agama and Siddha medicine rules, the Abhishega theertham served the purpose of curing diseases. Owing to the fame of lingam, the area which was known as Divakarayar Ellai, was renamed as Thimiri. Later, when Arcot Namab invaded this area, the Vellore Fort was also captured. The Muslims plundered temples and other sacred places in this area. Kannika Parameswarar protected his rare and special pashana lingam from the invaders as follows. He smeared beeswax on the lingam, placed it inside a tortoise shaped shield made with special chemicals. The Lingam and the shield were placed within a triangular box that was created with geographic principles and hid it in the temple tank in the year 1454 A.D. The Royal medicine man rushed along with his group to the border of Kanchipuram to escape from being captured by the invaders. The Muslim soldiers, who heard about their escape from the spies, captured them and brought them to Sri Renukambhal temple at Aanaimalloor near Timiri. They were killed by letting an elephant step on them. At the time of being trampled by the elephant, Kannika Parameswarar swore on Lord Shiva that if at all he has another birth he will rescue the lingam and will reinstall it.

Festivals

Aani Thirumanjanam and special prayer rituals on Arudra nakshatra days and Maha Shivaratri are being performed. Athi Rudra yagam and ShathaChadiyagam were performed for eleven days.

Significance

Timiri Pashana lingam cannot be found anywhere else. It is not a mere lingam but one with special radiations that can travel great distances. The medicinal property of the water from sacred ablution (abisheka theerta) of the pashana lingam grants the state of makaara in the heart, corrects heart’s function, kidney diseases and grants several benefits in life. As the lingam is created using Timiri pashanam, it can sublime. Hence, water is trickled over it continuously to keep it cool. Those who consume this sacred water are blessed with physical and mental well being.

The fact that all these information about the pashana lingam are found in the Thiruvaavaduturai Adheenam’s work, Skandar Manimaalai Sadhagam is worth mentioning. The emergence of this lingam was predicted by not only the above-mentioned work but also by great Saints like Vittobha Swamigal, Seshadri Swamigal and Poondi Mahaan.

When those with nervous disorders, heart problems and hypertension touch the dvajasthamba of this temple and worship it, it gives them a shock treatment. The secret behind the universal electronic store chamber form of Somanatha Pashana Lingeswarar temple is that those who are suffering from mental diseases, depression and loss of memory will benefit by worshiping the dvajasthamba through the sacred touch worship ritual. Those who doubt it will realize it when they have firsthand experience of it.

Just as how the power of the Sun and the Moon does not decrease over time this pashaana lingam remains with its immense power and fully completeness. When pure water, honey, milk, sacred ash, bilva leaves, rock candy and other medicinal products listed by Sage Agasthya in the nadi leaves, are offered to the pashana lingam through sacred ablution and consumed with devotion, the skin problems, mental problems, diabetes, hypertension and nervous disorders encountered these days, will be cured.

How To Reach Timiri

Airport

Instead of Vellore you can a get flight to Tirupati Airport on regular basis.

Railways

There is no railway station near to Timiri in less than 10 km. How ever Katpadi Jn Rail Way Station is major railway station 27 KM near to Timiri

Road

The nearest bus station is Uppupati Bus Stop.

Temple Address

Somanatha Pashana Lingeswarar Temple,
Arni Rd, Timiri, Vellore District,
Tamil Nadu, Pincode – 632512.