Sri Aruna Jadeswarar Temple, Thirupananthal, Mayiladuthurai - 275 Shiva Temples

39. Sri Aruna Jadeswarar Temple, Thirupananthal, Mayiladuthurai (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Chenchadaiyar, Sri Thaalavaneswarar, Sri Jadaathar, Sri Aruna Jadeswarar, Sri Thaalapureeswarar
Name of Goddess : Sri Birukandha Nayagi, Sri Periyanayagi, Sri Thaalavaneswari
Holy water (Theertham) : Bhrama Theertham.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Palm tree.
Thevaram : Sambandar
District : Nagapattinam.
Location : Mayiladuthurai.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 05:30 p.m. to 09:30 p.m.

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This is the 39th sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Thiruganasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This Shivastalam is an Upadesa Stalam with Shiva facing West and Ambal facing East. Sambandar is said to have visited here after visiting Tirucheignalur. He is said to have proceeded to Tiruppayatrankudi from here. This shrine is also known as Taalavanam. Of the 275 Shivastalams six shrines are associated with Panai maram (Palm Tree). They are Panaiyur, Panankattur, Puravaar Panankattur, Cheyyar, Tirumazhapadi and Tiruppanantaal.

Sri Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Aanda Vinayaka. The temple is situated on the southern bank of Kollidam River. The 7 tier Rajagopuram is facing west and the 5 tier tower is on the east. There are three prakaras in the temple. Lord Shiva and Ambigai grace the devotees in their wedding posture facing east. The temple belongs to Darumapuram Aadheenam. The Kasi Mutt established by Saint Kumara Guruparar is in the temple.

Keel Perumpallam, Kalahasthi and Tirunageswaram are places where male snakes worshiped. Tirupanandal is the place where female snake Naga Kanni worshiped. Mother Durga in the temple is all powerful. There are two male palm trees in the prakara. Mother Parvathi, Iravadham the elephant, Sangu Kannan, Nagu Kannan, Naga Kannikas, Lords Brahmma and Vishnu had worshiped Lord in this temple. Lord Shiva visits the Brahmma Theertham of the temple on the Aavani new moon day in August-September. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord on some days in the month of Chithirai-April-May. Lord Oordhva Thandavar is in the Asthana Mandap-Royal parlour. Celebrated Saivite Saints Tirunavukkarasar, Aiyadigal Kadavzrkon, Nambiandar Nambi, Arunagiriar, Chidambara Munivar, Poet Kalamega, Senjadai Vedia Desikar and Tharumai Shanmuga Thambiran had sung the glory of Lord of this temple.

History / Legend:

Thadaga, a staunch Shiva devotee was unable to place her garland to Lord one day as her upper sari slipped. She held the sari by one hand and tried to place the garland by other, yet could not. Lord obliged His devotee by leaning His neck for her. The girl was happy to place the garland on the Lord. Since that day, the Shivalinga was always in a leaning posture. It was the time when Chola king was renovating the temple. On hearing that the Shivalinga was not straight as it should be, he sent his men to set the shivalinga in order. They did their best but could not. They even used elephants to pull the Shivalinga to set it in order but failed.

A Shiva devotee, one among the Nayanmars, Kungilia Kalaya Nayanar came there for usual worship and learnt that Lord was leaning on a side. He began reciting the Panchakshara “Sivaya Nama” and offered the Kungilia Dhoop to Lord. He took a rope covered with flowers, connected one end with the Shivalinga and the other around his neck and pulled to straighten the position. As the rope tightened around his neck, he was likely to lose his life. But Nayanar did not mind the risk. Lord did not want to test Nayanar anymore and yielded to his pious efforts and returned to the original straight position. The king paid rich tributes to Nayanar and honored him with gifts.

This is a sacred place for those seeking relief from the adverse aspects of serpent planets (Naga doshas) and Mars (Sevvai dosha). This is the place for women in particular for relief of all their problems.

Location: Located on the road from Kumbakonam to Anaikkarai. Tiruppanandhal can also be reached from Aduthurai. Another Paadal Petra Sthalam Tiruaappadi is situated nearby, 2 Kms from here.