Sri Paalukandanadha Swamy Temple, Thiruvappadi, Mayiladuthurai - 275 Shiva Temples

Sri Balugandha Natha Swami Temple, Thiruvappadi, Mayiladuthurai - 275 Shiva Temples

40. Sri Balugandha Natha Swami Temple, Thiruvappadi, Mayiladuthurai (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Balugandha Natha Swami, Sri Balugandheeswarar
Name of Goddess : Sri Birugandha Nayagi, Sri Periyanayagi
Holy water (Theertham) : Manniyaru.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Aathi.
Thevaram : Thirunavukarasar - 1
District : Nagapattinam.
Location : Mayiladuthurai.
Timings : 08:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 05:00 p.m. to 08:00 p.m.

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This is the 40th sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This Shrine is located at a distance of 11 km from Aaduturai near Kumbhakonam. This temple is said to have been located on the banks of the Manniyaru before it changed its course. Several natural springs are seen in the temple during the monsoon months.

The front Mandap of the temple is designed as the forehead of bats. Mother’s shrine at the right is facing south. The shrines of Lord Bhairava, Sun God, Sani Bhagwan are in the Mahamandap. Lord Chandeswarar Brahmmotsavam is celebrated the new moon day following Shivrathri in February-March.

Chandikeswara among the 63 Nayanmars is the only one with Easwara title. Seignalur near this place is his birth place. Tiruvaipadi is the place where he installed Linga and worshiped and attained salvation. His shrine is close to the sanctum sanctorum.

History / Legend:

Visara Saruman was the son of a Brahmin Echathan and Pavithra. He learnt all arts in his young age. His Upanayanam-sacred thread ceremony was performed when he was seven. He had no thoughts in mind but Lord Shiva alone. He saw a shepherd beating a calf that attempted to hit him. Visara Saruman took the job from him and cared for the cattle. As he was as kind as a mother, the cows produced plenty of milk.

As Visara Saruman was always drowned in Shiva thoughts, he made a Linga with the sands of Manniyar River, installed it under an Aathi tree and performed pujas and abishek with the milk he got from the cows. The cows also gave high measures of milk to their owners too. Those who saw Visara Saruman performing abishek to Lord with the milk of the cows, complained that he was wasting the milk meant for yajnas. His father too saw him doing pujas abishek from a hiding. The angry father beat him and upset the milk pots.

As Visara Saruman was deep in his worship, not knowing the person upsetting the milk pots, attacked him with a stick, still continuing his worship. The stick turned into an axe and cut the legs of the father. Lord along with Mother Parvathi granted darshan to Visara Saruman and said that he cut his father’s legs because of his devotion and thenceforth He would be his father and honoured with Kondrai flower garland He was wearing then. Lord also named him Chandikeswara.

As the Lord was happy to accept the milk-Paal in Tamil, He is praised as Paal Ukantha (accepted) Nathar-Lord, Paal Ukantha Nathar. As Visara Saruman grazed the Aas-Cows, the place came to be known as Aipadi.

Location: Located 2 Kms from Tiruppanandal, another Paadal Petra Sthalam. This sthalam is situated on the Kumbakonam - Anaikkarai road and is before Tiruppanandaal.