Sri Satchinathar Temple, Thirupirambiyam, Kumbakonam - 275 Shiva Temples

46. Sri Satchinathar Temple, Thirupirambiyam, Kumbakonam (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Sakshinaatheswarar, Sri Saksheeswarar, Sri Punnaivana Nathar
Name of Goddess : Sri Ishuvaani, Sri Karumbadu Solliayammai
Holy water (Theertham) : Brahmma Theertham.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Punnai.
Thevaram : Thirunavurkarasar, Sambandar, Sundarar
District : Thanjavur.
Location : Kumbakonam.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m. and from 04:00 p.m. to 08:30 p.m.

For Complete List of 275 Shiva Temples : Click Here

This is the 46th sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This Shivastalam is said to be one of 24 shrines special to Dakshinamurthy and is surrounded by Manniyaru, Kollidam and the Kaveri. This shrine has been mentioned in Tiruvacakam, Pattinathar's work and in the Tiruvilayadal Puranam. Tiruppurampayam is also known as Tiruppirampiyam.

The Amman shrine is housed in the 2nd Prakaram while Shiva's sanctum is reached past the Mahamandapam housing all the relevant Parivara Devatas. Dakshinamurthy's shrine is located on the southern bank of the temple tank. There is also a shrine to Sattanathar here.

10 day Masi Magam festival and Mahasivarathri in February-March, Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January and Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

History / Legend:

On the Vinayaka Chaturthi day, Lord Pralayamkatha Vinayaka abishek is performed with honey. The wonder is that the honey used for abishek does not flow out. No abishek is done during other days.

This is one of 24 sacred places attributed to Lord Dakshinamurthy. Sage Agasthya, Brahma, four Sanakathi rishis and Sage Viswamitra worshiped here. King Haridwajan, suffering from a disease called Muyalagam due to the curse of Sage Durvasa got cured in this temple by the grace of Lord Shiva.

Lord was too merciful to grant His darshan in the form of Dakshinamurthy to a poor wood cutter who was carrying fuel to the temple from the banks of the tank in the east of the temple.

The Shivalingas worshiped by Nalvar – Ganasambandr, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar – Agasthya, Pulasthya, Sanaka, Sananthana and Vishvamitra are in line in the first corridor (prakara) of the temple. The temple for Mother-Goddess Karumbanna solli is in the second prakara. Dakshinamurthy temple is on the banks of the tank in the east.

Sthala Vinayaka – Vinayaka of the place: He is fair in complexion. Though it is said that there are Sthalapurana and another literature called Ulanool, no edition is now available. Also only 10 verses are available from the Purambayamalai authored by Pandit Sundaresa Wandayar.

As the place could not be destroyed by Pralaya the deluge, an exception to this natural rule (Prambu), the place is called Tiru-Purambiam. Deluge could not cover this place. The place is also known as Kalyanamanagar and Punnahavanam.

A girl, Rathnavalli by name came to this place with a youth arranged by the parents for her marriage, came to this place before their marriage due to force of circumstances. Unfortunately, the youth died of snake bite but was restored to life by Saint Ganasambandar who was incidentally present in the place. He also conducted their wedding, with Lord Shiva and the Vanni tree as witnesses.

As Lord Shiva was witness (Satchi) to the marriage, He is praised as Satchinathar. The Vanni tree is in the second prakara. This episode finds a chapter in Tiruvilayadal Puranam (an epic on Lord Shiva written by Paranjothi Munivar) and also in the Sthalapurana.

The Ganesha at this temple is unique from all others and his importance is paramount. During the Krita Yuga, Lord Siva asked Lord Ganesha to save the world from the Great Deluge caused during the gestation period of Rahu. Lord Ganesha created a well on the east side of the temple tank and channeled all the 7 seas into that well and controlled the deluge and saved the world.

This well is known as Yezhu Kadal Kinaru. Lord Varuna created an idol of Lord Ganesha from sea shells and other materials obtained from the sea and worshipped Him as Pralayam Katha Vinayakar.This Idol of Ganesha is still worshipped in this temple. On the night before Ganesha's Birthday, a special abishekam is being performed for this Ganesha idol only with honey. This (Thenabishekam) abishekam with honey is performed all through the night. During the abishekam it is a wonderful experience to watch that all the honey that is being poured on the idol is being drawn into the idol. At the end of the abishekam the Ganesha deity turns a crimson color. No abishekam is performed during the rest of the year. Hence in order to save the world from destructions and protect, Astroved is performing the Ganesha Birthday in this temple.

Location: This temple is situated about 11 Kms from Kumbakonam on the south bank of river Kollidam. A town bus service from Kumbakonam to Tirupurambayam goes via two other paadal petra sthalams Tirukkottaiyur and Tiruinnambar.

Temple Address & Contact Details:

Arulmighu Satchi Natheswarar Temple
Tirupurambiyam Post
Kumbakonam Taluk
Thanjavur District
PIN 612303
Phone: 94446 26632, 99523 23429 & 0435 245 9519.