Sri Abathsahayanathar Temple, Thenkurangaduturai, Mayiladuthurai - 275 Shiva Temples

31. Sri Abathsahayanathar Temple, Thenkurangaduturai, Mayiladuthurai (Chola Nadu - South of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Apathsahaeswarar, Sri Apathsahayar
Name of Goddess : Sri Pavalakodi Ammai, Sri Vandar Karumenkuzhal Mangai
Holy water (Theertham) : Surya Theertham, Sahaya Theertham
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Jasmine
Thevaram : Thirunavukku Arasara ; Thiru Gnana Sambandhar
District : Nagapattinam.
Location : Mayiladuthurai.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 04:30 p.m. to 08:30 p.m

For Complete List of 275 Shiva Temples : Click Here

This is the 31st sthalam on the southern side of river Cauvery. Thiruganasambandar and Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord. Lord Shiva, popularly termed as the lord of destruction, but without whom creation cannot occur, is symbolized by the Shiva Lingam. Saivism is the major faith in the Indian system of belief, that worships as its principal God. Shiva temples are spread all over India. Most important among them, glorified by the 63 Tamil Nayanmars, particularly the 3 viz, Thirunavukarasar (Appar), Sundarar and Sambandar in their Tevaram hymn, are revered as the Tevara Paadal Petra Sthalams. They are 274 Shiva temples in number and out of which 264 temples are situated in Tamilnadu. The 274 odd shrines that have at least one Pathigam composed in their honor are referred to commonly as Paadal Petra Stalangal, or more generally Shivastalams.

Important Features:

This temple classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
This temple was built by Wife of king Kandrathitha Chozhan.
In Koshtam Narthana Vinayagar, Agasthiyar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar, Bramha, Durgai.
Special abishekam for Sri Durgai.
Karuvarai is in agali amaipu.
Suthai sirpam for Sukreevan worshiping lord in mandapam.
In Dhakshinamoorthy’s place moorthys of Agathiyar, Natarajar.
Sila roopams for Ganga Vicheschanar, Pitchatanar on both side of Sri Durga.
Navagrahas are facing Suryan.

Out of the 274 temples which were glorified in the Tevaram Hymns sung by the Nayanmars, 264 temples or Shivastalams are located in Tamilnadu (including Pondicherry). Even out of these 264 temples, a majority of them (190) are located in the erstwhile Chola Naadu and are situated on the north side (63) and south side (127) of river Cauvery. 14 Shivastalams are located in what is classified as Pandiya Naadu and 7 Shivastalams are located in Kongu Naadu. Tondai Naadu boasts of 31 Shivastalams and Nadu Naadu boasts of the remaining 22 Shivasthalams. These 264 temples are grouped according to the geographical boundaries prevailing in those days as classified above when these temples were glorified in the hymns composed by the Nayanmars, especially by Appar (Thirunavukarasar), Sundarar and Thirugnanasambandar. Majority of these temples are situated in the present day Cuddalore, Nagapattinam.

This temple is located at a historic place in Aduthurai. Aduthurai is a small panchayat town situated near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District in the state of Tamil Nadu. This highly revered Shivasthalam, south of the Cauvery River, is believed to be the place where Sugreeva worshipped Lord Shiva. Kumbakonam is known as TEMPLE city. It is located about 313 Kilometres away from madras on the south, about 90Kms. from Tiruchy on the east and about 40kms from Thanjavur on the North East. The town is bounded by two rivers – “River Cauvery” on the north and “River Arasalar” on the south.

History / Legend:

This temple is devoted to Brahma, Sugriva, and Rama. Lord Shiva rescued Sugriva from his brother Vaali because Sugriva could not compete with Vaali in a fight. Sugriva prayed to Lord Shiva who turned Sugriva to a swan and kept him above the `Vilva` tree, so Vaali could not find him. It is believed Lord Rama searching for Sita came here with Hanuman and Sugriva and prayed here which gives an additional tribute to this temple. The temple is built in Dravidian style with Vimaanas and a five story Gopuram.

This temple is of Lord Shiva known as Abathsahayanathar and a female deity known as Pavalakkodiammai. It was built by Chembianmadevi, wife of Chold King Kandaraditya Cholan with a 3 tier Rajagopuram and 2 prakarams. In the outer prakaram, there are shrines for Lord Viswanathar, Goddess Visalakshi, Lord Vinayagar, and Lord Murugan etc. The shrine for the female deity Pavalakkodiammai is located in the outer prakaram. The shrine for Moolavar (main male deity) Abathsahayeswarar is located in the inner prakaram. The sanctum of the main presiding deity is surrounded by a moat like formation on all the 4 sides. The idols of Vinayagar, Agasthiyar, Lord Brahma, Dakshinamurthy are found in the corner places of the inner prakaram.

Location: This temple is situated 12 Kms from Kumbakonam and 20 Kms from Mayiladuturai. Aduturai railway station is situated on the Mayiladuturai – Kumbakonam section of the Southern Railway. Aduthurai can be reached both by rail and road. Since the town lies on the Mayiladuthurai-Kumbakonam highway, it is easily accessible. Trains plying between Thanjavur or Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai shall drop you on the way to Aduthurai Railway Station. The temple is in the beginning of Aaduthurai from Kumbakonam before Bus stand. There is Small Murugan temple – right turn – walk about 200 meters - Opposite to Kumaragurau dasa melnilaipalli (High School).

Temple Address & Contact Details:

Sri Abathsahayanathar Temple,
Then Kurangaduturai,
Mayiladuthurai Taluk,
Nagapattinam district,
Pin code: 612 104.
Phone: +91 94434 63119 & +91 94424 25809.