Sri Alanduraiyar Temple / Vadamoolanathar Temple / Yogavaneswarar Temple / வடமூலநாதர் கோவில் / அருள்மிகு ஆலந்துறையார் கோவில், திருப்பழுவூர் / Pazhuvur ( Palur ), Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 109^th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 55^th Shiva Sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. The place was once called Pazhuvur and now the temple is in Keezhapalur, since Palur is divided into Keezhapalur and Melapalur. During the Chozha period, the same was called Siru Pazhuvur.

 

Visited this temple Third Time on 04th -5th November 2023, organized by Aatrupadai -  ஆற்றுப்படை – A Tours and Heritage Group, "Perambalur & Ariyalur Heritage Walk". This is an updated post with more Photographs and details. 

In PeriyaPuranam Sekkizhar, records that Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiruvarathurai.

மண்ணினில் பொலிகுல மலையர் தாம் தொழுது

எண்இல் சீர்ப்பணிகள் செய்து ஏத்தும் தன்மையில்

நண்ணிய வகைசிறப் பித்து நாதரைப்

பண்ணினில் திகழ்திருப்பதிகம் பாடினார்

Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple and sthala purana also praises Lord Shiva’s glory.   

முத்தன்மிகு மூவிலைநல் வேலன்விரி நூலன்

அத்தன்எமை யாளுடைய அண்ணல் இடம் என்பர்

மைத்தழை பெரும்பொழிலின் வாசமது வீசப்

பத்தரொடு சித்தர்பயில் கின்றபழு வூரே

........ திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

                                                            --- துன்னுகின்ற

நாய்க்கும் கடையேன் நவைதீர நற்கருணை

வாய்க்கும் பழுவூர் மரகதமே

......... திரு அருட்பா

மறைகளுக்கு மேல் மறையதாய் நிற்பது மனத்தின்

நிறையவா வினைமுற்றுறச் செய்வது நிலைசேர்

பொறையும் ஞானமும் போற்றுவார்க் களிப்பது புரைதீர்

தரையின் மேம்படு பழுவை யென்றுள் தொருதலமே

........... தல புராணம்

Moolavar  : Sri Alanduraiyar, Sri Vadamoolanathar,

                  Sri Yogavaneswarar.

Consort    : Sri Arunthavanayagi, Sri Yogathabasvini and

                  Sri Mahathabasvini.

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple faces East with a three-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. In the sanctum, Moolavar is of swayambhu, small and always covered with kalas.  Since the Moolavar is of Putru / Ant Hill – abhisheka is not done and only Sambrani oil is applied. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

Abutting Ardha mandapa, Kala Samhara, Arthanareeswarar, Kalyanasundarar, Gangalar and Bhairavar. Urchavars 63var, Thiripuranthakar, A bronze idol of Chandikeswarar doing Shiva Pooja and Rishabaroodar on the south side platform.

In Prakaram Durgai, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Thirugnanasambandar, Vinayagar, Veerabhadra, and Saptamatrikas. Ambal is in a separate Sannadhi facing east.

The 15^th Century Saint Arunagirinathar has sung Hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple.

அகடு துஞ்சிட மூட்டு பாரத

            முடிய அன்பர்க ளேத்த வேயரி

    யருளு மைந்தர்கள் வாழ்த்து மாயவன் மருகோனே

            அமர ரந்தணர் போற்ற வேகிரி

            கடல திர்ந்திட நோக்கு மாமயி

    லழகொ டும்பழு வூர்க்குள் மேவிய           பெருமாளே 

Gajasamharamurthy

ARCHITECTURE

The Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The Adhistanam is of prati bandha adhistanam with Jagathy, Vrutha kumuda, kapotam and Viyyalavari. The Temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The pilasters are Vishnu kantha pilasters with malai thongal, kalasam, thadi, kudam, mandi, palakai, veerakandam, and Vettu pothiyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with Bhuta Ganas, Kapotam with Nasi kudus, and Viyyala vari. The Vimana is of Dravida style on the sanctum with 8 faces. Maha nasis are on the 4 cordinal directions.  The Dwarapalaka’s are made of Stucco. There is no Navagraha shrine in this temple.

Sabeswarar & Narasimhar

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before the 7^th Century. Later during the Parantaka-I period the temple was reconstructed into a Stone temple and extended further during the Vijayanagara period. Another Shiva Temple in the same Village called Pasupatheeswaram ( old name Maravaneeswaram ) was built by King Pazhuvettarayar’s son Kandan also gifted this temple.

This temple also has the inscriptions of “Perumpazhuvur Pazhuvettarayar”.  As per the inscriptions, this place was called Brahmadeya Pazhuvur Alandurai, Kundra Kootram Uththunga Valanattu Sirupazhuvur, and Lord Shiva was called Alandurai Mahadevar. The inscriptions belong to Kulothunga Chozha, Rajathirajan, Rajendra Chozha, and Vijayanagara Dynasty.   

There were 23  inscriptions recorded from this temple and most of the inscriptions belong to the Chozha period.  The inscriptions mainly talk about the endowment of  Naivedyam, the burning of lamps, the Sacred bath to Lord Shiva and prayers, etc,. For the same donations were made in the form of Land from which 2 nazhi rice was received, 50 kasu for Thirumanjanam, 2 kalanju for burning a perpetual lamp, 3.5 ma land to give 2 nazhi rice for Naivedyam, and 90 Sheep for burning one lamp. The inscriptions also record political information. The endowments are established by both Males and females.

Rajaraja-I’s 10^th reign year inscription starts with his full meikeerthi/ title and records the endowment of naivedyam for which 2 nazhi rice to be supplied from the gifted land. 8^th reign year inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam and thirumanjanam, on Chithirai Vishu day, Uttarayanam, and Dakshinayanam for which paddy and 50 kasu were gifted to this temple. This gift was given by Perum Pazhuvur Adigal Pazhuvettarayar’s wife Veeranan Otriyur

Rajaraja-I’s 10^th reign year inscription records the endowment of 2 nazhi Thumbaipalli thamam Parichattam ( ?), by Adikal Pazhuvettaraiyar Kandan maravanar Perunthirathu Arayan Sundara Chozhan for which land was gifted to this temple.

Another Kovi Rajakesari’s 8^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 90 saava moova peradu / Sheeps Kizhavan Nambanai adikal Pazhuvettaraiyar kandan Maravanar. The same person Kizhavan Nambanai adikal Pazhuvettaraiyar kandan Maravanar’s daughter  and his wife gifted 190 kalanju Silver Kalasam.  

Vikrama Chozha’s 6^th reign year inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam, Kariyamuthu, neiyamuthu, adaikayamuthu and the burning of a sandhi lamp for which land measuring 3.25 veli situated in three different places for which the periphery limit are also mentioned. In the inscription, it is mentioned the god’s name is Vanavichathiranallur Mudikonda Chozheswaramudayar. Whether this donation is for which temple or not is not known.

Koparakesari’s 13^th reign year inscription records the gift of a Cheppu pot by Pampuni Kootrathu Pampuni merchant Kunavan Vadavayilan. ( measuring 70 Cheppu kalaipanai in weight  Cheruvidai ).

A loose stone inscription dated Parithabi year Avani month, 22^nd day records the endowment of burning a day lamp for which a Thoppu ( farm ) at Elankuruchi by Arasunilaiyitta ( may be an official ) Rangappa Mazhavaraya Pandithar to god of Yogavaneswara Swami.

During the Vijayanagara Period 30 pon ( Gold?) tax was exempted in three Villages and gave it to this temple. A person called Ravi Maniyan constructed a mandapa.

 

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted after thirupani in 1974.

 

Ref: Handbook issued during the Heritage Walk. 

Inscriptions

Inscriptions

A recent period inscription for an endowment of burning a lamp

LEGENDS

It is believed that Ma Parvati, Brahma, Maha Vishnu, Indra, Agathiyar, Chandran, Suryan, Vasishtar, Kasibar and Vyasar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

தலபுராணம்

சீர்கொண்ட சுகவடிவாய் அருமறையின் உட்பொருளாய்த் தெளிவாய் மேலாய்ப்

பேர்கொண்ட ஐந்தொழிலும் இயற்றி இயற்றாத தனிப் பிரமமான

கார்கொண்ட மணிமிடற்றெம் பெருமானை யோக வனக் கடவுளானை

ஏர்கொண்ட வடமூலநாதனை மெய் யன்பினால் இறைஞ்சல் செய்வாம்

அளவில் பெரும்புகழ்ச்சேர் மெய்ஞ் ஞானவிழியால் நோக்கி அன்பென்றோதும்

தளர்வில் மணிக்கரத்தால் அஞ்சலித்து அறிவாஞ் சிரத்தினால் தாழ்ந்து மேன்மை

விளைவு நெறிப் பத்தியெனு மணிவாயற் புகழ்ந்துருகி விரும்பியென்றும்

தவள நகைக் களபமுலை அருந்தவ நாயகி கமலச் சரண்புக்கேமால்

Since Lord Shiva blesses us under the Pazhu tree - Banyan tree / Alamaram, Lord Shiva is called Alanthurai Nathar and the place is called Pazhuvur. Once Ma Parvati closed the eyes of Lord Shiva. At that moment the universe has become dark. All the devas and Sages do not know what to do. Since it made hardship for all the living things of this universe and Ma Parvati was affected by this sin. To get rid of the sin Lord Shiva asked Ma Parvati to go to earth and do penance at this Yogavanam. Ma Parvati came to this place Yogavanam and started her penance standing on one leg. Lord Shiva came to this Yogavanam and united together with Ma Parvati.   Hence People pray to Lord Shiva for the unity of husband and wife due to differences of opinions, divorce, etc, to get relief from Brahmahathi dosha,  etc,. Kalyana Pariharam is also performed in this temple at Kalyana Durgai Sannadhi.

After Kayamugasuran’s samharam, Vinayagar came to this temple and danced. Hence Vinayagar is called as “Nirutha Vinayagar”.

On the Tamil month Panguni 18^th day Suriyan worships Shiva through his light rays.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on monthly Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – November ), Ezhur Thiruvizha, and other important festivals. During Panguni month Utsavam on the 3^rd day Urchavar will be taken to Melapalur Jamathkini Temple, where Lord Shiva will give darshan to Jamathkini.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The Gurukkal Selvakumar mobile numbers +91 8778401314 and +91 9677559676, may be contacted for darshan and further details.

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is very near ie about 100 meters from the junction of  Thanjavur to Ariyalur and Kumbakonam to Tiruchirapalli.

Bus facilities are available from Tiruchirapalli, Thiruvaiyaru, Ariyalur.

The temple is 13 KM from Ariyalur, 17 KM from Thirumazhapadi,  20 KM from Thiruvaiyaru, 55 KM from Kumbakonam, 61 KM from Tiruchirappalli and 309 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Ariyalur.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Saptamatrikas

Saptamatrikas

Saptamatrikas

Saptamatrikas and Vinayagar

 

Lingothbavar at the entrance 

Ardhanareeswara as rishabanthigar

Chandikeswarar

Chandran and Suriyan

Uma maheswara

Gangalar

At the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum - Maha Vishnu in sayana posture

Thiruchitrambalam Chettiar ( Who had done thirupani ) - & Bairavar

This well was excavated in 1934

Ambal's penance on needle - Painting on the mukha mandapam ceiling

Road side arch

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---