Sri Dharmapureeswarar Temple ( Vada Thali )/ ஸ்ரீ தர்மபுரீஸ்வரர் ஆலயம், பழையாறை வடதளி, AND Sri Someswarar Temple / Sri Somanathaswamy Temple ( Pazhayarai Keel Thali பழையாறை கீழ்தளி ) , Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 141^st Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 24^th Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. During the Thevara period, this place was called Pazhayarai Nagar, during the 8^th Century as Nandhipuram, during the 9^th -10^th Century as Mudikonda Chozhapuram, and during the 12^th Century as Rajapuram. This temple is also called Vallalar Koil. Since many Historians consider both Vada Thali and Keel Thali as Paadal Petra Shiva temples and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung hymns combining both temples, the details of both temples are given below.

In Periya Puranam Sekkizhar records that Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiruneelakudi. In that, he also records that the temple was hidden by the Jains. 

தலையின் மயிரைப் பறித்து உண்ணும் சாதி அமணர் மறைத்தாலும்

நிலை இலாதார் நிலைமையினால் மறைக்க ஒண்ணுமோ என்னும்

விலைஇல் வாய்மைக் குறுந்தொகையுள் விளம்பிப் புறம்போந்து அங்கு அமர்ந்தே

இலைகொள் சூலப் படையார் சேர் இடங்கள் பிறவும் தொழ அணைவார்

Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.  

தலையெ லாம்பறிக் கும்சமண் கையருள்

நிலையி னான்மறைத் தான்மறைக் கொண்ணுமே

அலையி னார்பொழிலாறை வடதளி

நிலையி னான்அடியே நினைந்து உய்மினே

......... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

                                                                        -“துட்டமயல்

தீங்கு விழையார் தமை வான் சென்றமரச் செய்விக்க ஓங்கு

பழையாறையில் என்னுள்ளுவப்பே

........ திருஅருட்பா

PAZHAYARAI VADA THALI  ( பழையாறை வடதளி )

Moolavar  : Sri Dharmapureeswarar ( Vada Thali ),

Consort    : Sri Vimala Nayagi ( Vada thali ) 

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Stucco image of Lord Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar. This is one of the Mada temples believed to have been constructed by Kochengat Chozha. Amar Neethi Nayanar and his wife's images are on the side of the steps. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in artha mandapam. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Rishabanthikar, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In Prakaram Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Shiva Linga. Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing south.  

The 15th-century saint Arunagirinathar has sung in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple.

    ஆடத்தக் காருமை பாதியர்

                வேதப்பொற் கோவண வாடையர்

                ஆலித்துத் தானரு ளுறிய                         முருகோனே

        ஆடப்பொற் கோபுர மேவிய

                ஆடிக்கொப் பாமதிள் சூழ்பழை

                யாறைப்பொற் கோயிலின் மேவிய     பெருமாளே

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This place was once the capital of the Chozha dynasty when they were ruling this area under Pallava Kings. After they conquered Pallavas, this was the second Capital. The Palace that existed during that time is now called “Chozhanmaligai”.  During the 7^th Century Chozha period, the Villages Muzhaiyur, Patteeswaram, Sakthimutram, and Chozhanmaligai are part of Pazhayarai and are used as army camps. Pazhayarai has 4 Temples, called Vada Thali, Merthali, Keelthali and Thenthali. The T R Patnam River ( Thirumalai Rayan River ) flows on the south side and the Arasalar River flows on the north side of Pazhayarai. This temple is called Pazhayarai Vada Thali since this temple is on the north side of Pazhayarai River. It is believed that a coin minting place called “Nanaya Salai”, was existed at the present place of “Kambatta Viswanathar Temple”.

Since Rajaraja-I had done the thirupani, the temple was called “Arunmozhi Thevecharam”. Rajendran was brought up by his sister Kundavai at this place. Pazhayarai lost its glory during the Pandya period.

 

The Saka 1375 ie 1453 CE, Vijayanagara period inscription records that, the Maha mandapam and steps are built by Poruvanur Vanatharayan Narasinga Devan. The inscription is inscribed on one of the pillars as “Narasingadevan gift”.

LEGENDS

Garudan and Adhiseshan worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple. Mangaiyarkarasiyar ( daughter of manimudi Chozha ) and Amar neethi nayanar was born in this place.

During Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal’s visit, the temple was completely covered by the Jains ( Samanars ). Appar started fasting ( Unna Nonbu ) in front of the temple. This was reported to King. The King cleared Jains and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. It was believed that Manimudi Chozha was responsible for bringing out the Pazhayarai Vadathai from Jains on behalf of Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal. He is the same person who tried to correct the slanting of Thiruppanandal ShivaLinga, ( K M Venkataramaiya’s research paper, Periya Puranam, Pattusamy Othuvar Publications ).

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Aadi Pooram in the month Aadi ( July – Aug ), Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani ( Aug – Sept ), Navaratri in the month Purattasi (Sep-Oct), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov - Dec ), Makara Sankranti in the month Thai ( Dec – Jan ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March  ), Panguni Uthiram in the month Panguni ( March – April ) and monthly pradosams.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS : 

Mobile numbers  +91 9894668494, and +919443414685 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 

The temple is 3 Km from Patteeswaram and autos are available from there.

The temple is 1.5 KM from Patteeswaram, 8 KM from Kumbakonam, 40 KM from Thanjavur, and 302 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Amarneethi Nayanar

Rishabanthikar

Arthanareeswarar as Rishabanthikar

PAZHAYARAI - KEEL THALI ( பழையாரை கீழ்தளி )

( Keel thali )

Moolavar    : Sri Somesar and Somanathar

Consort:       Sri Somakalambigai

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a mottai gopuram / dilapidated. The second level  Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. This is one of the mad temples. The sanctum sanctorum consists of a sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma and Durgai. The Adhisthana and the Prastaram have the kapotam. The Vimana is of two tiers. 

In praharam 4 Vinayakas, Murugan with his consorts Sri Valli & Devasena, Bhairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Nalvar with Sekkizhar, Mangaiyarkarasiyar, Kailasanathar, Navagrahas, and Chandikeswarar.

Ambal is in a separate temple like sannathi. The front mandapa is like a chariot pulled by the Horses. The Adhisthana has the story of Bhakta Prahlada story in the form of reliefs.  

HISTORY

This is the birthplace of Mangaiyarkarasiyar and Amarneedhi Nayanar. Both are in the 63 Nayanmars group. This place was bounded by the rivers Mudikondan River and Thirumalairayan River. The river Mudikondan was called Pazhaiyaru and the place obtained the name as Pazhayarai this temple is on the north side of the Pazhayarai. This place was occupied by the Chozhas war camps as, Aariyap Padaiyur ( Ariyappadaiveedu ), Pampab Padaiyur, Manap Padaiyur, and Puthup Padaiyur.

This place was called different  names as Nadhipuram, Pazhayarai Nandhipuram, Pazhayarai Vadathali, and Rajarajapuram during the different periods from the 07^th to the 12^th Century. This temple was believed to be built by Adithya and later renovated by Rajaraja-I, due to this temple was called Arunmozhi Theveecharam.  

King Rajendran was brought up under the care of his elder sister and Princess Kundhavai in this place. Also, this place was once the capital of the Chozha King Manimudidevar. He was instrumental in appearing the Shiva Lingam to Appar.  Chozhars had done renovations to this temple.

Mangaiyarkarasiyar, one of the 63 Nayanmar and wife of Koon Pandya belongs to this place. She is instrumental in bringing Thirugnanasambandar to Madurai when the Jains dominated with full powers. Thirugnanasambandar cured Koon Pandya and he came back to Saivam. Thirugnanasambandar mentioned Mangaiyarkarasiyar in his hymns.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 29^th January 2016.

LEGEND

It is believed that Chandra, the king of snakes Adhiseshan, Garudan, Ganga, and Kamadhenu’s daughter Vimali worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. ( Metrali was worshiped by her sister Sabali and hence Amabal of that temple was called Sabala Nayagi )

As per the Legend Garuda, the vahana of Maha Vishnu wanted to relieve his mother from slavery. For the same, he has to bring a pot of amrita from Indra. On the way, he was attacked by demons. In the process, three drops of Amrita spilled on this place and formed Shiva Linga, Goddess Ambal, and Theertham called Jatayu Theertham. Garuda worshiped Lord Shiva after taking a dip in the Theertham. 

In another legend, Chandran came to this temple, created a Theertham called Somanatha Theertham, and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple to get relieved from the Curse. After worshiping Lord Shiva Chandran regained back his strength and brightness. Hence the theertham is called as Somatheertham and Lord Shiva was called as Sri Somesar and Somanathar.

This is one of the “Pancha Krosha Sthalams” and the other four temples are Thirunallur, Patteeswaram, Thiruvalanchuzhi, and Avoor. Hence it is considered to worship Lord Shiva of all these 5 Temples in a single day during Dakshinayanam.  

HOW TO REACH :

This temple is very near to Patteeswaram,  about 3 KM.

A lot of Town buses are available up to Patteeswaram from there Auto facility is available.

Please Note that Keezha Pazhayarai is about 1.5 KM from Muzhaiyur

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Hiranyavatham

Jyeshta Devi

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---