Chathuranga Vallabhanathar Temple / Sri Pushpavaneswarar Temple / பூவனூர் சதுரங்க வல்லபநாதர் கோயில் / புஷ்பவனநாதர் கோவில், Poovanur, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 220^th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 103^rd sthalam on the south side of the river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. In Periyapuranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Parithinayamam. But we couldn’t get the hymns. 

In the Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal Purana, Sekkizhar doesn’t mention this place in particular, but mentions other temples on the way to Thirunallur from Thirukarukavur.

பழுதுஇல் சீர்த்திருப் பரிதிநன் நியமும் பணிந்து அங்கு

எழுதுமாமறை யாம்பதிகத்து இசைபோற்றி

முழுதும் ஆனவர் கோயில்கள் வணங்கியே முறைமை

வழுஇலார் திருப்பூவனூர் வணங்கிவந்து அணைந்து

…… Thirugnanasambandar Puranam

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

பூவ னூர்ப்புனி தன்திரு நாமம் தான்

நாவில் நூறுநூ றாயிரம் நண்ணினார்

பாவ மாயின பாறிப் பறையவே

தேவர் கோவினும் செல்வர்கள் ஆவரே

………. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

                                                        -“காட்டியநம்

தேவனூர் என்று திசைமுகன் மால்வாழ்த்துகின்ற

பூவனூர் மேவும் புகழுடையோய்”

….. திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Pushpavana Nathar, Sri Sathurangavallaba Nathar.

Consort    : Sri Karpaga Valli, Sri Rajarajeswari

Some of the salient features of this temple are………

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Under Rajagopuram Dhandayuthapani and Gopura Vinayagar. Rishabam, balipeedam, and Dwajasthambam are after the Rajagopuram. Rishaba mandapam is covered with brass. The second-level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers. In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Annamalaiyar as Lingothbavar (Brahma and Vishnu are on both sides), Brahma, Arthanareeswarar, Durgai, and Pitchadanar.

In the mandapam, Natarajar Sabha, Somaskandar (Chembu Nandhi in standing posture, in front believed to be Thiyagarajar). There is no Natarajar in Natarajar Sannadhi.

In Praharam Chandikeswarar, Ambal Karpagavalli, Rajarajeswari, Vinayagar, Lakshmi Narayana, Kasi Viswanathar, Vasusena mannan, Agasthiyar, Ayyanar, Nalvar, Kothandaramar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Mahalakshmi, Pasupatheeswarar, Bhairavar, Navagrahas, and Suriyan.

Samundeeswari Sannadhi is in the front mandapam. Ambal is in a sitting posture with soolam. Special poojas are conducted for Sri Devi Samundeeswari. Aadi Pooramman ( Only Ayyappan Picture is there), Rajarajeswari Amman, and Karpagavalli Amman are also in the mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before the 7^th Century. Later reconstructed as a stone temple during the Chozha period and further extended and maintained by Nayakas and Nattukottai Nagarathars.   

LEGENDS

Suga Brahma Rishi created a nandavanam with various flowering plants and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. There are two temple tanks in front and back of the temple. The tank in front of the temple is called “Ksheera Pushkarani”, and on the back is called “Krishna Kushta Haram”. It is believed that, to get rid of the karungushtam (leprosy), the affected person should take a dip in the tanks and worship Lord Shiva of this temple.

Sri Samundeeswari is very famous in this temple. For snake and rat bites, the medicinal root is given in this sannadhi.  

Lord Shiva played sathurangam with Ambal, who was a great player, and got married after winning. Hence, Lord Shiva is called “Sathuranga Vallabha Nathar”.

Lord Shiva comes out of the Shiva Lingam

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on  Thai Poosam, Masi Maham, and Avani Moolam. Utsavars will be taken in procession to theerthavari at “Krishna Kushta hara” theertham.

Brahmotsavam will be held on Vaikasi Visakam and Chithirai. The Chithirai Vizha will start on a new moon day with kappu tied to Samundeeswari.

Special poojas are conducted on  Vaikasi Visakam in the month of Vaikasi (May – June), Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month of Avani (Aug – Sept), Navaratri in the month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi (Oct – Nov), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai (Nov – Dec), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi (Dec – Jan), Thaipoosam in the month Thai (Jan – Feb), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi (Feb – March) and monthly pradosams.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS 

The mobile numbers +91 94423 99273 and +91 94423 99172 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

On the bus route from Mannargudi to Needamangalam, get down at  Poovanur bus stop/ bridge, and from there, 1 km after crossing the river. From the main road, the Temple Rajagopuram will be visible.

A-67 Town bus from Mannargudi to Kalacheri runs through this village.

Poovanur is on the way from Mannargudi to Ammapettai or from Mannargudi to Valangaiman.

The temple is 11 km from Mannargudi, 28 km from Kumbakonam, 31 km from Thiruvarur, 36 Km from Thanjavur, and 319 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Mannargudi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---