Sri Sarguna Nathar Temple / சற்குணநாதர் கோயில், இடும்பாவனம், Idumbavanam, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 225^th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 108^th Shiva Sthalam on the south side of the River Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place maintains the same name as Idumbavanam from the Thevaram period. 

In Periyapuranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Kadikulam.

கண்ஆர்ந்த திருநுதலார் மகிழ்ந்தகடிக்குளம் இறைஞ்சி

எண்ஆர்ந்த திருஇடும்பாவனம் ஏத்தி எழுந்தருளி

மண்ஆர்ந்த பதிபிறவும் மகிழ்தரும் அன்பால் வணங்கிப்

பண்ஆர்ந்த தமிழ்பாடிப் பரவியே செல்கின்றார்

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

மனம் ஆர்தரு மடவரொடு மகிழ்மைந்தர்கள் மலர்தூய்த்

தனம் ஆர்தரு சங்கக்கடல் வங்கத்திரள் உந்திச்

சினம் ஆர்தரு திறள்வாள் எயிற்று அரக்கன்மிகு குன்றில்

இனமாதவர் இறைவர்க்கு இடம் இடும்பாவனம் இதுவே

……. திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

                                                                                -“பொங்குபவ

அல்லல் இடும்பாவ நத்தமட்டொளி செய்கின்ற திரு

மல்லலிடும் பாவனத்து மாட்சிமையே

                        ……… திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Sarguneswarar, Sri Sarguna Nathar,

                  Sri Manakola Nathar, Sri Kalyanewarar,

                  Sri Idumbavanewarar.

Consort    : Sri Mangalavalli, Sri Mangala Nayaki,

                  Sri Kalyaneswari.

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

The temple is facing east with a three-tier Rajagopuram and a mandapam. The temple tank is in front of the temple. Balipeedam Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are in front of Rajagopuram on the roadside. Lord Shiva with Parvati Kalyana kola image is on the back side of the moolavar. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In praharam Suriyan, Agasthiyar,  Idumbai, Vinayagar, Saneeswaran, Gajalakshmi, Murugan, Bhairavar, Nalvar,  and Chandran, Thiagarajar is in a separate Sannadhi facing east. 

ARCHITECTURE

Vinayagar is made of sea sponge ( கடல் நுரை ). Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing South.

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and Artha mandapam. A 2 thala Vesara vimanam is on the sanctum. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu and Brahma are with their consorts.

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, the same was reconstructed as a stone temple during the Chozha period and further extended/maintained by Nayakas and Nattukottai Nagarathars.

As per the Maratha Kings period, the inscription, they had gifted many things to this temple.

A 16^th to 17^th Century fragment stone inscription, only a few words like Therkum, Maavadai, Pasuvaiyum, etc. are visible, and most of the inscription was found damaged. This may be for the gift of land to this temple.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Idumban worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Since Idumban’s sister Idumbai married Bhima, Viyasa Maharishi called this place “Idumbaikku Aru Seitha Ippathi, From this day onwards, it will be called Idumbavanam. Kundralur, a place near this temple, is the birthplace of Idumban.

Lord Shiva gave the “Kalyana Kola” darshan to Agasthiyar, and idols of Lord Shiva and Parvati are at the back of the moolavar. Since Agathiyar was asked to go to the south to balance the earth to balance it during Lord Shiva and Parvati’s marriage at Mt. Kailash. As requested by the sage Agathiyar, Lord Shiva gave his Kalyana Kola darshan at many places, and this is one of them.    

This sthalam is one of the pithur moorthy sthalam. Hence, this place is very suitable for Pithur worship and Pariharam. A Brahmin was carrying his father’s asthi to dissolve in the Ganga River after carrying out rituals at Kashi. On his way, he stayed here. His father came in his dream and advised the Brahmin to dissolve here itself. The Brahmin carried out as advised by his father, in his dream. Devotees in large numbers used to gather in this temple, especially on new moon days (amavasya) to do pithru pariharam.

 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikasi Visakam in the month of Vaikasi (May – June),   Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month of Avani (Aug – Sept), Skanda Sashti in the month of Aipasi (Oct – Nov), Thirukarthigai in the month of Karthigai (Nov – Dec), Thiruvathirai in the month of Margazhi (Dec – Jan), Thaipoosam in the month of Thai (Jan – Feb), Maha Shivaratri in the month of Masi (Feb – March) and monthly pradoshams.

Pradosham

Pradosham

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Land Line number +91 4369 240 349 may be contacted for further details.  

HOW TO REACH

The town bus from Thiruthuraipoondi to Thondiyakadu passes through this place. Mini bus available from Muthupettai.

Buses are also available from Vaimedu

Idumbavanam is about 1.5 km from Karpakanathar Kulam.

The temple is 14.4 km from Muthupettai, 18.2 km from Thiruthuraipoondi, 30 km from Vedaranyam, 36 KM from Pattukottai, 47 km from Thiruvarur,  51 km from Mannargudi, 82 km from Kumbakonam, 84 km from Thanjavur, and 367 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Thiruthuraipoondi (Muthupet / Muthupettai is a small station)

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---