Monday, 17 June 2024

Sri Pasupatheeswarar Temple / சிவன் திருக்கோயில் / ஸ்ரீ பசுபதீஸ்வரர் கோயில் / Sivan Temple, Chittoor, Salem District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Pasupatheeswarar Temple at Chittoor was a part of the “Shiva, Vishnu, Amman Temples and Heritage sites from Komarapalayam to Edappadi Visit” – On 19th May 2024. Thanks to ல மா செல்வராசு, one of my FB friends of Komarapalayam for taking me to all these places.  


Moolavar  : Sri Pasupatheeswarar
Consort    : Sri Mangala Nayagi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum under a recently built mandapam. Moolavar in the sanctum sanctorum is of swayambhu and square in shape. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar and Brahma.

In praharam, Vinayagar, Ayyappan, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, and Bairavar.

Ambal Mangala Nayagi is in a separate sannidhi facing south. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

Moolavar is of swayambhu  and square in shape
Sri Vallidevasena Subramaniar

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam / mukha mandapam. The Mukha mandapam was built in recent years. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with threepatta kumudam. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The Pilasters are Brahmakantha pilasters with vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The one tala Vimanam above prastaram was built with bricks. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva Koshtams. The Sigaram is of vesara style.

Stucco images of Kannappar, Nalvar, and Natarajar are in the Tala koshtams, which is a unique feature of this temple.






HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It was said that a lot of inscriptions are found on the adhistanam. During renovation, the stones are grounded to form a smooth surface and the inscriptions are lost. The temple may be 400 to 500 years old built during Vijayanagara Nayakas and reconstructed/renovated in recent years.



LEGENDS
As per the Legend, Shiva sensed the conceit of Brahma, the creator of this world, and sent Kamadhenu to this world, and take up the job of creation. Kamadhenu worshiped Lord Shiva by milking on the anthill. During the process of worship, accidentally Kamadhenu’s hoof hits Lord Shiva. She pleaded with Lord Shiva to pardon her. Hence Lord Shiva was called Pasupatheeswarar. Pleased with the worship of Kamadhenu, Shiva asked her to continue her creation. In the meantime, Brahma realized his mistake and did a penance of Lord Shiva to get back his power of creation. He came to this place created a Theertham and worshiped Lord Shiva.  Finally satisfied with the worship of Brahma, Shiva pardoned him and gave back the power of creation.

In another legend, in the process of playing Chokkattan, Ambal Cheated Shiva and the Maha Vishnu was also in favor of Amabal. Shiva cursed Ambal to be born as a cow on earth and Maha Vishnu as a herdsman. As a cow, Ambal roamed on the earth and worshipped Shiva, by milking on a Shiva lingam. Satisfied with Ambal’s worship Shiva pardoned her and relieved her from the curse. Shiva married Parvati and hence Shiva is called Pasupatheeswarar.    


POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.
The Gurukkal resides adjacent to the temple and may be contacted for darshan.
CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH
The Temple at Chittoor is about 500 Meters from Chittoor, Padavetti Amman Temple, 8 KM from Edappadi, 23 KM from Sankagiri, and 47 KM from Erode.
Nearest Railway station is Sankagiri.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE


--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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