Visit Arulmighu Pasupatheeswarar Temple (Gurusthalam) at Thiru Thenkudithittai, Tamil Nadu India: Jupiter (Guru) Transit December 2009

• Shrine- Thiru Thenkudithittai, Guru sthalam, Vasishtasramam, Vilvaranyam, Dhenupuri.
• Principal deity- Swayambootheswarar, Pasupatheeswarar, Pasupathinathar, Vasishteswarar
• Consort- Ulaganayagi, Mangaleswari, Suganda Kundalambikai
• Shrines for - Ganesha, Balasubramanya, Nataraja, Kali, Gajalakshmi and Surya.
• Guru shrine- In this temple the shrine of Lord Guru appear in standing posture at a separate shrine.
• Holy Tree- Entire plants, trees and shrubs around the temple
• Holy water- Chakra Theertham (Lord Vishnu made this using His Chakra or wheel). Vettar (a tributary of Cauvery) flows nearby
• Glorified by - 15th Thevaram shrine among the 127 temples located on the southern bank of the holy river Cauvery. Glorified by Thirugnanasambandar Thavaram.
• Worshiped by- Adi Seshan, Kamadhenu, Gowtama, Renukadevi, Vasishtar, Vedas and Vishnu
• Festival- Annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi (May -Jun).
• Opening Hours- 6.00 A.M. to 1.00 P.M. 4.00 P.M. to 9.00 P.M.
• ContactContact - Arulmighu Pasupatheeswarar Temple Thittai Pasupathi Koil Post, Thanjavur district PIN 614206. Phone. Ph 0436 252858

Overview of the Temple

Sri Vasishteswaraswamy temple, the unique Guru-sthalam (Jupiter temple), is one of the most ancient Saivite shrine located on a small village called Thittai, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. This village is also called "Thenkudi Thittai". It is one of the shrines glorified by Thevaram hymns. The village "Thittai" is located on the southern banks of the holy river Cauvery.

The presiding deity is Swayambootheswarar. The Siva Lingam at the sanctum sanctorum is the Swambu Lingam (self-manifested) and this Lingam sprung naturally from the ground. Due to the self manifestation Lord Siva got the name 'Swayambootheswarar'. His consort is Sri Ulaganayaki.

The Vasishteswarar is another name to the principal deity. Saint Vasishtar offered worship to this Siva Lingam.
It is one of the unique temples built by using granite stone. You will find that the entire temple is the stone built structure. The sanctum sanctorum of the presiding deity, Ambal, and all other shrines including walls, pillars, roof and floor are stone built structures

Legend

The legend tells us interesting episodes of Lord Siva. During ancient time there was a great deluge or pralayam. Entire land was surrounded with water. People wandered all the places and could not get any safe land for their protection. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu offered worship to Lord Siva (Maheswara) and sought His grace for protection. Soon they were able to find this mound (Tamil word Thittai = mound) or sand dunes. This mound did not down and braved against the deluge of water and stood aloof. They could find this self manifested Siva Lingam at this mound. They offered prayers to the Lord of Thittai and performed Pooja. Lord Siva was delighted and made His presence before Brahma and Vishnu and entrusted their cosmic duties i.e., Creation and Destruction.

Swayambootheswarar is one among the 64 self manifested Siva Lingams. The mound or Thittai itself is considered as the most holy place. Saint Thirugnanasambandar praises the Lord of Thittai in his Thevaram hymn.

You will be amazed to note another unique feature at the sanctum sanctorum. It is surprising to find a drop of water falling exactly on the Siva Lingam at an interval of 24 (twenty four) minutes from the roof.

According Vedic Hindu astrology 24 minutes is the basic unit of Time. Every 24 four minutes was counted as on Nazhigai. Seven and half nazhigais or three hours constitute one Yamam. A day has eight Yamams. In Hindu temples there will be one pooja for every three hours. There will be pooja for six times. Temples will be kept closed during two yamas in the night.

The tower or vimana of the sanctum sanctorum has a small hole just above the Siva Lingam. But there is no water source. Temple priest tells about the architecture and inlay of two rare stones called 'Surya-kantha-kal' (Stone of Sun) and Chandra-kantha-kal (Stone of Moon) at the strategic points in the tower (vimana). The stones are able to absorb atmospheric moisture and able to form the water droplets and regulate the droplets to fall on the Siva Lingam at the fixed intervals. This feat of abhishekam continues continues through the days and nights. The robes of Lord Shiva always get drenched. It is considered as one of the architectural marvel.

Holy Tree

It is believed that the entire trees, plants and shrubs are celestial beings and they have transformed as vegetation around this temple. Hence all plants, trees and shrubs around the temple are the holy trees.

Holy Water

The tank found in front of the shrine is called Chakra theertham (holy water). Lord Vishnu dug this pond using His Sudharshana Chakra (wheel).

Sanctum Sanctorum of Lord Guru

Lord Guru at this temple has separate shrine. His shrine has separate tower or vimana. It is located between the principal deity and His consort. It is another distinctive feature of this temple. At Alangudi Guru Shrine is located at the southern circumambulatory path of the principal deity. Thenkudi Thittai is the unique place wherein Lord Guru appears in a standing posture with four hands. His hands hold a book and other weapons. The Guru at this shrine is recognized as Raja Guru (King of Gurus).

Glorified by Thevaram

Thiru Then-Thittaikudi is the 15th Saivite shrine among the 127 shrines glorified by Thevaram hymns and located on the southern banks of the holy river Cauvery. Saint Thirugnanasambandar glorified the Lord of this temple with his Thevaram hymns.

Festivals

The temple celebrates two important events. One is Chitra Pournami (Full moon day occurring during the Tamil month Chithirai April-May) and transition of Jupiter or Guru.

Location

Sri Vasishteswaraswamy Temple, Thiru Thenkudithittai is located on Thanjavur - Melattur Road. It is 10 kms away from Thanjavur. It is nearer to Mullaivana Nathar samedha Garbarakshambigai temple, Thirukkarugavur. From Thanjavur you may travel by bus or hire a taxi and go.

Reference

1.Pasupatheeswarar Temple, TiruThenkudithittai http://www.shivatemples.com/sofc/sc015.html
2.Tenkudittitai http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/s154.html
3.Thenkudi Thittai - Guru Bhagavan http://dharsanam.blogspot.com/2007/09/thenkudi-thittai-guru-bhagavan.html