Saptha Sthana Kshetram !! Thiruppunthuruthi Thiru Pushpavaneswarar Temple !!

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

Thiruppunthuruthi/Saptha Sthana Sthalanagal is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu. In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga.

Presiding deity – Thiru Pushpavananathar / Pushpavaneswarar/ with his consort Goddess Sri Soundarya Nayaki/Azhakalamarndha Nayaki

Mangalasasanam – Thirunavukkarasar, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, Ramalinga Adigalar

Saint Arunagirinathar sung praising the glories of Lord Subramanya in this temple.

In this temple Lord Nandikeshwara can be seen moved to a side to some extent, keeping a good view of the presiding deity. This is one of the sacred temples where Appar conducted his self-less service (Uzhavara Thiruppani) to Lord for several years. He kept the temple premises and its surroundings spick and span. During this period of time, Appar composed many glorious verses praising the Lord. Thiru Gnana Sambandhar visited this temple and found the temple premises were kept immaculate by Appar. Sambandhar was hesitant to taint the floor and refused to step inside the temple. Lord was pleased at the humbleness of Sambandhar and instructed Lord Nandikeshwara to move to one side so that Sambandhar can have the clear vision of Lord.

Theertham – Surya Theertham, Kashyapa Theertham, Agni Theertham, Ganga, Cauvery,

Sthalavruksham – Vilvam

 

Worshipped by – Lord Indra, Lord Vishnu & Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, Lord Surya, Sage Kashyapa,

Festivals – Maha Shivaratri, Arudra Darisanam, Sapthasthana Vizha, Skandha Shashti, Thirukarthikai, Thirukalyana Utsavam,

Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddesses Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Sapthamathas, Nalvar, Appar, Sundarar with his consorts Sri Sangli Nachiyar & Paravai Nachiyar, Goddess Durga, Bikshadaneswarar, Goshtamurtham-Lord Dakshinamurthi, Ardhanareeswara,

 

The legend has that Thiru Gnana Sambandhar on his way back from the Kingdom of Pandya (Madurai) happened to learn about Thirunavukkarasar and his self-less service (Uzhavarappani) to Lord. Sambandhar’s yearning to meet the zealous devotee Appar has become irrepressible and proceeded to Thirupoomthurai. Likewise, Appar also came to known about the visit of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar to his village. Appar who was always treated himself as less-important does not want to reveal his identity; he stepped inside the crowd to carry the ceremonial carriage in which Sambandhar was travelling. When the carriage was nearing to the village, Sambandhar enquired about the hermitage of great Saint Appar. Appar generously answered that he was the blessed one who carrying the ceremonial carriage (Ungal Sivikayai Thangum Peyar Petru Ingullen). Instantaneously, Sambandhar dived out of the carriage and passionately paid obeisance to Appar, both the saints were in a state of bliss and compassionately paid reverence to each other. Sambandhar continued to stay at the hermitage of Appar for some years and enjoyed the heavenly company of two intellectuals together.

Appar composed many incredible verses praising the glories of Lord. In one of his compositions Appar enlighten us about the purpose of Pancha Indriyas such as eyes, ears, mouth, hands and legs and their function should be make the most for praising the glories of Lord.

This temple remains open from 6.00AM to 11.00 PM in the morning and 4.30PM to 7.30PM in the evening.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!