275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thiruthelicherri/Koyilpathu Thiru Parvatheeswarar Temple !!

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

 

Thiruthelicherri/Koyilpathu / Bhaskara Kshetram is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in Karaikkal, Puducherry District, Tamil Nadu.   In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga.  This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva famous for its brilliant architectural work.

 

 

Presiding deity – Thiru Parvatheeswarar with his consort Goddess Sri Swayamvara Tapaswini/Shakthi Nayaki

 

Mangalasasanam – Thiru Gnana Sambandhar

 

Sthalavruksham – Vilvam, Vanni

 

 

Theertham – Surya Pushkarani, Guha Theertham, Devi Theertham,

 

 

Worshipped by – Goddess Sri Parvati, Lord Surya, King Ambareesha,

King Ambareesha underwent severe austerities and worshipped Lord Parvatheeswara with his consort Goddess Sri Shakthi Nayaki.  Lord was pleased at the devotion of the King and provided him with the boon to have a virtuous offspring.

 

 

Bhaskara Lingam and Raja Lingam worshipped Lord Surya and King Ambareesha can be seen.

 

 

Lord Ganesha in this temple is particularly known as ‘Koovi Azhaitha Pillayar’.  Once Sambandhar and his followers were passing through this sacred place after worshiping Lord Darbaranyeswarar at Thirunallar, he was unaware of the existence of this temple and preceded his journey.  Lord Ganesha called back Sambandhar and revealed the existence of Lord Parvatheeswarar & Shakthi Nayaki here.   Sambandhar was in a state ecstasy, blissfully sang verses praising the glories of Lord Shiva.  Hence Lord Ganesha has got the name ‘Koovi Azhaitha Pillayar’.

 

 

Lord Surya was cursed by his father-in-law, as he was heard from Maharishi Narada that Lord Surya was not affectionate to Chaya Devi.  Immediately after the curse Lord Surya has started diminishing his brilliance.  Lord Surya arrived on this sacred land, consecrated a Linga/Bhaskara Linga and created a pond, underwent severe austerities praying to Lord.  Thus once again Lord Surya  regained his everlasting luminosity.

 

 

Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddesses Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Lord Shaneeswara, 63 Nayanmars, Chandikeshwara, Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, Lord Nataraja & Shivakami, Lord Chandrasekhara, Raja Lingam (King Ambareesha), Bhaskara Lingam ( Lord Surya), Bhairava, Lord Surya, Goshtamurtham-Sri Dakshinamurthi, Lingodbhavar, Goddess Sri Durga,

 

 

Festivals –Maha Shivaratri, Panguni Uthiram, Masi Makam, Thiru Karthikai, Navaratri, Arudra Darisanam, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Avani Utsavam, Markazhi Utsavam,

 

 

 

 

The legend has that Goddess Sri Parvati born as a daughter to Sage Kathyayana and underwent severe austerities to attain Lord Shiva as her husband.

 

Pothimangai, a small village situated close to Thiruthelicherry was under the evil influence of Jainism.  People in this village were forcibly followed the Jain principles and philosophies.    Thiru Gnana Sambandhar and his followers were paid visit to Thiruthelicherry, after the worship of Lord Paravatheeswara with his consort Goddess Sri Shakthinayaki they arrived at Pothimangai accompanied by the followers who were reciting the glorious verses of Thiruneetru Pathikam were detained by the Jains.  At this moment, followers of Sambandhar passionately sung the Panchakshara Pathikam praising the glories of Lord.  Instantly the leader of the Jainism was killed by a sudden lightning.  Afterwards, there was a huge conflict broke out amongst them about the superiority of the principles and teachings of Jainsm and Shaivism, eventually Shaiva Siddhantha won over the Jain principles.  The Jains realized their folly and turned out ardent devotees of Lord Shiva.

 

This temple remains open from 6.00 AM to 12.00PM in the morning and 4.30 PM to 8.00 PM in the evenings.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!