Thirusivapuram

Padal Petra Sthalams, Thanjavur District

God

Sivapuranadar, facing east. Other names include Sivapureeswarar, Sivagurunadaswamy, Brahmapureeswarar

Goddess

Singaravalli, facing south. Other names include Periyanayagi, Ariyambal

Other Deities

Nataraja, Ganesha, Muruga, Surya, Chandran, Narthana Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Naalvar, Paravaiyar, Navagraha, Kala Bhairava

Thirusivapuram is a large temple with a tall 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the east entrance. The Shiva lingam here is large and majestic. The goddess is in a standing posture. The Kalabhairava here is considered special and has a separate shrine in the outer Prakaram. A 3 tiered gopuram and walls enclose the inner Prakaram and the main shrines. The large temple tank is in a sad state misused by the residents around. Adjacent to the Dakshinamurthy is the carvings of Vishnu worshiping Lord Shiva in the form of a white boar. Thirusivapuram temple, in recent times (1960’s and 70’s), was in the news because of an idol theft that happened here due to the cunning work of a sculptor. He switched the ancient idols, which were given to him for renovation, including an important Nataraja idol for fake ones and in turn handed over the originals to agents which finally was purchased by Norton Simon Foundation of the USA for $900,000. As a result of investigations and cases registered by CID, CIA and the Scotland Yard the Idols were recovered and the guilty arrested. The Nataraja Idol is now in safe custody at the Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore, Chennai.

Holy Water (Theertham) –Sundara Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Shenbagam (Michelia champaka)

History

Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar (7th Century CE) have visited and sung praises for the lord here at Thirusivapuram. The temple belongs to the later Chola period.

Legend

Lord Vishnu is believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva here at Thirusivapuram in the form of a white boar. Brahma and Kubera have also worshiped the Lord here. Thus the place is also called Bhookailayam and Kuberapuri. Kubera, while supporting Ravana who was prevented from entering the temple in an impure form by Nandi, was cursed by him and was reduced to a common greedy man. Following an instruction of a ritual, he found in the temple he tried to get a male child killed in the hands of its parents by bribing them. As the sword was drawn the goddess intervened and the child was saved. Kubera’s curse was also lifted. Below the main deity is believed to be another Shiva Lingam installed by Thirugnanasambandar and according to some authors one Lingam for every foot of depth. This reason is also attributed to the fact that Thirugnanasambandar instead of treading circumambulated the Thirusivapuram temple on his body and stood outside the temple near the river and rendered his Hymns.

Directions

Thirusivapuram is about 5 kilometers southeast of Kumbakonam. Take the Thirunageswaram road from Kumbakonam and take a right at the 4 road crossing at Srinivasanallur. Cross the Arasalar River bridge and take a left to reach Thirusivapuram.

Stay and Food

None locally. Kumbakonam is the nearest. Mangalambika Coffee Hotel in the Kumbeswarar entrance shopping corridor is a good place for food. There are many other restaurants in Kumbakonam which serve good food too.

Padal Petra Sthalams

Tamilnadu Temples