Colourful painted figures, including linga forms, on a ledge above a doorway

Swayambu

Thiru Anniyoor Aabathsahayeswarar Temple 22nd of 63 on the north bank of the Kaveri · Chola Nadu · Temples near Mayiladuthurai

Darshan today7:30 am – 11:00 am, 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Moolavar: Aabathsakayeswarar, Vrikcharanyeswarar
Ambal: Bragan Nayaki, Periya Nayaki
Theertham: Varuna Theertham/ Agni Theertham
Sthala vriksham: Lemon tree
Pathigam by: Thirugnanasambanthar-1,Thirunavukarasar (Appar)-1

By V. MuthukumaraswamyVisited 24 March 20181,000 words · 5 min

Visited on: 24^th March, 2018.

Location

Anniyur (Ponnur) is located at a distance of about 9 kms from Mayiladuthurai. From Mayiladuthurai, travel to Mappadukai (5 kms) on the Kallanai-Mayiladuthurai-Poompuhar route and then take the diversion road to Ponnur (4 kms). Anniyur is on the bus route from Mayiladuthurai to Manalmedu (via Kaali).

Other Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are –

Vaitheeswaran Koil, Kurumanakkudi, Thiruppunkur, Thiru Karuppariyalur, Thiru Kurakkukka, Thiru Vazhkoliputhur, Thiru Kurukkai, Needur, Thirumanancheri, Thiru Velvikudi, Thiru Ethirkolpadi, Mayiladuthurai, Thiru Nintriyur, Thiru Nani Palli and Thiru Kadaimudi.

General Information

Moolavar: Sri Aabathsakayeswarar, Sri Vrikcharanyeswarar
Ambal: Sri Bragan Nayaki, Sri Periya Nayaki
Theertham (Holy water): Varuna Theertham/ Agni Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Lemon tree
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by: Saint Thirugnanasambanthar-1,
Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)-1

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 22^nd Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai).
Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
This east facing temple’s main tower is not tiered. In place of the Gopuram, there is a beautiful sculpture depicting Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy.
This temple has a single corridor and there is no flag post (dwajasthambam) here.

History of the Temple

The historical names of this place are Vigusaranyam, Bhaskara Kshetram and Anniyur. However, now this village is called as Ponnur.

As per “Akanaanuru”, a text from the Sangam period, a local king called Anni lived here. This place might have been named after him.

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).

A pillared arch with painted figures on top, over a dirt road lined with trees and houses

Still green water in a tank with low concrete blocks in front and trees reflected beyond

A tiered gateway with colourful figures, among them a seated bull, above a dark passage

A dense green tree beside a pillar, with a painted tower rising behind it

Legend

According to legend, Agni was punished by Lord Veerabadhrar for his participation in the yagna performed by Dakshan. To seek relief from this sin, Agni visited many Shiva temples. Anniyur is one of them. He created a tank here and worshiped the lord. This tank is known as Agni Theertham. Lord Shiva is believed to have given darshan to Agni under the Sthala Vriksham of this temple (lemon tree). Hence the lord is praised here as “Sri Vrikcharanyeswarar” and “Sri Agneeswarar”.

Another legend associated with this temple is that of king Harishchandra. The king was facing some hardships and in order to seek relief he visited various Shiva temples. During his pilgrimage, he also visited this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva blessed him and helped him to overcome the difficulties. Hence the lord is also praised here as “Sri Aabathsakayeswarar” (in Tamil, “Aabathsakayar” means the lord who comes to the rescue of those facing difficulties).

Manmathan (Kaaman) is believed to have been killed by Lord Shiva in Kurukkai, a nearby place. In this place, he was restored back to his physical form after his wife Rathi prayed to Lord Shiva. Hence, Lord Shiva here is also praised as “Sri Ratheeswarar”.

It is believed that Lord Suryan visited this temple and worshiped the lord to seek relief from a curse by Rathi.

A brahmin called Banu was afflicted with leprosy. He visited many Shiva temples seeking a cure for his illness. He visited this place and worshiped the lord after taking a dip in this temple’s Theertham. It is believed that he was cured of his illness.

It is also believed that Varunan (the god of rain) and the Pandavas have visited this place and worshiped the lord. Since Pandavas worshiped the lord here, the lord is also praised as “Sri Pandaveswarar”.

Deities in the temple

Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Siddhi Vinayakar, Murugan, Punugeeswarar, Mahalakshmi, Visalakshi, Chandrasekarar, Natarajar, Saneeswarar, Nagar, Suryan, Bairavar and Navagraham can be seen in the hall and the corridors.

In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Durgai and Chandikeswarar can be seen. There are two idols of Dakshinamurthy placed side by side in this temple.

A small blue shrine with a Tamil name board, a painted figure above and bulls on either side

A shrine under a roof, with a painted Ganesha figure above and a Tamil name board below

A blue stone shrine with a coloured dome, painted figures and an arched doorway

A doorway under a Tamil name board, with a lotus-holding goddess figure between two elephants above

A goddess idol in a niche, wrapped in a green and gold cloth, with a bull's head carved at its base

Salient Features

There is a Shivalingam called “Sri Aadhimoola Lingam” in the corridor. This represents the lord who gave darshan to Agni.

The idol of Lord Murugan depicts him with his earrings. This is quite unique.

It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam every year for five days (from 26^th to 30^th) in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr). Hence this place is referred to as “Bhaskara Sthalam” (“Bhaskara” means sun).

The event of Rathi, wife of Manmathan, worshiping Lord Shiva here is observed in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec). Special pujas are performed during that time.

Lemon tree is the Sthala Viruksham of this temple. Hence this place is called as “Vigusaranyam” and the lord is praised as “Sri Vigusaranyeswarar”.

The holy water, Agni Theertham (tank) is just opposite to the temple and it is also known as Kamasaras, Surya Pushkarani and Varuna Theertham.

Beautiful sculptures depicting Agni, Suryan and Varunan can be seen at the top of the second entrance.

Greatness of this temple

Those facing any kind of difficulties in their lives can worship the lord here.

Important Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated in the temple are –

Vaikasi Visakam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June),

Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug),

Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept),

Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov),

Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec),

Makara Sankranthi in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb), and

Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple Timings

From 07.30 AM to 11.00 AM and from 04.30 PM to 07.00 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Abathsahayeswarar Temple,
Anniyur (Ponnur) Post,
Mappadukai Via,
Mayiladuthurai Taluk,
Nagapattinam District,
Tamil Nadu – 609203.
Tele: 04364-235002, and 250755.

The temple priest Sri Ravi Gurukkal can be contacted at 97867 66995.

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Today7:30 am – 11:00 am, 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Phone04364-235002

Two domed shrine towers with painted figures, rising above low rooftops under a hazy sky

A long blue stone wall with a domed top and an arched entrance at its left end

A paved courtyard with domed blue shrines and a small open pavilion, trees behind the wall

A small colourful shrine in a pillared hall, with a dark bull figure inside its opening

A small domed blue shrine in the foreground, with a larger blue shrine and pale domes beyond

What makes this temple special

* Cards drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. “Read more” takes you to the full passage.

Greatness

What makes Anniyur great

Those facing difficulties in their lives can worship the lord here. Lord Suryan is believed to worship the lord on the lingam with his rays.

Worship in difficultiesThose facing any kind of difficulties in their lives can worship the lord here.
Suryan's rays on the lingamLord Suryan is believed to worship the lord every year for five days (from 26th to 30th) in the Tamil month of Panguni by directing his rays on the lingam.
Murugan with earringsThe idol of Lord Murugan depicts him with his earrings. This is quite unique.
Aadhimoola LingamA Shivalingam called Sri Aadhimoola Lingam in the corridor represents the lord who gave darshan to Agni.

Significance

Its place in the tradition

One of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams, and a place the Sangam text Akanaanuru connects with a local king called Anni.

Devara Paadal Petra SthalamOne of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and the 22nd Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the Cauvery.
Named in the AkanaanuruAs per Akanaanuru, a text from the Sangam period, a local king called Anni lived here, and this place might have been named after him.
Bhaskara SthalamThe place is referred to as Bhaskara Sthalam because Lord Suryan worships the lord here.
Agni and the yagnaAgni, punished for his part in the yagna performed by Dakshan, worshiped the lord here to seek relief from this sin.

Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come to seek relief from difficulties, as Harishchandra and Banu did.

For relief from difficultiesThose facing any kind of difficulties in their lives can worship the lord here.
For help in hardshipsKing Harishchandra worshiped here, and Lord Shiva is believed to have helped him overcome the difficulties.
For a cureThe brahmin Banu, afflicted with leprosy, worshiped the lord after a dip in the Theertham, and is believed to have been cured.

Painted figures above the temple entrance

276Paadal Petra Sthalams

Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

The name Aabathsakayeswarar

ஆபத்சகாயர்lord who rescues those in difficulties

Vigusaranyam, Bhaskara Kshetram and Anniyur

Legends of Anniyur

Agni created a tank here and worshiped the lord; it is known as Agni Theertham.

The king worshiped Lord Shiva here, and the lord is praised as Sri Aabathsakayeswarar.

Manmathan was restored to his form after Rathi prayed to Lord Shiva, so the lord is praised as Sri Ratheeswarar.

Lord Suryan worshiped the lord here to seek relief from a curse by Rathi.

Varunan and the Pandavas worshiped here, so the lord is also praised as Sri Pandaveswarar.

Festivals through the year

Vaikasi Visakam, Aadi Pooram, Vinayakar Chaturthi, Annabishekam, Thiru Karthikai, Makara Sankranthi and Maha Shivrathri. Pradosham is observed regularly.

The deities of this temple

* Drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. Where there is no photograph, the card shows the name.

From the sanctum to the corridors

Moolavarஆ

Moolavar

Sri Aabathsakayeswarar

Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).

Ambal

Sri Bragan Nayaki

Sri Bragan Nayaki, also named Sri Periya Nayaki, is the Ambal of this temple.

Shrine in the hall and corridors

Sri Punugeeswarar

Shrines and idols of Punugeeswarar can be seen in the hall and the corridors.

Shrine in the hall and corridors

Siddhi Vinayakar

Shrines and idols of Siddhi Vinayakar can be seen in the hall and the corridors.

Muruganமு

Murugan

Lord Murugan

The idol of Lord Murugan depicts him with his earrings. This is quite unique.

Koshtam

Durgai

In the koshtam, the place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Durgai can be seen.

Koshtamத

Koshtam

Dakshinamurthy

There are two idols of Dakshinamurthy placed side by side in this temple.

Shrine in the corridorஆ

Shrine in the corridor

Sri Aadhimoola Lingam

This Shivalingam in the corridor represents the lord who gave darshan to Agni.

Sacred geography

You are hereThis temple

Schematic. Distances as recorded on the visit; directions approximate.

Darshan today7:30 am – 11:00 am, 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

7:30 – 11:004:30 – 7:00 pm

Hours as recorded on the visit. Festival days can differ.

Plan the day around it

Address and phone

Sri Abathsahayeswarar Temple, Anniyur (Ponnur) Post, Mappadukai Via, Mayiladuthurai Taluk, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609203. The temple priest Sri Ravi Gurukkal can be contacted at 97867 66995.

04364-235002

A day of darshan nearby

5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 23.4 km in straight lines.

Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.

Open this route in Google Maps →

Agni Theertham

The holy water, Agni Theertham (tank) is just opposite to the temple.

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Summary written with AI help from the temple write-up.

Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

V. Muthukumaraswamy

Sung at this temple by Appar, who visited it. Verse 1 of 10.

Pāṟa laiththa paṭuveṇ ṭalaiyiṉaṉ

nīṟa laiththasem mēṉiyaṉ nērizhai

kūṟa laiththamey kōḷara vāṭṭiya

āṟa laiththa saṭai'aṉṉi yūrarē

The lord carries a white skull torn by vultures and has a red body smeared with ash. He shares his form with Uma, the fine-jewelled lady, and plays with a fierce serpent. His matted hair tosses the river. He is the lord of Anniyur.

Tap any Tamil word for its meaning

Verse text and transliteration as given in the write-up. Word meanings and the English meaning are AI-assisted drafts.

All ten verses

01
பாற லைத்த படுவெண் டலையினன்நீற லைத்தசெம் மேனியன் நேரிழைகூற லைத்தமெய் கோளர வாட்டியஆற லைத்த சடைஅன்னி யூரரே

Pāṟa laiththa paṭuveṇ ṭalaiyiṉaṉ / nīṟa laiththasem mēṉiyaṉ nērizhai / kūṟa laiththamey kōḷara vāṭṭiya / āṟa laiththa saṭai'aṉṉi yūrarē
02
பண்டொத் தமொழி யாளையோர் பாகமாய்இண்டைச் செஞ்சடை யன்னிருள் சேர்ந்ததோர்கண்டத் தன்கரி யின்னுரி போர்த்தவன்அண்டத் தப்புறத் தான்அன்னி யூரரே

Paṇṭoth thamozhi yāḷaiyōr pākamāy / iṇṭaich cheñchaṭai yaṉṉiruḷ sērnthathōr / kaṇṭath thaṉkari yiṉṉuri pōrththavaṉ / aṇṭath thappuṟath thāṉaṉṉi yūrarē
03
பரவி நாளும் பணிந்தவர் தம்வினைதுரவை யாகத் துடைப்பவர் தம்மிடங்குரவம் நாறுங் குழலுமை கூறராய்அரவ மாட்டுவர் போல்அன்னி யூரரே

Paravi nāḷum paṇinthavar thamviṉai / thuravai yākath thuṭaippavar tham'miṭaṅ / kuravam nāṟuṅ kuzhalumai kūṟarāy / arava māṭṭuvar pōlaṉṉi yūrarē
04
வேத கீதர்விண் ணோர்க்கும் உயர்ந்தவர்சோதி வெண்பிறை துன்று சடைக்கணிநாதர் நீதியி னாலடி யார்தமக்காதி யாகிநின் றார்அன்னி யூரரே

Vētha kītharviṇ ṇōrkkum uyarnthavar / chōthi veṇpiṟai thuṉtṟu saṭaikkaṇi / nāthar nīthiyi ṉālaṭi yārthamak / kāthi yākiniṉ tṟār'aṉṉi yūrarē
05
எம்பி ரான்இமை யோர்கள் தமக்கெலாம்இன்ப ராகி இருந்தவெம் மீசனார்துன்ப வல்வினை போகத் தொழுமவர்க்கன்ப ராகிநின் றார்அன்னி யூரரே

Empi rāṉimai yōrkaḷ thamakkelām / iṉpa rāki irunthavem mīsaṉār / thuṉpa valviṉai pōkath thozhumavark / kaṉpa rākiniṉ tṟār'aṉṉi yūrarē
06
வெந்த நீறுமெய் பூசுநன் மேனியர்கந்த மாமலர் சூடுங் கருத்தினர்சிந்தை யார்சிவ னார்செய்ய தீவண்ணர்அந்த ணாளர்கண் டீர்அன்னி யூரரே

ventha nīṟumey pūsunaṉ mēṉiyar / kantha māmalar chūṭuṅ karuththiṉar / sinthai yārsiva ṉārseyya thīvaṇṇar / antha ṇāḷarkaṇ ṭīr'aṉṉi yūrarē
07
ஊனை யார்தலை யிற்பலி கொண்டுழல்வானை வானவர் தாங்கள் வணங்கவேதேனை யார்குழ லாளையோர் பாகமாஆனை யீருரி யார்அன்னி யூரரே

Ūṉai yārthalai yiṟpali koṇṭuzhal / vāṉai vāṉavar thāṅkaḷ vaṇaṅkavē / thēṉai yārkuzha lāḷaiyōr pākamā / āṉai yīruri yār'aṉṉi yūrarē
08
காலை போய்ப்பலி தேர்வர் கண்ணார்நெற்றிமேலை வானவர் வந்து விரும்பியசோலை சூழ்புறங் காடரங் காகவேஆலின் கீழறத் தார்அன்னி யூரரே

Kālai pōyppali thērvar kaṇṇārnetṟi / mēlai vāṉavar vanthu virumpiya / chōlai chūzhpuṟaṅ kāṭaraṅ kākavē / āliṉ kīzhaṟath thār'aṉṉi yūrarē
09
எரிகொள் மேனியர் என்பணிந் தின்பராய்த்திரியு மூவெயில் தீயெழச் செற்றவர்கரிய மாலொடு நான்முகன் காண்பதற்கரிய ராகிநின் றார்அன்னி யூரரே

Erikoḷ mēṉiyar eṉpaṇin thiṉparāyth / thiriyu mūveyil thīyezhach chetṟavar / kariya māloṭu nāṉmukaṉ kāṇpathaṟ / kariya rākiniṉ tṟār'aṉṉi yūrarē
10
வஞ்ச ரக்கன் கரமுஞ் சிரத்தொடும்அஞ்சு மஞ்சுமோ ராறுநான் கும்மிறப்பஞ்சின் மெல்விர லாலடர்த் தாயிழைஅஞ்ச லஞ்சலென் றார்அன்னி யூரரே

The last verse tells how the lord crushed the arms and heads of the deceitful demon king with a soft finger, and then told him not to fear.

Vañcha rakkaṉ karamuñ chiraththoṭum / añchu mañchumō rāṟunāṉ kum'miṟap / pañchiṉ melvira lālaṭarth thāyizhai / añcha lañchaleṉ tṟār'aṉṉi yūrarē

Photographs

15 photographs, in the order they appear in the write-up. Captions are AI-assisted.