Pazhayarai Vadathali Sri Somanathaswamy Temple 24th of 129 on the south bank of the Kaveri · Chola Nadu · Temples near Kumbakonam

Visited on: 30^th March, 2018.

Location

Though the historical name of this place is Pazhayarai Vadathali, now there are two separate villages – one called Pazhayarai and the other called Vadathali. Both of them are approximately one kilometre apart. The Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam is located in Pazhayarai. In Vadathali, there is a separate temple. Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar), while rendering his hymn, combined these two temples.

Pazhayarai is situated at a distance of about 12 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam – Patteeswaram – Muzhaiyur - Avoor route. It is about 2 kms from Patteeswaram.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are – Sakthimutram, Patteeswaram, Thiruvalanchuzhi, Kottaiyur, Innambur, Thiruppurambiam, Thiruvaikavur, Thiruvisayamangai, Kumbakonam (3 temples – Kudamukku, Keezhkkottam and Karonam).

Vadathali temple

Sri Vimalanayaki along with Sri Dharmapureeswarar grace the temple at Vadathali. This temple is also known as Vallalar Koil and it is considered as one of the “Vaippu Sthalams”. This is a Madakkoil built by king Kochengat Cholan.

It is believed that once this temple was closed and buried under the ground by some Jains (Samanar). When Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) had come to Pazhayarai, he realized that something was unusual about Vadathali. When he enquired the local people, he was told that the temple in the village was hidden under the ground by the Jains. He then started fasting (“Sathyagraham”) here in order to find the location of the Shivalingam. It is believed that Lord Shiva came in the dream of the local Chola king Manimudi Devan and told him to assist Appar. The temple and the Shivalingam were found and re-established for worship.

Pazhayarai Temple

General Information

Moolavar

Sri Somanathar, Sri Somesar

Ambal

Sri Somakamalambigai

Theertham (Holy water)

Soma Theertham, Jatayu Theertham, Indra Theertham, Kamala Theertham

Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)

Amla tree

Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by

Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 24^th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is the birthplace of Amarneethi Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars.
• This is the birthplace of Mangayarkkarasiyar, one of the 63 Nayanmars.
• This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) is in a dilapidated/unfinished condition. Its second entrance tower has 3-tiers.
• There is no flag post (“dhwajasthambam”) in this temple.
• The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place on 29.01.2016.

History of the Temple

In ancient times, this place was a part of the Chola capital and many Chola kings ruled from Pazhayarai. During that time, Pazhayarai was a big city that spanned 8 kms in length and 3.5 kms in width. It consisted of many villages such as Patteswaram, Muzhayur, Udayalur, Shakti Mutram, Cholan Maligai (where the king’s palace was situated), Darasuram and Ramanathan Koil. Pazhaiyarai was divided into four blocks. These are – Vadathali, Metrali, Keezh Thali and Then Thali. This temple is located at Keezh Thali.

This village is bounded by the river Mudikondan on the south and the river Thirumalairayan on the north. The river Mudikondan is also known as Pazhaiyaru and hence this place gets the name Pazhayarai. The village on the river’s northern side is known as Pazhayarai Vadathali (“vada” means north and “thali” means temple in Tamil).

During Gnanasambanthar’s period, Pazhayarai housed the following battle camps of the Cholas - Aariyap padaiyur, Pampab padaiyur, Manap padaiyur and Puthup padaiyur.

This place has had different names throughout history. It was called Pazhaiyarai Nagar in the 7^th century, Nandhipuram in the 8^th century, Pazhaiyarai Nandhipuram in the 9^th and 10^th centuries, Mudikonda Cholapuram in the 11^th century and Rajarajapuram in the 12^th century.

This temple was believed to be built by Chola King Aditya and was renovated by Chola King Raja Rajan. Raja Raja’s birth name is Arunmozhi Devan and hence this place is also known as Arunmozhi Thevecharam.

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

Legend

According to legend, Garudan, the eagle mount of Lord Mahavishnu, wanted to release his mother from slavery. In order to do so he had to bring a pot full of nectar from Lord Indhra. When he was on his way to deliver the pot of nectar, he was attacked by some demons (asuras). Three drops of nectar fell down at this place and these drops turned into a lingam, a goddess and the Theertham. Garudan had a dip in this Theertham and worshiped Lord Shiva here. He made a pond here which is known as “Jatayu Theertham”.

It is believed that Chandran created a theertham here and worshiped the lord. He was relieved from his curses and regained his strength and brightness. The theertham created by him is known as Soma Theertham. The lord gets the name Soma Nathar and the goddess is praised as Soma Kamala Nayagi (“Soma” is another name for Chandran).

It is believed that Chandran, the serpent king Aadhi Seshan, Garudan, Ganga and Kamadenu’s daughter Vimali have worshipped the lord here.

Deities in the temple

Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Vinayakar (4), Murugan with his consorts, Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Nalvar with Sekkizhar, Mangayarkarasi, Kailasa Nathar, Navagraham and Chandikeswarar can be seen in the main hall and the corridors.

In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Dakshinamurthy, Ardhanareeswarar with Vishnu and Brahma on his either side and Veera Durgai can be seen.

Salient Features

The idol of Kailasanathar is incredibly beautiful and unique. It looks as if Ravana is carrying Mount Kailash over his head.

Idols of Dakshinamurthy, Ardhanareeswarar and Durgai are very beautiful.

Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar), while rendering his hymn, combined these two temples.

This place was a dense forest covered with neem trees in Kretha Yuga, plantain in Thretha Yuga, Kadamba trees in Dvapara Yuga and Amla trees in this Kali Yuga.

Keezhap Pazhaiyarai is the birthplace of Mangaiyarkkarasiyar, one of the 63 Nayanmars. She is the daughter of Chola King Manimudi Devan of Pazhayarai.

She is the wife of Koon Pandiyan of Madurai. She was instrumental in bringing Saint Thirugnanasambanthar to Madurai to save Saivism at a time when Jainism was spreading across the land. Mangaiyarkkarasiyar attained salvation in Madurai. She got the opportunity to be honoured by Saint Thirugnanasambanthar in his pathigam.

Chola King Manimudi Devan was associated with Saint Thirunavukkarasar in finding out the Shivalingam in Vadathali temple. The king was also associated with straightening the Shivalingam in Thiruppananthal, another Devara Padal Petra Sthalam.

Keezhap Pazhaiyarai is also the birthplace of Amarneethi Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars. He attained salvation in Nallur, a nearby village.

At the entrance of Goddess Parvathy’s shrine, there are many sculptures depicting the story of Pragalad and Lord Mahavishnu.

Saint Arunagirinadhar has sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

King Rajendra Chola was brought up in this place by his grandmother Queen Kunthavai Piratti.

Greatness of this temple

Devotees believe that taking a dip in this temple’s holy water (Soma Theertham) can cure them from mental disorder like “sitha piramai”.

Devotees also believe that taking a dip in the Jatayu Theertham can cure disease like leprosy.

Important Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated here are –

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

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

Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct),

Skanda Shashti and 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),

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

Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr).

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple Timings

From 07:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and from 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Someswarar Temple,
Pazhayarai Vadathali,
Patteeswaram Post,
Kumbakonam Taluk,
Tanjore District,
Tamil Nadu – 612 703.
Tele: +91 – 98945 69543.