Thirupamburam Temple (Raghu-Kethu )

About Temple:

Thirupamburam is a village situated 3 kms away from Karkaththi, a place westward of Kollumangudi on the kumbakonam – Kaaraikaal road. This is the 59th of the hymn ordained temples south of the kaaveri river. Stant Thirgnanaasambandar has sung pathigam on his temple. Saints Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar have each sung one song on his temple.

Devotees can reach this temple by buses plying from Kumbakonam to Kaaraikaal via Kollumangudi to reach Karkaththi. Or by mini bus from Kollumangudi /Peralam. Kollumangudi/Peralam is at the intersection of Mayiladuthurai – Thiruvarur road and Kumbakonam – Kaaraikaal road. Hence this temple can easily be accessed from Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvarur,Kumbakonam or Kaaraikaal. It must be mentioned here that this temple is situated between the famous Navagraha temples of Thirunallar and Thirunageswaram.

Hundreds of devotees throng this temple as a purification Kendra for many graha conflicts. It is a fact that devotees are relived of their difficulties and they enthuse and accompany many others.

Chola kings succeeding vijayalaya chola (Tirugnanasambandar era). Renovated many brick-built temples into stone ones.and Thirupamburam is one among them. Of the 15 inscriptions found in this temple most are found in the outer ring –six on the north, one in east,four in west and two in the south. Of these the oldest is from the period of kulothunga chola the third (11 78-1218 AD).Hence one can safely conclude this stone edifice is close to a millennium old.

Route:

Mayavaram–Thiruvarur route. (Get down at Peralam). It is near to Thirumeeyachur. A minibus is going directly to pamburam by 10.30 a.m.

thirupamburam temple-main-entrance

Legends:

Once Lord Vinayaga worshipped his father shiva in Kailash. the snake in his neck due to its superiority complex thought that ganapathi is worshipping the snake and not shiva. Shiva on knowing this curse the snake. It came to the earth and did penance and in a single night (4 jamas) it worshipped shiva in four places. Thirupamburam is the place where nagaraja worshipped in 3rd jamam. Due to unavailability of flowers that time, he tied agathi poo (sesbania grandiflora) flowers in alavizhudhu (banyan tree stems) and finished pooja. So, in this village, Agathi won’t flower and alamvizhudhu won’t touch the earth. (It is very usual that alamvizhudu will touch earth and the stem itself will turn to roots).

Even still, noone in this village has been reported to death due to snake-bite.

thirupamburam temple raja gopuram (raghu kethu temple)

When jasmine smell comes inside the temple, it indicates the presence of snake there. In particular tuesdays, fridays, and sundays.

Pariakara Poojas

1.Kalasarpa Dosham in their Horoscope.

2.Rahu Dosham for 18 years.

3.Kethu Dosham for 7 years.

4.Rahu Bukthi or Kethu Bukthi.

5.Kalathira Dosham

6.Puthra Dosha

7.Had their marriage proposals delayed or blocked.

8.Frequent dreams with snakes appearing in them.

9.Knowingly or Unknowingly beaten a snake.

10.Loan (borrowings) difficulties.

11.Rahu or Kethu in 2nd place from Lagna and Rahu or Kethu in 8th place from Lagna

COBRA GARLAND FOR THE LORD & THE GODDESS

On the morning of 21.03.2002, when the priest went to the sannadhi of Ambal, he found a garland of the skin of a 7 1/2 foot snake on the deity. That skin has been put in a frame and kept in the Lord’s sannadhi. Again, on 26.05.2002, a cobra of about 8 feet length was found on the Lord. When the priest went in, the snake went out. Again, it had left behind its skin as a garland on the Lord. This assumes special significance as this happened on a full moon day, on a Satrurday. This event was witnessed by a huge number of devotees too.

IMPORTANT FESTIVAL DAYS

Apart from the usual festivals found in all the days in all Shiva temples, Mahashivarathri and Massi Maham are celebrated with special importance. In the third segment of Mahashivarathri, the Lord goes round on Adhiseshan. Being the temple for Rahu-Kethu, the transit of these two is also celebrated in a grand manner.

thirupambaram raaghu kedhu near temples map

ABOUT THIRUPAMBARAM

SPECIALITY OF THE STHALAM

Name of the sthalam : Thirupamburam, Pambura Nannagar, Pamburam,Seshapuri,Urasupram,UyyakondarVallanaattu Thirupamburam.
Lord : Seshapureeswarar, Pambeesar, Pamburanathar, Pambureeswarar,Pmaburesar.
Ambal : Bramaramigai, Vandaarkuzhali, Vanduserkuzhali,Vandaar Poonkuzhalvalli,Maamalayatti.
Virksham : Vanni Tree.
Theertham : Aadhi sesha Theertham.
Special Mention : Ekha sareera sannadhi of Rahu – Kethu.
Speciality : This temple is the single equivalent of Srikalahasthi, Kumbakonam, Thirunageswaram, Nagore and Kizhapperumballam combined.
THE LAYOUT OF THE TEMPLE AND THE SPECIALITIES OF THE SANNADHIS
The rajagopuram, with 3 tiers, is east facing with the Adhisesha Theertham right in front. On entry, we find east facing lord vinayaka at the bottom of the flagpole along with the sacrifice stone and lord nandhi. In south prahaaram , lord thirumalai easwaran blesses us. From an elevated temple. In the recent past, the gopuram of thiruveezhi sanctum sanctorum could be seen from the south west (kanni moolai) corner of the temple but now the overgrown trees prevent that darshan. We find lord murga next, with his consorts valli, Devasena. The temple tree vanni, estimated to be about 250 years old has under it the exclusive sanctum of Adhi Pamburesar, giving him the name of Vanneswarar too.

thirupambaram raaghu kedhu raja gopuram

The Goddess, Vanduserkuzhali has Her east-facing sannadhi in the north prahaaram, to the left of the Lord’s. On the side walls of the sanctum in the south prahaaram, the worship of lord Sattanathar is a very special one. We can worship Lord Dhakshinamoorthy also under this sannadhi.

There is a seprate mandapam in the east prahaaran which has the following deities: Bhairavar, Thirumal, nSuryan, Brahman, Panchalingam, Adhiseshan, Rahu – Kethu, saneeswaran and the four main Shaivaite saints – Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar and Manickavachagar.

LORD’S SANCTUM SANCTORUM – CENTRE OF ATTRACTION
The Lord’s sannadhi is in three parts – Mahamandapam, Arthamandapam and the sanctum sanctorum Lord Somaskandar find a separate place in the south of the mahamandapam where we can worship Lord Natraja too. An enthralling dharshan of the panchamoorthy is followed by the darshan of a magnificient ‘utsava moorthi’ idol of Lord Murga with his consorts Valli – Devasena. Adorned with his Varja and holy Spear while trampling on the peacock with his left foot.

SANNADHI’S MAIN FEATURES
Lord Pambureswarar in the lingam form blesses in the sanctum sanctorum. The ‘utsavar’ form of Adhisesha is in the worshipping posture in the sanctum sanctorum. There is a moat encompassing the sannadhi, with three sides of the moat coverd by the mandapam..

AMMAN SANNADHI
The Lord, with his consort at his left” As the sung in the thevaram for this temple, the goddess Vanduserkuzhali has her sannadhi to the left of the Lord ‘s sannadhi on the north prahaaram. The ambal has the lotus in one palm and the rudraksha garland in the other, with the Varadha hasta and Abaya hastha mudras blessing devotees.


RAHU – KETHU SANNADHI

“The ancient scripture states that Rahu and Kethu worshipped the Lord and received his blessings in one body! Hence devotees who worship the Lord Ambal and Rahu – Kethu in this temple are rid of all their sins. They attain whatever they wish for! The sannadhi for Rahu – Kethu is situated in the north – east corner in a separate sannadhi. It is extremely beneficial to perform archanas and abhishekam in the rahul kaalam (the ‘rahu time’ of the day) as these remove all evils and confer blessings.

The legend of Adhiseshan performing pooja

1. “In a completion between Adhisesha and Lord Vaayu to prove who between them was more powerful.Vaayu tried to unearth all the mountains with his force. While Adhisseshan with his strength , prevented this from happening. In his rage, Vaayu stopped the breathing air (oxygen) to all beings. On t beings requested by all devas including Lorg Indra, Adhiseshan retreated from this test of strength. But Vaayu continued to un earth the mountains and this angered Lord Shiva, who cursed Vaayu and Adhiseshan to life of ghosts. Upon the repentance of both, Lo9rd Shiva directed Vaayu to do the penance at the north of the river Vaigai & to the east of Mdurai, while directing Adhisesha to worship Him for 12 years in the Pamburam hence Adhiseshan created theertham here observed his penance and got relieved of the curse.

thirupambaram raaghu kedhu gopuram

2. Once Lord Vinayaka was praying to Lord Shiva At that time , the serpent around Lord Shiva’s neck took pride that Vinayaka was worshipping him too. Enranged at this. Lord shiva cursed that all serpents will lose their power.On the repentance by the eight great snakesrahu and kethu, the lord directed them to worship on shivarathiri and get released from the curse.As directed by him.Rahu,Kethu and the eight great snakes worshipped Thirupamburanathar at midnight on Mahasivarathiri and were released from his curse.

3. Legend has it that when Adhiseshan.who supports the world on himself felt over burdened and ill.Lord Shiva directed him to worship him on mahashivarathri night in the following order: First ,at Nageswarar at Kumbokaonam next Naganathar at Thirunageswaram and finally at Thirubampuram. Adhiseshan didso and got back his strength.Because of this ,all snakes in this place are considered the devoteed of Lord Shiva and legend has it that they do not bite anyone here.

4. Brahma created Tilothama ,as the most beautiful of all women .Since he was her creator, she considered him her father and went round him in worship.but Brahma to savour her beauty ,created for himself four heads to look at her as she went round him. Getting afraid of this, Tilotham fled skyward,but, Brahma started at her with a face on top too.Upon her prayers to Lord Shiva, the Lord removed the top head of brahma and also cursed him to lose his powers of creation.Acting on the advice of rishis,Brahma reached Thirupamburam with his consort,created a theertham there, worshipped the lord for one year and got released from the curse.
5. Indra, the king of Devas ,was crused with a thousand eyes all over his body for his illicit cou[ling with Ahalya ,wife of sagge Gauthama.Heeding tha advice of the Devas ,he came to Pamburam and worshipped there for 12years .The Lord appeared before him in the first segment on Mahashivarathiri and gave him from release from the curse.

6. Similarly,Goddess Uma playfully closed the eyes of the Lord while in kaliaya.Since this Darkened the world and every being was stopped from pursuing its vocation, the Lord got angry and cursed the Goddess to leave him. Repenting for her mistake, the Goddess was directed by him to worship him at Pamburam for 12 years. After she thus completed her penance, She was relieved from her curse in the fourth segment of Mahashivarathri.

7. Once, in Kailaya, the Sage Agasthya countered the argument of Devas and other RIshis who claimed that Sanskrit was unequalled, by saying that Tamizh was a great as Sanskrit. Lords Shiva and Vishnu agreed on this, albeit silently. But, the Devas and rishis, cures Agasthya to become dumb for disrupting their say. On his prayer to Lord Shiva, he was directed to visit Thirupurambam and worship there for one year for restoration of his speech. Agasthya did so and Lord Shiva appeared before him in the first segment of Mahashivarathri and cured him. He was also diected to leave foe Podhigai hill and help Tamizh grow.

8. During the yagna by Dakshan, Lord Shiva was ignored for distribution of alms, while all other Devas were given theirs. Getting angry at this, the Lord in the form of Veerabhadra, cut off Agni’s hand and kicked him down. Realizing his mistake, Agni prayed to the Lord and he directed Agni to pray to him at Thirupurambam. Agni worshipped at Thirupurambam for three years and got relieved from the curse.

9. Dakshan, the father of the 27 stars, gave them all Chandran (the Moon God). He gave this daughter. Uma, in wedlock to Lord Shiva. After all this, he conducted at Maha Yagna to which he did not invite Lord Shiva, nor did he give the alms due to Lord Shiva. Angered by this, Lord Shiva created Veerabhadra, who destroyed the Yagna Mandapam and decapitated Dakshan. To pacify the Lord, Brahma and other Devas including Indra, placed the head of a goat on Daksha’s body and revived him. Devoid of this arrogance, Dakshan prayed to the Lord to rid him of his sins. The Lord told him to worship at Pamburam for twelve years for ridding him of his sins. Dakshan did so and got released from his sins in the fourth segment of Mahashivarathri.

10. The holy river Ganges, being the repository of the sins of all those who bathe in her, could not bear the burden of them any more and sought relief from them. Lord Shiva recommended this temple quoting the relief be gotten by Adiseshan, Brahma, Indran and Dakshan. Hence, Gangadevi dwelt 30 days in Kaveri in Mayiladuthurai in the month of Aipasi and reached Thirupurambam in the succeeding month of Karthigai. She worshipped her for sixteen years and in the second segment of Mahashivarathin the month of Maasi, got rid of all her sins.
THE LEGEND OF THE TEMPLE (Adhiseshan performing pooja)
Apart from the 18th century scripted legend of this, there are many notes and anecdotes about this temple in other books as well. Hearsay anecdotes abound and it is quite possible there is more than one legend for this temple.

“Twelve ancients reached the heavens by worshipping at Pamburam”

Adhiseshan Brahma, Parvathi, Sge Agasthya, Agini, Ganges, the sun and the moon, Dhakshan,Sunithan-a north Indian King and the chola king – Kochengatchozhan are the twelve referred above.

11. Suryan, the Sun god, went about asking the rishis of Naimisaranya the source of his light. They told him that only sage Vyasa could answer him, and upon his doing so, sage Vyasa told him to go to Thirupurambam temple and worship the Lord there. Surya went to Kashi, took a holy dip in the Ganges, then travelled to Mayiladuthurai to worship Mayuranathar and then reached Thirupamburam. He worshipped the Lingam worshipped by Adiseshan, with a thousand flowers everyday for twelve years. The Lord appeared before him in high high moon on a day in Chithrai month and granted him the boon to be forever bright. (Some of the songs about Suryan worshipping the Lord have been lost to us forever. This legend is given on the basis of the retrieved details).

12. Vanathara, the wife of Brahaspathi, in his absence, begot Budhan in an illicit relationship with Chandran. Learning of this, Brahaspathi cursed Chandran to fall ill with tuberculosis. Indran, the other Devas and Chandran requested the rishis to suggest ways of absolving this curse. The rishis advised Chandran to worship Pamburanathar and Chandran did so with a thousand flowers daily for twelve years. He was absolved of his disease at noon on Thai Poornima Day.

13. A north Indiian King, Sunithan, who has very generous, pious and just, suddenly was afflicted with a disease called Muyalagan which is accompanied by fits. On the advice of sage Vashistra, he reached Mayiladuthurai, bathed in the river Kaveri there, and then reached Pamburam. On finishing his bath in theertham and getting on to the banks, his disease vanished. He stayed on in this place for one year and built the Nrutha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. He also performed the restoration of the temple of the Goddess. According to the temple history, he also contributed the four towers, the surrounding walls, the three praharas, the steps to the Brahma Theertham, while also giving gifts to the local Brahmans and gifting dancing girls to the temple.

14. Kopperunchozhan, a Chola King, due to previous karma, was afflicted with leucoderma, and felt very disheartened. He worshipped sage Vashishta, who advised him to take a holy dip in the theertham and then pray to Pamburanathar. He did so and was cured of his disease. Immensely pleased by this, the king stayed here for three years and contributed tall towers, mandapas, steps to tanks, flower and other gardens and laying of streets and other facilities. He had Lord Sadashiva installed in the temple, created the Sivaganga Theertham and with great pleasure, had the name Silandhisozhapuram given to the place.

HEARSAY DETAILS
Snakes are supposed to come and worship in the sanctum sanctorum, especially on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and this can really be seen by those with good karma. Some unusual and wondrous tidbits: A sudden whiff of fragrant jasmine or fragrant screw pine (thazhampoo) can be felt when ther is movement of snakes within the temple: Snakes in this place, considered devotees of Lord Shiva, do not bite any one. The plant Agathi doesn’t bear flowers nor do the aerial roots of the banyan tree touch the ground in this place