Visited on: Saturday, 17th September, 2016
Location
Thiruvamathur is located at a distance of about 8 kms from Villupuram on the Villupuram to Gingee route.
Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are – Thiruvennainallur, Thiruthuraiyur, Thiruvathigai, Thirumundeecharam, T.Idaiyaru and Thirunavalur.
General Information
Moolavar | Sri Abirameswarar, Sri Azhakia Nathar |
Ambal | Sri Muthambigai, Sri Azhakia Nayagi |
Theertham (Holy water) | Ambalam Poompoigai (tank); Dhanda Theertham (well); Pampai/ Kadamba River |
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree) | Vanni tree |
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar (2), Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) (2), Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) (1) |
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 21st Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu.
- Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
- Lord Shiva’s idol has the impression of a hoof at the top. There are multiple rivulet markings which signify that this lord was worshiped with milk that flowed from udders of cows.
- Inscribed on the chest of Goddess Muthambikai’s idol here is a small piece of what looks like a snake’s tail.
- There are two separate temples here. Goddess Muthambikai’s temple is right in front of Lord Shiva’s temple.
- Lord Shiva’s temple has a 7-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) with 2 corridors while the goddess’s temple has a 5-tiered main tower with a single corridor.
- This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where the “Moovar” (the three saints - Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams.
- Vannacharabam Sri Dandapani Swamigal lived in this place.
- The first “Kaumara Madam” was established here.
History of the Temple
Thiruvamathur is located on the banks of the Pampa river, a tributary of the Pennai river. The historical names of this place are – Gomathrupuram, Gomatheeswaram and Gomathupuram.
This temple was originally built by the Pallava rulers. Later on, the Cholas made several endowments. This is evident from the stone inscriptions available here. At a later date, Achutha Deva Pallavar is believed to have renovated this temple. There is an idol of Achutha Deva Pallavar here.
In this temple, there are stone inscriptions that document the histories of 26 kings from 955 to 1584 AD. The important kings among them are Rajaraja Cholan-I, Rajendra Cholan-I, Rajathi Rajan-I, Kulothungan-I, Vikramathithan, Sadaya Verman, Vikrama Pandian and Krishnadeva Rayar.
The stone inscriptions also reveal that a Chola king sanctioned a grant that helped several blind students learn the devaram hymns and sing them in the temples.