Thenkudi Thittai

Padal Petra Sthalam, Thanjavur District

God

Vasishteswarar (also Pasupatheeswarar, Pasupathinadar, Theroornadar, Thenupureeswarar), facing east

Goddess

Ulaganayagi (also Mangalanayagi, Mangalambigai, Sugandhakunthalambigai), facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Guru Bhagavan, Surya, Gajalakshmi, Nataraja, Navagraha, Dakshinamurthy, Lingotbavar, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Thenkudi Thittai is an immaculately built temple with high walls and a small, but stocky 3 tier Rajagopuram. There is a large Temple Tank in front of this east facing temple. The Lingam is small and has four stripes on a square base (Aavudayar). The Kodimaram (flagstaff) is made of stone. There is a Thiruneerukovil below from which one can take and smear the holy ash (Thiruneeru). A separate shrine is seen for Guru. Stone carvings of the 12 Raasis (Zodiac signs) can be seen opposite the Goddess shrine on a Mantapa here at Thenkudi Thittai. It is possible to climb a flight of steps to reach and view the Vimaanam on top of the Sanctum Sanctorum. A wonder here is the water that drops on the lingam from top (seemingly out of nowhere) every 25 hours – this is attributed to a special stone (Chandrakantha Stone), incidentally discovered inside when the sanctum sanctorum was being repaired in 1922, which is said to absorb the moisture from the moon and drop it on the lord.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Soola Theertham (also Chakkaratheertham) the temple tank, Rivers Vettar and Cauvery

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

History

Thirugnanasambandar (7th Century CE) has rendered Thevaram hymns here at Thenkudi Thittai.

Legend

The Rajaguru Brahaspathi is believed to have attained his powers here at Thenkudi Thittai. Kamadhenu, Vishnu, Sage Vasishta, Sage Gautama and Aadhiseshan are said to have worshiped the Lord here at Thenkudi Thittai. During a large-scale devastation, the Lord is believed to have appeared as a Suyambu on an elevated strip of land (Thittai) between the rivers Vennar and Vettar and hence the name of the temple. The place is also called as Rathapuri Therur owing to the reason that the chariot of a king called Sumali got struck here, as Dhenupuri as the Holy Cow Kamadhenu worshiped here and also as Renukapuri since Goddess Renuka worshiped here at Thenkudi Thittai.

Directions

Thenkudi Thittai is about 10 Kilometers southeast of Thanjavur in a separate road. You can also reach from the Thankavur-Kumbakonam road.

Stay and Food

Thanjavur or Kumbakonam are the best options.

Padal Petra Sthalams

Tamilnadu Temples