Thirupparaithurai

History

The ancient Shiva Temple is at a bosom of this village. There were lot of parai trees in ancient days. As parai trees had grown in abundance in this village in olden days this village is called Thiru “parai” thurai.

Location

Thirupparaitturai is situated on the south bank of the River Cauvery. Trichy-Karur National High Way, Trichy-Palakkad Railway Line (Railway Station: Elamanur) have been laid through this village. It is 16 kilometers away from Trichy.

Boundary of the village

East : Elamanur West : Perugamani South: Analai North: The Holy River Cauvery

Legends

Sri Ramakrishna Tabovanam [http://www.rktapovanam.org] founded by Swami Chidbhavananda and Ramakrishna Kudil founded by Bramhachari Ramaswamy are the famous institutions doing commaendably Yeoman and meritorious services in the academic domain and in the spiritual sphere from this village.

The Temple

There are number of famous temples in Trichy District like Trichy Malaikkottai Thayumanaswami temple, Srirangam Renganatha swami Temple. Our Thirupparaitturai Tharugavaneshwarar Temple can also be treated on par with those temples for its grandeur.

The great Nalvars and ArunagiriNathar have sung in praise of the presiding deity of Thirupparaitturai temple.

History of the temple

This is the place then known as Tharugavanam where Lord Shiva as Pitchardanar destroyed the pride of Tharugavana Hermits.

Long long ago Tharugavana Hermits became oblivious (unmindful) Lord Shiva and thought that they could be omnipotent through their own spiritual powers. They chanted numberless prayers, and performed numberless poojas and sacrifices. They slighted and forgot Lord Shiva completely.

Knowing all those things, Lord Shiva sent Lord Vishnu in Mohini Avatar (a beautiful woman) to set right the hermits who had gone astray. All Tharugavana Hermits felt drawn towards Mohini by the silken bonds of love. They felt irresistibly attracted towards the infinite charm and exquisite beauty of Mohini. They all forgot their prayers, poojas and everything.

Lord Shiva himself went as Pitchadanar (a handsome youth) to the ladies of Tharugavana hermits. They also fell in love with Pitchadanar and lost their purity.

At this the Tharugavana Hermits felt enraged and performed Homas and Yagas. They brought forth a Tiger by the strength of their Tapas and sent it to kill Shiva. But Lord Shiva slaughtered the tiger and wore the skin as his typical dress. Lord Shiva took their thrisul as his weapon. Their baby deer was placed on his left hand. Their snakes were worn as ornaments by Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva, otherwise piously called Tharugavaneshwarar, ParaithuraiNather, ParaithuraiSelvar is being worshipped by the large number of people since 7 th Century A.D.

The Total area of the land which the holy Temple is situated is more than 5 acres. The temple is surrounded by a gigantic boundary wall.

When we enter through the main gate, an ornamented arch, the seven tiered RajaGopuram, a holy tank, and a hundred pillar mandapam (The present Vivekandha Primary School). These things enable and enhance the sanctity of the ambience there.

As we enter the RajaGopuram, there we see a NandhiMandapam. Nandhi, a flag pillar(Dhwajasthambam) and a sacrificing alter(Balipeedam).

When we pass through this area the Inner Temple with Prakaram starts. There is another Gopuram in front of the inner temple. Mulavar Sannithi, Ambal Sannithi, Ancient sculptures, Vaganams, a holy well and other deities are seen inside the temple.

SthalaVirutcham(Tree of the Temple) is behind the inner Temple.

The Root (old temple) belongs to “Early Chola period” of 7 th century. The temple was then renovated by V.V.R. Nagappa Chettiar of KanaduKathan.

Gods & Goddness

God : Tharugavaneswarar (Paraithurai Nather, Paraithruai Selvar)

Goddess : Pasumpon Mayeelambikai (Hema Varnambikai)

Lingam : Suyambu Lingam (Natural)

Temple Tree : Parai Tree.

Side Gods :

1. Valamburi Vinayagar 2. Saptha Kanniyar (Seven Sisters) 3. 63 Nayanmars 4. Somas Kandhar 5. Pancha Pootha Lingams 6. Murugan, Shanmugan with Valli Deivanai 7. MahaLakshmi 8. Durga Lakshmi 9. Pitchadanar 10. Brahmma 11. Durgai 12. Shandeshwarar 13. Pannirukai(12 hand) Shanmugar 14. Suriyan, Chandran 15. Selva Vinayagar 16. Azhagia Natarajar 17. Saneeshwarar riding on crow 18. Other Navagrahas 19. Kala Bairavar 20. Dhakshnamoorthi (equal to famous Alangudi Dhakshnamoorthi)

External links

* [http://www.rktapovanam.org Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam] (Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam website).
* [http://www.paraithuraishiva.info/ Paraithuraishiva temple] (official website).