Thittai (also called Then kudi Thittai) - Guru temple
Location:
The temple is located at about 15 kms from Tanjore. While traveling towards Kumbakonam, after crossing the city bypass ring road, you will see a ‘Y’ branching to Thiruvaiyaru and Kumbakonam. Take the right turn, enroute to Kumbakonam and travel further for about 2 kms, you will encounter a right side road to Melattur. There is a clear sign board for the temple at this junction. From here, the temple is about 6 kms.
Quick Facts:
One of the 275 shivasthalams glorified by the Tevaram Hymns
Main deity: Pasupateeswarar Vasishteswarar as Swayambu lingam
Goddess: Ulaganayaki, Sugandhamundalambika
Theertham: Chakra theertham
Vriksham: Karuvelamaram
Patikam: Sambandar
The Temple:
Actually Alangudi near Kumbakonam is the main Guru Parihara sthalam of the Navagraha temples around Kumbakonam where Lord Dakshinamoorthy is being worshipped as Guru but this Vasishteswarar temple at Thittai is also considered a Guru Parihara sthalam where the Navagraha star Guru (Jupiter) is present as Guru in a separate shrine with vimanam.
The temple is in a beautiful village atmosphere. A big, well maintained temple tank called ‘Chakra theertha’ is present in front of the temple in the vast open space that adds beauty to the temple. The tank is clean and largely used by the villagers. Various pillars in the temple are plain without any intricate sculpture works but the temple is beautiful, especially the area of Nandhi-Balipeetam-Dwajasthambam which is in an elevated height that gives a majestic look for them.
The main deity is Vasishteswar in the form of a Swayambu lingam and on top of the ceiling in the sanctum sanctorum, there are Surya Kantha and Chandra Kantha stones which absorb moisture from the air and let it drip as water drops on the lingam. A clear witness to the advanced scientific/ architectural knowledge our country had possessed. Across the Ambal shrine there is a mandapam with carvings of the 12 zodiac signs.
Legends:
The name of the place originates from the word “thittu” in Tamil which means a sand dune or an elevated place. Legend has it that during pralaya period when the whole world was submerged, the Gods of creation, protection and destruction took shelter in the “thittu” here between the Vennar and Vettar rivers. Shiva appeared here in the form of a Swayambhu Lingam.
The place is also called Therur or Rathapuram, the name arises from the legend of the chariot of a king by name Sumali getting stuck in the dunes here.
The Vedas, Renukadevi, Vasishtar, Gowtama, Adi Seshan, Kamadhenu and Vishnu are said to have worshipped here. The principal deity is called Vasishteswarar since the sage Vasishtar worshipped him.
The Goddess Ulaganayaki is also known as Sugantha Kunthalambigai since a Vaisya girl by name Sugantha Kunthala got her deceased husband back to life after worshipping Ulaganayaki here. Hence, Ulaganayaki is worshipped for not just protecting everyone on earth but also for the long life of one’s husband.
Highlights:
In most other temples Lord Dakshinamoorthy is being worshipped as Guru and only in three places - Thittai (here), Thiruvalidayam, popularly known as Padi near Chennai and Trichendur - Navagraha star Guru is worshipped as Guru Bhagawan.
Guru Bhagwan is present as Raja (Deva) Guru in a separate shrine between the shrines of Easwaran and Ambal.
The Surya Kantha and Chandra Kantha stones on top of the ceiling in the sanctum sanctorum absorb moisture from the air and let it drip as water drops on the lingam. Water drops fall every 20-25 minutes.
Location:
The temple is located at about 15 kms from Tanjore. While traveling towards Kumbakonam, after crossing the city bypass ring road, you will see a ‘Y’ branching to Thiruvaiyaru and Kumbakonam. Take the right turn, enroute to Kumbakonam and travel further for about 2 kms, you will encounter a right side road to Melattur. There is a clear sign board for the temple at this junction. From here, the temple is about 6 kms.
Quick Facts:
One of the 275 shivasthalams glorified by the Tevaram Hymns
Main deity: Pasupateeswarar Vasishteswarar as Swayambu lingam
Goddess: Ulaganayaki, Sugandhamundalambika
Theertham: Chakra theertham
Vriksham: Karuvelamaram
Patikam: Sambandar
The Temple:
Actually Alangudi near Kumbakonam is the main Guru Parihara sthalam of the Navagraha temples around Kumbakonam where Lord Dakshinamoorthy is being worshipped as Guru but this Vasishteswarar temple at Thittai is also considered a Guru Parihara sthalam where the Navagraha star Guru (Jupiter) is present as Guru in a separate shrine with vimanam.
The temple is in a beautiful village atmosphere. A big, well maintained temple tank called ‘Chakra theertha’ is present in front of the temple in the vast open space that adds beauty to the temple. The tank is clean and largely used by the villagers. Various pillars in the temple are plain without any intricate sculpture works but the temple is beautiful, especially the area of Nandhi-Balipeetam-Dwajasthambam which is in an elevated height that gives a majestic look for them.
The main deity is Vasishteswar in the form of a Swayambu lingam and on top of the ceiling in the sanctum sanctorum, there are Surya Kantha and Chandra Kantha stones which absorb moisture from the air and let it drip as water drops on the lingam. A clear witness to the advanced scientific/ architectural knowledge our country had possessed. Across the Ambal shrine there is a mandapam with carvings of the 12 zodiac signs.
Legends:
The name of the place originates from the word “thittu” in Tamil which means a sand dune or an elevated place. Legend has it that during pralaya period when the whole world was submerged, the Gods of creation, protection and destruction took shelter in the “thittu” here between the Vennar and Vettar rivers. Shiva appeared here in the form of a Swayambhu Lingam.
The place is also called Therur or Rathapuram, the name arises from the legend of the chariot of a king by name Sumali getting stuck in the dunes here.
The Vedas, Renukadevi, Vasishtar, Gowtama, Adi Seshan, Kamadhenu and Vishnu are said to have worshipped here. The principal deity is called Vasishteswarar since the sage Vasishtar worshipped him.
The Goddess Ulaganayaki is also known as Sugantha Kunthalambigai since a Vaisya girl by name Sugantha Kunthala got her deceased husband back to life after worshipping Ulaganayaki here. Hence, Ulaganayaki is worshipped for not just protecting everyone on earth but also for the long life of one’s husband.
Highlights:
In most other temples Lord Dakshinamoorthy is being worshipped as Guru and only in three places - Thittai (here), Thiruvalidayam, popularly known as Padi near Chennai and Trichendur - Navagraha star Guru is worshipped as Guru Bhagawan.
Guru Bhagwan is present as Raja (Deva) Guru in a separate shrine between the shrines of Easwaran and Ambal.
The Surya Kantha and Chandra Kantha stones on top of the ceiling in the sanctum sanctorum absorb moisture from the air and let it drip as water drops on the lingam. Water drops fall every 20-25 minutes.
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