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Sundaranayaki Sametha Abhaya Varadeeshwarar Temple – A Temple for Thiruvadirai Starers !!
In this Blog, we are going to know about the Nakshathira Temple for the 6th Star named Thiruvadirai. People belonging to this star generally have pleasant character and are fond of arts. They are also good at making money in a wise way.
Sundaranayaki Sametha Abhaya Varadeeshwarar Temple is an ancient Shiva Temple in a place called Adirampattinam in the Thanjavur district. This is a very ancient temple that was built 1000 years ago. In early days, this place was known as Tiru Adhirai Pattinam (after the name of the star- Thiruvadirai). Later, King Adhiveerarama Pandian belonging to Tiruvadhirai Nakshathira, an ardent devotee of Lord Abhaya Varadeeswarar, carried out many renovations in the temple. So the name of this place changed to Adhi Veera Raman Pattinam (after the name of the king). Over a course of time, it became Adirampattinam.
This temple is considered as more auspicious for the people who are born on Thiruvadirai Nakshathira. The most important significance of this temple is that Lord Shiva in the main Garbhagraha of this temple bestows His blessings to His devotees with His Three Eyes. The greatness of this temple is said in the hymns that are sung by Thirugyanasambandar and Sundarar and it is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam.
As per the Sthala Purana, the Devas had been suffering a lot due to the harassment of the Demons or the Asuras. They finally surrendered to Lord Shiva who was in His Thiruvadirai or Aadirai form. Aadirai means the Arudhra or the Rudra form of Lord Shiva. It is said that the Lord takes this form during the Thiruvadirai Star days and on the Pradosha days (13th day from the Full Moon or the New Moon day). During this period, Lord would not let down any of His devotees. Lord Shiva then protected the Devas by destroying the demons. Hence He is known by the name Abhaya Varada Eeshwarar – means Protecting those who Surrenders to Him. Moreover, some of the great Rishis like Bhairava and Raivada have also worshiped the Lord in this temple. Raivada means Light Emanating from the Three Eyes of Lord. It is believed that the Sage Raivada was born from the power of the light from the 3rd Eye of Lord Shiva on a Thiruvadirai Star Day, and so he was named as Raivada Rishi.
The Goddess is known as Sundaranayaki. She faces the sea and so she is also called as ‘Kadal Paartha Nayaki’. It is also popularly said that the Siddhas are offering their prayers here invisibly.
As said above, this temple has a special power of Trinetra (i.e.) Lord Shiva is gracing His devotees with 3 Eyes as Abhaya Varadeeshwarar. So, this temple is worshiped by the people who are deeply affected by the adverse planetary effects of Rahu and Ketu. We all know that Thirukadayur is the main temple that is sought by the people for getting relieved from the Fear of Death and to get Long Life. Next in the list is the Abhaya Varadeeshwarar Temple. Special rituals like Mruthyunjaya Homa (a ritual to conquer Lord Yama) and Ayush Homa (ritual for seeking Long life) are performed in this temple by the people who pray for long life and to overcome the fear of death.
This temple is closely associated with the Birth Star Thiruvadirai. So people who are born in this Nakshathira would get relieved from all sorts of trouble if they offer prayers to Lord Abhaya Varadeeshwarar. It is considered to be more auspicious for the Thiruvadirai starers to pray Lord Shiva on the Pradosha days or on the Thiruvadirai star days. Thiruvadirai girls who have problems in marriage are advised to visit this temple regularly and offer vastras (clothes) to the Lord and the Goddess.
In the next blog, we will see about the temple that’s associated with the Star Ponarpoosam. Stay Tuned !!
