Sri Vaseeswarar Temple, Tirupasur

Moolavar: Sri Vaseeswarar
Amman: Sri Thankaathali Amman
Place: Tirupasur, Trivallur

This temple is the 16th “Padal Petra” Sthalam in the series of 275 temples.

Lord Shiva, a swayambulinga appears on a square peeta in the sanctum with a scar on the head, slightly leaning on the left side. As there is a scar on the head, pujas are performed without touching the deity. The Linga was found in the bamboo jungle, the Lord is named Pasura Nathar – Pasu-Bamboo. As Lord Shiva removed evils of Perumal, He is praised as “Perumal Vinai Theertha Easwara” gracing from a separate shrine.

The story goes like this. Demons Madhu and Kaidaba stole the Vedas from Lord Brahmma and hid them under the sea. Brahmma could not continue His creation work in the absence of the Vedas. Lord Vishnu came to his rescue, incarnated as Matsya –Fish, went deep into sea, recovered the Vedas and killed the demons. The killing left their evil marks on Lord Vishnu who prayed to Lord Shiva for a remedy. Lord Shiva advised to worship Him in this place for removal of evil effects. Vishnu followed the advice and got remedied. Lord Shiva came out as a Swayambu in the midst of the bamboo forest.

The region was once a dense forest of bamboo trees. One of the cows grazing here was pouring its milk on a particular place here slightly higher from the ground level. Noticing this, the shepherd informed the king. As instructed by the king, his men dug the place with a tool called Vasi. Seeing blood oozing from there, the king was shocked and turned back in fear.

Next day, his enemies came there and gave him a pot containing a highly poisonous snake. Before the king opened the pot, a snake charmer came there and caught the snake in it and went away. Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and said that He was the snake charmer and directed him to build a temple in the bamboo forest. The temple thus came into being.

For killing demons, Lord Vishnu lost 11 type of wealth of the 16 under His rule. To regain them, He prayed to Lord Shiva and as advised, installed 11 Vinayakas here, according to one story. Remembering this event, there are 11 Vinayakas in a small mandap called Vinayaka Mandap. Three of them are facing east. Behind is a Big Vinayaka among small ones on both sides. Planet Kethu is nearby. Lord Vinayaka is he deity for this planet.

Godess Thankaathali graces from a shrine right of the Lord believed to be wedding form of the divine couple. In between are the shrines of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai – a rare form showing Lord Shiva family in a line.

The Lord of the temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of saint Tirunavukkarasar. This is the 16th Shiva temple in Thondai Mandalam region praised in Thevaram hymns.

The Sri Chakra, installed by Sri Adi Sankara is in the Artha Mandapa.

While the Vimana of Lord is of Gajabrushta design, that of Mother is like a tower. Mother Vishnu Durga in the wall around the sanctum is without demon Mahishasura under Her feet, a rarity in itself.

Location:
Sri Vaseeswarar Temple, Tirupasur