• Shiva

Athitheeswarar Temple Punarvasu Star Temple

Overview


The Athitheeswarar Temple is located in Vaniyambadi. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is located on the Vellore – Ambur – Krishnagiri road. It is around 62 km to the east of Vellore in Tamil Nadu. The temple is over a thousand years old.


About The Temple


The temple is associated with people born under the Punarpoosam Nakshatram. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Athitheeswarar. The Mother Goddess is worshipped here as Perianayaki. Vilwa is the tree associated with the shrine. The sacred pond in the shrine is a Shiva Tirtha. The murti worshipped in the shrine sits on the Nandi Bull. One of the hands of the murti is in Chinmudra.


About the Deity


The presiding deity is Lord Shiva. He is known as Athitheeswarar and His consort is Goddess Perianayaki. The Brugannayaki Akanda Vilwa tree is a tree with broad branches and is the temple tree. Lord Dakshinamurthy is seen in the temple, sitting on the Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva holding a deer, battle-axe with a Chinmudra a symbol keeping the thumb and second finger together while the other three fingers are together separately. The philosophy behind the thumb and the second finger touching each other is, that the Jeevatma (second finger) bends to join the Paramatma (thumb) thus keeping away from the other three fingers representing arrogance, fate and illusion. These three drag the Jeevatma the second finger from Paramatma the thumb.

Legend and Stories


The legend goes that Lord Bramha once cursed mother Saraswathi to lose her sense of speech. Saraswathi came to Earth and reached Sringeri and began to meditate. Lord Brahma went in search of her and finally found her in Sringeri, convinced her and took her back to Heaven. While going back they reached this temple on the Northern belt of River Palar, stayed and worshipped Lord Shiva here. Lord Shiva pleased on her worshipped and gave back her speech. On getting back the speech mother Saraswathi sang here. Hence this place was called as Vaniyampadi. The other Legend is Saint Kashyap’s wife Athithi worshipped Lord Shiva here on every Punapoosam day and got a boon. Hence Lord Shiva here, being called in her name as Athitheeswarar. This temple is also Parihara Temple for person born in Punarpoosam star.


Festivals


The Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April-May, Mahashivrathri in February-March, and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are grandly celebrated in the temple.


Significance


Those born in the birth star will get wishes fulfilled after offering prayers here. Those people born in Punarpoosam star having trouble in horoscope will get relief after doing pujas here. Poonar Poosam Nakshatra people are advised to visit this temple during their star day and are suggested to do flower pooja to the God, inorder to get rid of their adverse planetary effect.


Nearby Place To Visit


Vilwanatheswarar
Pallikonda Perumal
Manikandeeswarar
Chalanatheeswarar
Subramanyaswami
Balamurugan

Accessibility


Vaniambadi is 67 km from Vellore on the Krishnagiri road. Old Vaniambadi is 2 km from the bus stand where the temple is situated. The closest railway station is in Vaniambadi, and the closest airport is in Chennai.


Temple Address


Sri Athitheeswarar Temple,
Vaniambadi – Old Vaniambadi,
Vellore district.

Significance

Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-

  • Parihara sthalam for people born on “PUNARVASU” star
Shlokas

Kailaasarana Shiva Chandramouli Phaneendra Maathaa Mukutee Zalaalee Kaarunya Sindhu Bhava Dukha Haaree Thujaveena Shambho Maja Kona Taaree

Meaning -Oh Lord Shiva who is seated on Mount Kailash, where the moon decorates his forehead and the king of serpents crown his head, who is merciful and removes delusion, You alone can protect me. I surrender to thee.

Aum Trayambakam Yajaamahey Sugandhim Pusti Vardhanam Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaath Mrutyor Muksheeya Maamritaat

Meaning -We worship the fragrant Lord Shiva, who has 3 eyes and who cultivates all beings. May He free me from death, for immortality, as even a cucumber is separated from its bond with the vine.

Timings

The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.

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