Pazhayarai Vadathali

Pazhaiyarai Someswarar Temple, or Pazhaiyarai Vadathali is a Hindu temple dedicated to Someswarar, a form of Shiva. It is located 6 km from Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu, India, on the Kumbakonam- Aavoor Road, 2 km away from the Thenupuriswarar Temple at Patteeswaram and 3 km from Darasuram. It is served by buses from Kumbakonam or mini buses from Darasuram, the bus stop is Cholan Maligai. The Darasuram railway station is located close to the temple.

The temple is believed to be built during the Chola period and has several inscriptions dating back to the 8-9th century. The presiding deity, Someswarar, has a cursory mention in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the ''Tevaram'', written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as ''Vaippu Sthalam''.

The temple has three daily rituals at various times from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and three yearly festivals on its calendar. The annual ''Brahmotsavam'' (prime festival) is attended by thousands of devotees.

Legend and history

As per Hindu legend, Chandra (moon god) is believed to have worshipped Shiva in the place and Shiva appeared for him. As per another legend, Garuda, Vishnu's eagle vehicle, carried nectar to cure his mother and was intercepted by demons. Three drops of nectar fell from his pot and they became the ''lingam'', goddess and a holy spring. Garuda took a holy dip in the spring and won the battle. The spring is called Jadayu Theertham.

The city of Pazhayarai was one of the capital towns of the Chola empire. The temple is a part of the series of temples built by Aditya Chola (871-907 CE) along the banks of river Cauvery to commemorate his victory in the Tirupurambiyam battle. The temple is revered by the verses of the 7-8th-century saint poets Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar in ''Tevaram'' and classified as ''Paadal Petra Sthalam''. This temple is in the centre of the once famous Pazhayarai city, surrounded by Pazhayari Vadathali in the north, Araimetrali in the west and Thenthali in the south. This is the birthplace of Mangayarkarasiyar, a saint amongst the 63 nayanmars. It is one of the shrines of the Vaippu Sthalams sung by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Sambandar and Appar.மூவர் தேவார வைப்புத் தலங்கள், Muvar Thevara Vaippu Thalangal, பழையாறை (கீழப்பழையாறை) Pazhayarai (Keezha Pazhayarai)
/ref> The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of River Kaveri. It is located on the banks of both Mudikondan River and Tirumalarajanar River, tributaries of river Kaveri.

The temple

The temple has a ''gopuram'' (gateway tower) in dilapidated state. The ''gopuram'' is believed to have been constructed during the later part of 12th-13th century by Later Cholas. The second precinct has a two-tiered ''gopuram''. The sanctum and the walls around the sanctum are built in granite and the structure houses the shrine of Someswarar in the form of ''lingam'' (aniconic form of Shiva). There is a shrine for his consort Someswari and the navagrahas. The scene of Ravana lifting Mount Kailash is carved in this temple. There is a sculpture of Narasimha, an avatar of Vishnu, believed to be made during the Chola period. The first of the two shows the fight between the eight-handed Narasimha and Hiranyakashipu. The other panel depicts the earlier scene where Prahlada prays and Narasimha emerges from a pillar. The other panel shows Narsimha tearing the insides of the demon thrown in his legs. The image of Ardhanareeswarar is considered a sculptural masterpiece.

Worship and festivals

The temple priests perform the ''puja'' (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Shaiva community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 5:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: ''abhisheka'' (sacred bath), ''alangaram'' (decoration), '' naivethanam'' (food offering) and ''deepa aradanai'' (waving of lamps) for both Someswarar and Amman. The worship is held amidst religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred texts) read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast. There are weekly rituals like ' (Monday) and ' (Friday), fortnightly rituals like ''pradosham'' and monthly festivals like '' amavasai'' (new moon day), ''kiruthigai'', '' pournami'' (full moon day) and ''sathurthi''. The major festival of the temple, the ''Brahmotsavam'', is celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April–May). During the same month, in the Rohini star, special ''poojas'' are performed for Mangayarkarasiyar.

References

Kumbhabhishekham 29 January 2016

File: Palayarai1.jpg, Entrance
File: Palayarai2.jpg, Inner gopura
File: Palayarai3.jpg, Shrine of the presiding deity
File: Palayarai4.jpg, Shrine of the goddess
File: Palayarai7.jpg, Yaga-shala for Kumbhabhishekham

{{Hindu Temples of Kumbakonam

Shiva temples in Thanjavur district
Maadakkoil