53. ANNAMPUTHUR

SHRI NIDHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 10kms from Tindivanam

Shiva: Shri Nidheeswarar

Amman: Kanaga Thiripurasundhari

Speciality:

The Annamputhur temple is big temple with all sannidhis which are present in a Shiva temple.

The Swarna Agarshna Bhairavar Sannidhi is special which adds prosperity to life.

Each Sannidhi has its own speciality and the temple is maintained well.

About 10years ago in the Village of Annamputhur a Shiva linga and a Vinayaka was found near a Chelliyamman temple in the mud.

There were remains of a Chola temple here and there.

It was found that the remains consisted of an inscription of Raja Raja Chola. Raja Raja Chola has built this temple in 1008AD. The name was identified to be Thiru Nidheeswarar in the inscription. From the bricks under the mud and the Vinayaka it is proved that initially the temple should have been built by the Pallavas and later reconstructed by Raja Raja Chola. Once upon a time there should have been a very big temple but completely devastated due to invasions. 

A Saptha Madhar idol was also identified near the temple.

History:

Padhuma Nidhi, Maha Padhuma Nidhi, Maha Nidhi, Kachaba Nidhi, Mukundha Nidhi, Kundha Nidhi, Neele Nidhi and Sanga Nidhi were Ashta Nidhis whose head was Kubera. Therefore he was called as Nidhipadhi. Kubera came to this temple and worshipped Shiva here to give him enormous wealth which will never go down and people who worship him sould attain prosperity and wealth always. Since lord Shiva blessed him with the boon he wanted Shiva was called Shri Nidheeswarar.

Brahma was called Annamurthy and Annavahanan. Brahma and Mahavishnu had a conflict that who was more powerful but could not come to a conclusion. They sought Lord Shiva to settle their conflict. Brahma went in search of Shiva's head and Vishnu in search of Shiva's feet and who find their destination first would be declared greater than the other. Mahavishnu could not find the feet even though he transformed into a pig (Varaha Avathar). he accepted the defeat. Brahma cheated saying that he knew where the head of Shiva was because Pandanus flower (Thazhampoo) which fell from Shiva's head gave him a tip from where it had fallen but he could not find the head. Since he lied he was cursed to become a swan (Annam). The flower was cursed that it should not be used for Shiva Pooja. Since Brahma worshipped Shiva in the form of a Swan the village was named after him as Annamputhur. There is a statue for Brahma in the Chelliamman temple of this village. The statue should have been in the Shiva temple but due to the destruction it must have been placed in the Chelliamman temple near by. Brahma was relieved from his sin and he attained his original form. Since Brahma and Kubera have worshipped Thirunidheeswarar people believe that the sins committed in 7 jenmas would vanish and one would attain prosperity. 

In the temple built now except for the main Shiva Shri Nidheeswarar and the Vinayaka all the other deities have been made newly.