There are two Paadal Petra Shivasthalam in the name of Tiru-Anniyur. One is listed in North of River Kaveri and the other in South of River Kaveri. The one in north of river kaveri is now known as Ponnur.
The modest yet charming Shiva temple, situated in the tranquil village of Ponnur, faces eastward and occupies the northern corner of the settlement. The temple's entrance, while simple in design, is adorned with intricate sculptures adorning the top, providing a captivating welcome to visitors. The serene atmosphere of the village is further enhanced by the presence of the sacred pond, known as either Varuna Theertham or Agni Theertham, located directly opposite the temple entrance.
As one passes through the entrance, the Nandi Mandap crowned with a small yet ornate vimana comes into view. Proceeding further, another entrance emerges, this one leading directly to the sanctum where the presiding deity resides. This secondary entrance is similarly adorned with intricate sculptures at its apex. The outer prakaram is punctuated by subsidiary sannidhis, each housing a revered deity in its own right. Here, one finds sannidhi dedicated to Vinayaka, Muruga, Mahalakshmi, and the Navagrahas, the nine celestial bodies believed to influence human destiny. At the heart of the complex, directly in front of the main sanctum, stands the Maha Mandap, a spacious hall where devotees gather for darshan and worship. Within this mandap, the south-facing sannidhi of Bruhan-Nayaki, the female consort deity, can be found, and Adi-Moola Linga, a manifestation of Lord Shiva that is said to have been created for Agni, the god of fire.
The Aabath-Sahayeshwarar temple, houses the swayambhu linga of the presiding deity Aabath-Sahayeshwarar within its sanctum, alleviating even the most severe fears and dangers of those who worship him. The 'Artha Mandap' of the sanctum contains the sannidhi of Vinayaka. The unique architectural arrangement of this temple is that the east-facing and the south-facing sannidhis of Swamy and Ambal are within the same Maha Mandap. The goshta murthas, or the subsidiary deities, include Narthana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, and Durga. Surrounding the main sanctum is a prakaram that houses sannidhis for various other deities such as Vinayaka, Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Chandrashekarar, Natarajar, Shivakami, Aadi-poora Amman, Durgai, and Asthradevar. Interestingly, the idol of Muruga in this temple is depicted wearing a distinctive circular ear stud, adding to its unique iconography. The temple's 'Sthala Vruksham', or sacred tree, is a lemon tree. Sseveral divine beings and legendary figures, including Agni, Surya, Rathi, and the Paandavaas, have worshipped and venerated the deity Aabath Sahayeshwarar.
Significances associated with the temple
- Tiru-Anniyur is the site where the powerful sun god Surya was able to lift a curse that had been placed upon him. According to the sacred texts, the events began when Lord Shiva, incinerated Kamadeva, the god of love and desire, reducing him to ashes at Tiru-Kurukkai. Surya then became enamored with Rati, Kamadeva's bereaved wife, who was consumed by grief. In her state of anguish and despair, Rati lashed out at Surya, placing a curse upon his right hand and causing it to wither and break. Surya, deeply remorseful for his actions, sought to rid himself of Rati's hex. He journeyed to Anniyur, where he engaged in sincere and devoted worship. As a result of his piety and penitence, Surya's afflicted hand was restored to its former strength and vitality, and he was freed from the curse that Rati had placed upon him.
- Rati Devi prayed to the Aabathsahaayeswarar to save her husband and He brought Kamadeva back to life, but visible only to Rati's eyes.
- Agni Deva incurred the wrath of Veerabhadra for participating in a yagna (fire ritual) conducted by Dakshan. Agni Deva was cursed by Veerabhadra. Seeking to break this curse, Agni Deva embarked on a pilgrimage, worshipping Lord Shiva at various sacred sites. Thiru Anniyaur is believed to be one of the places where Agni Deva performed penance. Agni Deva created a teertham, a sacred water body, which came to be known as Agni Teertham. This pond is situated just outside the entrance of the temple.
- Harishchandra was afflicted with the debilitating disease of leprosy. As per divine instructions Harishchandra Maharaja immersed himself in the sacred temple waters, which are believed to possess miraculous healing properties. He then prepared and offered the curd rice to the deity on the day of Vaikasi Vishaka and was eventually cured.
- Tiru-anniyur holds great significance as a 'parihara sthalam', or remedial place, specifically for mitigating the astrological affliction known as 'surya dosha'; the adverse effects believed to arise when the sun is placed in an unfavorable position in an individual's birth chart.
Kariya Manikka Perumal temple is another notewory temple at Thiru-Anniyur that warrants a visit.
Entrance Gateway
Nandi
Bruhan Nayaki
AAbath Sahayeshwarar
Nalvar
Sanctum Vimanam
Dakshinamurthy
Durgai
Prakaram
Punugeeswarar
Vinayaka Sannidhi