Abathsahayanathar Temple, Thenkurangaduthurai
| Location of the temple | Thenkurangaduthurai ( now known as Aduthurai) |
| Lord Shiva known as | Abathsahayanathar |
| Female deity known as | Pavalakkodiammai |
| Pathigam | Sambandar, Thirunavukarasar |
| How to reach | This Paadal Petra Sthalam is located on the Kumbakonam – Mayiladuthurai road is about 12 Kms from Kumbakonam and 20 Kms from Mayiladuturai. Another paadal petra sivasthalam Tiruneelakudi is located to the south of this sivasthalam and can be reached from here. |
Map courtesy by: Yahoo Maps
Temple: This temple was built by Chembianmadevi, wife of Chola King Kandaraditya Cholan with a 3 tier Rajagopuram and 2 prakarams. In the outer prakaram, there are shrines for Lord Viswanathar, Goddess Visalakshi, Lord Vinayagar, Lord Murugan etc. The shrine for the female deity Pavalakkodiammai is located in the outer prakaram. The shrine for Moolavar (main male deity) Abathsahayeswararis located in the inner prakaram. The sanctum of the main presiding deity is surrounded by a moat like formation on all the 4 sides. The idols of Vinayagar, Agasthiyar, Lord Brahma, Dakshinamurthy are found in the corner places of the inner prakaram.
It is believed that Sugreevan, a character in Ramayana, had worshipped Lord Shiva at this sivasthalam. Stone inscriptions from the Chera and Chola period have been found in this temple.