Sri Vasishteswarar Temple Thittai, Thanjavur

SRI VASISHTESWARAR TEMPLE

Thittai, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India

God

The main deity of this temple is Vasishteswarar, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva faces East direction and He is swayambhu.

Goddess

Goddess Ulaga Nayaki Amman is consort of Vasishteswarar.

Interesting Facts

Sun God dedicates his puja to Lord through his rays on the Shivalinga in Aavani month (August-September). During the Uthirayana half year in the month of Panguni (March-April) Rising Sun worships Lord Shiva on the month.
A unique feature of this temple is a drop of water falls on the lingam (Main Deity) exactly every twenty four minutes from the roof.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to March.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 25°C during night)Average - May (36°C during the day and 20°C during night)Lowest - December to February (28°C during day and 19°C during night)Monsoon season – July to September

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
These rules are applicable for foreigners also. Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if dress code is not followed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Thanjavur Old Bus Stand	9 KM	1800-419-4287
Thanjavur Junction	10 KM	139
Tiruchirappalli International Airport	71.5 KM	07373774163

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Thanjavur Junction	10 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Tiruchirappalli International Airport	71.5 KM	07373774163

Architecture

The temple faces East direction and built in Dravidian style of architecture. Two stones "Suryagaanthakkal" and "Chandragaanthakkal" which are placed at strategic points above the Vimana are the reasons for the droplets of water which falls on the deity. These 2 stones absorb moisture from the atmosphere, convert into 1 water droplet, performing a natural Abhishekam to the deity, every 24 minutes (1 Naazhigai) and be it the day or night. A small piece of yellow cloth (Dhothi) which covers the Lingam is always wet because of this. It is possible to climb a flight of steps to reach and view the Vimaanam on top of the sanctum sanctorum. The Kodimaram (Agsta) is made of stone. Stone carvings of the 12 Raasis (Zodiac signs) can be seen opposite the Goddess shrine on a mandapam here at Thenkudi Thittai. This temple is entirely built of stone, including the walls, pillars, roof and the floor. There is a koneru named as Chakra theertham.

Religious Significance

Thittu in Tamil means a place in higher levels. During a pralaya period, the World was inundated with water. The boat powered by the Ohm Mantra carrying Lord and Mother stopped at a Thittu. This Thittu is Sirkali also called Thonipuram. Of the 28 holy places Lord Shiva loved in days prior to the Pralaya, 26 were submerged in water. The remaining two are Sirkali and Thenkudi Thittai. During the Pralaya the sound 'OM' came out from Sirkali. In Thenkudi Thittai the sound 'HAM' emerged along with other mantra sounds. Hence, this place is known as Gnana Medu the wisdom spot and as Thenkudi Thittai. Sirkali is known as Vadakudi Thittai. Also, places called Thittai (Kudi Thittai) are loved most by Lord and Mother. As Maharshi Vasishta had his hermitage here to worship Lord Shiva here, he is praised as Vasishteswarar. Mother is praised as Ulaganayaki. The temple is glorified by Tevaram hymns. When the whole world was surrounded by water because of "Pralayam", Brahma & Vishnu worshipped the Lord Maheshwara for protection. After wandering much for a safe place, they found this only mound, which did not drown in the Pralaya waters, where there was a Shiva Lingam. They performed pooja to the lingam and worshipped Lord Shiva, who appeared before them and delegated their duties of creation and protection. It is believed that this is the only place, which was not destroyed even during Pralayam.

History

The temple was built in 7th century C.E. by Cholas. Maharshi Vasishta worshipped Jupiter as Raja Guru in this temple, hence the place has Guru importance. Guru transition day is devotionally celebrated here.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	05:00 AM - 12:00 PM	04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757