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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox temple
| name = Aavoor Pasupatheeswaram
| image = Aavoor6.JPG
| alt = Image of the Gopuram
| caption =
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates = {{coord|10|29|N|78|41|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Thanjavur district|Thanjavur]]
| location = Aavoor
| elevation_m =
| deity = Pasupatheeswarar (Shiva)
Mangalanayagi, Pangajavalli
| facade_direction =
| temple_tank = Brahma Theertham
|temple_tree = Arasa Maram
| tower =
| Poets =
| Prathyaksham =
| festivals=
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity = 1
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions = 1
| year_completed =
| creator = Kocheng Chola
| website =
}}

'''Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Avoor''' or '''Avoor Pasupatheeswaram''' is a Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu god [[Shiva]], located in the village Avoor, located 12 km south of South Indian town, [[Kumbakonam]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. The temple is one of the 3 ''madakoil'' built by 7th century [[Chola]] king, [[Kochengat Chola]]. The temple is known for the Panjakavyamuthra, the five images of Bhairava vijay. The temple is revered in the verses of ''[[Tevaram]]'', the 17th century Tamil Saiva canon by [[Campantar|Tirugnana Sambandar]].

There are various inscriptions associated with the temple indicating contributions from [[pandya]]. The present masonry structure was built during the [[Chola dynasty]] in the 9th century, while later expansions are attributed to Thanjavur Nayaks during the 16th century.

The temple is built in [[Dravidian architecture]] with a three-storied ''[[gopuram]]'', the gateway tower. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Padikasunathar and Soundaranayagi being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls and two precincts. The temple has four daily rituals at various times from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and two yearly festivals on its calendar.

The major festivals celebrated in the temple are [[Shivratri]] during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil month]] of ''Vaikaasi'' (May - June), Annabhishekam during ''Aippasi'' (October - November) and Thiruvadhirai in ''Margazhi'' (December - January).

==Legend==
[[File:Aavoor7.jpg|left|thumb|200x200px|Image indicating the legend]]
Pasupatheeswarar indicates God of cows. Shiva is believed to have descended for the holy cow [[Kamadenu]] that prayed to him by ablution with their milk on the Shivalingam to get relief from the curse of sage [[Vashista]].{{sfn|Soundara Rajan| 2001| p= 7}}{{sfn|Sri Pasupatheeswarar temple, Avur|2012}} A sculpture indicating the legend is present in the walls of the second precinct of the temple. Another legend associates the temple with the saivite saint [[Tirumular]] (6th century CE).{{sfn|Schottenhammer| 1997| pp= 299-300}} Tirumular saw a herd of cows lamenting the death of their herdsmen. Being a ''[[siddha]]'', he entered into the body of dead herdsman, came back alive to serve as the herdsman and sung 3000 verses in praise of Shiva.{{sfn|Schottenhammer| 1997| pp= 299-300}} The legend is closely associated with Gomukteswarar temple at Tiruvadurai, but is also associated with other temples like [[Thenupuriswarar Temple]] at [[Patteswaram]] and Tirukogarnam near [[Pudukkottai]].{{sfn|Schottenhammer| 1997| pp= 299-300}}

As per another legend, sage [[Vasishtha]] cursed the sacred cow [[Kamadhenu]]. To relieve off the curse, Kamadhenu sought the advice of [[Brahma]] who asked her to perform penance at this place. It is also believed that the presiding deity is believed to have been worshipped by the [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]]s, [[Saptarishi]], [[Indra]], [[Surya]] and [[Navagraha]]s, the nine planetary deities. As per a local legend, [[Vayu]], the god of wind, in a contest with [[Adisesha]], brought two hillocks, one of which was installed here and other at [[Kalyanasundaresar Temple, Nallur|Nallur]].<ref name=R>{{cite book|title=An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam|last=R.|first=Dr. Vijayalakshmy|publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies| location=Chennai|year=2001|edition=1st|pages=140–41}}</ref>

==Maadakovil==
[[File:Avur pasupatisvarar temple.jpg|Avoor Maadakovil, full view|thumb|200px|left]]
Avur was a fort during the 2nd century rule of [[Chola]]s.<ref name=R/> [[Kochengat Chola]] was a [[Chola]] king and one of the 63 [[nayanmars]] (saivite saints) of [[saivism]].{{sfn|Kochchenkatchoza Nayanar|1996}} He is believed to have attained spiritual rebirth of a spider that fought with an elephant in its previous birth over the worship of the Hindu god Shiva.{{sfn|Kochchenkatchoza Nayanar|1996}} He had red eyes during birth as he remained in his mother's womb a little longer. His mother, looking into the babies red eyes said Kochengkannano (in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] ko=king, cheng=red, kan=eyes), which literally means king with red eyes and hence he was named Kochengat Cholan.{{sfn|Kochchenkatchoza Nayanar|1996}} After becoming a king, he followed saivism and built 70 ''Maadakovils'', temples with elevated structure where elephants cannot reach the sanctum, in the Chola empire.{{sfn|Kochchenkatchoza Nayanar|1996}}{{sfn|Sri Pasupatheeswarar temple|2012}} The temple has an inscription (181 of 1911) dating from the 3rd year of the rule of [[Rajendra Chola III]] (1246-1279 CE) indicating grants of land to the temple.{{sfn|Avoor Pasupatheeswaram|2012}} The temple is maintained and administered by the [[Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department]] of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].<ref name=HRCE>{{cite web|title=Thirukoil - Temple list of Tamil Nadu|url=https://tnhrce.gov.in/resources/docs/temple_list.pdf|publisher=Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu|pages=173|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009010850/https://tnhrce.gov.in/resources/docs/temple_list.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Architecture==
The temple is located 10 km away from Kumbakonam, 6 km east of Tirukarugavoor and 30 km south of Thanjavur. The temple has a five tiered ''[[gopuram|Rajagopuram]]'' with an elevated structure for the main shrine. The temple is a [[Maadakoil]], a series of 70 temples which were built by [[Kochengat Chola]] with the major shrines of the temple located in the elevated structure. The images of the presiding deity, Pasupatheeswarar, in the form of [[Shiva lingam]] occupies the main sanctum. The consort of Pasupatheeswarar, Mangalanayagi and Pangajavalli occupy twin sanctums facing west. The images of Panchabairavar, the five Bairavar statues are found in the corner facing the main sanctum. The second ''[[prakaram]]'' downstairs has a separate shrine for the Hindu god [[Murugan]] in the form Dhanush Subramaniyar. Muruga sports a ''[[dhanush]]'' (bow) instead of his regular weapon, the ''[[vel]]''. The temple has a small tank called Braham Tirtham located outside the main entrance.{{sfn|Soundara Rajan| 2001| p= 7}} The image of Mangalanayagi was found in the temple tank.<ref name=R/> The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of [[River Kaveri]]. It is located on the banks of [[Kudamurutti River|Kudamurutti]], a tributary of river Kaveri.<ref name=Ka>{{cite book|title=River cauvery the most battl(r)ed|last=Ka. Vi.|first=Kannan|page=32|publisher=Notion Press|year=2019|isbn=9781684666041|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4CGFDwAAQBAJ&q=thiruvavaduthurai}}</ref>

== Literary mention ==
It is one of the shrines of the 275 [[Paadal Petra Sthalams]]. The temple is revered in the verses of ''[[Tevaram]]'', the 7th century [[saivite]] canonical work by the three saint poets namely, [[Appar]], [[Sambandar]] and [[Sundarar]]. The temple is revered by Sambandar in the first ''[[Tirumurai]]'' in eleven verses.{{sfn|Tirugnanasambandar|2004|p= 22-24}} He refers to the temple as Avoor Pasupatheeswaram.{{sfn|Tirugnanasambandar|2004|p= 22-24}}{{sfn|Thiruavoor Pasupatheeswaram|2012}}
::::"புண்ணியர் பூதியர் பூதநாதர் புடைபடு வார்தம் மனத்தார்திங்கட்
::::கண்ணிய ரென்றென்று காதலாளர் கைதொழு தேத்த விருந்தவூராம்
::::விண்ணுயர் மாளிகை மாடவீதி விரைகமழ் சோலை சுலாவியெங்கும்
::::பண்ணியல் பாடல றாதவாவூர்ப் பசுபதி யீச்சரம் பாடுநாவே."{{sfn|Tirugnanasambandar|2004|p= 22-24}}
translating to
::::This is the place where the blessed devotees of Shiva
::::who are rich and where Shiva has raised in the temple in such a place called Avoor Pasupatheeswaram.
::::The place is surrounded by beautiful gardens, palaces and where Shiva's name is frequently uttered.
::::Let my tongue praise Avoor Pasupatheeswaram".{{sfn|Thiruavoor Pasupatheeswaram|2012}}

==Worship practices==
[[File:Aavoor5.JPG|250px|right|The five Bhairvas of the temple|thumb]]
The temple priests perform the ''[[Puja (Hinduism)|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 four times a day; Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: ''[[abhisheka]]'' (sacred bath), ''alangaram'' (decoration), ''[[Naivedhya|naivethanam]]'' (food offering) and ''deepa aradanai'' (waving of lamps) for both Pasupatheeswarar and Mangalambikai. The worship is held amidst music with ''[[nagaswaram]]'' (pipe instrument) and ''[[tavil]]'' (percussion instrument), 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 ''{{lang|te-Latn|somavaram}}'' (Monday) and ''{{lang|te-Latn|sukravaram}}'' (Friday), fortnightly rituals like ''[[pradosha]]m'' and monthly festivals like ''[[amavasya|amavasai]]'' (new moon day), ''kiruthigai'', ''[[pournami (festival)|pournami]]'' (full moon day) and ''sathurthi''.
The major festivals celebrated in the temple are [[Shivratri]] during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil month]] of ''Vaikaasi'' (May - June), Annabhishekam during ''Aippasi'' (October - November) and Thiruvadhirai in ''Margazhi'' (December - January).<ref name=dinamalar>{{cite web|title=Sri Pasupatheeswarar temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=1027|publisher=Dinamalar|access-date=3 August 2014}}</ref>

==Citations==
{{Reflist|20em}}

==References==
{{refbegin|20em}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.thevaaram.org/thirumurai_1/koil_view.php?koil_idField=29|year=2012|title=Avoor Pasupatheeswaram|work=Thevaaram.org|access-date=2012-06-26|ref={{sfnRef|Avoor Pasupatheeswaram|2012}} }}
* {{cite web|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=1027|year=2012|title=Sri Pasupatheeswarar temple, Avur|work=[[Dinamalar]]|access-date=2012-06-26|ref={{sfnRef|Sri Pasupatheeswarar temple, Avur|2012}} }}
* {{cite web|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=957|year=2012|title=Sri Pasupatheeswarar temple|work=[[Dinamalar]]|access-date=2012-06-26|ref={{sfnRef|Sri Pasupatheeswarar temple|2012}} }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.shaivam.org/nakoochc.html|year=1996|title=Kochchenkatchoza Nayanar|work=Shaivam.org|access-date=2012-06-26|ref={{sfnRef|Kochchenkatchoza Nayanar|1996}} }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.thevaaram.org/thirumurai_1/songview.php?thiru=1&Song_idField=1008&padhi=136+&button=%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95|year=2012|title=Thiruavoor Pasupatheeswaram|work=Thevaaram.org|access-date=2012-06-26|ref={{sfnRef|Thiruavoor Pasupatheeswaram|2012}} }}
*{{Citation |last=Schottenhammer |first=Angela |title=The Emporium of the World: Maritime Quanzhou, 1000-1400|year=1997|publisher=Die Deutsche Bibliothek - CIP -Einheitsaufnahme|location=Netherlands |isbn=90-04-11773-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GEhGM6fZeaAC&q=avur+temple&pg=PA300}}.
*{{Citation |last=Soundara Rajan |first=Kodayanallur Vanamamalai |title=Concise classified dictionary of Hinduism By Kodayanallur Vanamamalai Soundara Rajan|year=2001|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|location=New Delhi |isbn=81-7022-857-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lAWS49f8HKoC&q=avur+temple&pg=PA7}}.
*{{Cite book
|url= http://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/pdf/pm0150.pdf
|title=Campantar Tevarm -1
|work=projectmadurai.org
|last=Tirugnanasambandar
|year=2004
|access-date=19 August 2012
}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons|Aavoor Pasupathiswarar Temple}}
{{Hindu temples in Thanjavur District}}

[[Category:Padal Petra Stalam]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:Chola architecture]]
[[Category:Maadakkoil]]

Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Aavoor - Revision history

Bogdanrfw at 03:54, 30 November 2025