Description
Than Thondre Eswarar temple is situated in Belur in the Salem District of Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva and he is named here as Than Thondre Eswarar. The lord evolved on his own and that is the meaning of the name of the temple which says that the lord here is self-evolved. The temple is so designed that the sun light falls in the main vigraha only in the Tamil month of Chithirai on days from 3rd to 10th. Lord Shiva and Goddess Sakthi are found together in this temple. A statue of horse is seen in the temple that is carved out of a single rock. There is also a statue that looks like a lion and called as Yazhi. One of the powerful Navagrahas – the Saturn is seen in this temple below a Vanni tree. The other main deity in this temple is lord Vinayaka who is called as Kalyana Vinayakar.
Importance/Significance
There is one wonder tree here that has the unique nature of giving three different kinds of fruits – Mango, Jack fruit and Illupai fruit. Carbon dating is conducted for the tree and is found that it is much older than the temple itself.
Facts/Mythology
Vashishta is a great sage in the Hindu mythology and is considered as one of the great seven sages who have become a constellation whose name is Ashta Mamunigal. Sage Vashishta was advised by lord Vishnu to perform yaga in this temple to get the blessings of lord Shiva. The remaining of the great yaga is still preserved in the temple as ashes and it is offered to the devotees. During the Mahabharatha period Arjuna visited the temple and prayed lord Shiva to get more powers and to skill for his warring abilities using a bow and arrow. Lord Shiva was pleased with his prayers and offered him what he wanted and also to make the place special the lord diverted a part of the Ganga River to this region and named it as Vellaru or the River that is white in colour.
Festivals/Events/Gatherings
Aadiperukku is celebrated with pomp in this temple in the month of (July / August). Karthigaideepam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November / December) All new moon days and Pradhishams are special days for the temple and they are celebrated by offering special pujas and prayers.
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