Liberation from Stammering
A Prarthana sthalam to regain one’s Voice
The Lord’s Vimana is in the form of a sleeping elephant
Located 8kms from Kumbakonam off the Kallanai Highway is the ancient Ezhutharai Nathar temple in Innambur, a temple praised by Thiru Gnana Sambanthar and Thirunavukkarasarar. The base structure of the sanctum is a strong Karungal construction and there are several inscriptions dating back a 1000 years. Chozhas are said to have contributed to the temple and undertaken renovation in the 9th and 10th century AD
A sincere saivite devotee Sudasman took care of the accounts of the temple. The story goes that he once missed updating an entry and was summoned by the king the next day. Being the sincere devotee, that night he invoked the blessings of Lord Shiva. The next morning when he visited the king, he was told that the accounts were intact and that all entries were fine. While he was happy that he had got out of the awkward situation, he was surprised at this turn of events and wondered as to how this had happened. On return and on opening the door of the temple, Lord Shiva provided darshan to him as Ezhuthurai Nathar.
Liberation from Stammering
In Sanskrit, the Lord is referred to as Akshara Pureeswarar. He is said to provide solution to those with voice problem and stammering. A visit to the temple is believed to help those interested to develop their writing skills. As part of the process, one can visit the temple on any day and recite the relevant slokas as directed by Shivacharya.
Sun’s rays on the Lord
The Sun God’s rays falls on the Lord at 6.08 am on Avani 31, and Puratasi 1 and 2 as well as on 13th, 14th and 15th days of Panguni at 6.18 am. The town is named after the Sun God as Innambur (Suryan is referred to as Inan)
Unique Vimana
Another legend relates to the white elephant that was directed by Sage Agastya to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva here for from a curse. After bathing in the sacred tank, east of the temple, the elephant found it difficult to enter as the steps were small. It is believed that Lord himself came down to the lift the elephant to enable the tusker to perform pooja at this temple. In memory of this event, the vimana is named as Gaja Pirashta Vimana, the sacred tank as Airavatha Theertham and the Lord as Airavateswarar. The Vimana is in a rare form – that of a sleeping elephant.
Performing an archanai on the full moon day for Nitya Kalyani at this temple is said to help the unmarried tie the wedding knot.
Festivals
10 day Thiruvathirai festival
Thiru Kalyanam in Avani
Kodai Abishekam – 21 days in Chitrai
The temple is open between 7am-12noon and 4.30pm-8pm. Contact Balasubramaniam Gurukal @ 94439 14958.
How to reach: Bus No. 6 every hour from Kumbakonam bus stand. Auto from Kumbakonam station will cost Rs. 125.