Idumbavanam Sath Guru Nathar Temple

The Sath Guna Nathar temple in Idumbavanam, 40kms from Thiruvarur (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2015/12/thiruvarur-thyagaraja-temple.html) near Thiruthuraipoondi, is a 1500 years old Thiru Gnana Sambandar praised Padal Petra Sthalam, amidst green fields and tall coconut trees, that was once vibrant with blooming flowers that the Lord draped as beautiful garlands. Just under half a century ago, the agraharam, on the North Street, was still vibrant with 20 traditional families residing in this historical location, whose legend dates back to the Mahabaratha. This is one of the 28 Pitru Mukthi Sthalam.

Sasi Sekara Shivachariyar, belongs to a family that has been performing abhisekam for the Lord for centuries. He was initiated into the agamas at a Thiruvayaru Patshala in the 1980s and began assisting his father at the temple even as a teenager. He officially joined the temple as the archaka in 1992 at a monthly salary of Rs. 500. His father had served the Lord at a salary of Rs. 80 for several decades. For over two decades, Sasi Sekara Shivachariyar’s salary remained static at Rs. 500, which too had remained unpaid for long periods of time. It is only recently that this has been raised to the thousands.

The 1990s was also the phase when the original inhabitants of Idumbavanam had all but left the historical temple town in search of greener pastures in the cities. Devotees were few. The once grand Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi had come to a halt. Thattu Kaasu did not come Sasi Sekara Shivachariyar’s way that decade. Income from temple lands too reduced.  But none of these proved a dampener to the Shivachariar's devotional commitment to Sath Guru Nathar as he continued to serve the Lord with the same commitment that his fore fathers had shown all their lives. 

It was here that Sage Agastya received Kalyana Kolam darshan, the 2^nd in this region after Vedaranyam. As the revered Sage received this darshan, belief is that wedding hurdles will be resolved if one visits this temple and offers sincere prayers to Lord Sath Guru Nathar. 

The legend has it that Brahmma undertook penance in this Vilvaranya Kshetram to recover his ‘Sathvic’ Character that he had lost. As he secured the Sathvic Guna at Idumbavanam after invoking the Lord’s blessings, the Lord came to be called Sath Guna Nathar and the theertham came to be referred to as Brahmma Theertham. Belief is that one’s anger will reduce if a devotee invokes the blessings of Sath Guna Nathar.

The legend of the place dates back to the Mahabaratha. It was here in this kshetram that Bheema fought with asura Idumba, who resided in this region and killed him. Later, he married the asura’s sister Idumbi. The popular character Ghatotkacha was born here. Hence this Kshetram is referred to as Idumbavanam. 

Till 1942, the renowned Sambasiva Iyer managed the temple as the hereditary trustee. It was that decade that he handed over the reign of the temple to the HR & CE.

A positive development this year has been the refreshing approach of the newly appointed EO Murugaiyan who had previously served at Thiruvenkadu (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/10/thiruvenkadu-somu-gurukal.html), where he had initiated the process of directing water into the Chandra Pushkarani, which is now seen full to the brim.

He has ensured that some of the pending income from the lands of the temple has been recovered with coconuts coming in good numbers from the tall trees in this region. The EO has helped close out salaries to the priest and the service personnel that had been pending for a long time. He is also looking to recover 200 acres land belonging to the temple that has been encroached in recent years. He is also initiating the process of refurbishing the temple.

It is a rare gesture from a HR & CE official, not hitherto seen in most other Thevarm Sthalams.

This decade, the ten day Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi too has been revived including the Theppotsavam. Devotees from the 10 villages around Idumbavanam have taken up the organizing and management of each of the 10 days of the big annual festival including carrying the Lord during the Vahana Processions.

In recent years, Pradosham and Margazhi Thiruvatharai have become popular at this temple.

Idumbavanam is 15kms South West of Thiruthuraipoondi and 5kms East of Thillai Vilagam Rama Temple. Buses ply every one hour from Thiruthuraipoondi. Auto from Thillai vilagam will cost Rs. 125.

When here, visit Thiru Nellikaval  (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/08/thiru-nellikaval-nellivananathar-temple.html) Padal Petra Sthalam is 30kms from here. Another Thevaram Sthalam Thiruvoimoor (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2019/08/thiruvaimur-thiruvaimurnathar-temple.html) too is about 30kms from here.