Chaturanga Vallabha Nathar, Poovanur, Tiruvarur

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Chaturanga Vallabha Nathar	Ambal / Thayar:	Karpagavalli
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	Tiruppovanur
Vriksham:	Pala	Teertham:	Ksheera Pushkarini
Agamam:	Karana agamam	Age (years):	1000-2000
Timing:	6 to 11.30 & 4.30 to 8.30	Parikaram:	Marriage
Temple group:	Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kaveri Then Karai)	–
Sung by:	, Appar	Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Poovanur	District:	Tiruvarur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Tiruvarur (28 km)	Kumbakonam (29 km)
	Thanjavur (38 km)	Mayiladuthurai (56 km)

Location

Poovanur is located between Kumbakonam and Mannargudi.

Sthala puranam and temple information

King Vasudevan was childless for a long time and so he prayed at various Siva temples, along with his queen and his entourage. When he was praying to Nellaiappar in Tirunelveli, the Lord took pity on him and asked Parvati to be born as his daughter, and asked Chamundi to go as her nurse.

Once when the king was bathing in the river Tambraparani along with his queen, he saw a conch floating on a lotus flower. When he picked up the conch, it turned into a child. The king and the queen were very happy and took the child with them as their princess. The child was named Rajarajeswari. Chamundi – who is one of the sapta matrikas – went with them as the nurse for the princess.

Rajarajeswari became proficient in all forms arts and other activities and in particular became very talented and proficient in playing chaturangam (chess). The king started looking for a suitable groon for Rajarajeswari and announced that whoever defeat hear at a game of chaturangam would be given her hand in marriage. Many came and tried but none could defeat her.

A sage advised the king to once again visit Siva temples and pray for a suitable groom. During this pilgrimage, he reached Poovanur, where a siddhar approached the king and challenged the princess to a game of chess. A game was arranged, and the siddha won the game and asked for the princess’ hand, revealing himself to be Lord Siva, and He married Parvati. As he won the game of chaturangam he is named Chaturanga Vallabha Nathar.

This Chola temple is one of the very few temples where Chamundeswari – facing west – is accorded significance in the worship procedures. There are families for whom the Chamundeswari at this temple is the family deity (kula deivam). The moolavar Lingam is a swayambhu murti. Goddess Rajarajeswari and Chamundeswari (as Karpagavalli) have separate shrines.

Those affected with asthma are supposed to be cured by praying here to the Lord. Chamundi blesses the devotees to be free of their debts and also relief from poisonous bites from insects. She also blesses the devotees with the relief from wedding obstacles.

Vishnu, Vinayakar, Murugan, Indra, Sage Suka, Agastyar and Brahma have worshipped here.

Other information for your visit

This temple is located 11km from Mannargudi (in and around which there are several temples of interest and note), as well as 15km from the Vaduvur Ramar temple.