Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple or Sri Thanthondrieswarar Temple is an ancient temple located on the banks of the river Vasishta in Belur, Salem, Tamil Nadu State. The temple was constructed in the 12th century by the Chola Kings. The presiding deities are Lord shiva and his concert Goddess Parvathi Devi worshipped as Lord Thanthondreeswarar and Goddess Dharmasamvarthini.
The wonder of the temple is that Mango, Jack, and Iluppai are all in one tree. Sage Vasishta planted a jack tree here to worship the Lord. Sage Vasishta stayed here following the advice of the Lord to accomplish his Yajna. Yajna ash is offered as Vibhuti Prasad to the devotees.
Lord Shiva is Suyambu Lingam in the temple here.
Sani Bhagwan is under the Vanni tree in the temple.
The Temple Rajagopuram is about 97 feet tall having 7 floors.
A mythical lion structure, Yazhi (a lion statue) made from a single stone with a rolling ball inside its mouth is carved from two pillars.
The temple is built in such a way that every year the rays of the sun fall on the presiding deity of Chithirai 3-10 in April-May.
Brahmanda Purana is one of the 18 Puranas in Sanskrit and is written by the great saint Vedha Vyasa. In chapter 130 of this Purana, Sudamuni recounted the glory of the Lord and of this temple to his disciples and other saints.
Thaan Thondri Easwarar Temple Timings:
Morning: 6.00 AM to 12.00 Noon
Evening: 4.00 PM to 9.00 PM
Belur Thanthondreeswarar Temple History:
Manickam Chetty, a pepper merchant, lived near a town near the temple. His job was to carry loads of pepper and sell it in the market. One day, he was crossing this dense forest where the sanctuary is currently located. As the darkness faded, he wanted to rest, to eat, he crushed eggplant peas (Sundaikai) with a stone. Suddenly he heard a voice, “The stone hurts my head.” Apply pepper to my head.
Intrigued by the incident, the trader said he had no pepper and added that he only had Black Gram (Ulundu). The next day he went to the market square and opened his luggage. He was surprised to find black gram instead of pepper. He worshiped God and prayed for his forgiveness. God asked him to bring mud from the place where he had crushed eggplant pea (sundaikai) and sprinkle it on the luggage containing black gram. He followed his instructions and the black gram turned pepper again.
On his return, out of curiosity, he examined the place where he was resting. He was surprised to find a Suyambu Lingam (Lingam that originates by itself from the earth). He worshiped the Lord and is said to have built the inner sanctum of the temple. Now they call it Milagu Chetty (Milagu means Pepper) and the place where the pepper turned into black gram is called Ulundurpettai. The place has kept its name ever since. According to history, the inner shrine was built by Milagu Chetty and the rest were built by King Paranthaga Chola. This was mentioned in the book “The Salem District Handbook on the Madras Presidency” by Lee Fanu and the same idea was endorsed by Dr. Busnagi Rajannan, professor of history.
Belur Thanthondreeswarar Temple Address:
26, Ayothiyapattinam – Belur – Kilakkadu Road,
Barathi Nagar,
Belur,
Selam District,
Tamil Nadu – 636104.
