Sri Adhi Ratneswarar Swamy Temple is a famous Shiva temple built 1000 years ago in Thiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu State. The presiding deity is Adhi Ratneswarar, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva and he is Swayambu. Goddess Adhi Ratneswarar is the consort of Adhi Ratneswarar.
The temple is in Dravidian style architecture. The sacred springs are Surya Pushkarini, Varuna, Vaaruni, Markandeya, Aghasthya and Kamadenu Theerthams. It is one of the 14 temples of Shiva praised in the hymns of Thevaram. The sages Agasthya, Markandeya and the divine cow Kamadenu had worshiped the Lord here.
10 days Vaikasi Visaka Vasanth Utsav, 15 days Aadi Pooram, Navarathri, Pradosha or Pradosham – Celebrate on the 13th day of both full moon and new moon fortnights every month, Karthikai and
Chaturthi are the festivals celebrated in this Shiva Temple.
Tiruvadanai Sri Adhi Ratneswarar Swamy Temple Timings:
Morning: 6.00 AM to 12.00 Noon
Evening: 4.30 PM to 8.30 PM
Tiruvadanai Adhiratneswarar Temple History:
The story behind the name “Thiruvadanai”: Vaaruni is the son of Varuna Deva, the god of rain. One day he stayed in the ashram of sage Durvasa who was in deep meditation. Vaaruni’s friends played it using fruits and flowers in the ashram and disrupted Sage’s penance. The angry sage cursed Vaaruni for his action of transforming into a strange creature with the head of a goat and the body of an elephant. In Tamil, the name will be Aadu (goat) and Aanai (elephant), hence the place name Thiru Aadu Aanai – Thiruvadanai.
Vaaruni realized his mistake and asked to forgive. The sages nearby suggested that he should go to this temple in the kingdom of Pandya, pray to Lord Shiva for his remedy. Vaaruni took the advice. Lord appeared before him and asked for his wish. Vaaruni in his form of Aja Gaja (Aadu-Yanai) begged the lord that his life would be a lesson for those who misbehaved with respectful elders and that this place should be known as Thiruvadanai until the end of Kaliyuga. Lord granting his wish, hence this place is known as Thiru Aadu Aanai – Thiruvadanai.
Surya adoring Adhi Rathneswarar: Surya Bhagavan was very proud of his radiant power. When the brightness of the Lord rose, Nandhi, the Lord’s vehicle, drew it, the Surya Bhagavan lost his brightness. Surya Bhagavan requested Nandhi to show him the solution. Nandi advised Lord Surya to worship the Lord of Thiruvadanai and install him on a seat made of sapphire gemstones as a remedy. The sun is the first of Adhi among the nine planets and worshiped Lord Shiva Adhi Rathneswarar as told. When an abhisheka is executed on the Lord, it turned blue.
Arjuna Acquires Knowledge About Using Pasupatha Astra: While in exile, Pandava’s brother Arjuna received the Pasupatha Astra from Lord Shiva. The Lord told him to go to Thiruvadanai to know out how to use the weapon. As a mark of his bhakti, Arjuna installed the Somaskanda in the temple, according to a story.
Sri Adhi Ratneswarar Swamy Temple Address:
Kochi-Madurai-Tondi Point Road,
Thiruvadanai,
Ramanathapuram District,
Tamil Nadu – 623407.