Sri Theertha Giriswarar temple

Moolavar : Theertha Giriswarar Urchavar : - Amman / Thayar : Vadivambikai Thala Virutcham : Pavalamalli Theertham : Rama Theertham, Kumara, Agasthya, Gowri, Agni theerthams. Agamam / Pooja : - Old year : 1000-2000 years old Historical Name : Thavasagiri City : Theerthamalai District : Dharmapuri State : Tamil Nadu

       

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The famous festivals of the temple are the 10 day Masi Brahmmotsavam in February-March with procession of the presiding Lord, car festival on the 7th day, wedding festival on the 5th day and Sathaparana festival – Lord in reclining posture on the 10th day; Abishek pujas with 365 litres of milk on the Chithirai new year day falling mostly on April 14 or a day earlier or later occasionally, Navarathri in September-October and Aadi 18 July-August with special abishek at night followed by Girivalam – circumambulation of the hill. The devotee crowd in the temple is usually big on Saturdays and Sundays. Pradosha is devotionally observed. Also Tamil and English New Year Day are observed in the temple. Temple's Speciality:               Lord Shiva in the temple is Swayambumurthi. Opening Time: The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Address: Sri Theertha Giriswarar Temple, Theerthamalai-636 906. Dharmapuri district. Phone: +91-4346 -253599  General Information: Lord Siddhi Vinayaka adores the temple.  Vayu Theertham and Varuna Theertham are on the western side of the hill.  Indira Theertham is on the east. Hanuman and Yama theerthams are on the north and south respectively.  Vasishta theertham is at the top of the hill.  This is a divine hill surrounded by holy theerthas. Prayers People pray here for mental peace, relief from diseases, child boon and family prosperity and release from debt burdens.  They believe that Lord and Mother hold the solution for all their problems.  Those seeking child boon use to tie a cradle and also tie threads around the anthill.  They also tie thread around the Pavalamalli tree for wedding boon.  People also tie the thread around the anthill for relief from the adverse aspects of serpent planets.  The wind carrying the smell of the herbal plants around the hill improves the health of the devotee while going up and coming down. Thanks giving: Tonsuring, ear boring are the main prayer commitments followed by devotees. They perform abishek to Lord with honey, oil, cosmetic powders, milk, curd, fruit juices, green coconut, panchamirtham, sandal, rose water and sacred ashes and rice flour. The affluent perform Swarnabishek – abishek with gold coins and also vastras to Lord and Mother. Annadhana is undertaken by some.  Greatness Of Temple: Lord Sri Rama performed Shiva Puja at two famous sacred places, the first  at Rameswaram and the next at Theerthamalai. This is a temple of holy Theerthas around the hill containing high medicinal effects blessing the devotees rejuvenating their stamina and ensuring total health. Sri Rama Theertham was brought out from the rocks and herbals.  Bathing in the Theertha chanting Sri Rama Jayam relieves the devotee of all his/her sins. According to Puranas, Kumara Theertham was created for abishek to Lord Muruga when He was crowned as the Supreme Commander of the forces of the Devas.  Bathing here or at least spilling the drops blesses the devotee with knowledge and wisdom. Gowri Theertham was created for Mother Ambica.  She worshipped Lord with this theertha and got His hand in wedding and became part of His body.  Devotees worship Lord and Mother with this theertha for happy wedding boons. Agasthya Theertham is a blessing of Lord Shiva to cure the sage of ulcer troubles.  It is said that the theertha contains copper and herbal properties.  Devotees consume the water and also use for cooking for relief from gastric problems.   It also cures stomach pain. Agni theertham relieved Agni himself of the sins he earned due to passionate love of women.  This balances the heat in the body and is a wonderful medicine for cold attacks, tuberculosis etc. The antiquity of the temple dates far back to over 1000 years.  Renovations were done in the year 1014 during the reign of Raja Raja Kulothunga Chola.  Saint Arunagiriar had sung the glory of the temple in his Tirupugazh hymns.  A beautiful and blessingful Shiva temple on the top of a hill.   Temple History: Lord Sri Rama after winning the war against Ravana and returning to Ayodhya wanted to perform Shiva Puja in this place.  As Sri Hanuman could not return in time with holy Ganga water and flowers from Kasi, Rama shot an arrow on rock creating the Rama Theertha and completed the puja.  Sri Hanuman threw the pot of water from here which fell at a distance of about 12 kms from the hill and became Hanuman Theertha.  People take the first dip in Hanuman Theertha and then at Rama theertha for relief from sins.  Special Features: Miracle Based: Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthi.