Sri Chaturanga Vallabhanathar

Poovanur puguvaar vinai pogumae

About 7 km away from Mannargudi and 9 Km beyond Alangudi, which is the abode of Lord Dhakshinamurthy, is a quiet village called Poovanur. The place was once known as Pushpavanam or 'forest of flowers' and there on the west bank of the River Pamini, a tributary of the Cauvery, is the temple of Sri Chamundeswari. There are two sacred tanks, the Ksheera Pushkarani and the Krishnakushtahara Theertham. Bathing in them, it is believed, can cure even some incurable diseases. The jackfruit tree is the Sthala Vriksham here. "Poovanur puguvaar vinai pogumae", sang Saint Appar in the Thevaram ("enter Poovanur for warding off past Karma"). Thirugnanasambhandar also visited this place and has sung hymns in praise of Lord Chaturanga Vallabhanathar. According to legend, Poovanur obtained its name from a garden of beautiful flowers tended by Maharishis like Sukar, Agasthiar and Kaka Bhujandar, who worshipped the Lord there. The presiding deity is Lord Pushpavananathar, also known as Sri Chaturanga Vallabhanathar. Goddess Parvati, in the dual form of Sri Karpagavalli and Sri Rajarajeswari, has two sannidhis, which is a unique feature here. The village still maintains its beauty and simplicity amidst many modern developments. The temple, surrounded by green paddy fields, stands majestically with its five-tiered Rajagopuram. In the inner courtyard is the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Chaturanga Vallabhanathar. The sannidhis of Dhakshinamurthy and other attendant deities are also located here. In the mantapam at the centre of the outer courtyard are the sannidhis of Sri Karpagavalli and Sri Rajarajeswari facing south. The Lord gained His name Chaturanga Vallabhanathar after he won the hand of Sri Rajarajeswari (who was none other than Sri Uma Devi herself, born as a daughter of the Chera king Vasusenan) as the victor in a game of chess(the game is called Chokkattan in Tamil and Chaturangam in Sanskrit). The sannidhi for the Universal Mother Chandi Matha or Sri Chamundeswari is near the Kodimaram or the flagmast, close to the entrance of the temple. Sri Mahishasuramardhini, after killing the demon Mahishasura, became calm once again after taking the form of Chamundeswari and remained here to bless devotees. It is believed that Sri Chamundeswari, who came as the Guardian Mother of the Princess Rajarajeswari, remained in the temple as desired by the Divine chess player. A red 'mudikayiru' or sacred string tied to the wrist in this sannidhi after a bath in the sacred tanks is believed to give the devotee a strong feeling of Her sheltering presence as the Protecting Mother. Poovanur landlord late Mr.P.Subbaiya Mudaliar and his family members are traditional trustees for this temple.