A sacred temple for Pithru Tharpanam
Several Inscriptions in the
temple date back to the Chozha and Pandya period
Pallava Period Sculptures inside
the temple
Located
15kms South West of Avudayar Koil on the Aranthangi – Thirupannavasal road in
the Pudukottai District is the Purana Sthalam of Sundararaja Perumal Temple in
Ponbethi where Sundararaja Perumal is seen in a sitting posture alongside
Sri and Bhoo Devi.
The Name
In the
Sangam Period, this region including the belt extending to Irumbanadu in West was
known as Mizhalai Nadu with Ponbethi serving as the capital of Mizhalai Nadu.
This place is also referred to as Swarnaranya Kshetram.
Sacred Place for Tharpanam
The
story goes that 96 rishis stayed here for one year and performed Tharpanam on 96
sacred days of the year. Once upon a time, there were 96temples and 96 sacred tanks
at this place.
Pleased
with their sincerity in performing the Tharpanam on the 96sacred days of the
year, Lord Sundararajan provided darshan to the 96Rishis at this place.
Inscriptions
In
centuries gone by, this had also been under the Pandya kingdom as can be seen
from some of the inscriptions.Inscriptions
also indicate that Budha Mithran ruled this place as a local king during the
time of Veera Rajendra Chozha in the 11th Century AD. As per the
direction of Veera Rajendra Chozha and given that there was no big literature
in Tamil after Tholkaapium, Budha Mithran wrote Veera Sozhiyam.
Some of
the sculptures inside the temple indicate that this temple may have been built
during the Pallava Period around the 8th Century AD.
Festivals
A grand
festival referred to as Vishnu Pathi Festival with Thirumanjanam for the Lord was
initiated by the then rule of this region Irungo Velmaan and performed every
year. This was believed to have been equivalent to Brahmotsavam at this temple.
Ashtami
every month is sacred at this temple with special poojas being performed
Quick Facts
Moolavar:
Sundara Raja Perumal East Facing Sitting Posture
Thaayar : Swarna Lakshmi
Time :
7am-11am and 5pm-7pm
Contact : Mani Bhattar @76398 74516
How to reach
Ponbethi
is about 30kms from Aranthangi. Buses every half hour from Avudayar Koil to
Thiru Pannavasal.
No autos
at Avudayar Koil.
Taxi to
Ponbethi, Theeyathur and Irambanadu Perumal Koil and back to Avudayar Koil will
cost Rs.750.
When at Ponbethi, also visit Irumbanadu and Theeyathur Perumal Temples.
4 comments:
This is my village, i am sundar
பென்பேத்தி, எனது கிராமம் மிகவும் பிடித்த இடம்
A special pooja with thirumanjanam was done to sri sundarraja perumal for 48 days.it was completed well on 25-10-13.renovation work of the temple has started,as the first step balalayam was held in a simple way on 13-11-13.works are expected to start
Dear Sir,
Could you provide me the location via google map, I intend to visit this old temple soon, Thank you
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