Pasupatheesvarar Temple, Pasupathikovil

This temple is situated at Pasupathikoil, at distance of 14 km from Thanjavur on Thanjavur-Kumbakonam main road, and is one of the seven sacred places of the Chakkarappalli Saptastana.^[1]

This temple is one of the seven shrines associated with Saptamartrikas (seven female deities in Siva temple).^[2][3] Matrikas are the different forms Adi Parashakti. Matrikas are the personified powers of different Devas. Brahmani emerged from Brahma, Vaishnavi from Vishnu, Maheshvari from Shiva, Indrani from Indra, Kaumari from Skanda, Varahi from Varaha and Chamunda from Devi,^[4] and additionals are Narasimhi, Vinayaki. This is one of the Saptamangai sthalams, seven sacred places devoted to Devi.^[5] They are also called as Saptastanam of Chakkarappalli.^[1] They are:

• Chakkarappalli
• Ariyamangai
• Sulamangalam
• Nallichery
• Pasupathikovil
• Thazhamangai
• Pullamangai

The presiding deity in the garbhagriha is represented by the lingam known as Pasupatheesvarar. The Goddess is known as Palvalanayaki. The shrine of the presiding deity has mahamandapa, arthamandapa, anthrala and the garbhagriha. In the east, facing west Kasi Visvanatha linga, Subramania, Chandra and Surya are found. In between Chandra and Surya a window is found. At the east of the window a path is found for walking. Along with it a small gopura, in a different style is found. It is presumed that there might have been a gopura earlier and might have been destroyed. In due course it might have been built.^[1] As Varaha saved the earth from the asura, Kali in order to save from asuras, as Varahi appeared and worshipped the presiding deity. Kamadhenu did penance in this place. So many places were identified by cows. This is one such sacred place. The presiding deity was worshipped by the cow and so the Goddess was known as Palvalanayaki. While Anavidyanatha Sharma along with his wife came and worshipped here, she also blessed them.^[5]