09th
June 2019.
After
the darshan of Sri Vennayappar/Sri Swarnakadeswarar of Thirunelvennai, we thought of winding up our Viluppuram temples visit with this
Rishivandiyam Shiva temple, considering the distance to be traveled back to
Chennai. It was around 18.00 hrs when we landed at Rishivandiyam Temple. Rishis
worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple. Hence, the ancient name of Rishi Vantha Vanam was corrupted to the present name of Rashivandiyam.
Moolavar : Sri Arthanareeswarar
Consort : Sri Mukthambigai.
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…
The
temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. A Rishabam with a mandapam is in front of the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. Moolavar is swayambhu. Parvati, in a standing posture, can be seen during the honey Abhishekam on the Shiva
Linga. A two-tier Vimana is in the sanctum. In koshtam Vinayagar,
Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai. The Urchavars are in the
artha mandapam. Bhairavar, Suryan,
Natarajar, Palliyarai, and Vinayagar are in the artha mandapam.
In
praharam sannadhi for 63var, Vinayagar, Agastheeswarar & Agastheeswari,
Nagars, Chandikeswarar, Viswanathar & Visalakshi, Annamalaiyar, Unnamulai Ammai, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar Stucco image of Arthanareeswarar and Navagrahas.
Ambal
is in a separate temple, like a sannadhi. The temple consists of the sanctum, antarala, and ardha mandapa. A Rishaba mandapam is in front of the sanctum. The stucco
image of Sthala Purana, in which a Shiva Lingam with Parvati inside is in a standing
posture. Since Ambal Mukthambigai gives Mukthi, she is being called by that name.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam, and a maha mandapam.
On the left is the Vasantha mandapam (with musical Pillars) and on the right is the vahana mandapa. There are two Yazhi pillars; in one of the Yazhi’s mouths, a stone rolling ball was carved by the sculptor.
Yazhi Pillars
Yazhi Pillars
The rolling ball in Yazhi's mouth
The musical pillars
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION:
The
temple was built by Jadavarma Sundara Pandyan in 1282 CE, and later
contributions were made by the Vijayanagaras and Nayaks. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was
conducted in 2007.
LEGENDS
Indra had done abhishekam only of Lord Shiva, ignoring Sri Parvati. Parvati got angry and hid all the pots. Lord Shiva offers the left side of his body. While doing the Abhishekam, Indra had seen Parvati on the left side of the Shiva Linga. Realizing the mistake he had made, he sought forgiveness from Sri Parvati.
In another Legend, Agasthiyar was sent to the South to balance the earth during Shiva’s marriage with Parvati. Since he couldn’t attend the marriage, Shiva gave Kalyana Kola Darshan in this temple.
This temple is famous for the marriage boon, and children cannot speak, do abhishekam with honey, and the honey is to be consumed for speech.
Apart from regular poojas, important functions like Mahashivaratri, in the Aani month, 10 10-day annual festivals will be celebrated in a grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The
temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30
hrs.
CONTACT:
Mr.
Somu Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile at +919865369493 for further details.
HOW TO REACH:
Rishivandiyam
is about 26 km from Thirukovilur, 73 km from Viluppuram, 25 km from
Kallakurichi, and 250 km from Chennai.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Arthanareeswarar Stucco image
The Mandapa is opposite to Ambal's Sannadhi. On the top stucco image of Parvati on the Shiva Linga
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
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