This is the 159th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva
Sthalam and 42nd sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in
Chozha Nadu. This place was called as Thiruchemponpallai during 6th
to 7th Century and now called as Thiruchampalli / Sembanarkoil.
In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came
to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Mayiladuthurai. But
Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal came from Thiruvengadu. In that Sekkizhar mentions
only 7 temples but the periyapuranam indicates 17 temples, from Thiruvalampuram
to Kodika / Thirukozhambam and this place is mentioned as other temples.
அத்திருப்பதி
அகன்றுபோய் அணிகிளர் சூலக்கைத்தலப்படை
வீரர்செம் பொன் பள்ளி கருதிமெய்த்த
காதலில் விளநகர் விடையவர் பாதம்பத்தர்
தம்முடன் பணிந்து இசைப் பதிகம் முன்பகர்ந்தார் .....
திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்மேவுபுனல்
பொன்னி இரு கரையும் சார்ந்து விடை
உயர்ந்தார் திருச்செம்பொன் பள்ளி பாடிக்காஉயரும்
மயிலாடுதுறை நீள் பொன்னிக் கரைத்துருத்தி
வேள்விக்குடி எதிர்கொள்பாடி பாஉறு
செந்தமிழ்பாலை பாடிப் போற்றிப் பரமர்
திருப்பதி பலவும் பணிந்து போந்தேஆஉறும்
அஞ்சு ஆடுவார் கோடிகாவில்.....திருநாவுக்கரசு
சுவாமிகள் புராணம்Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and Vallalar has
sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
மருவார்
குழலி மாதோர் பாகமாய்த்திருவார்
செம்பொன் பள்ளி மேவியகருவார்
கண்டத்து ஈசன் கழல்களைமருவா
தவர்மேல் மன்னும் பாவமே .......
திருஞானசம்பந்தர்ஞாலமும்
அறிய வேண்டில் நன்றென வாழ லுற்றீர்காலமும்
கழிய லான கள்ளத்தை ஒழிய கில்லீர்கோலமும்
வேண்டா ஆர்வச் செற்றங்கள் குரோத நீக்கில்சீலமும்
நோன்பும் ஆவார் திருச்செம்பொன்
பள்ளி யாரே........
திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் -“நெறிகொண்டே அன்பள்ளி
யோங்கும் அறிவுடையோர் வாழ்த்துஞ் செம்பொன்பள்ளி வாழ் ஞான போதமே.......
திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri
Swarnapuriswarar, Sri Devapriyar, Sri Sornalakshmeesar, Sri
Chemponpalliyar.Consort : Sri Maruvar
Kuzhali, Sri Pushpazhaki, Sri Thaakshiyayini, Sri Suguntha
Kunthalambigai, Sri Suguntha Vananayagi.
Some of the important features of this temple are as follows.This is one of the Mada temple constructed by Ko Chenkat
Chozhan. The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. There is no
Dwajasthambam and Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Rishabam are in front. Moolavar is on a round avudayar with
16 lotus petals on top and bottom. In Koshtam, Indra Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy,
Arthanareeswarar and Durgai.
Dwarapalakas are in the artha mandapam. In Sthapana mandap Urchavars Somaskandar, Natarajar, Chandrasekar and Pichadanar. In Maha
mandapam Vinayagar, Surya and Chandra Lingas and Subramaniar. A bas-relief of
a monk and a King worshiping Lord Shiva is on the south wall.
In Prakaram Prakasa Pillayar, Vanadurgai, Viswanathar, Srinivasa
Perumal, Sibi Kaatchinathar with maan and mazhu, Balasubramaniar with
Rudraksha mala and holding Sakthi ayutham/ weapon, Gajalakshmi, Jyeshta Devi,
Veerabhadra, Suriyan and Bhairavar.
Ambal is in a separate temple facing south. It was told that Ambal
is facing south since, Ambal is proceeding to the Pariyalur Shiva temple, which
is on the south west of this temple where Dakshan was performing an Yagna.
Saptha kannis temple is on the south west of Ambal temple.
Chidambaram Swamigal has also sung in praise of Lord Muruga of
this temple in his Kshetra Kovai Pillai Thamizh.
தாசரடியார்
தாசன் என இருந்திடு முனைத் தன்
பெருமை யறியாமலேதனை
ஒத்த பேரெனப் பிள்ளை விளையாட்டினைத் தருமிளம்
பருவத்தினால்ஆசையோடழைத்
தனன் எங்கள் குமரேசனுடன் அம்புலீ
ஆடவாவேஅழகு
செம்பொன் பள்ளி ஆறானனத்துடன் அம்புலீ
ஆடவாவே
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum antarala and artha
mandapam. An eka thala vesara Vimana is on the sanctum Sanctorum. Bas relief of
King worshiping Lord Shiva and on his both sides are a monk and a minister.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSIt is believed that this temple was built during Ko Chengat
Chozha. Based on the iconography of the Jyeshta Devi, it is presumed that this
temple might have reconstructed during Aditha Chozha ( 879 – 907 CE ), which is
mentioned in the Sthala purana. There are Six inscriptions recorded from this temple. They belongs to
Kulothunga Chozha-III, Rajathirajan and Thanjavur Saraboji Maharaja.
Rajathirajan’s
5th reign year inscription records the gift of land to Shiva Temple of Thiruvalangadu, by the
Thiruvilanagar alias Nithavonotha Chathurvedi mangalam Vila Ndu Sabhai /
assembly. Same year Rajathiraja
Valanattu Thiruindalur Nattu Mannarkudi alias Uttama Chaozha Chaturvedi mangalam
sabhai / Village assembly established an
endowment of land for feeding and worship to Jyankonda Chozha
Valanattu ( Mandalam – is wrong..?) Akkur Nattu Akkur alias Rajendra Simha
Chaturvedi mangalam.
Kulothunga
Chozha-III’s, period inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual
lamp for which a land was donated to a agriculturist after purchased for 40 kasus.
Kulothunga
Chozhas-III’s 6th reign year inscription records that the
Devaradiyars and the Sabha members took the Urchavars to Thiruvidaikazhi
Ilaiyapillaiyar Temple ( Murugan temple ) for safe custody. This was done
during the war between Chozhas with Pandyas who joined with Sri Lankan
King.
Rajakesari Varman’s 6th reign year
inscription records the gift of a land
after purchase to this temple for pooja / worship by the Thalachangadu Sabha.
In that there was a mention about the Rajasundaran street.
The
Saraboji Kings order records that Thalachangadu sabhai agreed to pay the taxes
once in a year along with the production of looms and this was permitted to
collect by Kaveripattinam Aiyyavaiyan and Thandavaraya Mudaliar.
On 24th June 1999, Maha Kumbhabhishekam was performed
after renovations under the Kanchi mutt Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal’s
ponvizha scheme and Manivasagar mandam. Latter Maha kumbhabhishekam was
conducted in the year 2007.
LEGENDSMaha Vishnu, Vasishtar, Brahma, Indran, Kuberan, Sage Agathiyar,
Sage Vasishta, Kaveri, Nagakannis, Ashta dikpalakas, worshiped Lord Shiva of
this temple. Further it is believed that Rathi prayed to Lord Shiva to give
back the life to her husband Manmathan also called as Kaman.
It is believed that Mahalakshmi did a penance on Lord Shiva to
marry Maha Vishnu. Hence this place was called as Lakshmipuri. Indran has got the Vajrayudham to kill Viruthirasuran after
worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple. Hence this place was called as Indrapuri. This place is also called as Skandapuri since Lord Muruga worshiped
Lord Shiva to get blessing to destroy Tharakasuran.
Since Lord Shiva, the Shiva Linga is of Swayambhu and sparkled
like gold, this place and the temple obtained the name of Sembanarkoil, hence Lord
Shiva is praised as Swarnapureeswarar. Also it was told that the Vimana was
covered with Gold plates, hence called as Sembanarkoil. Lord Shiva blessed Dakshayani and took the incarnation of Veerabhadra
to kill Daksha and destroy his Yagna.
The Legend associated with the Pariyalur Veeratteswarar Temple is
also applicable to this temple with slight changes at the end. The legend goes
like this... Dakshan also known as Daksha Prajapati, the son of Brahma, an
ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and has got many boons. His daughter ma Parvati as
Dakshayani was married to Lord Shiva. Since he obtained many boons and became
over pride and arrogance. He conducted an Yagna for which Celestial deities,
Sages, Maharishis were invited, but Lord Shiva was not invited intentionally
and the share due to him was also not given.
In the mean time Dakshayani wants to participate in the
yagna and asked Lord Shiva’s permission,
to make Dakshan to realize his mistake. Even after Lord Shiva denied permission Dakshayani went to the Yagna. He asked her father why her husband Lord Shiva
was not invited and the share / avirpagam due to him. Dakshan didn’t gave
respect, in fact he humiliated Dakshayani. Angered Dakshayani cursed
Dakshan and the Yagna wouldn't be successful.
Dakshayani returned back and asked Lord Shiva to punish Dakshan.
Lord Shiva created Veerabhadra to destroy the Yagna. Veerabhadra destroyed the
Yagna and severed the head of Dakshan. Latter replaced with a goats head. He
also punished the celestial deities which includes Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Indra,
Chandra, Suryan etc,. Dakshan realised his mistakes, prayed Lord Shiva to
pardon him. Lord Shiva came from the Yagna and pardoned Dakshan and Celestial
deities.
Dakshayani thought it was a sin to be born as a
daughter of Dakshan who hate Lord Shiva. To get rid of the sin, Ma Parvati came to this place and did a
penance on Lord Shiva standing fire around
her ( Standing on one leg and folding the other ). Pleased by her Penance Lord Shiva appeared and blessed her. From then on Dakshayani is praised as “Sugantha Kunthalambikai”.
பத்தர்
தம்முடன் பணிந்து இசைப் பதிகம் முன்பகர்ந்தார்
கரைத்துருத்தி
வேள்விக்குடி எதிர்கொள்பாடி
மருவா
தவர்மேல் மன்னும் பாவமே
-“நெறிகொண்டே
Moolavar : Sri
Swarnapuriswarar, Sri Devapriyar,
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum antarala and artha
mandapam. An eka thala vesara Vimana is on the sanctum Sanctorum. Bas relief of
King worshiping Lord Shiva and on his both sides are a monk and a minister.
This legend stated above is very much similar to Thiru Pariyalur, in that, Lord Shiva as Veerabhadra destroyed Dakshan and Killed him. The other atta Veeratta sthalams are...- Thiru Kandiyur where Lord Shiva plucked Brahma’s 5th head.
- Thirukkovilur where Andhaksuran was vanquished.
- Thiruvadhigai, where Lord Shiva burnt the Thirupuram ad Thiripura Samharar.
- Pariyalur where Lord Shiva as Veerabhadra destroyed Daksha’s yagna and killed him.
- Thiruvirkudi where demon Jalandaran, who was formed from the eye drop of Lord Shiva was killed.
- Thiru Vazhuvur where Lord Shiva teared Gajamugasuran
- Thiru Korukkai where Lord Shiva burnt Kaman alias Manmathan and latter made him to alive.
- Thirukadaiyur where Lord Shiva kicked Yama to save Markandeya and blessed with 16 years.
- Thiru Kandiyur where Lord Shiva plucked Brahma’s 5th head.
- Thirukkovilur where Andhaksuran was vanquished.
- Thiruvadhigai, where Lord Shiva burnt the Thirupuram ad Thiripura Samharar.
- Pariyalur where Lord Shiva as Veerabhadra destroyed Daksha’s yagna and killed him.
- Thiruvirkudi where demon Jalandaran, who was formed from the eye drop of Lord Shiva was killed.
- Thiru Vazhuvur where Lord Shiva teared Gajamugasuran
- Thiru Korukkai where Lord Shiva burnt Kaman alias Manmathan and latter made him to alive.
- Thirukadaiyur where Lord Shiva kicked Yama to save Markandeya and blessed with 16 years.
It was told that Chithirai month 7th day to 18th
day Sunrays falls on moolavar. A parihara sthalam for Navagraha dosha.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSUnder Manivasagam Mandram, Friday poojas, Nalvar’s Guru pooja,
Pradosha worship, Natarajar abhishekam, Karthigai Somavara worship with 108 Sangu Abhishekam are performed in a grand manner.
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Aani
Thirumanjanam in the month Aani ( June – July ), Vinayagar Chathurthi in the
month Avani ( Aug – Sept ), Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ),
Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thiruvathirai in the month
Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Maha Shivaratri
in the month Masi ( Feb – March) and monthly pradoshams.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 07.39 hrs to 12.00 hrs and
16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILSThe mobile number +91 99437 97974 may be contacted for further
details.
HOW TO REACH : This place Sembanarkoil is on the bus route Mayiladuthurai to Akkur
Road. Town bus from Mayiladuthurai to Akkur is passing through this place.This place Sembanarkoil is 11 Km from Mayiladuthurai, 20.44 KM
from sirkazhi, 32 KM from Karaikal, 45 KM from Kumbakonam, 87 KM from Thanjavur
and 259 KM from Chennai. Nearest Railway station is Mayiladuthurai.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
