Vanchinadha Swamy Temple / Sri Vaanchinathaswamy Temple / ஸ்ரீவாஞ்சியம் வாஞ்சிநாதர் கோயில், Srivanchiyam / Srivanjiyam / Vanchyam, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 187^th Devaram Paadal petra Shiva Sthalam and 70^th sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha nadu. The temple is on the banks of Mudikondan River.

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord shiva of Thiruveezhimizhalai.. Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Kaduvaikaraiputhur.

நீடுதிரு வாஞ்சியத்தில் அமர்ந்த முக்கண்

        நீலமிடற்று அருமணியை வணங்கிப் போற்றிப்

பாடுஒலி நீர்த் தலையாலங்காடு மாடு

        பரமர் பெருவேளூரும் பணிந்துபாடி

நாடுபுகழ்த் தனிச் சாத்தங்குடியில் நண்ணி

        நம்பர் திருக்கரவீரம் நயந்து பாடித்

தேடுமறைக்கு அரியார் தமவிளமர் போற்றித்

        திருஆரூர் தொழநினைந்து சென்று புக்கார்

...... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்

நாலூர் தென் திருச்சேறை குடவாயில் நறையூர் சேர்

பால் ஊரும் இன்மொழியாள் பாகனார் கழல் பரவி

மேல் ஊர்தி விடைக் கொடியார் மேவும் இடம் பலபாடிச்

சேல் ஊர் தண் பணைசூழ்ந்த தென் திருவாஞ்சியம் அணைந்தார்

..... திருநாவுக்கரசு புராணம்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar, Manickavasagar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.   

வன்னி கொன்றைமத மத்தம் எருக்கொடு கூவிளம்

பொன்னி யன்றசடை யிற்பொலி வித்தபு ராணனார்

தென்ன வென்றுவரி வண்டிசை செய்திரு வாஞ்சியம்

என்னை யாளுடை யானிட மாக உகந்ததே

..... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

படையும் பூதமும் பாம்பும்புல் வாய்அதள்

உடையும் தாங்கிய உத்தம னார்க்குஇடம்

புடைநி லாவிய பூம்பொழில் வாஞ்சியம்

அடைய வல்லவர்க்கு அல்லல்ஒன்று இல்லையே

...... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

பொருவ னார்புரி நூலை புணர்முலை உமையவ ளோடு

மருவ னார்மரு வார்பால் வருவதும் இல்லைநம் அடிகள்

திருவ னார்பணிந் தேத்தும் திகழ்தரு வாஞ்சியத்து உறையும்

ஒருவ னார்அடி யாரை ஊழ்வினை நலியஒட் டாரே

....... சுந்தரர்

“திருவாஞ்சியத்தில் சீர்பெறஇருந்து

மருவார் குழலியொடு மகிழந்த வண்ணமும்”

....... மாணிக்கவாசகர், திருவாசகம்

                                                    -“ஆங்ககனந்

தாஞ்சியத்தை வேங்கைத் தலையாற் ரடுக்கின்

வாஞ்சியத்தின் மேவு மறையோனே”

.......திருஅருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Vanchinadha Swamy, Sri Vanji Lingeswarar.

Consort    : Sri Mangala Nayagi, Sri Vazhavantha Nayagi.

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy and a mandapam was built.  Both Moolavar and Ambal Temples are facing east. There are lot of stucco images on both Vimanas, painted colourfully. Both Ambal and moolavar are little large.

In the inner prakram, Abhayankara Vinayagar, Marugan with his consorts, Mahalakshmi, Mahishasura Mardini, standing on Simha, 63 var, Kshethra Lingam, Sattainathar, Durgai, Shiva Lingas in the names of Thiruvengadu, Chayavanam, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thiruvaiyaru, Theyu Lingam, akasa Lingam, Dharmambal, Kailasanathar, Mahalakshmi, Chandramouleeswarar, Chandikeswarar, Sundareswarar with Meenakshi ( her elephant has tusks ), Saneeswarar, Rahu, ketu and Bhairavar.    

In the outer prakaram,  temple tank is on the right and Yamadharma Sannathi is in the agni moolai.

The 15^th Century Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple.

த்ரிபுராந்த கற்கு வரசுத

            ரதிகாந்தன் மைத்து னமுருக

            திறல்பூண்ட சுப்ர மணியஷண்         முகவேலா

    திரைபாய்ந்த பத்ம தடவய

            லியில்வேந்த முத்தி யருள் தரு

            திருவாஞ்சி யத்தி லமரர்கள்              பெருமாளே

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. A 2 tier vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Both Main temple and Ambal temple Vimanams has stucco images.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7^th Century. Latter the same was reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozha period. Further extended during Vijayanagara Nayakas and maintained by Nattukottai nagarathars. It is believed that the temple was reconstructed as a stone temple during Rajaraja-I.

Out of 27 inscriptions recorded, 7 belongs to latter Chozhas, 7 belongs to Pandyas and one belongs to Vijayanagara nayaks.  As per the inscriptions this place was under Kulothunga Chozha valanattu Panaiyur nattu Thiruvanjiyam, Thiruvanjiyam was also called as Rajakembeera chaturvedi mangalam. Most of the inscriptions records the sale of lands, gift of lands, exemption of Taxes, etc.

Rajrajan-II, 18^th reign year inscription records the list of lands belongs to this temple. Amman temple was constructed and consecrated during his period. Land and a House was also gifted.  Kulothunga-I’s 26^th reign year inscription records the endowment of  Palliyarai Nachiyar established by Thiruvarangamudayan and a land was gifted by the sabha as irayili. The inscription mentions the Sembiyan Mahadevi Peraru, Kulothunga Peraru, Rajendra Chozha Vaikkal / canal and the roads as Manickavathy and Sahayavathy.

Rajarajan-III’s 18^th reign year inscription records that a request was raised for establishing Kamakotta Nachiyar. 4 Chinnakol land on the north side street to the temple was gifted to the donor of the temple as an Irayili. A land was also gifted to this Kamakottamudaya Nachiyar temple by Puthuvurudayar Vinayaga Thevar alias Thayyal Baramudayar.

Rajarajan-III’s 24^th reign year inscription records that a land was purchased from Thirumangalam Narayana bhattar Somachiyar  by paying 16000 kasus. Also records that a land was purchased for the worship of Dakshinamurthy and Subramaniya Pillayar established by Sahanai Avimukthisiramudayan Bhattan alias Vellai Pillai Andar and Seeralathevar. The lands periphery limits are also mentioned.      

One of the gifted land records that one veli land located at Mundu Vancheri was purchased by Agora Sivachariyar’s disciple Achchutra Mangalathu Perumanayanar Pandaram purchased and gifted to Chidambaram Pichai madam.

Kulothunga Chozha-III's 12th reign year inscription records the construction of Pichadeva Mandapam by Kulathoorudayan Pichadevan alias Nandipanman. ( Thanks to Anbu Vandiyadevan ). The original inscription reads as ...

"ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ திரிபுவனச்சக்கரவத்திகள்

மதுரையும் பாண்டியன் முடித்தலையுங்

கொண்டருளிய ஸ்ரீகுலோத்துங்க சோழ

தேவர்க்கு யாண்டு பன்நிரண்டாவது

குளத்தூருடையாந் பிச்சதேவனான

நந்திபன்மன் செய்வித்த பிச்சதேவ

திருமண்டபம்."

 

Pandya king Kochadaya Barmar’s 13^th reign year inscription records that a Enchingabhattan sold a land as Thirunamathukani to this temple to the worship of Adhi Chandeswarar.

Another Pandya King Jadavarman Sundara Pandyan’s 10^th year reign inscription records the sale of land for Adhi Chandeswarar by Agaran Rajakembeera Chathurvedi mangalam Srimadhava bhattan.  The same king’s 11^th reign year inscriptions records that a land measuring 1 veli land was sold to this temple for worship to Adhi Chandeswarar Temple by Rajaraja Chathurvedi mangalam, Karambu ChettuSridhara battan. The land was belongs to his mother. Almost all the Pandya King’s period inscriptions records the land donations to Adhi Chandeswarar temple for worship. From this we can understand that Adi Chandeswarar was worshiped popularly, live Lord Shiva.

A 15^th to 16^th Century inscription records the construction of a mandapa by Damal Appa nayan who was an officer to Raghavan Pillai.

The 16^th Century Vijayanagara King Krishnadevaraya period inscription ... damaged in many portions records the names of the temple names as Tiruchirappalli, Engoi Malai, Sandalai, Thirukattupalli, Thirunangur, Thalachangadu, Thiruparangur, Thirumangalakudi, Thiruvisanallur, Thiruthevankudi, Suriya Nayinar Koil, etc..

A 1579 CE ( saka 1501 ) period inscription with out kings name records that Chidambaram Picksha mandam Agora Sivachariyar’s disciple, Perumal Nainar Pandaram, who belongs to  Achuthamangalam, purchased a land at Kunthuvanchery and gifted to this madam.     

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 10^th April 1989 after renovations.

LEGENDS

This place was called as Vanchiyapathi, Santhanavanam, Thiruvaraiyur, Bhukailash and Gandharanyam during ancient times. There are 6 temples on the banks of river Kaveri are considered as equivalent to Kasi, the other places are Thiruvengadu, Thiruvaiyaru, Chaayavanam, Mayiladuthurai, and Thiruvidaimaruthur.

As per the legend ma Parvati wants to live in this place. She came to this place and stayed here itself. Hence ma Parvati is being praised as “Sri Vazhavantha Nayaki”.

In another legend Ganga Prayed to relieve her from the sins accumulated. Lord Shiva advised Ganga to take a dip in the temple tanks and get relieved from the sins. It is believed that Ganga still stays in the temple tank itself, hence called as “Gupta Ganga”.  

It is believed that  Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Indran, Suriyan, Agni, the sages Parasarar, Athiri worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Agasthiyar mentions that if one think of this place will attain mukthi.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on 10 days Aadi Pooram festival in the month Aadi ( July – Aug ), 12 Days Kadi Gnayiru festival in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), 10 days Masi magam festival in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), Vinayagar Chathurthi and Avani Moolam in the month Aavani ( Aug – Sept ), Navaratri in the month of Purattasi ( Sept – Oct ), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thiru karthigai and Theerthavari on all Sundays in the Gupta Ganga in the month of Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ),   Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradosham days, 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Mobile and land line numbers +91 94424 03926, +91 94433 54302 +91 4366 - 228 305, may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 

The temple is midway between Kudavasal and Nannilam. Buses are available  from Kudavasal, which is also an another Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on Thiruvarur to Kumbakonam bus route.

This temple is 6 KM from Nannilam, 12 KM from Kudavasal, 14 KM from Thiruvarur, 27 Km from Kumbakonam, 36 KM from Mayiladuthurai and 294 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Nannilam and Junction is Thiruvarur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Amirthakateshwarar Temple / Sri Amirthakalasanatha Swamy Temple / Sri Amirthakalasanathar Temple / அமிர்தகலசநாதர் ( அமிர்தகடேஸ்வரர் ) திருக்கோயில் சாக்கோட்டை, Sakkottai / Thirukkalayanallur, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 185^th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 68^th Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Now this place is called as SAKKOTTAI. Sundarar records in hymns that this place is on the south banks of river Arasalar, with a fort and moat around the temple. Still the remains of the fort can be seen.

 

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Sundarar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirunageswaram and Sivapuram.

செம்மை மறையோர் திருக்கலய நல்லூர் இறைவர் சேவடிக்கீழ்

மும்மை வணக்கம் பெறஇறைஞ்சி முன்பு பரவித் தொழுது எழுவார்

கொம்மை மருவு குரும்பை முலை உமையாள் என்னும் திருப்பதிகம்

மெய்மைப் புராணம் பலவும் மிகச் சிறப்பித்து இசையின் விளம்பினார்

Sundarar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Sundarar mentions that the Shiva Linga was made of Sand.   

குரும்பைமுலை மலர்க்குழலி கொண்டதவம் கண்டு

        குறிப்பினொடும் சென்றவள்தன் குணத்தினைநன் கறிந்து

விரும்பும்வரங் கொடுத்தவளை வேட்டருளிச் செய்த

        விண்ணவர்கோன் கண்ணுதலோன் மேவியஊர் வினவில்

அரும்பருகே கரும்பருவ அறுபதம்பண் பாட

        அணிமயில்கள் நடமாடும் அணிபொழில்சூழ் அயலின்

கரும்பருகே கருங்குவளை கண்வளரும் கழனிக்

        கமலங்கள் முகமலரும் கலயநல்லூர் காணே

....... சுந்தரர்

                                                                                -“மாலுங்கொள்

வெப்புங்கலைய நல்லோர் மென்மதுரச் சொன்மாலை

செப்புங்கலைய நல்லூர்ச்சிமயனே”

...... திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Amirthakalasanathar, Sri Amithakalesar

Consort    : Sri Amirthavalli.

Some of the salient features of this temple are..........

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. In addition to this there is an entrance arch on the road side. Rishabam and Balipeedam are in front of the Rajagopuram. A Rishabam with Balipeedam are also in the artha mandapam. Moolavar is of Swayambhu made of sand as per Sundarar hymns.  Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance of antarala.

In Koshtam Dakshinamurthy ( with Rudraksham, Agni, ChinMudra, Suvadi, Head hair like Surya prabhai – special to see ), Lingothbavar. Lingothbavar is made of green stone with Maan and Mazhu with Brahma and Maha Vishnu on both sides, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma and Durgai.

In Prakaram, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Nalvar, Navagrahas, Vayu Lingam Prithvi Lingam, Theyu Lingam, Murugan with his consorts, Gajalakshmi, Bhairavar, Chandran, Suriyan, Shaniswarar, Rahu, Sakkiya Nayanar  and Saptamatrikas panel ( in a single stone.)

Ambal is in separate sannathi facing south, but skewed certain angle towards Lord Shiva. Ambal as Dhabasvi Ammai, a bas-relief Standing on right leg folding the left leg and right hand on the head and left hand on the stomach.

ARCHITECTURE

Stucco image of Siva Parvathi kalyana kolam is in vavval nethi mandapam. The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. The sanctum Sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with three patta Kumudam. The pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palaka ad Tharanga pothyal. The prastaram consists of Valapi, Kapotam and Viyyalavari. An ekathala vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Ashtadikpalakas are in the greevam 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7^th Century. Latter the same was reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozha period, before Rajarajan. Further extended during Thanjavur Nayakas / Maratha Period and maintained by Nattukottai nagarathars.

The temple was again reconstructed during Kulothunga Chozha-III, period, again in 16^th to17th Century during Thanjavur Nayak’s period. It is believed that the bas relief on the madanda pillar belongs to Kulothunga Chozha-III. 

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 09^th February 2992 and 22^nd October 2015.

Lord Shiva with Parvati  -- Ambal  as Thapaswini

LEGENDS 

It was believed that when the Amirtha kalayam, was broken the centre portion of the Kalayam fell in this place hence this place is called Thirukkalayanallur. In olden days Agazhi was there around the temple. It was also believed that due to water in the agazhi people worshiped Lord Shiva from a distance. Hence the temple was also called as “Kottai Shiva Temple”. Sundarar also mentions the fort in his hymns.

This is one of the 12 temples participates in the Mahamaham theerthavari festival at Kumbakonam. At the end of each yuga, Lord Shiva destroys the living things on the whole earth through Pralaya. Brahma asked Lord Shiva from where to create new lives and the procedure to be adopted. Lord Shiva told Brahma to create a magical pot and fill it with the seeds of all living things, soil of various holy places and the amirtha in the pot. At the end of the yuga Lord Shiva asked Brahma to leave the pot to float in the pralaya flood water. When the pot reached Kumbakonam Lord Shiva in the form of Kirathamoorthy shots the pot with an arrow. The pot had broken, the amrita mixed with soil spilled and spreads on this place Kumbakonam. The soil with amrita formed a Shiva Linga.  Hence Lord Shiva is called as “Adi Kumbeswarar”, temple is called as Adi Kumbeswarar Temple and this place is called as Kumbakonam.

The arrow shot by Lord Shiva creates nostrils around the post. The amirtha flowed through the nostril. Hence this place is called as “Kudamooku” ( Kudam – pot, mooku – nostrils ). The Mango leaves, the sacred grass ( Tharpai ), hoop ( uri ), bell tree leaves ( bilva ), Coconut and the sacred thread ( poonool ) which adorns the pot had thrown out and fallen in different place due to swirl of the pralaya wind. They formed Shiva Lingas and latter as temples around this place. As per the puranas, the life of the living things started from this place and this is treated one of the Thiruvilaiyadal of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the 12 parts of the pot had fallen on 12 places and Kalayanallur is one of that. This is the place where mid-portion of the Kalasa fell. Hence this place is being called as Thirukalayanallur.

As per the legend ma Parvati did a penance in this place on Lord Shiva to marry him. Satisfied with the penance Lord Shiva gave darshan to ma Parvati and married her. There is a separate shrine for Sri Thapas Amman. The same was mentioned in Sundarar’s hymns.

குரும்பை மலர்க்குழலி கொண்டதவம் கண்டு

குறிப்பினொடும் சென்றவள்தன் குணத்தினைநன் கறிந்து

விரும்பும் வரங்கொடுத்தவளை வேட்டருளிச் செய்த

விண்ணவர்கோன் கண்ணுதலோன் மேவியஊர் வினவில்

Sakkiya Nayanar as a Buddhist used to throw stone of Lord Shiva – Shiva Linga. Lord Shiva gave darshan to him and Sakkiya Nayanar followed Saivam. He was included as one of the 63 Nayanmar by Sundarar.  

It is believed that Brahma, Sundaramurthy Nayanar and Sakkiya Nayanar, worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on, Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Aavani ( Aug – Sept ), Navaratri in the month of Purattasi ( Sept – Oct ), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thiru karthigai in the month of Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Makar Sankranti in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradosham days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 09.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Balasakthi Gurukkal’s  mobile numbers +91 98653 06840, +91 8973621938 and Gurukkal Anand’s mobile number +91 9788202923 may be contacted for further details.  

HOW TO REACH : 

Sakkottai is 5 KM from Kumbakonam on Mannargudi route and the temple is near Kottai bus stop.

The Place Sakkottai is 7 KM from Thirunaraiyur, 10 KM from Thirupandurai,  8 KM from Nachiyarkoil, 4.3 KM from Kumbakonam,  39 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 36 KM from Thiruvarur and 298 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :  CLICK HERE

 

A Vinayagar temple before Shiva Temple

A Vinayagar temple before Shiva Temple

A Vinayagar temple before Shiva Temple

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sivagurunathaswamy Temple / Sri Sivapuranathar Temple / சிவபுரம் சிவகுருநாதசுவாமி கோயில், Sivapuram, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 184^th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 67^th sthalam on the south of river Kaveri of Chozha Nadu. 

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Arisirkaraiputhur. In Thirunavukkarasu puranam Sekkizhar didn’t mentioned this temple in particular. Sekkizhar also records that Sundarar worshiped Lord Shiva of Sivapuram, but we couldn’t get the hymns.

அங்கண் இனிது அமரும் நாள் அடல்வெள் ஏனத்து உருவாய்ச்

செங்கண் நெடுமால் பணியும் சிவபுரத்துச் சென்று அடைந்து

கங்கை சடைக் கரந்தவர்தம் கழல் வணங்கிக் காதலினால்

பொங்கும் இசைத் திருப்பதிகம் முன் நின்று போற்றிசைத்தார்

.......திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்

பெருகும் பதிகம் பிறையணிவாள் நுதலாள் பாடிப் பெயர்ந்து நிறை

திருவின் மலியும் சிவபுரத்துத் தேவர்பெருமான் கழல்வணங்கி

உருகும் சிந்தையுடன் போந்தே உமையொர் பாகர்தாள் பணிந்து

மருவும் பதிகள் பிறபணிந்து கலயநல்லூர் மருங்கு அணைந்தார்

....... சுந்தரர் புராணம்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Manickavasagar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

கலைமலி அகல்அல்குல் அரிவைதன் உருவினன்

முலைமலி தருதிரு உருவமது உடையவன்

சிலைமலி மதில்பொதி சிவபுர நகர்தொழ

இலைநலி வினையிரு மையும்இடர் கெடுமே

...... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

வானவன்காண் வானவர்க்கு மேலா னான்காண்

        வடமொழியுந் தென்றமிழும் மறைகள் நான்கும்

ஆனவன்காண் ஆனைந்தும் ஆடி னான்காண்

        ஐயன்காண் கையிலனல் ஏந்தி யாடும்

கானவன்காண் கானவனுக் கருள்செய் தான்காண்

        கருதுவார் இதயத்துக் கமலத் தூறும்

தேனவன்காண் சென்றடையாச் செல்வன் றான்காண்

        சிவனவன்காண் சிவபுரத்தெஞ் செல்வன் தானே

...... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

ஒழிவற நிறைந்த ஒருவ போற்றி

செழுமாலர்ச் சிவபுரத்து அரசே போற்றி”

....... மாணிக்கவாசகர் – திருவாசகம் – போற்றித்திருவகல்

                                                                 -“தரிசனத்தெக்

காலஞ்சிவ புரத்தைக் காதலித்தோர் தங்கமுதி

யேலுஞ் சிவபுரத்தில் எம் மானே

........ திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Sivagurunathasamy, Sri Sivapureeswarar,

                  Sri Bramhapureeswarar, Sri Sivapuranathar.

Consort    : Sri Aryambal, Sri Singaravalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are.....

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. The 3 tier Rajagopuram is on the second level. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in between the two Rajagopurams. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. Moolavar is Swayambhu. A bas-relief of Maha Vishnu worshiping Lord Shiva in the form of  white pig is on the sanctum wall is worth to watch.

In prakaram Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar and Chandikeswarar, Gajalakshmi, Theyu Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Prithivi Lingam, Kubera Lingam, Two Bhairavas, Two Chandras, Suriyan and Saneeswarar. Nalvar and Sundarar can be seen with Paravai nachiyar.

Natarajar impon statue  was got back, after a prolonged legal battles and the hard effort of Vijay. ( Poetry In Stone )  There is a separate small temple for Kala Bhairavar in the outer prakaram before Rishabam and balipeedam facing south. The Vahana Dog is looking at Bhairavar. Ambal is in a separate temple facing east. The Mukha mandapa ceiling has the 12 Zodiac bas reliefs. It is believed that, if prayed, standing under the respective zodiac symbol, the wishes will be fulfilled.   

The 15^th Century Saint Arunagirinathar Has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple.

தினக ரன்சிலை வேளருள் மாதவர்

            சுரர்க ளிந்திர னாருர காதிபர்

            திசைமு கன்செழு மாமறை யோர்புக       ழழகோனே

    திரும டந்தையர் நாலிரு வோர்நிறை

            அகமொ டம்பொனி னாலய நீடிய

            சிவபு ரந்தனில் வாழ்குரு நாயக                  பெருமாளே

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum,  antarala and artha mandapam. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on a prati bandha adhistanam with vrudha Kumudam. A two thala Vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum Sanctorum. A Mandapam was built around sanctum Sanctorum at a latter date. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7^th Century. Latter the same was reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozha period. Further extended during Thanjavur Nayaks Period and maintained by Nattukottai nagarathars.

The Natarajar belongs to this temple was stolen and recovered back, with a hard effort of Mr Vijayakumar. 

LEGENDS

This place was called as Kuberapuram, Bhu kailayam and Sanbagaranyam during ancient times.

As per the sthala purana, during the pralaya / deluge Maha Vishnu came to this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva. He took the form of white Varaha ( Pig ) / Swetha Varaha, saved this earth keeping it on his head. After this he came to this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed him and restored pig to original form of Maha Vishnu. A bas relief depicting this sthala purana is on the sanctum wall near Dakshinamurthy. This sthala purana was mentioned in Thevara hymns sung by Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal. This legend is also painted on the wall.

 

In another sthala purana, Ravana came to this temple with out taking bath and not following the rituals. Nandhi stopped him. But Kubera came to help Ravana and asked Nandhi to step aside. Angered Nandhi cursed Kubera to born as a greedy King.  Kubera was born as a King called Thalapathy and worshiped Lord Shiva regularly. On day he happened to see a copper plate with an inscription. The inscription records that whoever does a pooja with a male child’s blood on Masi month  Maha Shivaratri day will get  enormous money.

The greedy King Thalapathy managed to buy a Child and the pooja was started. When the child was about to cut the child clung his parents and prayed ma Parvati. Ma Parvati asked Lord Shiva to help the Child. Lord Shiva told that, it is a ploy to relieve nandhi’s curse and the child is Agni and his parents are Indra and Indrani.

Before Indra Cuts fully Lord Shiva  appeared before him and stopped. The Thalapathy the greedy King / Kubera realized his depth of his previous birth and prayed Lord Shiva to pardon him. Lord Shiva pardoned Kubera and relieved from Nandhi’s curse. To signifies this sthalapurana there is a mark of the blood drop on the Shiva Linga. This sthala purana is painted on the wall.

 

During the Visit of Thirugnanasambandar, he saw innumerable Shiva Lingas below the ground, through his 3^rd vision. So he do not want step inside the sanctum., instead he and his disciples had done the angaprathatchana and worshiped Lord Shiva.  He has sung the hymns standing from outside of the temple. The place where he stood and sung is called as “Swamigal Thurai”. Hence people also do angapradakshinam in this temple. It is also a Parihara sthalam for Child boon.

Kubera, Mahavishnu, Pattinathar, Arunagirinathar, Bhairavar  worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. The Bhairavar is a prarthanai moorthy.

It is believed that Suriya worships Lord Shiva. To signifies the same the sun rays falls on moolavar on 4^th, 5^th and 6^th days on Chithirai month.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Kubera Pooja on Deepavali day, Aani Thirumanjanam in the month Aani ( June – July ), Aadi pooram in the month Aadi ( July – Aug ), Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Aavani ( Aug – Sept ), Navaratri in the month of Purattasi ( Sept – Oct ), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thiru karthigai in the month of Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Makar Sankranti in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), Panguni Uthiram in the month Panguni ( March – April ) and monthly pradosham days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Gurukkal    Bala Sakthi and S Sai may be contacted at their mobiles +9198653 06840, +91 9865306840 & +91 9898460984 for darshan.

HOW TO REACH :

Get down at Pattamani Iyer stop on Kumbakonam to Mannargudi  route and Sivapuram is via Malaiyappanallur about 4  km from main road.

2 KM from Sakkottai Velaanmai Virivakka Mayyam ( வேளான்மை விரிவாக்க மைய்யம் ) on Kumbakonam to Thiruvarur or Kumbakonam to Mannargudi  bus route.

The Place Sivapuram is 5 KM from Thirunariyur, 5 KM from Thiruppandurai,  6 KM from Nachiyarkoil, 4.7 KM from Kumbakonam,  33 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 36 KM from Thiruvarur and 301 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---