Sri Samavedeeswarar Temple / Sri Samavedhishwarar Temple / அருள்மிகு சாமவேதீஸ்வரர் கோவில், திருமங்கலம், Thirumangalam, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this temple was a part of “Trichy Heritage Walk” organised by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே- Group”, to the Historical Chozha period temples, in and around Trichy aka Tiruchirappalli, scheduled on 20^th & 21^st March 2021. Even-though they were contributed by the Pallava, Chozha, Pandya, Vijayanagara Kings and the present Nattukottai Nagarathars, they are less popular.

It is believed that this is also one of the Thevara Vaippu sthalam of Chozha nadu, but enough evidences are not available. As per Sekkizhar, Thirugnanasambandar went to Thirupachilachiramam after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirumanthurai. On the way he had darshan of many temples. Some Historians claims that, Thirugnanasambandar visited this place also since Thiruvathurai ( Lalgudi ), Poovalur and Thirumangalam are in between the two temples.  

அங்கண் அகன்று, அம்மருங்கில் அங்கணர்தம்

         பதிபிறவும் அணைந்து போற்றி,

செங்கமலப் பொதி அவிழச் சேல்பாயும்

        வயல் மதுவால் சேறு மாறா,

பொங்கு ஒலிநீர் மழநாட்டுப் பொன்னிவட

        கரைமிசைப் போய், புகலி வேந்தர்

நங்கள் பிரான் திருப்பாச்சில் ஆச்சிரா

        மம் பணிய நண்ணும் போதில்.

பொழிப்புரை : அவ்விடத்தினின்றும் நீங்கி அருகில் உள்ள சிவபெருமானின் பிற திருப்பதிகளையும் வணங்கி, செந்தாமரை மலர்களின் மொட்டு அவிழ, சேல்மீன் பாய, தேன் பொழிவதால் சேறு உலராத வயல்களையுடைய, பொங்கும் ஒலிமிக்க நீரையுடைய மழநாட்டில், காவிரியின் வடகரை வழியாகச் சென்ற சீகாழித் தலைவர், நம் இறைவரின் திருப்பாச்சிலாச்சிராமத்தைத் தொழுவதற்குச் சேரும் பொழுதில்,

பாச்சில் - ஊரின் பெயர். ஆச்சிராமம் - கோயிலின் பெயர். `பதி பிறவும்' என்பன திருத்தவத்துறை, பூவாளுர், திருமங்கலம் முதலியன வாகலாம் என்பர் சிவக்கவிமணியார். பதிகங்கள் கிடைத்தில.

Moolavar  : Sri Samavedeeswarar

Consort    : Sri Lokanayagi  

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

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Kambathadi Vinayagar, balipeedam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram under a mandapam. Moolavar is of Swayambhu, who appeared under a Kondrai tree. In koshtam Pichadanar, Dakshinamurthy, Uthanga Munivar, Sankara Narayanar ( Upper right hand holds mazhu and left hand holds Conch. Peyalwar describes Sankara narayanar as “தாழ்சடையும் நீள்முடியும் ஒன்மழுவும், சக்கரமும் சூழரவும் பொன்நாணும் தோன்றுமால் சூழும் திரண்டருவி பாயும் திருமலை மேல் எந்தைக்கு இரண்டுருவும் ஒன்றாய் இசைந்து”), Brahma ( holding akka mala and kundigai ) and Durgai ( as shantha roopi wearing kandigai, sarapalli, savadi, conch, chakra, in standing posture ).

In prakaram Parasuramar worshiped Shiva Linga, Maha Ganapathy, Valli Devasena Kalyana Subramaniar ( Valli is sitting on Peacock ), Arumuga with 4 hands, Gajalakshmi, The Shiva Linga who gave Mukthi to Anaya Nayanar, Appar, Thirugnanasambandar, Aanayar, Chandikeswarar, Bana Linga, Ambal who gave Mukthi to Anaya nayanar, Natarajar, Kala Bhairava, Suriyan, Saneeswarar, Navagrahas and Chandikeswarar. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi between second level entrance and Rishabam. 

In prakaram Parasuramar worshiped Shiva Linga, Maha Ganapathy, Valli Devasena Kalyana Subramaniar ( Valli is sitting on Peacock ), Arumuga with 4 hands, Gajalakshmi, The Shiva Linga who gave Mukthi to Anaya Nayanar, Appar, Thirugnanasambandar, Aanayar, Chandikeswarar, Bana Linga, Ambal who gave Mukthi to Anaya nayanar, Natarajar, Kala Bhairava, Suriyan, Saneeswarar, Navagrahas and Chandikeswarar. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi between second level entrance and Rishabam. 

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and mukha mandapam with different elevated levels. This facilitates the darshan of Lord Shiva from the entrance of the temple. The adhisthana is of simple padabandha adhisthana on a upapeedam. The temple was built with stone from Upa peedam to prastaram. The sanctum walls are supported with Brahmakantha and Vishnukantha pilasters with usual features of Kalasam, Thadi, kumbham, pali, palakai, veerakandam and Pothyal. The pothyals are of Tharanga pothigai. Dwarf bhuta ganas are in the valabi. Yazhi vari is on the Bhumidesam.

A dvithala Vimana is on the Sanctum sanctorum. The Sikaram is of Dravida style with mahanasis are on the cardinal directions and alpa nasis in between them. The Griva koshta has the stucco images of Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Lord Shiva with Parvati and Vinayagar.

The Ganda of upa peedam and adhisthana has the miniature sculptures. The sculptures includes, the images from the epic Ramayana, Mahisasuramardini in two panels, Rama & Lakshmana with Anjaneyar, rama and lakshmana with Sita, Two warriors with Keerthi mukha Bhuta, Lingothbavar, Markandeya purana,  Pichadanar, Kannan leelas, Pregnant lady is being helped for delivery, Vali Sugriva Fight, Mourning of Vali’s death, Dancers, Narasimha with Hiranya, Rishabanthigar, etc are worth to watch.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since this is one of the Devara vaippu sthalam, this temple might have existed during 6^th to 7^th Century. May be reconstructed as stone temple during Chozha period. 

The inscription recorded from this temple belongs to Rajendra Chozha-I, Rajathirajan, Veera Rajendran and Kulothunga Chozha. As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as Sri “Parasurameeswaram udaya Mahadevar.

The temple’s Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 16^th June 1959 and 23^rd June 1961 with a span of 2 years ( ..?). 

LEGENDS

It is special that a mixture of 5 oil abhishekam will be done for Shiva Linga which gave mukthi to Anaya Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmar. He was born and attained mukti at this place. Jack fruit mixed with honey will be offered to Lord Shiva as naivedyam.

Saneeswaran’s vahana is facing north, hence it is believed that the lost properties will be retrieved if prayed to this Saneeswarar. Devotees prays Durga to get rid of the marriage obstacles. 

It is believed that Thirumagal – Maha Lakshmi worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, hence this place obtained the name as Thirumangalam.

It is believed that this place if equivalent to Kasi and Lord Shiva created the Phalguni River.

It is believed that Jaini Munivar, the disciple of Vyasa Maharishi, split Samaveda in to 1000 and prayed Lord Shiva. Hence Lord Shiva obtained the name of “Samavedeeswarar”.

It is believed that Maha Lakshmi, Kuberan, Indran, Siyavana Munivar and Uthanga Maharishi  worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. This is the temple in which Lord Shiva gave back Pathi to Rathi and Parasuramar received Mazhu from Lord Shiva.  It is further believed that Chandikeswarar got relieved from Pithru Hathi dosham for killing his father and Parasuramar got relieved from Matru Hathi dosham for killing his mother after worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple.

Pic and Sculpture of Mahishamardini

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular pojas, special poojas are conducted on, Pradosham, Fridays, Mahashivaratri, Thai Pongal, Vinayagar Chathurthi and Karthigai Deepam.

Anaya Nayanar’s Guru pooja will be conducted on Hastha Nakshatra day in the month Karthigai, every year. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Th mobile numbers of B.Gnanaskanda Gurukkal +91 97100 64571, +91 98654 22027 and land line number +91 431 2541040 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Thirumangalam is 4 KM from Lalgudi, 19 KM from Main Guard gate, 27 KM from Tiruchirappalli, 90 KM from Karur, 90 KM from Namakkal, 50 KM from Thanjavur, 73 KM from Kumbakonam and 322 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Lalgudi and Junction is Tiruchirappalli.    

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Krishna

Kanna

Rishabanthigar

Dancing to the music

Lord Shiva with Parvathi

Narasimha fights with Hiranyakasipu

Hiranyakashipu vatham

Mourning of Vali's death

A Pregnant lady being assisted for delivery

Pichadanar

Lingothbavar

Rama & Lakshmana with Hanuman

Rama & Lakshmana with Sita

Nandi Devar with his consort

Gandabreunda 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---