Sri Viswanatha Swamy Temple / ஸ்ரீவிஸ்வநாத சுவாமி கோயில், Rudrakeshwarar Temple, Thepperumanallur/ தேப்பெருமாநல்லூர், Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Viswanatha Swamy Temple, Theperumanallur, Kumbakonam, was a part of the “Sembiyan Mahadeviyar Temples Heritage Tour” organized by கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் on 09^th March 2025. Shiva is also called Rudrakeshwarar.

Moolavar    : Sri Viswanatha Swamy aka Rudrakeshwarar.

Consort      : Sri Vedanayagi / Vedantanayagi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east, with an entrance from the west side. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are on the east side. There are entrances from the South and East sides of the ardha mandapam. Moolavar is with rudraksha kavasam, under the rudraksha pandal. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Vinayagar, Maha Vishnu, and Durgai.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, 2 Bairavars, Saniswarar, and Magarantha Maharishi worshipped Shiva Lingam, Nagars, Rahu, Ketu, and Chandikeswarar.

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi in the ardha mandapam. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.  

Some of the specialties of this temple are Kapala Vinayagar, wearing a skull garland (The eyes are at the center, not like an elephant), Annadhana Dakshinamurthy, and Annadhana Shiva Lingas. Moolavar is always with Rudraksha Kavasam, and abhishekam will be done with Rudraksha beads.  

ARCHITECTURE

The complete temple was built with bricks and concrete. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, and Magarantha Maharishi are on the top of the east side entrance to the ardha mandapam. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Vishnu kantha pilasters with kalasam kudam, palakai, and pushpa pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. An Eka tala vesara vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the greeva koshtams.

The Moolavar and Ambal temples are constructed like chariots with wheels pulled by horses. (The Ambal temple is with Anna Bird.)

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Based on the iconography of the Dakshinamurthy, the temple may belong to the 12^th to 13^th Century, the Chozha period.

The bell was gifted by Tension, Tenshini, Vasanthan, and Muthuvel of Suzhipuram, Yazhpanam (Srilanka), now in Denmark on 12^th December 2018. 

LEGENDS

The east side entrance will be kept open on pradosham, Masi Maham, and Maha Shivaratri days. As per Magarantha Maharishi.

On pradosham day, the east side entrance will be kept open from 16.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs. Entering and worshipping Shiva through this will get one relieved from sins accumulated over 21 generations and pitru dosha.

On Masi Maha Nakshatra day, the east side entrance will be kept open from 08.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs. Entering and worshipping Shiva through this will lead to wealth for 21 generations.

On Maha Shivaratri day, the east side entrance will be kept open from 16.00 hrs to 08.00 hrs the next day. Entering through this and worshipping Shiva will get all 16 wealth and live with long life.

The parivara deities are in different postures, and the temple is not constructed as per the agama. Hence, it is believed that those who worship Shiva of this temple will not take rebirth, and also those who don’t have rebirth can only enter and worship Shiva of this temple.

This is a parihara sthalam for Sarba dosha, Sani, Rahu, and Ketu doshas.     

Rahu and Ketu

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from the regular 4 kala poojas, special poojas will be conducted on Pradosham, Masi Maham Nakshatra Day, Maha Shivaratri Day, etc. Abhishekam will be done with Rudraksha beads.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 08.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Viswanatha Gurukkal’s mobile numbers +919944749285 and +917010135951 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The place Theperumanallur is 1.6 km from Thirunageswaram, 5.6 km from Thiruvidaimarudhur, and 6.5 km from Kumbakonam.

The nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Kailasanathar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ கைலாசநாதர் கோயில், ஸ்ரீ சரபசூலினி/Sri Sarabha Soolini, Ashta Bairavar, Sri Simharooda Varahi Temples, Pilanjeri/பிளாஞ்சேரி, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to the Sri Kailasanathar Temple, Pilanjeri, Kumbakonam, was a part of the “Sembiyan Mahadeviyar Temples Heritage Tour” organized by கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் on 09^th March 2025. The temple complex also consists of the Sarabasoolini, Ashta Bairabvars, and Simharoods Varahi Temples.

Maha Sathasivamurthy as Ravana Anugraha Murthy

Moolavar   : Sri Kailasanathar

Consort     : Sri Kamakshi Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple complex faces east, with a recently built mandapam. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati, Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the top of the mandapam. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the temple. Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the entrance to the temple. Stucco images of Maha Sadasiva Murti as Ravana Anugraha Murti, Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the top of the entrance. Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswaarar, Bairavar, Saniswarar, and Aiyyappan.

Ambal Kamakshi is in a separate sannidhi, faces South in the ardha mandapam. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

The Saraba Soolini is in a separate sannidhi facing east on the left side of the temple complex. Saraba Soolini is sitting on her Simha Vahana with 16 hands and a ferocious look. She holds a trishul and kills the demon. Ashta Bairavar sannidhis are around the Saraba Soolini sannidhi. Ashta Bairavars are with various vahanas.

Saraba Soolini

 Ruru Bairavar

 Asitanga Bairavar

 Chanda Bairavar

 Krodha Bairavar

Unmatta Bairavar

 Kapala Bairavar

Samhara Bairavar

 Bairavar

The Varahai sannidhi faces north, on the right side of the temple complex. The Varahi is sitting on a Lion and holds a club and a plough in her upper hands, and her lower hands are in abhaya varada hastam.  

ARCHITECTURE

The complete temple was constructed with bricks, cement, and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The temple construction does not conform to any style. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. An Eka tala vesara vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built in recent years.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Brahma advised the Saptarishis to do penance on Shiva to save the living things from pralaya. Athiri Maharishi’s son, Prasamaharishi, requests permission to join the Sapta Maharishis to do penance. But Brahma said that he could not join since he still had the poorva janma karmas. Angered Prasamaharishi came to this temple and did penance on Shiva. Satisfied with the Prasamaharishi’s penance, Shiva appeared before him and said that he to establish Soolini Devi and do Jayamangala yaga on the 1008^th pournami day. You will be relieved from bad karmas, and this earth will be saved from the pralaya.  Since you worshipped this place, it will be called Pirasavanacheri, which has become Pilancheri.

It is believed to get rid of Abimiruthyu Dosha, Pitru Dosha, Pancha maha sins, Gandas, and accidents, by doing Rudra Homa and abhishekam with 16 kinds of materials.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular 4 kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, ashtami, Vinayakar Chaturthi.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and from 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The place Pilanjeri is 2.1 km from Thirunageswaram, 6.4 km from Thiruvidaimaruthur, and 3.9 km from Kumbakonam.

The nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Vikramasoleswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ விக்ரம சோழீஸ்வரர் கோயில், North, S Agraharam, திப்பிராஜபுரம்/ Thippirajapuram, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Vikramasoleeswarar Temple at Thippirajapuram was a part of the Shiva and Vishnu temples visit on 08^th March 2025, the previous day of the “Sembiyan Mahadeviyar Temples Heritage Tour” organized by கும்பகோணம் வட்டார வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம், on 09^th March 2025. The temple is on the banks of the TR Patnam River, on the Kumbakonam to Mannargudi bus route.

Moolavar   : Sri Vikrama Chozheeswarar

Consort     : Sri Abirami

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance on the east and South (the East is kept closed). Balipeedam and Rishabam are on the east side. Dwarapalakas are in the form of paintings. Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar in the sanctum is on a round avudayar. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy and Durgai.

In praharam, Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Saraswati, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Suryan, and Chandran.

Ambal Abirami is in a separate sannidhi facing South in the ardha mandapam. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, the ardha mandapam, and the maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Vishnu kantha pilasters with kalasam kudam, palakai, and pushpa pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. An eka tala vesara vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the greeva koshtams.

The mandapas are of vavval nethi mandapas built during the Maratha period. Bas reliefs of Makara, Lizard chasing a Mouse, and Lunar and Solar eclipse are on the east side mandapa ceiling. Donor bas reliefs are on the South side mukha mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple belongs to the 12th-century Vikrama Chozha (1118 – 1135 CE) period. Later, the mandapas were constructed by the Marathas.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 26th August 2021. 

LEGENDS

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradoshaam, Maha Shivaratri days, Fridays, Amavasya, Pournami, Vinayagar Chaturthi, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

Thippirajapuram is on the Kumbakonam to Mannargudi Road via Needamangalam, after the TR Patnam River. The temple is 6.4 km from Kumbakonam, 37 km from Needamangalam, and 30.3 km from Mannargudi.

The nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---