Vanchinadha Swamy Temple

Last updated

Sri Vanchinadha Swamy Temple
Vanjiyamvanjinathaswamytemple1.jpg
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
Deity Sri Vanchinadha Swamy (Shiva)
Mangalambigai (Parvathi)
Location
LocationSrivanchiyam
State Tamil Nadu
Country India
India Tamil Nadu location map.svg
Om symbol.svg
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates 10°29′N78°41′E / 10.483°N 78.683°E / 10.483; 78.683 Coordinates: 10°29′N78°41′E / 10.483°N 78.683°E / 10.483; 78.683
Architecture
Type Dravidian architecture

Vanchinadha Swamy temple [1] is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Srivanchiyam, Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Vanchinadha Swamy, and is represented by the lingam . His consort Parvati is depicted as Mangalambigai Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram , written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam .

Contents

The temple complex covers an area of 2 acres (0.81 ha) and houses two gateway towers known as gopurams . The tallest is the eastern tower, with 11 stories and a height of 108 feet (33 m) The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Vanchinadhaswamy, Yama and Mangala Nayagi Amman being the most prominent. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 9 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar, with the Masi Magam festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Maasi (February - March) being the most prominent.

The present masonry structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 11th century, while later expansions are attributed to Vijayanagar rulers of the Thanjavur Nayaks of the 16th century. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

Shrine of Yama Vanjiyamvanjinathaswamytemple4.jpg
Shrine of Yama

As per Hindu legend, once Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu had a fight with him and left their abode, Vaikunta. She came to earth and Vishnu followed in search of her. He found a Linga (an iconic form of Shiva) in a Sandalwood forest and started worshipping Shiva. Shiva was pleased with the devotion and he restored Lakshmi to Vishnu. Since Vishnu helped Lakshmi, locally called "Sri", the place came to be known as Srivanchiyam.This story is not mentioned in puranas. As per another legend, a sage named Sarva was performing penance on the banks of river Sarayu. A divine voice told him that the Dharma would get destroyed during Kaliyuga. The sage was running towards the temple shouting "Shivaya Namaha, Thiruvanjiyam Abayam". Kali, another form of Yama was running behind the sage. He was stopped by Shiva on the border of the village. Shiva appeared as Vanchinathar to ward off the threat of Yama, who is stationed in a shrine outside the first precinct following the legend. [2]

Architecture

Central shrines of the temple Vanjiyamvanjinathaswamytemple3.jpg
Central shrines of the temple

The presiding deity of the temple is Shiva in the name of Vanchinathan and the name of the Goddess is Mangalambika. The sthala vriksham (sacred tree of this temple) is Sandalwood tree. The sacred tank of this sthalam (place) is called the GuptaGangai which is square in shape with 150 metres (490 ft). [3] It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. It is one of the rare temples where there is a separate shrine for Yama, the Hindu god of death. Yama is sported in seated posture with Chitragupta by his side. Gupta Ganga, Yama Theertham, Agni Theertham and Lakshmi Theertham are the various bodies of water associated with the temple. Masimagam is the most prominent festival in the temple when the festival image of Shiva is taken in the mount of Yama around the streets of Srivanchiyam. [4] It has two nandhis facing both sides of Vanchinadha. Rahu-Ketu, carved out in a composite sculpture. There is a separate sannathi for Shani . [5]

Thiruvayyaru, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thiruvenkadu, Chayavanam and Srivanchiyam are considered equivalents of Kasi. Like in Kasi, where the city is centered around Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the temples in these towns along the banks of river Cauvery, namely Aiyarappar temple in Thiruvaiyaru, Mahalingeswarar temple in Thiruvidaimarudur, Mayuranathaswamy temple in Mayiladuthurai, Chayavaneswarar temple in Sayavanam, Swetharanyeswarar temple in Thiruvenkadu, Srivanchinadhaswamy temple in Srivanchiyam are the centerpieces of the towns. [6]

Worship practices

The temple tank Vanjiyamvanjinathaswamytemple5.jpg
The temple tank

The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Shaiva community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 5:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Vanchinadha swamy and Mangala Nayagi. The worship is held amidst music with nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument), religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred texts) read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast. There are weekly rituals like somavaram (Monday) and sukravaram (Friday), fortnightly rituals like pradosham and monthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moon day) and sathurthi. [5] [7] During the Tamil month of Kaarththigai (Nov-Dec), Theerthavari (sacred water splash) is conducted in the Guptha Gangai (temple tank) on all Sundays. It also includes a ten-day festival and a car festival at the end of the month. [8]

Literary mention and religious importance

Appar, the 7th century Tamil saivite saint poet and nayanar has revered Kumbeswarar and the temple in his verses in Tevaram, compiled as the Fifth Tirumurai. As the temple is revered in Tevaram, it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam , one of the 276 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon. The temple is counted as the seventh in the list of temples in the southern banks of Cauvery. [9] Appar has glorified the temple in nine poems referring the place as Kudamuku and the deity as "Kumbesar". [7] [9] The mention is found in the 59th poem in the Third Tirumurai by Sambandar and 22nd poem in the Fifth Tirumurai by Appar. This is a sacred tank in which goddess Ganga herself bathes to cleanse herself from the sins. A holy dip in this tank is equivalent to that of one in Kasi. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nellaiappar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Nellaiappar Temple corridor is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Tirunelveli, a city in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Nellaiappar represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Kanthimathi Amman. The temple is located on the northern banks of Thamirabarani River in Tirunelveli district. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Thiruparankundram Hindu temple of the god Murugan in Thiruparankundram, India

Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Thiruparankundram is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Murugan at Thiruparankundram, Tamilnadu, India. It is regarded as one of the "six Abodes of Murugan". The temple is built in rock-cut architecture and believed to have been built by the Pandyas during the 6th century. According to the legend. it is where Murugan slayed the demon Surapadman and married Deivayanai, the daughter of the king of heaven, Indra. Also, Murugan is said to have worshipped his father Shiva here as Parangirinathar.

Srivanchiyam is a village located in Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, and is best known for its Vanchinadha Swamy temple. According to the 2011 Census, Srivanchiyam has a geographical area of 428.27 hectares and a population headcount of 2518, with the nearest town being Nannilam, which is 5 kilometres away.

Vilwaneswarar temple Hindu temple in Thiruvaikavur, Tamil Nadu, India

Vilwaneswarar temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thiruvaikavur, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is located 8 km (5.0 mi) north of Kumbakonam, on the southern bank of Kollidam. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is believed to have been built during the Cholas period in the 7th century. Shiva is worshipped as Vilwaneswarar and his consort Parvati as Valaikai Nayagi.

Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur

Mahalingeswaraswamy Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Tiruvidaimaruthur, a village in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the seven major Shiva temples. Shiva is worshiped as Mahalingeswaraswamy, and is represented by the lingam, with his idol referred to as Jyothirmayalingam. His consort Mookambika is depicted as Devi Bruhatsundarakuchaambika or Bruhatsundarakuchaambigai amman. The lingam of the temple is believed to be the focal point for the seven consorts of Shiva. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil poet saints known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The 9th century Saiva saint poet Manikkavacakar has sung praise about the temple in his works.

Erumbeeswarar Temple Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Erumbeeswarar Temple in Thiruverumbur, Tamil Nadu, India, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva. Built on a 60-foot (18 m) tall hill, it is accessible via a flight of steps. The temple's main shrines and its two prakarams are on top of the hill, while a hall and the temple tank are located at the foothills. Shiva is believed to have transformed himself into an ant hill and tilted his head at this place to enable ants to climb up and worship him. Erumbeeswarar is revered in the canonical 7th-century Tamil Saiva work the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Veerateeswarar Temple, Thiruvathigai

Thiruvathigai Veerateeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is situated in Thiruvathigai village which is about 2 kilometres east from the town of Panruti in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Veerattaaneswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Thiripurasundari. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is considered the place where the Saiva saint poet Appar (Thirunavukkarasar) converted back to Saivism, and attained final salvation.

Aiyarappar Temple

Aiyarappar is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the village of Tiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India. The Five Rivers are Vadavaru, Vennaaru, Vettaaru, Kudamuruttiyaaru and Kaaviriyaaru. Shiva is worshiped as Aiyarappar, and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Dharmasamvardhini. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil poet saints known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maanturai Amravaneswarar Temple</span>

Maanturai Amravaneswarar Temple, is a temple dedicated to Hindu deity Shiva, located in Manturai, a village in the outskirts of Trichy, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where the three of the most revered Nayanars, Appar and Tirugnana Sambandar have glorified the temple with their verses during the 7th-8th century. The temple has been widely expanded by Chola kings during the 11th century. The temple has three tiered gateway tower and a tank. Since Shiva bestowed a deer with a mango, this place is called Manthurai.

Prananadeswarar Temple

Prananadeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thirumangalakudi in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Prananatheswarar, and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Mangala Nayagi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil poet saints known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Nadutariappar Temple, Kanrappur Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Nadutariappar Temple, Kanrappur is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located at Kanrappur near Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is incarnated by the hymns of Appar and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Tirunallar Dharbaranyeswarar Temple

Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple or Dharbaranyeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thirukoodalaiyathoor, a village in Cuddalore district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. located in Tirunallar in Karaikal district of Pondicherry, India. Shiva is worshipped as Dharbaranyeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Praneswari Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is counted as one of the nine temples in the Navagraha, the nine planetary deities. It is famous for shani, the planet Saturn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thirumarperu</span>

ThirumarperuManikandeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in Tirumalpur in Ocheri-Tirumalpur road, Tamil Nadu, India. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is believed to have been built during the Cholas period in the 8th century. Shiva is worshipped as Manikandeswarar and his consort Parvathi as Karunai Nayagi.

Agastheeswar Temple Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in Agathiyampalli, India

Agastheeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in the town of Agathiyampalli, Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is revered in the seventh century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is locally called Agasthiyar Kovil.

Kottaiyur Kodeeswarar Temple Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Kottaiyur Kodeeswarar Temple(Tamil: :கொட்டையூர் கோடீஸ்வரர் கோயில்) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in Kottaiyur, a village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam, in Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Koteeswarar and his consort Parvathi as Pandhadu Nayaki. Koteeswarar is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, the 275 temples revered in the canon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sathyanatheswarar temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Sathyanatheswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in the town of Thirukalimedu, near Indira Theertham Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram district in Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Sathyanatheswarar and his consort Parvathi as Pramarambikai. Sathyanatheswarar is revered in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, the 275 temples revered in the canon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaseeswarar Temple</span>

Vaseeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thirupasoor, a village in Tiruvallur district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshiped as Vaseeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Pasupathinayagi. The temple is located on the Southern banks of Poondi reservoir on the Thiruvallur - Thiruthani road, 5 km (3.1 mi) away from the town. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Agnipureeswarar Temple, Thirupugalur

Agnipureeswarar Temple in Thirupugalur, a village in Nagapattinam district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Constructed in the Tamil style of architecture, the temple is believed to have been built during the Cholas period in the 10th century. Shiva is worshipped as Agnipureeswarar and his consort Parvathi as Karundar Kuzhali. The temple is believed to be the place where Saiva saint Appar is believed to have attained salvation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pushpavaneswarar temple</span> Temple in India

Pushpavaneswarar temple in Thirupuvanam, a village in Sivaganga district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is believed to have been built during the Cholas period in the 7th century. Shiva is worshipped as Pushpavaneswarar and his consort Parvathi as Soundaranayagi.

Veerateeswarar Temple, Thiruvirkudi Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Veerateeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Thiruvirkudi in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is Shiva in the form of Veerateswarar and his consort is known as Elavar Kuzhali. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, the 276 temples that find mention in it.

References

  1. ↑ "Abodes of SHiva - Shivasthalams glorified by Tevaram hymns". Templenet.
  2. 1 2 "மரண பயம் போக்கும் ஸ்ரீவாஞ்சியம் என்னும் திருவாஞ்சியம் திருக்கோவில்". Malaimalar. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  3. ↑ Rao, A.V. Shankara Narayana (2012). Temples of Tamil Nadu. Vasan Publications. p. 214-6. ISBN   9788184681123.
  4. ↑ V., Meena (1974). Temples in South India (1st ed.). Kanniyakumari: Harikumar Arts. pp. 29–30.
  5. 1 2 "Sri Vanchinathar temple". Dinamalar. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  6. ↑ Venkatraman, Sekar (2019). Temples of Forgotten Glory: A Wide Angle Exposition. Notion Press. p. 172. ISBN   9781645876250.
  7. 1 2 "Thirukoyil". 1. 15. Hindu Religious And Endowment Board Tamil Nadu. January 2013: 42–43.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)[ permanent dead link ]
  8. ↑ Tourist Guide to Tamil Nadu. Sura Books. 2010. pp. 75–76. ISBN   978-81-7478-177-2.
  9. 1 2 Swamigal, Tirunavukkarasu. "Tevaram Of Tirunavukkaracu Cuvamikal Tirumurai 5 part - 2 Poems(510-516)" (PDF). projectmadurai.org. pp. 33–34. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.