VANCHINADHASWAMY TEMPLE, SRIVANCHIYAM, TIRUVARUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU. Dear friends,
Today my posting is about the Vanchinadha Swamy temple, a templededicated to the deity Shiva, located in Srivanchiyam, Tiruvarur District,Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshiped as Vanchinadha Swamy, and is represented by thelingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Mangalambigai Amman. The temple has many specialitieslike having a sannidhi for Lord Yama. It is one of the rarest Siva temples where there are nonava grahas. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 09-5-2025 Introduction The Srivanchiyam Vanchinathar Temple is a significant Shivatemple located in Srivanchiyam, a village in Tiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu. It is considered oneof the six sacred Shivasthalams on the banks of the Cauvery river, and thetemple's Shiva Lingam, Vanchinathar, is a Swayambu Lingam. The temple is also uniquefor having a separate shrine dedicated to Yama, the God of Death, and the first puja is traditionally performed to Yama beforeworshipping Shiva. Here's a more detailedlook at the temple: Location: Srivanchiyam, Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu,India. Deity: Lord Shiva, known as Vanchinathar, with his consortMangalanayaki. Significance: One of the six sacred Shivasthalams on theCauvery, and the temple is believed to resolve sins and bless ancestors. Yama's Shrine: A separate shrine for Yama, the God of Death,is a prominent feature, with worship of Yama preceding that of Shiva. History: Estimated to be over 1100 years old, built by KingRajendra Chola in 850 CE. Temple Complex: The temple features numerous shrines,including those of Vanchinadhaswamy, Yama, and Mangala Nayagi Amman. Shiva is worshiped asVanchinadha Swamy, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati isdepicted as Mangalambigai Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7thcentury Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poetsknown as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. Sri Vanjinatha Swamy Temple is the prime centre of attractionof Srivanchiyam attracting lots of Devotees. This Temple is built on the banksof River Mudikondan and the Temple is also known as a Poorva Jenma Pava Vimochana Sthalam. Legends As per legend, once Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu had afight with his other consort Bhoodevi and left their abode, Vaikunta. She cameto earth and Vishnu followed in search of her. He found a Linga (an iconic form of Shiva) in a Sandalwoodforest and started worshipping Shiva. Shiva was pleased with the devotion and he restored Lakshmito Vishnu. Since Vishnuhelped Lakshmi, locally called "Sri", the place came to be known asSrivanchiyam. As per another legend, a sage named Sarva was performingpenance on the banks of river Sarayu. A divine voice told him that the Dharmawould get destroyed during Kaliyuga. The sage was running towards the templeshouting "Shivaya Namaha, Thiruvanjiyam Abayam". Kali, another form of Yama was running behind the sage.He was stopped by Shiva onthe border of the village. Shiva appeared as Vanchinathar to ward off the threat ofYama, who is stationed in a shrine outside the first precinct following thelegend. As per another legend, it is said that the Goddess Ganga oncesought a solution from Lord to cleanse Herself since she was left with all thesins of the people who took bath in the river. Lord directed Her to pray at a place where Yama (God of Death) wasblessed by Him. As per the Lord’s advice, Ganga took bath in the temple’s tankto purify herself. Hence the Theertham is called Gupta Ganga Theertham.Moreover, it is still believed that this tank is holier than the river Gangaand a dip in this tank liberates us from all of the sins and there would be norebirth. History The present masonry structure was built during the Choladynasty in the 11th century, while later expansions are attributed toVijayanagar rulers of the Thanjavur Nayaks of the 16th century. This currentTemple complex was built by Chola Kings and later many developments were doneby the Rulers of Vijayanagaras and Thanjavur Nayakas. Architecture The temple complex covers an area of 2 acres and houses twogateway towers known as gopurams. The tallest is the eastern tower, with 11 storiesand a height of 108 feet (33 m) The temple has numerous shrines, with those ofVanchinadhaswamy, Yama and Mangala Nayagi Amman being the most prominent. Details about thetemple The presiding deity of the temple is Shiva in the name ofVanchinathan and the name of the Goddess is Mangalambika. The sthala vriksham (sacred tree ofthis temple) is Sandalwood tree. The sacred tank of this sthalam (place) is called the Gupta Gangai which is squarein shape with 150 metres (490 ft). It is one of the shrines of the 275 PaadalPetra Sthalams. It is one of the rare temples where there is a separate shrinefor Yama, the Hindu god of death. Lord Yama is sported inseated posture with Chitragupta by his side. Special Poojas will be performed to Yama in the nameof the people seeking peaceful death as well for the people who seek longevity. Gupta Ganga, Yama Theertham, Agni Theertham and LakshmiTheertham are the various bodies of water associated with the temple. Masimagam is the most prominent festival in the temple whenthe festival image of Shiva is taken in the mount of Yamaaround the streets of Srivanchiyam. It has two nandhisfacing both sides of Vanchinadha. Rahu-Ketu, carved out in a compositesculpture. There is a separate sannathi for Shani.Srivanchiyam temple is consideredequivalents of Kasi. Main deity The Shivalingam present in the temple here is called aSwayambhu or self manifested idol. It is said to face both the East and the West. Thus thepujas are done facing both the East and the West. God Yama Yama prayed to Lord Shiva to assign him some other job thantaking the lives of people because he was feeling bad. Siva explainedhim that later in the world deaths will be a result of diseases and thus hewould no longer be blamed. He also granted him thewish that the devotees coming here will first worship him andthen go on to worship the Lord. Till date the first puja in the temple is done for Yama andlater Shiva is worshipped. Sub deities There is another three tiered East facing Rajagopuram. On theway to the Moolasthanam is a Prasada Stall, Temple Office and a Sub Shrine for Abhyangara Vinayagar and BalaMurugan. Likewise there is a Adhikara Nandhi and a ShodashaVinayagar and theyhave to be Prayed before entering the Moolasthanam. It is said that on the whole this Temple has 16 different Idols of Ganapathy undervarious names. Beyond this isa Mandapam with rock solid granite pillars. At the threshold of theMoolasthanam are two colourful Dwara Baalakas. Apart from this there is anotherpair of black vigraha Dwara Baalakas closer to the Moolasthanam. There are Sub Shrines for 63 Naayanmaars, Kasi Viswanathar,Dhakshinamoorthy, Kanni Vinayagar, Sattanathar, Meenakshi Sundareshwarar,Subramaniyar, Chandramouleeswarar, Mahalakshmi, and Durgai. There are exclusive Sub Shrines for Mahishasura Mardhini andLord Natarajar. At the threshold of the Natarajar Shrine Sri VyagarapadhaMunivar and Sri Pathanjali Munivar stand guard as Dwara Baalakas. The Templehas Sub Shrines for Bhairavar(withoutdog) and Saneeswaran. It is unique here that the Raahu and Kethu near the BhairavarSannadhi is a single idol. Poojas The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:00a.m. to 9 p.m. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong tothe Shaiva community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed sixtimes a day; Ushathkalam at 5:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamamat 8:00 p.m. There are weekly rituals like somavaram (Monday) andsukravaram (Friday), fortnightly rituals like pradosham and monthly festivalslike amavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moon day) and sathurthi. Festivals Twelve yearly festivals on its calendar, with the Masi Magamfestival celebrated during the Tamil month of Maasi (February - March) beingthe most prominent. During the Tamil month of Kaarththigai (Nov-Dec),Theerthavari (sacred water splash) is conducted in the Guptha Gangai (templetank) on all Sundays. It also includes a ten-day festival and a car festival atthe end of the month. Gupatha Gangai This is a sacred tankin which goddess Ganga herself bathes to cleanse herself from the sins. A holydip in this tank is equivalent to that of one in Kasi. A spring present in the temple complex, called Gupta Ganga isa holy site. It is said inmythology that Mother Ganga prayed to God to cleanse her off the sins of thosewho took a bath in her water and thereby she united with the spring and let goonly some part ofher holiness. The place or the spring is thus considered even more holythan Ganga. How to worship in thetemple This Temple has a 5 tiered colourful Rajagopuram. On theright of the Rajagopuram is a huge Sacred Tank or Pushkarani and Devotees coming to this Temple areexpected to have a bath or atleast sprinkle the Holy Water of this Tank onthem. There is a small Pillayar Sannadhi close to this Sacred Tank.First all should worship him. To theleft of the Rajagopuram is the Shrine for Yamadharman who is found here alongwith Chitragupthan and this Shrine is known as Kshethra paalakar. 2ndly allshould worship Yamadharma and Chitra Guptha before worshiping Lord Siva and Mangalabigai. Benefits associatedwith Srivanjiyam Temple: Resolution of Sins: A visit to Srivanjiyam is believed to help resolve the sinsof devotees and their ancestors. Salvation forDeparted Souls: Performing rituals like Pithru Tharpana (ancestor rites) atthe temple is said to grant salvation to departed souls. SpiritualPurification: The sacred tanks, Yama Theertham and Gupta Ganga, arebelieved to purify and protect devotees. Liberation fromKarma: Visiting the temple is said to help in dissolving past karmaand achieving liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Divine Intercession: Srivanjiyam is believed to offer divine intercession andblessings for various needs, including clarity, prosperity, and overcomingobstacles. Sacred Tree:The temple's sthala vriksham (sacred tree) is theSandalwood tree, adding to its spiritual significance. Longevity Some refer this as Ayull Virudhi Sthalam. This Temple isbelieved to remove the Death Fear (Yama Bayam or Marana Bayam) of Devoteesvisiting this Temple. Nivarthi sthala It is said that the visit to these temples would resolve allthe sins of a person and his ancestors. This Sthalam is considered as one ofthe Pitru Kadan NivarthiSthala and so it is auspicious to perform Tharpanam (a ritual to paytribute to ancestors) on a New Moon day (Amavasya). Moksha sthalam This Sthalam is considered as the Moksha or Mukti Sthalam asthe Lord gives Moksha to all the souls that depart in Srivanchiyam. It isbelieved that there is no rebirth for the people who die in this Sthalam. Opened during eclipse and death in near by areas Generally, the temple poojas will not be conducted if thereis an unfortunate event or death nearby. But here in Srivanchiyam temple, these events will not haveany impact on the daily routine or the pooja of the temple. The temple will notbe closed even during the times of Lunar and Solar eclipses. Instead, specialAbishekam and Poojas will be conducted to the Lord Vanchinathar and Yama onthese days. Opened during eclipse and death in near by areas Generally, the temple poojas will not be conducted if thereis an unfortunate event or death nearby. But here in Srivanchiyam temple, these events will not haveany impact on the daily routine or the pooja of the temple. The temple will notbe closed even during the times of Lunar and Solar eclipses. Instead, specialAbishekam and Poojas will be conducted to the Lord Vanchinathar and Yama onthese days. Temple timings The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 3.00p.m. to 8.00 p.m. TemplePhone Number: Swaminatha Gurukkal 98421 81507 (Devotees can call only between 1PM to 3 PM) , Raja Raja Gurukkal 9442403926 Administration The temple is maintained and administered by the HinduReligious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Goshala The Temple has a well maintained Ghoshala. Location of the temple Distance from Thiruvarurto Srivanchiyam is 17 Kms Nearest Railway Station is Nannilam R.S -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1626832108.413578.1746771268215%40mail.yahoo.com.
