A great temple very old one You tube is so beautiful to have dharsan KR https://youtu.be/Czq6HmZa_64
On Fri, 9 May 2025 at 11:44, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > *VANCHINADHA SWAMY TEMPLE, SRIVANCHIYAM, TIRUVARUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.* > > Dear friends, > > Today my posting is about the Vanchinadha Swamy temple, a temple dedicated > to the deity Shiva, located in Srivanchiyam, Tiruvarur District, Tamil > Nadu. Shiva is worshiped as Vanchinadha Swamy, and is represented by the > lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Mangalambigai Amman*. The > temple has many specialities like having a sannidhi for Lord Yama. It is > one of the rarest Siva temples where there are no nava grahas.* > > Hope a divine reading. > > *Gopalakrishnan 09-5-2025* > > Introduction > > The Srivanchiyam Vanchinathar Temple is a significant Shiva temple located > in Srivanchiyam, a village in Tiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu. > > It is considered one of the six sacred Shivasthalams on the banks of the > Cauvery river, and the temple's Shiva Lingam, Vanchinathar, is a Swayambu > Lingam. > > *The temple is also unique for having a separate shrine dedicated to Yama, > the God of Death*, and the *first puja is traditionally performed to Yama > before worshipping Shiva. * > > Here's a more detailed look at the temple: > > Location: Srivanchiyam, Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, India. > > Deity: Lord Shiva, known as Vanchinathar, with his consort Mangalanayaki. > > Significance: One of the six sacred Shivasthalams on the Cauvery, 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 King Rajendra Chola > in 850 CE. > > Temple Complex: The temple features numerous shrines, including those of > Vanchinadhaswamy, Yama, and Mangala Nayagi Amman. > > 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. > > Sri Vanjinatha Swamy Temple is the prime centre of attraction of > Srivanchiyam attracting lots of Devotees. This Temple is built on the banks > of 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 a fight with his > other consort Bhoodevi 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.* > > *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. > > As per another legend, it is said that the Goddess Ganga once sought a > solution from Lord to cleanse Herself since she was left with all the sins > of the people who took bath in the river. Lord directed Her to pray at a > place where Yama (God of Death) was blessed by Him. As per the Lord’s > advice, Ganga took bath in the temple’s tank to purify herself. Hence the > Theertham is called Gupta Ganga Theertham. Moreover, it is still believed > that this tank is holier than the river Ganga and a dip in this tank > liberates us from all of the sins and there would be no rebirth. > > History > > 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. This current Temple complex > was built by Chola Kings and later many developments were done by the > Rulers of Vijayanagaras and Thanjavur Nayakas. > > Architecture > > The temple complex covers an area of 2 acres 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. > > Details about 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 Gupta Gangai which > is square in shape with 150 metres (490 ft). 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. > > *Lord Yama is sported in seated posture with Chitragupta by his side*. > Special Poojas will be performed to Yama in the name of the people seeking > peaceful death as well for the people who seek longevity. > > 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. > > It has two nandhis facing both sides of Vanchinadha. Rahu-Ketu, carved > out in a composite sculpture. There is a separate sannathi for > Shani.*Srivanchiyam > temple is considered equivalents of Kasi. * > > Main deity > > The Shivalingam present in the temple here is called a Swayambhu or self > manifested idol*. It is said to face both the East and the West*. Thus > the pujas are done facing both the East and the West. > > God Yama > > Yama prayed to Lord Shiva to assign him some other job than taking the > lives of people because he was feeling bad. Siva explained him that later > in the world deaths will be a result of diseases and thus he would no > longer be blamed. > > *He also granted him the wish that the devotees coming here will **first > worship him **and then go on to worship the Lord*. Till date the first > puja in the temple is done for Yama and later Shiva is worshipped. > > Sub deities > > There is another three tiered East facing Rajagopuram. On the way to the > Moolasthanam is a Prasada Stall, Temple Office and a Sub Shrine for > *Abhyangara > Vinayagar and Bala Murugan*. Likewise there is a Adhikara Nandhi and a > Shodasha Vinayagar and *they have to be Prayed before entering the > Moolasthanam*. > > It is said that on the whole *this Temple has 16 different Idols of > Ganapathy under various names.* Beyond this is a Mandapam with rock > solid granite pillars. At the threshold of the Moolasthanam are two > colourful Dwara Baalakas. Apart from this there is another pair 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 and Lord > Natarajar. At the threshold of the Natarajar Shrine Sri Vyagarapadha > Munivar and Sri Pathanjali Munivar stand guard as Dwara Baalakas. The > Temple has Sub Shrines for Bhairavar(without dog) and Saneeswaran. It is > unique here that the *Raahu and Kethu near the Bhairavar Sannadhi is a > single idol.* > > Poojas > > The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. > > 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. > > 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. > > Festivals > > Twelve yearly festivals on its calendar, with the Masi Magam festival > celebrated during the Tamil month of Maasi (February - March) being the > most prominent. > > 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. > > Gupatha Gangai > > 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. > > A spring present in the temple complex, called Gupta Ganga is a holy site*. > It is said in mythology that Mother Ganga prayed to God to cleanse her off > the sins of those who took a bath in her water and thereby she united with > the spring and let go only* some part of her holiness. The place or the > spring is thus considered even more holy than Ganga. > > How to worship in the temple > > This Temple has a 5 tiered colourful Rajagopuram. On the right of the > Rajagopuram is a huge Sacred Tank or Pushkarani and *Devotees coming to > this Temple are expected to have a bath or atleast sprinkle the Holy Water > of this Tank on them.* > > There is a small Pillayar Sannadhi close to this Sacred Tank. First all > should worship him. To the left of the Rajagopuram is the Shrine for > Yamadharman who is found here along with Chitragupthan and this Shrine is > known as Kshethra paalakar. 2ndly all should worship Yamadharma and Chitra > Guptha before worshiping Lord Siva and Mangalabigai. > > Benefits associated with Srivanjiyam Temple: > > Resolution of Sins: > > A visit to Srivanjiyam is believed to help resolve the sins of devotees > and their ancestors. > > Salvation for Departed Souls: > > Performing rituals like Pithru Tharpana (ancestor rites) at the temple is > said to grant salvation to departed souls. > > Spiritual Purification: > > The sacred tanks, Yama Theertham and Gupta Ganga, are believed to purify > and protect devotees. > > Liberation from Karma: > > Visiting the temple is said to help in dissolving past karma and achieving > liberation from the cycle of rebirth. > > Divine Intercession: > > Srivanjiyam is believed to offer divine intercession and blessings for > various needs, including clarity, prosperity, and overcoming obstacles. > > Sacred Tree:The temple's sthala vriksham (sacred tree) is the Sandalwood > tree, adding to its spiritual significance. > > Longevity > > Some refer this as Ayull Virudhi Sthalam. This Temple is believed to > remove the Death Fear (Yama Bayam or Marana Bayam) of Devotees visiting > this Temple. > > Nivarthi sthala > > It is said that the visit to these temples would resolve all the sins of a > person and his ancestors. This Sthalam is considered as one of the *Pitru > Kadan Nivarthi Sthala* and so it is auspicious to perform Tharpanam (a > ritual to pay tribute to ancestors) on a New Moon day (Amavasya). > > Moksha sthalam > > This Sthalam is considered as the Moksha or Mukti Sthalam as the Lord > gives Moksha to all the souls that depart in Srivanchiyam. It is believed > 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 there is an > unfortunate event or death nearby. *But here in Srivanchiyam temple, > these events will not have any impact on the daily routine or the pooja of > the temple. The temple will not be closed even during the times of Lunar > and Solar eclipses*. > > Instead, special Abishekam and Poojas will be conducted to the Lord > Vanchinathar and Yama on these days. > > Opened during eclipse and death in near by areas > > Generally, the temple poojas will not be conducted if there is an > unfortunate event or death nearby. *But here in Srivanchiyam temple, > these events will not have any impact on the daily routine or the pooja of > the temple. The temple will not be closed even during the times of Lunar > and Solar eclipses*. > > Instead, special Abishekam and Poojas will be conducted to the Lord > Vanchinathar and Yama on these days. > > Temple timings > > The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 8.00 > p.m. Temple Phone Number: Swaminatha Gurukkal 98421 81507 (Devotees can > call only between 1 PM to 3 PM) , Raja Raja Gurukkal 94424 03926 > > Administration > > The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and > Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. > > Goshala > > The Temple has a well maintained Ghoshala. > > Location of the temple > > Distance from Thiruvarur to 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 > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1626832108.413578.1746771268215%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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