वीली मयानं

पंच मयानं मधलं हे तिसरं मंदिर आहे. पेरंलं आणि पंथोत्तम गावांच्या जवळ आहे. कावेरी नदीच्या दक्षिण काठावर अरसालारू ह्या उपनदीच्या काठावर पंथोत्तमपासून १० किलोमीटर्स वर तसेच मईलादुथुराई-थिरुवरुर मार्गावर मईलादुथुराई पासून २७ किलोमीटर्स वर हे मंदिर वसलं आहे. हे पाडळ पेथ्र स्थळांपैकी पण एक मंदिर आहे. श्री संबंधर, श्री अप्पर आणि श्री सुंदरर ह्या नायनमारांनी ह्या ठिकाणी भगवान शिवांची स्तुती केली आहे. हे मंदिर साधारण २००० वर्षे जुनं आहे.

मुलवर: श्री नेत्रबनेश्वर, श्री वीलीनाथर, श्री कल्याणसुन्दरेश्वरर

उत्सव मूर्ती: श्री कल्याणसुंदरर

देवी: श्री सुंदर गुजांबिका, श्री कात्यायनी, श्री अळळीयवनमुल्लईअम्मन

पवित्र तीर्थ: विष्णू तीर्थ, दामोदर तीर्थ आणि २५ इतर तीर्थे

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: वीली (चंदन, चंपा, फणस आणि कवठ ह्या वृक्षांना एकत्र वीली असं म्हणतात)

पौराणिक नाव: थिरुवीलीमलई

जिल्हा: थिरुवरुर, तामिळनाडू, तालुका: कुडवसल

क्षेत्र पुराण:

कात्य ऋषी ह्यांनी आपल्या पत्नीसह प्रखर तपश्चर्या करून श्री पार्वती देवींना प्रसन्न केलं आणि त्यामुळे त्यांना एका पुत्रीची प्राप्ती झाली. तिचं नाव त्यांनी कात्यायनी असं ठेवलं. कात्य ऋषींच्या इच्छेनुसार भगवान शिवांनी चित्राई ह्या तमिळ महिन्याच्या मघा नक्षत्रावर कात्यायनीशी विवाह केला. कात्य ऋषींनी भगवान शिवांना विनंती केली कि त्यांनी आणि श्री कात्यायनीने ह्या ठिकाणी वधू-वराच्या पोषाखात राहावं. त्यांच्या विनंतीला मान देऊन श्री पार्वती देवी आणि भगवान शिव वधू-वराच्या पोषाखामध्ये आहेत. 

मिळीलैकुरूम्बूर हा शिकारी कवठ फळ वापरून भगवान शिवांची आराधना करायचा. भगवान शिव त्याच्या आराधनेवर प्रसन्न झाले आणि त्यांनी मिळीलैकुरूम्बूरला अष्टमहासिद्धी प्रदान केल्या. अजूनही इथे भक्तांना भगवान शिवांना कवठ अर्पण केल्याची दृश्य दिसतात. म्हणूनच ह्या स्थळाला वीलीमलई असं म्हणतात. 

एकदा जेव्हा इथे श्री अप्पर आणि श्री संबंधर हे इथे वास्तव्य करीत होते त्यावेळी इथे प्रखर दुष्काळ आला. श्री अप्पर आणि श्री संबंधर ह्यांनी इथे दुष्काळ घालवण्यासाठी भगवान शिवांची स्तुती केली. भगवान शिव त्यांच्या स्वप्नात आले आणि त्यांनी श्री अप्पर आणि श्री संबंधर ह्यांना लोकांना अन्नदान करण्यासाठी म्हणून ते रोज एक सोन्याचं नाणं देतील असं आश्वासन दिलं. श्री अप्पर ह्यांना त्यांनी पश्चिमेच्या बलिपीठावर रोज एक नाणं दिलं तर श्री संबंधर ह्यांना त्यांनी पूर्वेच्या बलिपीठावर रोज एक नाणं दिलं. हि बलिपीठे अजूनही येथे आहेत. ह्या बलिपीठांना पडिक्कासु बलिपीठे असं म्हणतात. श्री विनायकांना इथे श्री पडिक्कासु विनायक असं म्हणतात. 

जालंधर राक्षसाने भगवान विष्णूंचे सुदर्शन चक्र हिरावले. भगवान शिवांनी भगवान विष्णूंना ह्या ठिकाणी येऊन सुदर्शन चक्र परत मिळविण्यासाठी  त्यांची आराधना करावयास सांगितले. भगवान विष्णू येथे आले आणि त्यांनी एक तीर्थ निर्माण केलं ज्याचं नाव विष्णू तीर्थ आहे आणि भगवान शिवांची त्यांनी कमळांनी पूजा केली. अर्चनेसाठी जेव्हा एक कमळ कमी पडलं तेव्हा त्याची पूर्तता करण्यासाठी भगवान विष्णूंनी आपलं एक नेत्र काढून ते कमळ म्हणून अर्पण केलं. भगवान शिव भगवान विष्णूंच्या ह्या भक्तीवर प्रसन्न झाले आणि त्यांनी भगवान विष्णूंचे सुदर्शन चक्र परत मिळवून दिले. भगवान विष्णूंनी अर्पण केलेले नेत्र अजूनही भगवान शिवांच्या पायाशी  आहे असा समज आहे. असा समज आहे की मुलवर विमान हे भगवान विष्णूंनी येथे आणले आहे. 

वीली वृक्ष इथे भरपूर प्रमाणात उगवत असल्याकारणाने ह्या स्थळाला वीलीकाडू असे नाव होते. 

असा पण समज आहे कि भगवान शिवांनी येथे श्री थोनी अप्पर ह्या रूपात दर्शन दिले. 

पुराणांत असा उल्लेख आहे कि उत्तरेकडून श्वेतकेतु राजा इथे आला आणि त्याने भगवान शिवांची आराधना केली. त्याला असे भाकीत सांगितले गेले होते कि तो अल्पायुषी आहे आणि इथे येऊन भगवान शिवांची आराधना केल्याने त्याचे आयुष्य वाढेल असा सल्ला दिला गेला होता म्हणून त्याने इथे येऊन आराधना केली. भगवान शिवांनी त्याचे मृत्यूपासून म्हणजेच श्री यमदेवांपासून संरक्षण केले. 

मंदिराबद्दल माहिती:

एकेकाळी ह्या स्थळी चंदन, चंपा, फणस आणि कवठ ह्यांचे घनदाट वन होते. ह्या सगळ्या वृक्षांना एकत्रितपणे वीली असं म्हणलं जातं. 

विवाहातल्या अडचणींचा परिहार करण्याचं स्थळ म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहे. साधारण ४ एकर वर पसरलेल्या ह्या मंदिराला सात स्तरांचं राजगोपूर आहे आणि तीन परिक्रमा आहेत. इथे १०० स्तंभ असलेला मंडप आहे ज्याचं नाव वोवल (मराठी मध्ये वटवाघूळ) मंडप असं आहे. दहाव्या शतकातील शिलालेख ह्या मंदिरात आढळतात. हे मंदिर पूर्वाभिमुख आहे आणि दिसायला एखाद्या किल्ल्यासारखं आहे. इथलं तीर्थ म्हणजेच तलाव खूप मोठा आहे. हे मदकोविल शैलीचे मंदिर असून चोळा राजांनी बांधले आहे. 

इथे एक खूप जुनं, साधारण १०० वर्षे जुनं, पपईचं झाड आहे. येथील शिव लिंग हे स्वयंभू आहे. इथल्या नंदीचे नाव पाताळ नंदी असे आहे. हे मंदिर अशा रीतीने बांधले आहे कि ते बघताना असा भास होतो कि हे मंदिर नंदीवरच बांधलं आहे. 

भगवान शिव हे वराच्या पोशाखात आहेत आणि म्हणून त्यांना माप्पिळई स्वामी (नवरदेव) म्हणून ओळखले जातात. ह्या मंदिरामध्ये कोष्ठ मूर्ती नाहीत. 

श्री पार्वती देवी आणि भगवान शिव ह्यांची मूर्ती वधु-वराच्या पोषाखात आहे. हि मूर्ती साधारण १५ फूट उंच आहे. 

इतर मुर्त्या आणि देवालये: 

दक्षिणेकडील परिक्रमेमध्ये श्री विनायकांचे देवालय आहे ज्यांचे नाव श्री पडिक्कासु विनायक असे आहे. पश्चिमेकडील परिक्रमेमध्ये श्री सोमस्कंद, श्री मुरुगन आणि श्री महालक्ष्मी देवी ह्यांची देवालये आहेत. उत्तरेकडील परिक्रमेमध्ये श्री चंडिकेश्वर आणि श्री शिवगामी देवी समवेत श्री नटराज ह्यांची देवालये आहेत. पूर्व तसेच पश्चिम कोपऱ्यांमध्ये दोन बलिपीठे आहेत. गाभाऱ्याभोवती आधार म्हणून १६ सिंहांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत. मंदिराच्या आतलं गोपुर हे रथाच्या आकाराचे आहे. श्री इंद्रदेव हे ह्या रथाचे सारथी भासतात तर भगवान शिव हे वराच्या पोशाखात रथामध्ये बसल्याचे भासतात. ह्या शिवाय श्री भिक्षाटनर, श्री कालसंहार मूर्ती, श्री त्यागराज मूर्ती. श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती, नालवर (म्हणजे चार श्रेष्ठ नायनमार), तसेच जुळे विनायक ज्यांना श्री इरत्ताई विनायक म्हणतात, ह्यांची स्वतंत्र देवालये आहेत. ह्याशिवाय इथे श्री बाल गणपती, श्री बाल सुब्रह्मण्य, शिवलिंगे, श्री मुक्ता देवी, पंचभूतांची प्रतीके म्हणून पांच लिंगे, श्री मयूरनाथर, श्री सूर्य, श्री भैरव, श्री मेयकंदर ह्यांची देवालये परीक्रमेमध्ये आहेत. श्री शनीश्वरर ह्यांचे स्वतंत्र देवालय आहे. एका स्वतंत्र परिक्रमेमध्ये श्री पार्वती देवी, श्री मुरुगन आणि श्री गणपती ह्यांची स्वतंत्र देवालये आहेत. इथल्या उत्सवमूर्तीमध्ये भगवान विष्णू आपलं नेत्र काढून श्री कल्याणसुंदरांना अर्पण करत आहेत असं दृश्य आहे.

वैशिष्ट्ये:

१) श्री अप्पर आणि श्री सुंदरर इथे मठात राहिले

२) इथल्या गाभाऱ्याच्या भिंतीला भोक असून त्यातून एक पोपट रोज भगवान शिवांच्या दर्शनाला येतो असा समज आहे.

इथे ज्यांनी भगवान शिवांची आराधना केली त्यांची नावे: वशिष्ठ ऋषी, कात्य ऋषी, स्वर्गीय गाय कामधेनू, श्री कामदेवांची पत्नी श्री रतीदेवी, भगवान विष्णू आणि राजा मनू. 

मंदिरात साजरे होणारे सण:

चित्राई (एप्रिल-मे): १० दिवसांचा ब्रह्मोत्सव

अवनी (ऑगस्ट-सप्टेंबर): गणेश चतुर्थी तसेच मूळ नक्षत्रावर पूजा

ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर-नोव्हेंबर): अन्नाभिषेक

कार्थिगई (नोव्हेम्ब-डिसेंबर): दीपोत्सव, स्कंद षष्ठी

मासी (फेब्रुवारी-मार्च): महाशिवरात्री

आडी (जुलै-ऑगस्ट): आर्द्रनक्षत्रावर पुरम उत्सव, नवरात्री, प्रदोष पूजा

अस्वीकरण आणि शिष्टाचार (Disclaimer and courtesy):

ह्या लेखांमधली माहिती संकलित करताना विविध आचार्यांचे उपन्यास, दक्षिण भारतातील काही नियतकालिके, तसेच इंटरनेट वरील विविध ब्लॉग्स आणि वेबसाईट्स ह्यांचा आधार घेतला आहे. आपल्याला ह्या लेखांमध्ये काही त्रुटी आढळल्यास आम्हाला जरूर कळवा.

Shri Kampahareshwarar Temple at Tribhuvanam

This Shiva temple is one of the Saptasthana Shiva temples of Thiruneelakudi. It is situated at Tribhuvanam town near Kumbhakonam. This is a huge temple similar to the temple at Darasuram, Shri Brihadeshwarar temple and Gangaikondacholapuram. The present temple was constructed by Kulothangacholan-III. After his successful North India campaign, he was given the title of Tribhuvan Chakravarthy after he defeated Chera, Pandya and Simhali kings. In the sculptures we find the mention of Chidambaram Nataraja temple, Madurai Meenakshi temple, Shri Kanchi-Ekambareshwarar temple, Shri Mahalingeshwarar temple at Thiruvidaimarudur and Shri Bruhadishwarar temple. There are lot of inscriptions on the walls of the temples giving details of the work done by Kulottangacholan-III. 

Mulavar: Shri Kampahareshwarar, Shri Tribhuvaneshawarar, Shri Tribhuvanmaheshwarar, Shri Nadukamteerthanayagan

Devi: Shri Dharmasamvardhini, Shri Aramvalarthanayaki

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva

Sacred teertha: Sarabha teertha and 11 other teerthas

Puranic name: Thribhuvaneshwaram

Kshetra Purana:

1) Shri Sarabheshwarar is combination of Shri Shiva, Shri Vishnu, Shri Kaali (Pratyankara devi) and Shri Durga (Shulini). Shri Shiva manifested at the request of Devas to subdue Shri Narasimha whose fury could not subside even after slaying Hiranyakashyapu. Devas stated that even a drop of blood from Shri Narasimha fell on the ground the children born will be able to cause great harm and chaos. Moreover blood of Shri Narasimha contained Amrut, hence the children cannot be killed. Shri Shiva manifested with the face of Yali (kind of lion), human body, 8 legs, 4 hands and 2 wings. The wings were Shri Shulini devi and Shri Pratyankara Devi. Shri Sarabheshwarar lifted Shri Narasimha and took him to the sky. He pierced him with the nails so the drop of blood got mixed with air. The moment bad blood came out of Narasimha’s body, he became calm. 

2) The Pandya king while coming back from a hunting trip, caused death of an old bramhin. The king did not notice it. Later, the soldiers following the king informed the King about this. He sought advice of Sages and bramhins for atonement from bramha-hatya dosha. They advised him to go to Shri Sundareshwarar at Madurai temple and worship him. When he was doing pradakshina in the Sundareshwarar temple, a celestial voice advised him that a Chola king will invade his country. That sound advised him to go and defeat the Chola king. When the Chola king flees from the battle, he was advised to follow the king and reach Thiruvidaimarudhur temple and worship Shri Shiva at that place. By doing that, it stated the he will be relieved of bramha-hatya dosha. The king reached Thiruvidaimarudhur and prayed to Shri Mahalingeshwarar. He was relieved of the bramha-hatya dosha at that place. The king was advised to leave the temple by western entrance as the bramha-hatya dosha was waiting for him on the southern entrance. But the king Varagunpandya was still trembling with fear that the bramha-hatya dosha may again catch him. When the king reached this temple and prayed to Shri Shiva, his trembling stopped. Hence Shri Shiva is praised here as Shri Kampahareshwarar. 

3) According to Purana, Shri Murugan, slayed Tarakasur. His three sons, namely Taraka, Vidumali and Kamalakshi were advised to avenge the death of their father by the asura guru – Shukracharya. He instructed them to do penance by standing on one leg for about 1000 years on Shri Bramha. Shri Bramha was pleased by their penance and granted them a boon. (We have mentioned about this in earlier blogs, how Shri Shiva destroyed the 3 cities). The trembling (nadukkam in Tamil) of Devas and the living things due to the fear of these 3 asuras vanished when Shri Shiva slayed them. Hence Shri Shiva is known as Nadukkamtirthanayakar at this place.

About temple:

This is the east facing temple with 7 tiered Rajagopuram with 2 parikramas covering an area of 5.5 acres. As soon as we enter through the Rajagopuram, we come across Shri Dhwajastambha Vinayaka, Dwajastambha, Balipeeth and Nandi. There is a three tiered Gopuram for inner prakaram. On the left side of the entrance we come across, Shri Aadhikarnandi. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala, Arthamandap, Mahamandap, Muktamandap, Somaskandhamandap. Just like madakovils, the sanctum sanctorum at this place is on a elevation. In the sanctum, the Shiva linga is facing east and is a swayambhoo linga. The koshta murthis are Shri Bhikshadanar, Shri Dakshinamurthi, Shri Lingotbhavar, Shri Bramha and Shri Durga Devi. The shikhar (Vimanam in Tamil) of the sanctum is 7 tiered and 126 ft in height. Shri Ambika is in an east facing shrine to the left of sanctum. Idol of Shri Parvati Devi is in a standing position with one hand in Abhaya mudra and the other holding Akshaymala and Lotus flower. The base (peetha) of the idol is called Odyanapeetha or Padmapeetha. 

Other shrines and idols: There’s separate shrine for Shri Sarabheshwarar opposite to the shrine of Ambika facing south. Shri Sarabheshwarar is a combination of human (man), bird (eagle) and animal (lion). Generally, we come across his sculpture on the pillars of the temple. This is only temple where there is separate shrine for him and can be considered for 1st shrine built for Shri Sarabheshwarar. The idol is about 7 ft tall along with his consorts Shri Shulini Devi and Shri Pratyankara Devi. He is depicted with 8 legs, human body, face of a lion and 4 arms. Shri Narasimha is at his feet and he has 8 hands. In the shrine we find, the sculptures of Shri Bhoodevi, Shri Sridevi and Shri Dwarapalakas at the entrance. We also find sculptures of Shri Saptamata, Shri Subramanya with his consorts, Shri Nataraja, Shri Bramha, Shri Chandikeshwarar and Shri Navagraha. There are sculptures in the temple depicting Bharatnatyam poses in the Somaskandha mandap. Yali (a sculpture) with a face of a lion and a symbol of Nayaka dynasty is sculptures on the pillars. There are sculptures and painting which depict incidents from Mahabharat and Ramayana.

People who worshiped here:

Shri Vishnu, Bhakta Prahlad, Shri Brahma, Shri Agni, King Varagunpandiyan, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra

Prayers:

Devotees worship Shri Sarabheshwarar for relief from illness, mental stress, enemies and planetary doshas. Devotees pray to Shri Shiva for relief from fear and nervous tensions, longevity and good health. Devotees pray to Shri Parvati Devi for child boon, for union of estranged couple and removal of sins. Devotees worship Shri Sarabheshwarar by performing abhishek for 11 weeks, perform sahasranama archana and Sarabha yagnya. They perform abhishek with curd for removal of doshas and milk with longevity. Besides this, they offer vastras and perform annadana. 

Festivals:

Panguni (Mar-April): Panguni Uttaram. Panguniuttara bramhotsava – this is performed for 18 days and followed by Shri Sarabheshwarar utsav on the following Sunday. Procession of Shri Shiva is taken out in a golden chariot at night. Special poojas are performed for Shri Sarabheshwarar on Fridays, Saturday, Sunday, Ashtami & full moon days. Daily Sarabhahomam is performed. Abhishek of Shri Murugan on every Krittika Nakshatra, Abhishek of Shri Ganesha on Sankatharachaturthi. 

Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Deepavali

Thai (Jan-Feb): Pongal

Masi (Feb-Mar): Shivaratri

Every month procession of Lord is taken out on full moon day. Special worship on Diwali, Pongal, new year. Pradosh pooja is performed on every pradosh day.

Timing: 6-12.30 pm; 4-9 pm

Address: Shri Kampahareshwarar temple, Tribhuvanam, Thiruvidaimurudhur Taluka, TN- 612104

Phone: +91-4352460760

श्री काली मयानं

पंच मयानं मधलं हे दुसरं मंदिर तामिळ नाडू मधल्या नागपट्टीनं जिल्ह्यातील शिरकाली ह्या गावामध्ये वसलेलं आहे. हे मंदिर मईलादुथुराई ह्या गावापासून साधारण २० किलोमीटर्सवर चिदंबरम-कुंभकोणम मार्गावर आहे. खूप भव्य मंदिर आहे. ह्या मंदिरामध्ये भगवान शिवांची तीन देवालये आहेत - श्री ब्रह्मपुरीश्वरर, श्री थोनिअप्पर आणि श्री सट्टाईनाथर. पाडळ पेथ्र म्हणजेच नायनमारांनी स्तुती केलेल्या २७६ शिव मंदिरांपैकी पण हे एक मंदिर आहे. ह्या मंदिराची स्तुती श्री अप्पर, श्री सुंदरर आणि श्री संबंधर ह्या नायनमारांनी केली आहे. सध्याचं मंदिर हे १५०० वर्षे जुनं आहे जे चोळा राजांनी बांधलं. 

मुलवर: श्री ब्रह्मपुरीश्वरर, श्री उमामहेश्वरर, श्री थोनिअप्पर, श्री सट्टाईनाथर आणि श्री वटुकनाथर

देवी: श्री पेरियानायकी, श्री थिरुनिलाईनायकी, श्री स्थिरसुंदरी

पवित्र तीर्थ: ब्रह्म तीर्थ आणि इतर २२ तीर्थे

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: पारिजात (तमीळमध्ये पवळमल्ली)

पौराणिक नाव: ब्रह्मपुरम्, शिरकाली, वेणूपुरम्, थोनीपुरम्, सिरपुरम्, पुन्थरै, वेणगुरु

क्षेत्र पुराण:

आख्यायिकेनुसार उरासन ऋषींनी कैलासावर तपश्चर्या करून भगवान शिवांना प्रसन्न केले आणि त्यांना श्री पार्वती देवींसह इथे येऊन भक्तांवर अनुग्रह करण्याची विनंती केली. 

एकदा आदिशेष आणि वायुदेवांमध्ये वाद निर्माण झाला. आदिशेषांनी आपल्या १००० फण्यांनी कैलास पर्वताला आच्छादले. देवांनी विनंती केल्यावर आदिशेषांनी आपला एक फणा हलवला. वायुदेवांच्या प्रभावाने कैलास पर्वताचा एक तुकडा वेगळा झाला. हा तुकडा भगवान शिवांच्या आशीर्वादाने २० पक्ष्यांनी उचलून इथे आणला असा समज आहे. ह्या पर्वताच्या तुकड्याला थोनीमलै असं म्हणतात. 

श्री ब्रह्मदेवांना एकदा अहंकार झाला. त्यांचा अहंकार घालवण्यासाठी भगवान शिवांनी त्यांना प्रणव मंत्राचा विसर घडवला. श्री ब्रह्मदेवांना आपली चूक लक्षात आली आणि त्यांनी भगवान शिवांची इथे शिव लिंग स्थापून आराधना केली. म्हणून इथे भगवान शिवांना श्री ब्रह्मपुरीश्वरर असे नाव आहे. श्री ब्रह्मपुरीश्वरर लिंगावर दिवसातून सहा वेळा अभिषेक केला जातो. श्री थोनिअप्पर लिंगावर चार वेळा अभिषेक केला जातो. 

श्री महाबलींचा वध केल्यावर भगवान विष्णू खूप उन्मत्त झाले. शुक्रवारच्या रात्री भगवान शिवांनी श्री थिरुविक्रम (उलगनंद पेरुमल म्हणजेच भगवान विष्णू) ह्यांना उन्मत्त अवस्थेतून बाहेर आणले. म्हणून भगवान शिवांना इथे श्री सट्टाईनाथर असे संबोधले जाते. प्रत्येक शुक्रवारच्या रात्री इथे श्री सट्टाईनाथर ह्यांची विशेष पूजा केली जाते. हि पूजा खुप कल्याणकारी मानली जाते.

क्षेत्र पुराणानुसार सातव्या शतकामध्ये श्री थिरुज्ञानसंबंधर ह्यांचा इथे जन्म झाला. वयाच्या तिसऱ्या वर्षी ते एकदा आपल्या पित्यांसमवेत भगवान शिवांच्या मंदिरात गेले होते. त्यांच्या पित्यांनी तीर्थावर स्नान करायला जाताना आपल्या पुत्राला म्हणजेच थिरुज्ञानसंबंधर ह्यांना तीर्थाच्या तीरावर ठेवले. तीन वर्षांच्या संबंधरांना जेव्हा भूक लागली तेव्हा ते रडायला लागले. तेव्हा भगवान शिव आणि श्री पार्वती देवी तिथे आल्या आणि त्यांनी संबंधरांना ज्ञानरूप दूध (ज्ञानपल. तमिळमध्ये पल म्हणजे दूध) पाजले. म्हणून श्री थिरुज्ञानसंबंधरांना श्री मुरुगन ह्यांचा अवतार मानलं जातं. त्यांचे पिता जेव्हा स्नान करून परत आले तेव्हा आपल्या पुत्राच्या ओठावर दुधाचे थेंब बघून आश्चर्य वाटले. त्यांनी चौकशी केल्यावर संबंधरांनी त्यांना आकाशाकडे बोट दाखवले आणि त्याचवेळी त्यांनी शिवांची स्तुती केली जी थेवरंमधली पहिली ओवी आहे. थेवरं हे नायनमारांनी भगवान शिवांप्रती गायलेल्या स्तुतींचा संग्रह आहे.  

मंदिराबद्दल माहिती:

हे तीन स्तरांचं मंदिर आहे. पहिल्या स्तरामध्ये श्री ब्रह्मपुरीश्वरर ह्यांचे देवालय आहे. येथील शिवलिंग स्वयंभू आहे आणि देवीचे नाव श्री थिरुमलनायकी असे आहे. दुसऱ्या स्तरामध्ये श्री थोनिअप्पर ह्यांचे देवालय आहे आणि देवीचे नाव श्री पेरियानायकी असे आहे. इथे भगवान शिव नावेमध्ये (तामिळ मध्ये थोनी) श्री पार्वती देवींसह आहेत. ह्या देवालयात ते शिक्षक रूपामध्ये चित्रित केले आहेत. तिसऱ्या स्तरामध्ये श्री सट्टाईनाथर ह्यांचे देवालय आहे. इथे ते भैरव रूपामध्ये आहे. 

शिरकाली हे श्रेष्ठ नायनमार श्री थिरुज्ञानसंबंधर ह्यांचे जन्मस्थान आहे. इथे श्री काली देवी ह्यांची आराधना केली जाते. म्हणून ह्या स्थळाचे नाव श्रीकाली असे होते पण कालांतराने ते शिरकाली असे झाले. श्री अप्पर, श्री सुंदरर आणि श्री संबंधर ह्या श्रेष्ठ शैव संतांनी ह्या मंदिरासाठी एकत्रित ७१ भजने रचली आहेत. येथील मुख्य मंदिर म्हणजेच श्री ब्रह्मपुरीश्वरर मंदिर हे पूर्वाभिमुख असून ते मंदिराच्या तीर्थाच्या काठावर आहे. श्री थोनिअप्पर ह्यांचे मंदिर मुख्य मंदिराच्या पश्चिमेला थोडा उंचावर आहे. श्री सट्टाईनाथर ह्यांचे मंदिर दक्षिण दिशेच्या पादचारी मार्गावरून दिसतं. 

श्री थिरुज्ञानसंबंधर ह्यांचे मंदिर बाहेरील परिक्रमेमध्ये आहे. ह्या मंदिराच्या बाजूला श्री थिरुनिलाईनायकी ह्यांचे मंदिर आहे. श्री थिरुज्ञानसंबंधर ह्यांच्या मंदिराच्या बाहेर श्री अप्पर, श्री सुंदरर आणि श्री माणिकवाचगर ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत. श्री थिरुज्ञानसंबंधर ह्यांना श्री मुरुगन ह्यांचा अवतार मानलं जातं आणि म्हणूनच त्यांचं मंदिर भगवान शिव आणि श्री पार्वती देवी ह्यांच्या मंदिरांच्या मध्यभागी आहे. ह्या रचनेला श्री सोमस्कंद रचना म्हणलं जातं. इथे २२ पवित्र तीर्थे आहेत ज्यातील ब्रह्म तीर्थ, काली तीर्थ आणि पराशर तीर्थ ही जास्त पवित्र मानली जातात. असा समज आहे कि श्री इंद्रदेवांच्या प्रार्थनेला प्रतिसाद म्हणून भगवान शिव इथे बांबूच्या वृक्षाच्या रूपात प्रकट झाले. म्हणून इथले क्षेत्र वृक्ष बांबू आहे. कोष्टामध्ये म्हणजेच गाभाऱ्याच्या बाहेरील भिंतीवर श्री ब्रह्मदेव, भगवान विष्णू, भगवान शिव, श्री पार्वती देवी, श्री लक्ष्मी देवी आणि श्री सरस्वती देवी ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत. इथे श्री विनायकांना श्री ऋण तीर्थ विनायक असं संबोधलं जातं. प्रकारामध्ये (परिक्रमेमध्ये) श्री मुरुगन, श्री सोमस्कंद आणि ६३ नायनमारांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत. श्री अष्टभैरवांचे स्वतंत्र देवालय आहे. श्री थिरुनिलाईनायकी देवींच्या मंदिराच्या परिक्रमेमध्ये श्री श्यामलादेवी, श्री इच्छाशक्ती, श्री ज्ञानशक्ती आणि श्री क्रियाशक्ती ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत. 

ठळक वैशिष्ठ्ये:

महाप्रलयानंतर भगवान शिव चौसष्ठ कला परिधान करून ओंकाररूपी नावेतून (थोनी) श्री पार्वती देवींसह श्री उमामहेश्वर रूपात प्रकट झाले. त्यांनी पाहिलं कि हि जागा प्रलयानंतरही नाश पावली नव्हती. ह्या ठिकाणी भगवान शिव श्री थोनीअप्पर आणि श्री पार्वती देवी श्री थिरुनिलाईनायकी ह्या रूपात राहिले. 

श्री ब्रह्मदेवांनी शिव लिंगाची आराधना केली म्हणून भगवान शिव येथे श्री ब्रह्मपुरीश्वरर ह्या रूपात स्थित झाले. तसेच भगवान शिवांनी येथे श्री ब्रह्मदेवांच्या अहंकाराचा नाश केला म्हणून ते श्री सट्टाईनाथर ह्या रूपात पण स्थित झाले.

राजा महाबलीचा वध केल्यानंतर भगवान विष्णूंना ब्रह्महत्येचा दोष प्राप्त झाला. ह्या दोष निवारणासाठी भगवान शिवांनी भगवान विष्णूंचे अजीन (म्हणजेच कातडं) परिधान केलं. श्री महालक्ष्मी देवींनी जेव्हा हे पाहिलं तेव्हा त्यांना वाटलं की भगवान शिवांनी भगवान विष्णूंची हत्या करून त्यांचं कातडं परिधान केलं आहे. त्यामुळे त्या विधवे सारखं जीवन जगायला लागल्या म्हणजेच त्यांनी आभूषण परिधान करण्याचं थांबवलं. म्हणून अजूनही इथे स्त्रिया ह्या मंदिरात येताना शृंगार करत नाहीत म्हणजेच केसांमध्ये फुले परिधान करत नाहीत. तसेच पुरुष मंदिरात येताना उत्तरीय म्हणजेच कंबरेच्या वर कपडे परिधान करत नाहीत. 

महाप्रलयानंतर श्री पार्वती देवींना इथे ज्ञानोपदेश प्राप्त झाला. श्री पार्वती देवी इथे श्री महालक्ष्मींच्या रूपात आशीर्वाद देतात. ह्या स्थळाला अकरावं शक्ती पीठ मानलं जातं. 

श्री भैरवांच्या स्थळांमध्ये ह्या स्थळाला काशीपेक्षाही जास्त महत्व आहे. 

१९ श्रेष्ठ सिध्दांपैकी एक श्री चट्टाईमुनीसिद्धर ह्यांची इथे जीव समाधी आहे. भगवान शिवांच्या गाभाऱ्यामध्ये एक उंच बैठकीवर हि समाधी स्थित आहे. ह्या समाधीवर रात्री १० वाजता अभिषेक केला जातो आणि मध्यरात्री अलंकार समर्पणानंतर नैवेद्य अर्पण केला जातो. इथून आपल्याला श्री सट्टाईनाथर ह्यांचं दर्शन होतं. 

इथे ज्यांनी आराधना केली त्यांची नावे:

श्री ब्रह्मदेव, भगवान विष्णू, श्री मुरुगन, श्री इंद्र, श्री बृहस्पती, श्री सूर्य, श्री चंद्र, श्री राहू, श्री केतू, श्री आदिशेष, श्री काली देवी, श्री पराशर ऋषी, श्री रोमेश ऋषी, श्री वेदव्यास ऋषी आणि श्रेष्ठ शिवभक्त चक्रवर्ती शिबी राजा. 

मंदिरात साजरे होणारे सण:

चित्राई (एप्रिल-मे): १० दिवसांचा ब्रह्मोत्सव

आडी (जुलै-ऑगस्ट): आडी पुरम

पूरत्तासी (सप्टेंबर-ऑक्टोबर): नवरात्री

कार्थिगई (नोव्हेंबर-डिसेंबर): कार्थिगई दीपम आणि स्कंदषष्ठी

मारगळी (डिसेंबर-जानेवारी): आर्द्र दर्शन (अरुद्र दर्शन)

मासी (फेब्रुवारी-मार्च): महाशिवरात्री, प्रदोष पूजा

श्री उमामहेश्वर मूर्तीवर चित्राई, आडी, ऎप्पासी, थै ह्या महिन्यांच्या पहिल्या दिवशी तेलाचा अभिषेक केला जातो. 

थै महिन्याच्या अमावास्येला, वैकासि महिन्यात मूळ नक्षत्रावर, आनी महिन्याच्या रोहिणी नक्षत्रावर आणि ऎप्पासी महिन्यात शताभिष नक्षत्रावर इथे विशेष पूजा केली जाते. 

प्रार्थना:

भाविक इथे अपत्यप्राप्ती साठी आणि खटल्यांतून मुक्ती मिळविण्यासाठी प्रार्थना करतात. 

अस्वीकरण आणि शिष्टाचार (Disclaimer and courtesy):

ह्या लेखांमधली माहिती संकलित करताना विविध आचार्यांचे उपन्यास, दक्षिण भारतातील काही नियतकालिके, तसेच इंटरनेट वरील विविध ब्लॉग्स आणि वेबसाईट्स ह्यांचा आधार घेतला आहे. आपल्याला ह्या लेखांमध्ये काही त्रुटी आढळल्यास आम्हाला जरूर कळवा.  

Shri Mahalingeshwarar Temple at Thiruvidaimaruthur

This is the fifth temple in Sapta Sthana temples around Thiruneelakudi. It is also associated with other groups of temples such as Panchakrosha sthalam and one of the six temples along the banks of river Kaveri which are considered equal to Kashi. The temple is also considered to be Shakti Peetha and Pancha Linga Sthala. It is located at Thiruvaimaruthur near Kumbhakonam on the southern bank of river Kaveri. This temple was revered by Naayanmars namely Shri Appar, Shri Sundarar and Shri Sambandhar. The present temple is more than 2000 years old. 

Valuable contributions have been made by the Pandya kings, Chola Kings and Tanjavur Nayaks in the maintenance and renovation of the temple. The temple is at the center of seven Shiva temples which are situated at cardinal points. The vigraha (murtis) at this temple are known as Sapta Vigrahas (murtis). This place is also known as Idaimaruthur as it is situated between two Shiva temples which have the Marut tree (Arjun tree) as the Kshetra Vruksha. 

Mulavar: Shri Mahalingam, Shri Mahalingeshwarar, Shri Marutvanar, Shri Marutavaneshwarar

Devi: Shri Parumuraial, Shri Brihadsundarargujambika, Shri Naanmoolainayaki

Sacred Teertha: KarunyaAmrut, River Kaveri

Kshetra Vruksha: Marut Tree (Arjun Tree)

Puranik Name: Mathirarjunam, Shenbagaranya, Shaktipuram, Tapovanam, Muktipuram

Kshetra Puran:

Pattinathar and Bhadragiriyar: Shaiva Saint Pattinathar is closely associated with this temple. His disciple Bhadragiriyar who was a king renounced his kingship and became a saint. He came to this place and stayed with his Guru Pattinathar. He always had a begging bowl and a dog with him. Once Shri Shiva came in the form of a beggar and asked for alms to saint Pattinathar. Pattinathar directed Him to Bhadragiriyar whom he addressed as a Sansari. Bhadragiriyar felt sad as his guru made him a sansari because of the begging bowl and dog with him. In anger he threw it on the dog which got killed. Shri Shiva manifested in front of him and gave him salvation and also for the dog. Hence this place is known as Naladiyar Kovil. 

Brahmahatya Dosha: A chola prince killed a brahmin and was infected with Brahmahatya dosha. He came to this temple and prayed to Shri Shiva for relief. As a spirit of dead brahmin was following him, Shri Shiva advised him to leave the temple by another door. As the Brahmahatti was unable to enter the temple it was waiting at the door in which the prince entered the temple. It is believed that it is still waiting to enter the temple, Hence people avoid going out of that temple from that entrance. There is a sculpture of Brahmahatti on the eastern entrance. 

Some people also associate this kshetra puran with King Varaguna Pandian. It is stated that the king went hunting in the nearby forest. As the darkness was fast approaching he hurried back to the city on his horse at a very fast pace. He did not notice an aged Brahmin sleeping under a tree. The hooves of the horse accidentally crushed the Brahmin to death. The king came to know of the incident through his soldiers. When he enquired with the scholars they informed him that he had incurred the dosha of Brahmahatya. They advised him of remedial measures prescribed in the shastra but the king did not get any relief. He went to Shri Sundareshwarar temple in Madurai. While doing pradakshina a celestial voice advised him that a Chola King will lead his country and the invader will be defeated. When the invading king flees from the battlefield he was asked to follow him so that he will reach Shri Mahalingeshwar temple where Shri Shiva himself worshiped the shiva linga. The Brahmahatya dosha will leave you when you pray there by entering through one entrance and by leaving through another. At the temple Shri Mahalingeshwarar advised him to leave the temple by western entrance as he had entered through eastern entrance. By following the directions he got rid of the Brahmahatya dosha. It is believed that the Brahmahatti is still waiting outside.

Pancha krosha sthala: After the pralay, the amrut kalash reached Kumbhakonam and settled there. Droplets of nectar are believed to have fallen at five places around Kumbhakonam namely at Thiruvadimaruthur, Darasuram, Thiru nageshwaram, Swamimalai and Koranattukarpur. These kshetras are at a distance of five kroshas from each other, hence they are known as Panchakrosha sthala.

Jyotirmay Mahalinga: When the sages were doing penance, Sage Agastya came here along with his disciples and did penance towards Shri Umadevi. She gave him darshan. The sages after paying due respect to her, requested her for the darshan of Shri Shiva also. She along with sages did penance towards Shri Shiva. In appreciation of their penance Shri Shiva gave darshan to them. After giving darshan to them, Shri Shiva scolded the sages for not worshiping the Shiva Linga first. Shri Umadevi was astonished by the act of Shri Shiva and asked him about the reasons as Shri Brahma and Shri Indra and others are only supposed to worship her customarily.  Shri Shiva stated as sages forgot to worship him first they have to undergo atonement. From that day, the sages started worshiping him first and attained salvation. 

When the sages were doing penance along with Shri Parvati Devi, Shri Shiva manifested from the heart of Shri Parvati  Devi in the form of a flame. As he graced the sages in the form of Jyoti he is addressed as Jyotirmay Mahalinga. 

About the visit of Adi Shankaracharya to this place: When Adi Shankaracharya came to this place he desired that the Lord should declare the truth about Advaita so that the doubts about this principle will be cleared once for all. In response to this prayer Shri Mahalingeshwarar appeared from the Linga, stated the truth three times as Satyam Advaitam, Satyam Advaitam, Satyam Advaitam. At the Shankara Math in this place on the Gopuram we come across the sculpture of Shri Mahalingeshwar with a raised hand and the sculpture of Adi Shankaracharya in front of him with folded hands. In the central courtyard of the Math, Devi’s shrine was constructed and the sacred paduka of Adi Shankaracharya was installed.

About the temple:

The Shiva linga is a Swayambhu Linga. There are four Rajagopurams, one in each direction. The main Rajagopuram is five tier. And the western Rajagopuram is seven tier. It has three parikramas, each enclosed by huge walls. In the second parikrama we come across many sculptures. The temple complex covers an area of about 22 acres and is rectangular in shape. The temple has a very large sacred teertha (tank). There are a large number of shrines in this temple complex. We mention some of them below.

Shri Shiva Shrine: This shiva linga is facing the east. As Shei Shiva himself worshiped Linga, it is known as MahaLingam. It is on a huge pedestal with two Nandis in front. One of the Nandis is made of copper. As usual we have Balipeeth and Dhwajastambha in their usual positions. In this temple, puja is performed first to Shri Shiva then to Shri Vinayaka as it is believed that Shri Vinayaka worshiped Shri Shiva in this place. 

Shrine of Devi: She is facing the east. And the shrine is on the right hand side of Shri Shiva on the southern side. As she is to the right of Shri Shiva it is considered to be a wedding posture. We find a painting on the ceiling of Artha Mandap depicting the marriage of Shri Meenakshi Devi and Shri Sundareshwarar. We come across a number of paintings on the walls of Devis’s shrine. Besides this, we have an idol of Saiva saint Sambandhar in this shrine. It is a practice to go out of the temple after worshiping Shri Ambika Devi.

Shri Mukambika Shrine: It is situated inside the Devi’s shrine. There are only two places in India where Shri Mukambika Devi is housed in a separate shrine. 

Shri Ananda Vinayaka Shrine: In the inner prakara, to the south of Lord’s shrine we come across the shrine of Shri Vinayaka known as Shri Ananda Vinayaka. 

Shiva Lingas in this temple: In the parikrama we come across 27 lingas dedicated to 27 Nakshatras. According to Puran, these 27 nakshatras installed these lingams and worshiped Shri Shiva. This is a nakshatra parihar sthala.

This temple is referred as a Pancha Linga Sthala as it has four lingas at four cardinal points with the Mahalingeshwarar at the center. On the east street we have Shri Kashi Vishwanathar temple. In the west we have Shri Rishipurishwarar temple. In the south Shri AtmanaEshwarar temple. And in the north Shri Chokkanadar Temple. Besides these, we come across Akash Linga, Kashyapa Linga, Romesh Linga, Chola Linga, Chera Linga, Sahasra Linga, Panchabuta Lingas in the parikrama. We come across a brass statue of a woman made of brass holding a lamp. This statue is about 120 cm in height and was donated to the temple by the maratha king Pratap Singh Bhosale in the eighteenth century.

There is a small shrine for Shri Balakrishna. He gave darshan to Sage Kashyap in this form in this place. 

There is a shrine for Shri Vinayaka at the entrance known as PadiThurai Vinayaka. 

Besides this we have shrines for Shri Muruga, Shri Aghor Veerabhadra, Shri Airawateshwarar, Shri Atmalingeshwarar are in the Parikrama. 

On the eastern and western entrances, we come across the idols of Pattinathar and Bhadragiriyar. In the temple complex we come across a Shaiva Siddhanta library which contains manuscripts in Palm leaves. There are about 32 sacred teerthas associated with the temple of which 5 are in the temple and 27 outside the temple. 

Special features:

According to traditional rules, at cardinal points in the space we have shrines of Shri Vinayak at Thiruvalanchuri, shrine of Shri Murugan at Swami Malai, shrine of Shri Chandikeshwarar at Shayalayur, shrine of Shri Suryanar Kovil, shrine of Shri Nataraja at Chindamabaram, shrine of Shri Bhairava at Sirgazhi (Sirkazhi), shrine of Nandi at Thiruvidaimarudur and the shrine of Mahalingeshwarar at the center in this place. This represents the structure of a Shiva temple according to the traditional rules. 

The shrine of Shri Mukambika Devi is a special feature as there are only two separate shrines for Shri Mukambika Devi in India. In this shrine she is seated in Padmasana and is facing the north. This temple is to the south of Devi’s shrine. The sanctum is similar to those in the North India just like in Maharashtra. In the sanctum a Sri Chakra (Mahameru) has been installed. Shri Mukambika Devi is also addressed as Shri PidariParameshwariAmman. The tower of the shrine resembles the Manikarnika teertha in Kashi. She is doing penance to get rid of the Brahmahatya dosha she incurred by killing an asura. 

It is believed that Shri Vinayaka in Shri Ananda Vinayaka shrine worships Shri Shiva according to the rules of Panchayatan Puja with the help of puja materials supplied to him by the devaganas. It is believed that (according to Puran) he rules the world from here, hence he is known as Shri Ananda Vinayaka. 

There are lots of stone inscriptions which give details about the donations and repair works done by various kings and other details about the temple. 

There are Shri Vinayaka temples at the junction of four main streets through which the chariot procession takes place. 

Ashwamedha pradakshina: When we do pradakshina around the temple in the first parikrama it is known as Ashwamedha prarikrama. For this parikrama we have to first worship Shri Murugan. People do 7, 12, 24 or 108 pradakshinas. Those who light lamp in the month of Karthigai and do pradakshina in the month of Thai also yield benefit of Ashwamedha yadnya. 

When we do pradakshina in the second parikrama it gives the benefit of doing Girivalam around Mount Kailash.

As this place lies between Shri Sailam (Shri Mallikarjuna) and Thirupadaimaruthur in Thirunalveli (known as Pudararjunam), this place got the name Thiruadaimaruthur means Madhyararjunam. Arjunam means Marutha tree. These are three places where kshetra vruksha is Marutha Tree i.e. Arjuna tree.

As Bhagwan Mahavishnu worshiped Bhagwan Shiva at this place, first puja is done for Bhagwan Shiva then only to Bhagwan Vishnu.

Bhagwan Shiva gave darshan to Sage Markandeya at this place as Shri Ardhanarishwarar.

All the four Shaiva saints namely - Shri Appar, Shri Sundar, Shri Sambandhar and Shri Manikvacharar have sung sacred hymns. 

There is a jiva samadhi of Shri Sridhara Ayyarval, a great sanskrit scholar. He merged with the shiva linga in the form of a jyoti in the seventeenth century. 

Those who worshiped at this place: Shri Shanishwar, Shri Chandra, Sages Kashyap, Pattinathar, Bhadragiriyar, Arunagirinathar, Karuvur Devar, King Varaguna Pandiya, Shri Umadevi, Shri Vinayaka, Shri Muruga, Shri Vishnu, Shri Brahma, Shri Rudra, Shri Lakshmi Devi, Shri Saraswati Devi, Shri Kali Devi, Sages Vashishtha, Agastya, Romesha, Kapilaa, Markandeya and Siddha (Sridhar Ayyarwal), fifty ninth Sage of Kanchi Math HH Sri Bodhendra Saraswathi, Sukirti and Veerasena. 

Prayers:

People pray here for removal of marriage obstacles, removal of sorrow, unhappiness and also for child boon and also for safe delivery. People pray here for relief for mental depression and psychic disorders. This is a parihara sthala for Brahmahatya dosha. And for the nakshatra Anusham (Anuradha in Marathi) (nakshtra before Jyeshtha nakshatra) 

Festivals:

Thai (Jan-Feb): 10 days festival of Thaipusam

Vaikasi (May-June): Divine marriage festival

Aadi (July-Aug): Adi Puram

Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Skanda shashthi, Deepavali

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai (Arudra Darshan)

Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Karthigai Deepam, abhishek with 1008 conches during Karthigai Somwar

Maasi (Feb-March): Shivaratri

Thai (Jan-Feb): Pongal

Tamil and English new year.

Special pujas and Abhishekas are performed.

Pujas:

Daily pujas are performed six times in a day. 

Weekly: Special worship on Somawar and Sukrawar

Fortnightly pujas: Pradosha Puja

Monthly puja: New Moon Full Moon, Chaturthi

Address: Sri Mahalingeshwarar Temple, Thiruvadaimaruthur 612 104

Phone: 91-4352460660/1946, 91-9790525781

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs

कांची मयानं

पंच मयानं मंदिरांच्या समुहातील हे पहिलं मंदिर आहे. ह्या मंदिराची माहिती आम्ही श्री कांची एकांबरेश्वर कोविल ह्या शीर्षकाखाली पूर्वीच (डिसेंबर २५, २०२४) प्रकाशित केली आहे.

हे मंदिर २००० वर्षे जुनं असून साधारण ४० एकर एवढा ह्या मंदिराचा पसारा आहे. हे मंदिर पंचभूत स्थळांपैकी पण एक आहे, ज्यामध्ये हे मंदिर पृथ्वी तत्वाचं प्रतीक आहे. मुख्य देवता भगवान शिव आहेत. हे स्वयंभू लिंग आहे ज्याचं नाव पृथ्वी लिंग असे आहे. इथे श्री पार्वती देवींचे नाव श्री कामाक्षी आहे. श्री पार्वती देवींचे इथे स्वतंत्र देवालय नाही. किंबहुना कांचीपुरम मधल्या कुठल्याच मंदिरात श्री पार्वती देवींचं स्वतंत्र देवालय नाही कारण कांचीपुरम मध्ये त्यांना श्री राजराजेश्वरी (राज्ञांची राज्ञी) असं मानलं जातं. ह्या मंदिराची स्तुती श्री अप्पर, श्री सुंदरर, श्री संबंधर आणि श्री माणिकवाचगर ह्या नायनमारांनी केली आहे. 

मंदिराचा पत्ता: अरुलमीगु एकांबरेश्वर कोविल, कांचीपुरम, तामिळनाडू ६३१५०२

अस्वीकरण आणि शिष्टाचार (Disclaimer and courtesy):

ह्या लेखांमधली माहिती संकलित करताना विविध आचार्यांचे उपन्यास, दक्षिण भारतातील काही नियतकालिके, तसेच इंटरनेट वरील विविध ब्लॉग्स आणि वेबसाईट्स ह्यांचा आधार घेतला आहे. आपल्याला ह्या लेखांमध्ये काही त्रुटी आढळल्यास आम्हाला जरूर कळवा.

Shri Naganathnadarswami Temple at Thirunageshwaram

This is the fourth temple in Sapta Sthana temples around Thiruneelakudi. In addition it is also associated with other groups of temples such as Panchakrosha Sthalam, Padal Pethra Sthalam revered by the Shaiva Saints, Navagraha sthala (temple of planet Rahu). It is located at Thirunageshwaram near Kumbhakonam on the Kumbhakonam-Karaikkal route on the southern bank of river Kaveri. Shri Appar, Shri Sundarar and Shri Sambandhar have sung praise of Shri Shiva in this temple.   

Mulavar: Shri Nageshwarar, Shri Naganathaswamy, Shri ShenbagaAranyeshwarar

Devi: Shri Girigujambika, Shri PiraianivaalnuthalAmmai

Sacred Teertha: Surya Teertha

Kshetra Vruksha: Shenbaga Tree (in marathi Sonchafa)

Puranik Name: Shenbagavanam, GirikannikaiVana

Kshetra Puran:

All the eight Mahaserpents - Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkokata, Sankalpan, Kulikal, Padman and Mahapadman along with AdiShesha worshiped Shri Shiva in this place. Hence, Shri Shiva is addressed as Naganathar and the place is known as ThiruNageshwaram. 

Rahu came to this place along with his wives and worshiped Shri Shiva. Shri Shiva was pleased by his worship and gave him the boon that at this place he will be worshiped for the parihara of sarpa dosha. He made him stay with his wives in human form and grace the people.  Rahu graces at this place along with his wives with abhaya and varada mudra to ward off the fear of devotees. 

Shri Indra misbehaved with sage Gautama’s wife. As a result he was cursed by the sage. As an atonement and to get rid of the curse, he did penance at this place. He worshiped Shri Girigujambika Devi and got rid of the curse. 

Nagaraja Thakkan was once cursed by Sage Sushil as he had beaten his son. In order to get rid of the curse, he prayed to Shri Shiva at four places in the four quarters of one night as per the advice of the Sage Kashyap. The four places are Kumbhakonam Keezhkottam (Bilva forest), Thiru Nagesham (Hibuscus forest), Thirupampuram (Shami forest) and at Nagapattinam. At this place he was absolved of the curse.

After Samudra Manthan, Rahu prayed to Shri Shiva at this place along with his wives and got the human head and snake body.

Shri Parvati Devi did penance here along with Shri Lakshmi Devi and Shri Saraswati Devi. Sage Bhrungi was punished by Shri Parvati Devi as the Sage was a great devotee of Shri Shiva, Parvati was asked to do the penance as an atonement at this place she was told that Shri Lakshmi Devi and Shri Saraswati Devi will accompany her. She came here along with Shri Lakshmi Devi and Shri Saraswati Devi and did penance. Shri Shiva gave her darshan and took her back to Mount Kailash. She is worshiped as Shri Girigujambika Devi. Her idol is in a separate shrine. 

King Sambhumali: Sage Kaalangiri was once angered by the act of King Sambhumali and he cursed him. As an atonement he was asked to worship Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi at this place after taking bath in the sacred teertha. He also attained salvation.

Sage Gautama worshiped Shri Shiva at this place and was reunited with his wife Ahilya. 

Emperor Nala: He worshiped Shri Shiva at this place and got his wealth back. 

King Chandravarma: He was  cursed to be a dog. He woshiped Shri Shiva at this place and got human form again

Shri Vinayaka got the status of the head of Ganas by worshiping Shri Shiva at this place. 

Sage Bhringi got darshan of all the devis. 

Shri Shiva told Shri Uma Devi that this is best kshetra on earth. 

Pandavas got their kingdom again by worshiping Shri Shiva at this place. 

About temple:

This temple is about 1600 years old. It was constructed by Chola kings. This temple was later renovated by Nayakar kings.

This is an east-facing temple with five tiered Rajagopuram. There are six other gopurams in the temple complex. It has three parikramas. There are sixteen stone inscriptions inside the temple. Mainly there are exclusive shrines - one for Shri Shiva, two for Shri Parvati Devi and one for Rahu. The Sun’s rays fall into the temple only in the month of Chitrai, hence it is known as Suryakotam. In the third parikrama, on the northern side there is a flower garden. On the eastern entrance, we come across balipeeth, nandi, Dhawajastambha, shrine of Shri Ganesha. The idol and yantra of Shri Ganesha in this temple was installed by the saint Sadashiv Brahmendra. There are paintings on the walls of eastern side. There is a 100 pillared hall containing exotic sculptures. The hall is designed in such a way that we get the feeling that it is placed on a chariot. In second parikrama, we come across the Rahu shrine on the Northeast corner. The path leading to the main shrine has sculptured pillars. All the halls have pillars with beautiful sculptures of Yaali and horses. On the pathway to the ninth shrine there are paintings on the wall depicting Vedanayakas, King Sambhumali and Devi doing penance.

About the shrines:

Main shrine: The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga, Sanctum Sanctorum consists of artha mandap, antarala and sanctum. There are Dwarapalakas at the entrance of the Sanctum. 

Koshta Murti: The kostha murtis are Shri Narthan Ganapati, Shri Nataraja, Sage Agastya, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Brahma, Shri Vishnu, and Shri Durga Devi. The shrine of Chandikeshwar is in its usual position. Behind the sanctums, we find the idols of Shri Lingodbhavar with Shri Mahavishnu and Shri Brahma worshiping him. 

Devi Shrine: There are two separate shrines of Shri Parvati Devi. One shrine houses Shri Piraianivalnuthal Ammai - Pirai (crescent moon), Anival (wearing), Nuthal (forehead), Ammai (Ambika). It is adjacent to the sanctum on the left hand side. On the full moon day of the Tamil month of Karthigai, rays of the moon fall on the idol of Ambika. There is a shrine of Shri Murugan in between the shrines of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi (known as Shri KundramamulaiAmman). This arrangement of the shrines is similar to the Shri Somaskanda murti. The other shrine of Devi is of Shri Girigujambika Devi. It is on the northern side opposite the temple tank. This shrine faces the east. Devi in this shrine is in yogic posture. As the idol is made of special clay, no abhishek is done on the idol. Once in a while only civet (Punugu in Tamil) is applied. In this shrine we have the idols of Shri Lakshmi Devi and Shri Saraswati Devi on either side of Shri Parvati Devi. Shri Saraswati Devi is with Veena and Shri Lakshmi Devi has a lotus flower on her hand. In this Devi’s shrine we come across the idols of Shri Ganesha, Shri Balamuruga, Shri Navashakti, Shri Sanganidhi, Shri Tatpurushashakti, Shri Padmanidhi, Shri Ganga Devi, Shri Vaishnavi Devi along with Sanakadi rishis, Shri Kriyashakti, Shri Dyanambika, Shri Bhairav, Shri Balashasta (In Tamil Ayyanar) and Shri Durga Devi. In a small shrine inside this shrine we have an idol of Shri Vinayaka and Shri YogaRahu. There are lots of paintings in this shrine.

Rahu’s shrine: It is in the northeast corner of the second parikrama, and we find that the Rahu’s idol has a human face instead of a serpent (hood) face. He is with his consorts Shri Simhi and Shri Chitralekha. Special pujas are performed on Sundays between 4.30 pm and 6 pm (Rahu kaal) with Milk. This milk turns blue during a abhishek. This place is a parihara sthala for Rahu. 

#	Navagraha Aspect	Rahu
1	Consort	Nagavalli and Nagakanni
2	Cloth color	Black/ Blue
3	Gender
4	Element	Air
5	God	Nirrati
6	Mounts	Blue/ Black Lion
7	Presiding Deity	Durga
8	Metal	Blue Metal (Basalt, broken pieces of black rock)
9	Gemstone	Gomedha (Gomed)/ Honey- Colored Hessonit e
10	Body Part	Head
11	Taste	-
12	Grain	Black Gram
13	Season	-
14	Graha deities face this direction	South
15	Flower	White Mandara-Rui
16	Kshetra vruksha (tree)	1. Bel/ Bilwa/ Aegle Marmelos/ Wood Apple 2. Champak 3. Shami (Vanni) 4. Punnai Temple Tree (Alexandrian Laurel Tree)
17	Week day	-
18	Sound	-

Shrines of Shri Nrutya Ganapati, Shri ShenbagaVinayaka, Shri Nandi, Shri Adi Vinayaka, Shri Murugan along with his consorts, Shri Nataraja, Shri Somaskanda, The shaiva saints Nalwar, Sapta Matrika, Shri Mahalakshmi Devi, Shri Saraswati Devi, Navagrahas, Shri Chandra, Shri Surya and Shri MahaBhairav are found in the main hall of parikrama.

There are shiva lingas worshiped by sages Agastya, Parashar, Gautama, Vyaghrapada, Patanjali, Markandeya, along with the idols of sixty three Nayanmars. There is a shrine for Shri Ganesha near the sacred teertha, known as Shri Mazhuporutha (The lord who forgives mistakes) Vinayaka. In the Navagraha, all the planets are facing Shri Surya. 

Sacred Teerthas: There were 12 sacred teerthas, of which three are rivers namely Nattaru, Arisilaru, and KirtiManaru which were believed to be created by Shri Shiva with his trident. There is a teertha known as Surya Teertha which is present in the temple. Excepting this teertha all other teerthas are extinct.

Salient features: 

1. Rahu Kaal puja

2. Somaskanda arrangement

3. Shri Lingodhbhavar with Shri Vishnu and Shri Brahma.

4. 100 pillared hall which is perceived to be placed on a chariot.

5. Presence of Shri Parvati Devi, Shri Lakshmi Devi and Shri Saraswati Devi in one shrine

6. Worshiping Shri Shiva at Nageshwara temple at Kumbhakonam in the morning, at noon in Thirunageshwram and in the evening Thiruppampuram is considered auspicious.

7. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung a hymn on Shri Muruga at this place. 

8. It's believed that no one can bless like Rahu or no one create obstacles like Ketu.

9. In this temple Shri Parvati Devi is depicted as a child in the morning, a young girl at noon and in the evening as a fully grown woman with the knowledge of sixteen arts. 

Those who worshiped here: Pandavas, Sage Vashishtha, AdiShehsha, Daksha, Karkotaga, Sage Shaunaka and Shri Rahu, Shri Nandi, Shri Chandra, Shri Surya, Shri Nala, Sage Gautama, Sage Parashara, King Bhagiratha, Shri Ganesha, Shri Indra, Sage Bhringi.

Prayers:

This is a parihara sthala for Rahu, Ketu, Sarpadosha, Kalathra dosha, Pitru dosha, Kalasarpadosha. 

Marriage obstacles are removed.

People pray here for child boon and education.

Festivals:

Vaikasi (May-June): On Pushya Nakshatra, festival for the shaiva saint - Sekkizhar.

Avani (Aug-Sept): Ganaesh Chaturthi 

Karthigai (Nov-Dec): 10 day brahmostava, Karthigai deepam

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvarudurai 

Masi (Feb-Mar): Mahamagham festival and Shivaratri 

Panguni (Mar-April): Panguni uttaram

Special worship is done during Rahu transition

Daily pujas and pradosha pujas are performed.

Temple timing: 6 to 12, 4 to 8.30

Address: Shri Nageshwar Swamy Temple, ThiruNageshwaram, Kumbhakonam Taluka, TamilNadu 612 204

Phone: 91-4352463354, 9443489839

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs