Thirunaraiyur is situated at a distance of about 9 kms from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam-Nachiyar Kovil route. Thirunaraiyur is on the outskirts of Nachiyar Kovil. This is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam on the southern bank of river Kaveri i.e. on the southern bank of river Arisalaru which is tributary of river Kaveri. This temple must have existed even before the 7th century as Shaiva Saint Sambandhar who lived before the 7th century has sung sacred hymns. This was reconstructed by the Chola kings with stones. Additional work was done by the Nayaks / Maratha kings.
Moolavar: Shri Siddhanatheswarar, Shri Vedeshwarar, Shri Ramanathswami,
Devi: Shri Parvadhavadhini, Shri Soundaryanayaki, Shri Azhagmmai (beautiful Ambika)
Sacred Theertha: Shoola Theertha, Jata Theertha, Siddhamruta Theertha, Kadika Theertha
Agama / Puja: Shiva Agama
Sacred Vruksha: Parijaat tree
Puranik names: Siddheshwaram, Sugandhavanam, Narapuram, Kuberpuram, Bramhapuram
Utsav Murti: Somskandha murti
Present name: Thirunaraiyur
Kshetra Puran:
1. According to the sthala purana – Once Medhavi Maharshi desired to have Goddess Mahalakshmi as his daughter. For this purpose, he did penance on the banks of the kshetra theertha under a Parijatak tree at this place to invoke Lord Shiva. Pleased by his penance Lord Shiva requested Lord Vishnu that Goddess Mahalakshmi be allowed to be born as the daughter of Medhavi Maharshi. Lord Vishnu agreed to it. In the Tamil month of Panguni (Falgun in Marathi) in Uttara Nakshatra, Goddess Mahalakshmi manifested on a lotus flower in the sacred theertha. She was named as Vanjula Devi (Vanjula – another name in Tamil for Goddess Mahalakshmi) by Medhavi Maharshi. Later he gave her in marriage to Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva who gave darshan to Maharshi stayed back at this place for the sake of devotees. Goddess Mahalakshmi is praised here as Mazhialai (sweet speech of an infant) Mahalakshmi. The idol is always dressed in the clothes of a young girl. After the wedding, Goddess Mahalakshmi is believed to have been sent to nearby Vishnu temple at Nachiyar kovil. As per tradition in South India every year during Diwali and Pongal festivals, gift items like sarees, sweets are taken from this temple to Vishnu’s temple. Next day (on Vaikuntha Ekadashi) idols of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva are taken to Vishnu temple to see Goddess Mahalakshmi.
2. Gorakhasiddha was one of the 18 siddhas. According to kshetra purana, he was cursed by Devas to have skin disease. He performed penance at this place and requested Lord Shiva for relief. Lord Shiva graced him and cured him of skin disease. Hence Lord Shiva is revered at this place as Shri Siddheshwarar and the place is known as Siddheshwaram.
3. Sage Durvasa, was relieved of his sins by Lord Shiva at this place and obtained salvation.
4. According to the kshetra purana, 2 rishis Nara and Narayan performed penance at this place. They ignored Sage Durvasa when Sage came to this place. So the Sage cursed them to become Cranes. They sought pardon of Sage Durvasa and worshiped Lord Shiva in the form of cranes. With the blessings of Lord Shiva they attained their normal form. As the cranes (Narai – tamil means cranes) were relieved here from their curses, the place got the name Naraiyur. There is a relief in the temple depicting Nara and Narayana worshiping Lord Shiva.
5. According to the kshetra purana, merchant named Chandragupta was suffering from incurable disease. He consumed a small portion of the oil that was used for abhishek of Lord Shiva and got cured.
Those who worshiped at this place: Lord Muruga, Lord Bramha, Lord Mahavishnu, Lord Kubera, Sage Durvasa, Medhavi Maharshi, Sage Markandeya, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Gorakhasiddha, Shaiva Saint Sundarar and Sambandhar.
Salient features:
1. Idol of Goddess Prasannadurga is unique. It has 8 hands holding different weapons.
2. Lord Dakshinamurti is facing the west with Navagraha in front.
3. All the idols in the temple are very beautiful.
4. Lord Baal-Subramanya is in a sitting position.
5. There are 3 idols of Lord Chandikeshwar in a straight line.
6. The shrine of Goddess Soundarya Nayaki is in a mandap which is shaped like the forehead of a bat.
7. Lord Surya’s rays fall on the Shiva Linga for 3 days in the Tamil months of Aavani and Maasi.
8. Goddess Mahalakshmi is depicted as a child.
About the temple:
This is a west facing temple with five tiered rajagopuram and 2 parikramas. Immediately after the Rajagopuram, we come across Dhwajastamba, Balipeeth and Nandi facing sanctum. There is Lord Vinayaka under the dhwajastambha praised as Lord Kodimara (Dhawajstambha) Vinayaka. Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardhamandap and Mahamandap. On either side of the entrance of Lord’s shrine, we come across the shrines of Lord Dwar Ganapati and Lord Baal Murugan. The Swayambhoo Shiva Linga is facing west. The sanctum is shaped like a Linga.
Kostha murtis: There are 2 idols of Lord Dakshinamurti – one on west and another on southern side, Lord Ardhanareeshwarar is resting his hand on rishabha, Lord Bikshadanar, Lord Lingothbhavar, Goddess Prasannadurga, Lord Bramha and Lord Vishnu worshiping Lord Lingothbhavar and Lord Varasiddhi-Vinayaka.
On the sanctum walls, there are reliefs of Medhavi Maharshi, NaraNarayan pakshi (Sarbheshwarar), and Gorakhasiddha worshiping Lord Shiva.
Goddess Prasannadurga has eight hands with different weapons in each hand, right leg slightly in front of left leg.
Lord Dakshinamurti is facing the west and is considered to be very auspicious. The Navagraha shrine is opposite to Lord Dakshinamurti. Lord Chandikeshwarar is in a separate shrine in the parikrama.
There are three idols of Lord Chandikeshwarar.
Devi is housed in a separate shrine facing the south in the Mahamandap. The Mahamandap has the shape of the forehead of a bat. She is decorated with sandal paste on last Friday of Tamil month Thai.
The shrine of Goddess Mahalakshmi is near the Navagraha shrine. She is depicted as a child in this temple. She is dressed in traditional Tamil dress of a young girl (parkar and polka in Marathi).
Other idols and shrines in the main mandap of parikrama are: Lord Anand Vinayaka, Lord Muruga, Lord Kubera, Saptamatrika, Lord Baal-Subramanya, Siddhalinga, Runa Linga, Vaayu-tejas-jyoti lingas, Lord Valampuri Ganesha (Ganesha with his trunk towards right hand side), Lord Kashivishwanath along with Goddess Vishalakshi, Goddess Nagammai, Lord Surya, Lord Kaalbhairava, Lord Veerbhairava, Shaiva Saint Naalvar, Lord Shanishwarar and Shaiva Saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar.
Prayers:
1. Devotees believe that Lord Shiva cures children with speech problems at this place.
2. Devotees believe that by worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati at this place they will be blessed with a sweet voice.
3. On full moon day and Thursday, devotees seeking cure from skin diseases perform abhishek to Goddess Soundaryanayaki using gingelly oil. They consume a few drops of the oil and then apply to the body.
4. Those who have Navagraha dosha, worship Lord Dakshinamurti and Navagraha for relief.
Poojas: Regular pooja, Pradosha pooja, Full moon days and Thursdays
Important festivals:
Chitrai (Apr-May): Ten days of Bramhostsav
Aani (June-July): Thirumanjanam
Aadi (July-Aug): Aadi Puram (Pooja on Poorva Phalguni nakshatra)
Aavani (Aug-Sept): Shri Ganesh Chaturthi
Purattassi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri
Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Annabhishek and Skandha Shashti
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukarthigai Deepam
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai
Maasi (Feb-Mar): Shivaratri
Timings: 6 am to 12.30 pm; 4.30 pm to 8 pm
Address:
Shri Siddhanatheshwar temple
at Post Thirunaraiyur (Nachiyar kovil),
Tal Kumbhakonam,
Tamil Nadu 612102
Phone: +91-4352467343, +91-4352467219
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs