This temple is about 30 kms from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam-Nachiyar Kovil-Nannilam route, about 17 kms from Thiruvarur, 37 kms from Mayiladuthurai, 62 kms from Thanjavur and 6 kms from Nannilam. This Shiva temple is located at Thiruvanchiam in Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu.
It is believed that the Shiva Lingam here manifested long before the Shiva Lingams manifested at Kailash, Kashi, Shri Shailam and so on. This temple existed before the 7th century. This particular place was not destroyed during pralay.
This is one of the six Shiva Sthalam on the bank of Kaveri which are considered to be very sacred and equal to Kashi namely - Thiruvenkadu, Thiruvaiyarur, Shri Vanchiam, Chhayavanam, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvidaimarudur. This temple is famous as a Rahu Ketu parihar sthala and has a Yama temple. Unlike the other temples, this temple is kept open during the eclipse also.
This is one of the 276 Padal Pethra Sthalam on the southern bank of river Kaveri. This may be the only temple where all the four Shaiva Saints (Nalavar) have sung sacred hymns on Lord Shiva. This may be the only temple of Lord Yama where he is given the honor of being worshiped as the first deity daily in the morning. This temple is about 2000 years old. It is worshiped as Bhulok Kailash. The present temple was constructed by the Chola king - Rajaraja in the 11th century. There are 27 stone inscriptions dating back to Chola, Pandya kings which give an account of various work done by them.
Moolavar: Shri Vanchinadeshwarar, Shri Vanchinatharswamy, Shri Vanchilingeshwarar
Devi: Shri Mangala Nayaki, Shri Vazhavanda Nayaki, Shri Sugandhakundalambika
Agama/Pooja: Kameeya Agama
Sacred Theertha: Gupta Ganga, Yama Theertha, Ananta Deva Theertha, Laskhmi Theertha, Naga Theertha, Chakra Theertha
Kshetra Vruksha: Sandalwood Tree
Puranik Name: Thiruvanchiam
Historic Names: Vanchiapati, Chandanvanam, Bhukailash, Thiruvaiyur, Gandhararanyam
Present Name: Shri Vanchiam, Thiruvarur district
Kshetra Purana:
1. Nandi and Shiva Linga face the same direction. The Shiva Linga at this place was facing West some 2600 years ago. A major earthquake destroyed all the temples in this region but this temple survived. This was a great astonishment among the Sages and the Saints. They realized that the Shiva Linga turned to the East during the earthquake due to the rotation of the earth. Hence Lord Shiva and Nandi face the same direction. Therefore arti is shown during pooja to both sides of the Shiva Linga.
2. Shri Vanchiam: Due to the conflict between consorts of Lord Vishnu namely Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Bhumadevi, Goddess Lakshmi left Lord Vishnu. She went to a very distant place due to which Lord Vishnu was affected and he was in great sorrow. He came to Lord Shiva for guidance and help. As per Lord Shiva’s advice, Lord Vishnu came to Shri Vanchiam and stayed there. Lord Shiva was able to persuade Goddess Lakshmi because of his affection (vanchi in Tamil) towards her and got them united at this place. Hence this place is known as Shri Vanchiam and Lord Shiva is addressed as Shri Vanchinathar. When pooja of Lord Shiva takes place in this temple, poojas of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi are also performed.
3. Shrine of Yama and Chitragupta: Yama was once unhappy with his job of taking away the life of living beings. He felt that there were many better jobs than what he was doing. He felt depressed by the incident involving Sage Markandeya in ThiruKadayur. He conveyed his unhappiness to Lord Brahma at Thiruvarur. Lord Brahma advised him to go to the place on the bank of river Kaveri where there was a sandalwood forest and perform penance. He told him that Lord Shiva will take care of him. He advised him to worship Lord Shiva at this place. He came to this place and did penance. Lord Shiva appeared before him on Bharani Nakshatra day in the Tamil month of Maasi. When Lord Shiva asked him to state his wish, Lord Yama stated that he wanted him to relieve the death fear of devotees in their minds due to the sins in their past birth. He also stated that he wanted to serve the Lord as his mount. Pleased by his penance and good thoughts Lord Shiva graced Lord Yama. He advised Lord Yama to build a temple with a separate shrine for himself (Lord Yama). Lord Yama built this temple and a separate shrine for himself. Lord Shiva gave him the status of Kshetrapaal. Since the temple was built in sandalwood forest the place was called Gandharanya. To please Lord Yama, Lord Shiva rode from ShriVanchiam to ThiruKodikaval with Yama as his mount. Hence every year on Bharani Nakshatra day in the Tamil month of Maasi, Lord Shiva is taken in procession with Lord Yama as his mount. It is believed that Lord Yama protects this place from earthquakes and calamities. In honor of his noble thoughts, Lord Yama is given the honor of being worshiped first in this temple. Devotees have to take bath in the Guptaganga first in the North entrance, seek blessings of Yama on the southern side entrance before entering the Sanctum of Lord Vanchinathar.
4. Suryapushkarini: When Lord Veerabhadra started destroying Daksha Yagnya and punishing those who participated in it, he hit Lord Surya who lost his teeth. Lord Surya took a month long penance at Guptaganga in the month of Karthigai. Lord Shiva pardoned him. The Theertha in which he took a dip is known as Surya Theertha i.e. Guptaganga. It is believed that Lord Shiva created the temple tank with his trident.
5. Once Ganga sought the advice of Lord Shiva to cleanse herself of the sins left behind by those who bathed in her. He directed her to this place where Lord Yama was blessed by him. Accordingly, Ganga left one part out of her thousand parts of holiness at Kailash and merged with the sacred Theertha at this place with remaining 999 parts of holiness. It is believed that she remains here secretly, hence the Theertha is known as Guptaganga. This Theertha is considered to be holier than Ganga. Now it is known as Muni Theertha. Mahamagham festival is celebrated in this Theertha also. It is believed that it existed in all four Yugas. It was known as Punya Theertha in Satyayuga, Atri Theertha in Tretayuga, Parashar Theertha in Dwapara Yuga and Muni Theertha in Kaliyuga. Sages Atri, Bharadwaj, Jamadagni, Vasishtha, Vishwamitra, Gautam have been blessed with this Guptaganga for attaining salvation. Sage Agastya stated when one thinks of this temple they will get salvation.
6. According to the practice of all the temples, the temples are closed when death occurs around Mada streets (streets around the temple). As this temple is considered equal to Kashi, at this temple the poojas (sacred rituals) are continued but the bell is not rung.
Those who worshiped at this place: Lord Yama, Saptarishis, Lord Agni, Lord Surya, Serpent King Shankhapalan, Ganga, Goddess Parvati, Sage Parashar, Lord Indra
Special Features:
1. Yama’s shrine: This shrine is facing the South. The idol of Lord Yama has four hands. He has a noose, maze, and trishul in his hands. He is in a sitting posture with left leg folded and right leg hanging down. On his right leg, he wears a khadava - a kind of footwear worn by Sages. Near his idol we have the idol of Chitragupta depicted as a Sage.
2. Durga Shrine: She has one foot on the ground and one on the head of the asura.
3. Shrine of Mahishasuramardini: She is in a blessing posture. She has eight hands which carry weapons. Her mount lion is standing by his side. People worship her with 108 lotus flowers during Rahu Kaal.
4. Vennai (butter) Pillayar (Vennai Vinayaka): His shrine is in an inner prakaram. People worship him for relief from stomach ailments by applying butter on his idol.
5. There are seventeen stone inscriptions dated between 10th AD to 17th AD relating to the endowments and the gifts made by various people to the temple.
6. The idol of Lord Dakshinamoorti dates back to the 10th century whereas that of Lord Subramanya dates back to 15 and 16 AD.
7. Poojas are first performed for Lord Yama in this temple. First, one has to take a dip in Guptaganga, worship Lord Ganesha on the bank of a tank, then worship Lord Yama, and finally Lord Shiva. The procession vehicle of Lord Shiva during the festival is known as Yama Vahan.
8. Sandalwood leaves are used for worship of Lord Shiva instead of bilva leaves.
9. It is believed that by reciting the hymn sung by Shaiva Saint Sambandhar, the estranged couple will be united.
10. The water in the Guptaganga does not become dry even when there is water scarcity everywhere. A dip in the Guptaganga Theertha is equal to holy dip in Varanasi, Rameshwaram and Mahamagham tank in Kumbhakonam. It helps in salvation and relief from birth and death cycle.
11. Unlike the other temples, this temple is kept open during the eclipse and when there is a death in the main street surrounding the temple.
12. Sanctum is in a semicircular moat shape.
13. Goddess Parvati is worshiped at this place as Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati and she is known as Goddess Mangalambika. She is worshiped as Goddess Durga in the morning, as Goddess Mahalakshmi in the evening and after 6 pm she is worshiped as Goddess Saraswati.
14. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung a sacred hymn on Lord Muruga of this temple.
15. Rahu and Ketu are carved out of a single stone. They are together in a separate shrine.
16. There is no Navagraha shrine.
About the temple:
The temple complex is spread over 5 acres. The Sanctum Sanctorum is in the form of a semi circular moat. The temple faces East. Has a five tiered Rajagopuram. Besides this, there are three other Gopurams, Three Kalash (Shikhar) and Three Parikramas. Inner parikrama has maximum idols. Rajagopuram at the first entrance is five tiered and the second entrance Rajagopuram is three tiered. The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, Antarala, Ardhamanpap. Balipeeth, Dhwajastambha and Nandi are after Rajagopuram. Both Moolavar and Goddess Ambika’s shrines face the East. This Shiva Linga is a Swayambhu Linga with a flat base (avudayar) and it is tall.
It is oldest among the 64 presiding deities in the world. There are two Nandis - One on the East side and one on the West. Both Nandis are facing either side of the main Shiva Linga.
The Shiva Linga at this place is considered to be a Sadashiv Linga, hence all the Shiva Lingas in the world worship this Linga in Guptarupa. This Shiva Linga’s greatness can be understood as it is equal to 1. Ashwamedha Yaga amongst the Yagas, 2. Somavrat amongst Vratas, 3. Shodakshari Mantra among the Mantras 4. Annadaan among the danas, 5. Shiva devotee among the devotees, 6. Kalpataru among the Vrukshas 7. Shivadharmas among the dharmas 8. Kamadhenu among the cows and 9. Gupta ganga among the Theerthas. It is stated that this was a godly (Theyu) form during pralaya. Ratna in Kritayuga, Gold in Tretayuga, Stone (Granite) in Kaliyuga.
In the second parikrama, we have the shrine of Goddess Parvati. She is in a standing posture. As soon as we enter the temple, on the left side we find the shrine of Lord Yama. In the front mandap we come across the shrines of Lord Muruga and Lord Ganesha who is known as Lord Abhayakara Vinayaka. When we go inside, we find the shrine of Devi on the right side. We come across the Dhwaja Stambha, Balipeeth and Nandi. On the left side we come across Adhikar Nandi. In this mandap we find the Utsav Moortis.
In the inner parikrama, we find the shrines and idols of Lord Vinayaka, Lord Surya, Panchabhuta Linga, Goddess Jyeshtha Devi and Lord Shanishwarar.
Koshtha Moortis: Lord Vinayaka, Lord Dakshinamoorti, Lord Lingodbhava, Lord Brahma and Goddess Durga. Lord Chandikeshwar is in a separate shrine. Lord Muruga is in a separate shrine with his consorts.
In the parikrama we come across Goddess Mahalakshmi, Goddess Mahishasuramardini, 63 Nayanmars, Kshetra Linga, Lord Sattainathar and Goddess Durga. We also come across the Shiva Linga of the temples in Thiruvenkadu, Mayiladuthurai, Chhyavanam, Thiruvidaimarudur and Thiruvaiyaru. In the prakara we come across Theyulinga (Linga during the pralaya), Akshaya Linga, Goddess Dharma-ambal, Lord Kailashnathar, Lord Sundareshwar with Goddess Meenakshi. The elephant near Goddess Mahalakshmi has four tusks. As Lord Shiva is dominant at this place, there is no Navagraha shrine but Lord Shanishwarar is present in a separate shrine. There is a separate shrine for Lord Bhairav in the inner corridor. He is in a sitting position, without his dog, indicating that he is in yoga. He is known as Lord Yogabhairava. Next to the shrine we have Rahu and Ketu.
Prayers:
1. This is a Rahu Ketu parihar sthala.
2. People pray here for a child boon and cure from nervous disorder.
3. When one prays in Lord Yama’s shrine he is relieved of fear of death due to the sins committed by him.
4. People pray here for upliftment in their job, success in business, and estranged couples pray for getting united again. They take bath in Guptaganga during the Sundays in the Tamil month of Karthigai.
5. This is a parihar sthala for Magha, Poorva, Shatabhisha and Bharani Nakshatra as well as Mesha, Kumbha and Simha Rashis. For removal of adverse planetary effects people worship at this place.
6. A dip in the Lakshmi Theertha on Friday in the month of Aavani, helps in reunion of couples.
7. A dip in the Naga Theertha on Thiruvonam (Shravana Nakshatra) in Vaikashi gives relief from Naga dosha.
8. A dip on the day of Ekadashi / Dwadashi in Chakra Theertha in Aavani is believed to remove brahma hatya dosha.
Poojas:
1. Regular poojas according to Agama rules
2. Pradosha pooja
3. Special pooja on New Moon and Full Moon days
Festivals:
Aadi (July-Aug): 10 day Adipuram (Poorva Phalguni Nakshatra) festival
Aavani (Aug-Sept): Shri Ganesh Chaturthi and Avani Moolam festival on the Moola nakshatra.
Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri
Aippasi (Oct-Nov): 12 day festival known as Kadai (last) Gnayru (Sunday), Skanda Shashthi and Annabhishek festival
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Karthigai Deepam
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai festival
Maasi (Feb-Mar): Maasi Magham (Magha nakshatra) festival for 10 days in the Tamil month of Maasi. The Theerthawari festival on the second day instead of the last day of Brahmotsav. Lord Shiva is taken in procession in the Yama vehicle. Shivaratri worship on the month of Maasi.
Timings: 6 am to 8 am, 3.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Temple Address:
Shri Vanchinathar Swamy Temple
At ShriVanchiam post,
Taluka Nannilam,
Tamil Nadu.
Phone Number: 91-4366291305, 9360602973
Courtesy: Various blogs and websites
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