Sri Vanmeekinathar Temple

Overview

This temple is an Aathara Stalam. This place is called Moolatharam meaning Basal end of the spinal. Athmalinga (Emerald Linga) was brought from Indra by Musukunda chakravarthi and kept in this place as first linga among the Seven called as VEETHIVIDANGAR. Great Saivite Saints Gnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar had sung the glory of Lord of the temple in their distinguished Thevaram and Tiruvasagam hymns. Of the Shiva temples on the southern bank of Cauvery, this is the 87th praised in Thevaram hymns

About the Temple

It is the custom in Shiva Temples to end the Thevaram song droning with the word Tiru Chittrambalam as followed in Chidambaram sanctuary, thought to be first among all Shiva sanctuaries in the state. Be that as it may, the vestige of Tiruvarur sanctuary is more antiquated; subsequently, this word is not droned here. The Car (Rath) of Tiruvarur is greatest in size and lovely in the make. Ruler Shiva had played 364 marvels (Tiruvilayadal in Tamil) in Tiruvarur alone. As salvation is a conviction for those conceived in Tiruvarur, Yama the God of Death had no work here. He petitioned Lord and replaced Chandikeswara. Those with apprehension of death supplicate here. Those happy of the face darshan of Lord in Tiruvarur likewise visits Vilamal sanctuary, 3 km from here, for Feet Darshan for complete fulfillment. The Feet Darshan mystery is said to be behind the sanctum sanctorum of Lord.

The Aadi Pooram celebration (July-August) is praised for parade divinity Manonmani. Akasha Bhairava over the Kamalambika tower is going about as an overseer god. Ruler Bhairava of the sanctuary is commended as Siddhi Bhairava. Kamalamuni Siddhar Peetam is close to the sanctum sanctorum of Mother Kamalambika on the right side. Siva Surya graces from the prakara of Lord Shiva Shrine. He looks tall. Those confronting obligation troubles go to Runa Vimochana Easwara. Master Thiagaraja gifts darshan on the Tiruvadhirai day in December from the Raja Narayana Mandap. There are Ashta (eight) Durga altars in the sanctuary. Sri Muthuswami Dishithar had sung the greatness of the Durgas in his observed Keerthanas. Abishek is committed to Mother Mahalakshmi with gold coins on Deepavali in October-November and on Akshaya Tritiya day in April-May by devotees. Master Dakshinamurthi graces from the external mass of Ambika holy place with six pupils, however by and large just four are with Him in other Shiva sanctuaries. Mother Neelotpalambal graces from a different sanctum with a house keeper holding Lord Muruga. The icon of mother is delightfully made as though She is touching the leader of Her adored child Muruga. We see Mother Saraswathi with a Veena. She doesn't hold one here yet graces the enthusiasts in a compensation stance. Master Hayagriva, in his own particular holy place shows up performing Shiva Puja. He is lauded as Hayagriswarar. Understudies go to Mother Saraswathi and Lord Hayagriswarar to sparkle in their scholastic interests. A challenge emerged in the heavenly world on the honesty level in individuals. Yama the God of Death asserted the title. In any case, Maharshi Narada denied His privilege and said that King Manu Needhi Chola alone merited the title. Yama came to earth in the pretense of a dairy animals with a calf. Sovereign Veedhi Vidangan was going ahead the imperial road of the city. The calf was gotten under the haggles murdered in the mishap. The Mother Cow (Yama) raced to the ruler's royal residence and looked for equity from the lord Manu Needhi Cholan. The lord concluded that he likewise ought to persevere and endure the torment of losing a youngster as the cow. He drove the rath on the body of his child, conveyed equity with life forever. Yama showed up before the ruler perceiving his honesty and feeling of equity to non-people as well and vanished. This scene is portrayed in a stone rath figure put in the upper east corner of the sanctuary.

For the most part, Nandhi is found in a sitting position in Shiva sanctuaries with the exception of in Saptha Vidanga places around Tiruvarur. Every one of them are metal symbols.

In sanctuaries confronting east, Lord's parade likewise starts from east-bound passage. In Tiruvarur, the parade starts from the upper east passage called Vittavasal. Head Mushukunda introduced the Linga in the sanctuary which he got from Indira. Be that as it may, Indira needed to reclaim the Linga to his own Devaloka. It is trusted that Indira is holding up at the east access to utilize the open door when Lord goes through this entryway. To trick Indira, the followers are taking Lord in parade through the upper east passage, with the goal that he may not enter the sanctuary to take the Linga. Indeed, even dominant part of the devotees utilize the upper east entryway just to enter the sanctuary keeping away from the east. Tiruvarur is the main sanctuary that has more number of Thevaram psalms 353, Ganasambandar 55, Tirunavukkarasar 208 and Sundarar 87 and Manickavasagar 3. It is foremost that Mother Kamalambikai is extraordinarily adored as an aggregate representation of the reverential song Lalitha Sahasra Nama. Thus, the Theertha is adulated as Kamalalayam. Showering in this Theertha on the Panguni Uthiram day in March-April is viewed as equivalent to 12 Mahamagam shower in Kumbakonam. It ought to be noticed that Mahamagam happens just once in 12 years.Sthala Theertham Kamalalyam,Sanku, Kaya, Vanni Theertham.

Stalavriksham

Paathiri

About The Deity

Presiding Lord Vanmeeka Nathar appears gracefully wearing the crescent moon on His head. So Mother Kamalambal grants darshan to Her devotees with this Crescent Moon jewel. She represents Mothers Saraswathi, Parvathi and Mahalakshmi holding a flower in the right hand, keeping the left on the hip and legs on a Yoga posture as an Empress.

Legend and Stories

Indira had to face a battle against the demons. He was able to win the war with the help of Emperor Mushukunda. As a token of his gratitude to the emperor, Indira wanted to present a gift and asked what he wanted. Mushukunda asked for the Shivalinga in Indira’s possession which was worshipped by Lord Vishnu keeping it on His chest. Indira did not want to part with the Linga. He made a trick with divine sculptor Mayan making six such Lingas and presented them to the emperor. Mushukunda found them fake. With no means to convince the emperor, Indira offered the Original Shivalinga along with the six new ones too making the total to 7. The original Shiva Linga is in Tiruvarur. Other six are installed in other temples all collectively known as Saptha Vidanga Sthalas. Saptha in Sanskrit means seven. They are installed as 1) Veedhi Vidangar in Tiruvarur, 2) as Nagara Vidangar in Tirunallru, 3) as Sundara Vidangar in Nagapattinam, 4) as Avani Vidangar in Tirukuvalai, 5) as Neela Vidangar in Tiruvaimur, 6) as Bhuvani Vidangar in Vedaranyam and 7) as Adi Vidangar in Tirukaravasal. These Lingas are tiny in size and could be held in hand. These places are called Saptha Vidanga Sthalas where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Thiagarajar.

A demon Satya Gupta by name was a threat to Devas. He was caught in the aspect of Sani Bhagwan-Planet Saturn. Enraged, he began to fight with the planets. The planets appealed to Lord Shiva for protection. Lord Shiva protected the planets from the demon on condition that they should ever be soft to His devotees. Hence, the planets are on straight line facing the Lord. Lord Vinayaka is also in this shrine monitoring them whether they are soft to Shiva devotees. It thus became the rule that though devotees visit Tirunallru for Saturn reliefs, they should visit Tiruvarur also for worship for total relief. Of the 84 Vinayakas in the temple, four are highly revered. Those suffering from nervous problems and high tensions, pray to Nadukkam Theertha Vinayaka-Vinayaka protecting from trembling. Women pray to Mattru Uraitha Vinayaka in the West Gopuram gate before buying jewels as He confirmed the touch quality of the gold awarded by Lord Shiva to Saint Sundarar. Lord Mooladhara Ganapathi appears reclining and dancing on a blossomed Lotus near a five headed serpent. Those practicing yoga worship here. Lord Vadhabi Gnapathi graces the devotees from the first prakara of Lord’s shrine. Great Carnatic Musician Sri Muthuswamy Dishitha, one among the Trinity of Carnatic Music heritage, sang the famous song “Vadhabi Ganapathim Baje” from this shrine which musicians sing first in their concerts.

Festivals

Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January, Lord Thiagesar granting His Feet darshan – Pada Darshan; 10 day Panguni Uthiraim in March-April with the flag hoisting on the Hastha Star Day of the previous Tamil month Masi, with car festival on the 10th day with the significance of the darshan granted to sage Vyakrapada; 10 day Aadi Pooram in July-August; the Bhoodha Ganas carrying paddy bags to Saint Sundararar on Masi Magam Day in February-March; Chithiria festival in April-May are the important festivals of the temple. Besides the above, the Pradosha Puajas are devotionally performed drawing huge crowds. Deepavali, Pongal the Makar Sankranthi, Tamil and English New Year days are also observed with special pujas.

Thanksgiving

Devotees pray to Lord Brahmma Nandhi behind Lord Veedi Vidanga Vinayaka and fill the tub with water seeking rain. They offer Arugu-grass to Him and feed their cows for milk yield. Mother Kamalambal grants wisdom to devotees and even dumbs become teachers to Guru Bhagwan-Jupiter. People offer milk rice nivedhana to Mother on Navami day in Purattasi (September-October) for salvation. Those suffering from fever and seeking longevity offer Pepper Rasam to Lord Juradeva. For total success in life, devotees perform Mukundarchana to Lord Thiagarajar which was performed by Lord Vishnu. Emperor Mushukunda also did this for success.

Significance

Individuals implore Rahukala Durga for advancement and ideal exchanges. Ruler Shanmuga shields His aficionados from adversaries. Fans appeal to Mother Neelotpalambal and devour the nivedhana milk of the Arthajama Puja to get kids. Ruler Runa Vimochana Perumal eases His fans from obligation weights and afflictions. Enthusiasts go to managing divinity Lord Thiagaraja for wedding, kid, high positions in instruction, business open doors, progress in exchange and calling and advancement shelters. Petition to Lord Vanmeekanatha purges the fan of his/her transgressions, dispenses with terrible attributes in him/her as presumption and so on and awards numerous shelters including flourishing. Understudies ask at the Akshara Peeta-a little mount with letters-for picking up incredibleness in instruction.

Accessibility

The nearest airport is at Tiruchi. The nearest railway station is at Tiruvarur. Tiruvarur is linked by rail and road from important places of the state. The temple is in the heart of Tiruvarur town and is easily reachable.

Temple Address

Sri Vanmeekanathar Temple,
Thiruvarur (post),
Thiruvarur(Dist),
TamilNadu,
India.