Panchavarneswarar Temple

Overview

The Sri Panchavarneswarar temple is located in Tiruchirappali and is dedicated to God Shiva. It is the second Stlaam in this city with Rock Fort temple being the first one. This temple is also called as Mookkeswaram. It is understood to be the 5th in the series of the Tevara Stalams which are located on the south of the Kaveri River. This temple dates back to the time of Chola Kingdom.

About the Temple

This temple was mentioned in the Thevaram hymns of Saint Tirugnana Sambandar. The devotees are welcomed by a very astonishing and nicely decorated Nandi at the entrance. This temple boasts of a maha mandapam, ardha mandapam and the main sanctum sanctorum. The shivlingam in the sanctum of the temple is a bit small in size as compared to other temples. The great God Shiva is also called as Panchavarneswarar as it is known that he manifested himself in exactly 5 varied colors to Utanga Munivar whose shrine in this temple is situated opposite to the main sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is huge in size Goddess Kanthimathi Ammai who is the consort of Panchavarneswarar wears Ankusam and has Lotus in her tow hands. She faces the Northern direction. Near to the main shrine, devotees can also see and get blessed by the images of God MahaVishnu, Sun God, God Saneeswarar and Kala Bhairavamurthy.

Devotees also get enthralled by the two six feet tall dwarapalakas which are situated at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum in the arthamandapam. The architecture of the dwarapalaks defines the 8th century features. In the southern wall of the sanctum sanctorum, there is an image of God Dakshinamoorthy and on the northern wall there is an image of God Brahma. Recently in the year 2002, this temple was renovated.

About the Deity

God Shiva portrayed 5 different colors which gave him the name of Panchavarnaswamy. Panchavarnaswamy was highly revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work called the Tevaram which was written by many Tamil saint poets called Nayanars. Panchavarnaswamy is also classified as the Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Legend and Stories

There are many stories and legends attached to this temple. It is known that the shivlingam in this temple showed God Brahma five different colors which were: golden yellow, red, black, white and smoke ash color. To Sage Udangar, this particular shivlingam of the temple appeared as a gem, spatika, gold, diamond and as a portrait. It is also understood that God Shiva appeared in this temple as a Cock which actually controlled a wild elephant.

Festivals

The main festivals celebrated in this temple include Chitra Poornima, Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam, Aani Tirumanjanam, Aadi Poornima, Aavani Moola, Navarathri, Aipasi Poornima Annabhishekam, Margazhi Tiruvadhirai, Thai Poosam, Mahashivarathri and Panguni Uthiram.

Prasad

To get blessed by the God, devotees perform Abhishek and also offer pudding Pongal as nivedhana.

Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer pudding-pongal as nivedhana.

Significance

Devotees have a very strong and unshakeable faith in this temple. They believe that they would be freed from any kind of negativity. This belief arises as serpent Karkoda and his arch rival Sri Garuda Bhagwan are known to have worshipped in this very place.

Nearby Place To Visit

This temple is in close proximity to Malaikottai Uchipillayar, Adhimooleswarar, Paraithurainathar, Mattruai Vandeswarar, Nallandavar and Aamra Vaneswarar which all can be visited by the devotees who visit this particular temple.

Accessibility

Road

This temple can be easily accessed by buses. The bus facilities are available from the Tiruchi Chatram Bus station. From there, buses can be taken to Urayur.

Bus facilities are frequently available from Tiruchi Chatram bus stand to Urayur.

Railway

The nearest railway station is Urayur railway station.

Airport

The closest airport is the Trichy airport.

Temple Address

Sri Panchavarneswarar Temple,
Urayur – 620 003,
Tiruchi district.