Sri Vaanchinathar Temple

Overview

Tiruvanchiyam is located 10 km west of Nannilam (railway station) and 18 km northwest of Tiruvarur. Kondeeswaram is located at about 7 km east of Tiruvanchiyam. This Shivastalam is a vast temple and a muktistalam where the Ganges is said to have bathed in the Gupta Ganga theertham to rid herself of the blemishes of those bathing in the Ganges. It is considered to be the 70th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri. Srivanchiyam, is a small Village in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, between Mudikondan and Puttar rivers.

The presiding deity here is Vanchinathan and His consort is Mangalambika. Grandness of Lord of the temple is applauded by Saint Tirugnana Sambandar in his songs. This is the 70th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery commended in Thevaram songs. As a custom, Theerthavari is performed just on the last day of Brahmmotsavam in Shiva sanctuaries. Here it is performed on the second day in the temple tank itself amid the Masi Magam celebrations in February-March. Ruler Vanchinathaswami comes in parade on the Ema Vahan. On the last day, pujas are committed to Lord Muruga. Theerthavari is commended on Karthikai Sundays too in November-December. A 10 day celebration is likewise celebrated after Aadi Pooram in July-August. Exceptional Aradhanas and abisheks are performed on Sundays. The Shivalingam here is considered to be the oldest among the 64 swayambhu lingams in the world. Sandalwood is the sthala vriksham here and sandal leaves are used to perform the puja to the Lord. Usually vilva leaves are used in puja for Shiva. Brahmandam, Skandam, Samboban and Agneya Puranas talk about this sacred place. Srivanchiyam is 25 kms from Kumbakonam and one km from Achuthamangalam on the Kumbakonam Nagapattinam route. It is 16kms from Tiruvarur on Tiruvarur Nannilam route.

About the Temple

This temple with 3 prakarams and several gopurams and vimanams occupies an area of about 3 acres and the large Gupta Ganga tank is located adjacent to it. This temple covers an area of about 3.5 acres . The original stone structure of the temple dates back to the period of Kulottonga Chola I (1075-1120). Renovation of the entire temple and the building of the shrine to Mangalanayaki took place during the rule of Rajaraja Chola II (1146-1172 CE). Shivalingam is a Swayambhu (self-showed) and faces both West and East; consequently puja is performed here in both the bearings. There are two Nandhis in this temple, one on the East and one on the West. This lingam should have existed even before the pralaya (the Great Deluge) and was confronting west when Suryan worshiped him. separate hallowed place here for Yama Dharmaraja. He is given inclination in every day worship. Sannidhi to Lord Yama is in the first Praharam (circumambulatory way). On entering the temple, the temple tank called the Gupta Ganga Temple Tank is arranged on the right hand side. Yama's Shrine can be found on your left hand side. This little place of worship confronts south. Kubera can be seen remaining by Yama at this altar. The individuals who beg here are thought to be free from the sufferings going before their demise.

This is a Mukthikshetram (where you achieve salvation). The blessed tank (theertham) here is Gupta Ganga . Ganges was once exceptionally stressed that individuals were scrubbing down in the Ganges to dispose of their wrongdoings and she was aggregating every one of their transgressions. She should have scrubbed down here at the Gupta Ganga as exhorted by Shiva to clean herself. A dunk in the tank apparently exculpates you of the considerable number of sins and there is no Vinayaka and Bala Murugan can be found at the passageway to the inward praharam (circumambulatory way) . In the internal praharam is the holy place for Goddess Sughandha Kundalaambigai. There is Vennai Pillayar in a column in the first praharam (circumambulatory way) . Individuals smear margarine on His stomach to get cured of their stomach infirmities.

Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu are accepted to have supplicated the Lord here to get united. Bhairavar is in a different place of worship in the inward praharam (circumambulatory way). He is in Yoga stance without his vahanam (Vehicle) – the puppy. Pujas are performed to the Yoga Bhairavar utilizing Vanni takes off. Utilization of the powder produced using the vanni leaves utilized as a part of the puja is accepted to cure every anxious disease. One can to dispose of all shades of malice coordinated towards them in the event that they perform puja to Yoga Bhairavar. The supplications to God of the childless are replied after they perform puja for 6 back to back Krishnapaksha ashtami days (eighth day of the melting away Moon). One can succeed in every one of his attempts and business in the event that he makes an offering of Curd Rice, Coconut rice and Honey on Amavasya days (New Moon days). This is likewise parihara sthalam (place for healing worship) for the malefic impacts of Rahu & Kethu. Rahu and Ketu show up in the same corner here. This is by Yoga Bhairavar. Rahu Kala Puja on Sundays with offerings of vada made of lentils and ghee is accepted to evacuate the snags in getting hitched. Like in Thirunageswaram , milk turns blue in shading amid the rahukala abhishegam (bathing amid Mahishasuramardhini. Mahishasuramardhini here disposes of all shrewdness. Since this is an exceptionally old temple and has been in presence before the appearance of Navagraha worship, there is no holy place for the Navagrahas here. Be that as it may, Saneeswarar has a different specialty. Goddess Mahalakshmi has a different place of worship and her elephant has four tusks. I think about whether this was an antiquated cousin of the present day elephant. In all sanctuaries, if there is a shocking occasion like a passing, the pujas are not led. At SriVanchiyam it has no bearing on the behavior of day by day pujas and customs, they proceed.

Shashtiabthipurthi & Sadhabhishekam can be praised either at Srivanchiyam where the temple is particularly implied for the wellbeing of soul or at Thirukadaiyur where the temple is exceptionally constructed for the security of body. Performing tharpanam (custom to pay tribute to ones precursors) on Amavasya (New Moon day) here is viewed as exceptionally unique. Srivanchiyam is one of the 7 pithru kadan nivarthi (remission of hereditary obligations) sthalams . The other six are Kasi, Gaya, Thiriveni Sangamam & Thilatharpanapuri. Some consider Srivanchiyam to be holier than even Kasi.

About the Deity

Amid the shroud times additionally, the entryways of the temple is open however as a custom in other Shiva sanctuaries they are shut. Exceptional abishek is performed to Lord of Sri Vanchiam amid this time. Mother Ganga once looked for an answer from Lord to purify Herself of the wrongdoings left on Her by the individuals who washed in the stream. Ruler guided Her to beg at a spot where even Yama the God of Death was honored by Him. In like manner, Ganga left only a little force of Her in the first Ganga and converged with the sacrosanct spring here with the staying 999 sections of Her heavenliness. Consequently, the Theertha is called Gupta Ganga. It is still trusted that She is living in the theertha subtly. This Theertha is viewed as holier than Ganga. In the blink of an eye, it is known as Muni Theertha. Amid Masi Magam, a celebration is commended in this Theertha moreover. To rebuff the individuals who took an interest in Daksha' Yagna for which He was not welcomed with a thought process to affront Him, Lord Shiva sent Veerabadra to pulverize the Yajna. Sun-Surya was one of the members. Because of Lord's resentment, he lost his sparkling and asked absolution for a help. He performed thorough repentance here and recovered his splendor with the gifts of Lord Shiva. Master Vishnu burning (Vaanchithal in Tamil) of Mahalakshmi (Sri) looked for the assistance of Lord Shiva to understand His wish, henceforth the spot came to be known as Sri Vaanchiam. As Lord Shiva is all overwhelming in the temple, there is no place of worship for Navagrahas the nine planets. Yama and his partner Chitra Gupta are in a same hallowed place in the southeast corner-Agni corner-in the temple. Aficionados worship Yama with festoons made of Vada a prominent dish of Tamil Nadu. Individuals additionally lead in the place of worship their birthday pujas and homas looking for life span. Mother Mahishasuramardhi with Her eight hands is favoring the aficionados in the temple.

Legend and Stories

Yama the God of Death felt exceptionally tragic that he was alloted the employment of taking the life of individuals while there are numerous occupations of cheerful nature. He went to Tiruvarur and talked his distress to Lord. Ruler Shiva guided him to go to Sri Vanchiam and ask there. Yama performed atonement. Satisfied with his retribution, Lord Vanchinadheswarar showed up before him on the Masi month Bharani Star day in February-March and asked what he wished.Yama said that he had been doled out the employment of taking the life of individuals hence bringing about their disdain and brutal feedback and he was enduring the Brahmahati dosha brought on by his occupation obligation. Ruler Shiva guaranteed him saying that in future, individuals would property the reason for death because of illnesses, age and mishaps and they would not point the finger at him. Master likewise educated Yama that he ought to allow just the individuals who are less heathens and they ought not have resurrection. Ruler additionally underlined that Yama ought to make their end quiet. He additionally conceded him the status of Kshetra Palaka and the devotees would worship him first and afterward just at Lord's hallowed place. Likewise, the first puja is devoted to Yama just in this temple every day.

Festivals

As a tradition, Theerthavari is performed only on the final day of Brahmmotsavam in Shiva temples. Here it is performed on the second day in the temple tank itself during the Masi Magam festivals in February-March. Lord Vanchinathaswami comes in procession on the Ema Vahan. On the final day, pujas are dedicated to Lord Muruga. Theerthavari is celebrated on Karthikai Sundays too in November-December. A 10 day festival is also celebrated following Aadi Pooram in July-August. Special Aradhanas and abisheks are performed on Sundays.

Prasad and Offering

Those born of Magam, Pooram, Sadayam and Bharani Stars and belonging to Aries (Mesha), Aquarius (Kumba) and Leo (Simha) Rasis or Lagna pray here for any adverse planetary problems faced by them. Also those who had lost jobs, aspiring promotions and transfers, separated couples for re-union pray here on Karthika Sundays after a bath in Gupta Ganga in November-December. Realizing their wishes, devotees perform abishek and aradhanas to Lord and Mother and offer vastras.

Significance

Amid the obscuration days additionally Sri Vanchiam temple is open however as a custom different sanctuaries are shut amid the time. Exceptional abisheks are devoted to Lord on nowadays. Master Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthi. Those conceived of Magam, Pooram, Sadayam and Bharani Stars and having a place with Aries (Mesha), Aquarius (Kumba) and Leo (Simha) Rasis or Lagna ask here for any unfavorable planetary issues confronted by them. Likewise the individuals who had lost employments, trying advancements and exchanges, isolated couples for re-union beg here on Karthika Sundays after a shower in Gupta Ganga in November-December. Understanding their wishes, aficionados perform abishek and aradhanas to Lord and Mother and offer vastras. temple is open however as a custom.

Nearby Place To Visit

Sabarimala Temple
Ponvaithanaathar Temple
Swarnapureeswarar Temple
Padaleswarar Temple
Satchinathar Temple
Sarguna Nathar Temple
Kaichinneswarar Temple

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is in Trichy.

Railways

The closest railway station is in Kumbakonam.

Road

The devotee has to reach Achutamangalam by Kumbakonam-Nannilam bus running via Nachiarkoil (35 km). Sri Vanchiam temple is just one Km from Achutamangalam bus stop.

Temple Address

Sri Vanchinatha Swami Temple,
Sri Vanchiam-610 110,
Tiruvarur district.