Sri Rathna Chayavaneswarar Temple

Overview

The temple is located in Chayavanam, near Sirkali in Nagapattinam. Chayavanam can be reached by road on buses from Sirkali to Poombuhar. The temple is one among the six temples which are compared as equivalent to the temple in Varanaasi. The other five shivasthalams are Tiruvenkaadu, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvaiyaru, Tiruvidaimarudur and Tiruvanchiam.

About the Temple

This temple is one of the Maadakovil built by the Kochengat Chozhan. The temple is facing east and the temple tank is in front of the east entrance. The temple of Champagi Amman, guardian deity of Poompuhar is nearby the temple. The tank is on the south side. In the place of Kodimaram the flag post, Lord Vinayaka is in the place. As this is a Mada type temple, Nandhi is on a higher level. There are shrines of Sun, Indira, Iyarpagai Nayanar with his wife in the outer prakara. There is also a shrine for the three saivite saints. The devotee will also have the darshan of Lords Vinayaka, Muruga and Kala Bhairava on a higher level and Mother Gajalakshmi and Navagrahas. In the end, they reach bats mandap through steps and the Palli Arai and Ambica shrine.Saint Tirunavukkarasar had sung the praise of Lord in his Thevaram hymns. This is the 9th Shiva temple on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns

About the Deity

The main deity is Chaayavaneswarar. Its sanctum sanctorum is at an elevated site (Maadakovil). The Sannidhi for Sooriyan, Devendiran and Iyarpagai Nayanar along with his wife are located in the outer prakaram. The Sannidhi for the female deity is also located in the inner prakaram along with the main sanctum for Lord Chaayaavaneswarar.

Legend and Stories

Legend goes that Athithi, mother of Indira was harbouring a desire to come to earth and worship Chayavaneswarar. Therefore, she landed on the earth. Indira was searching for the missing mother and found that she had come to earth. To fulfill the desire of the mother, Indira wanted to take the temple to his place pulling it through his white elephant Iravadha. While he made the attempt, Mother Parvathi made a sound that was sweeter than that of a nightingale, hence the name to the Goddess. Lord Shiva also appeared before Indira and told him to drop the idea of taking the temple to his place and advised him to do the worship on Earth itself and be blessed.

Iyarpagai Nayanar is one the 63 celebrated devotees of Lord Shiva. Iyarpagai means doing something against established customs. This devotee had an abnormal trait of parting anything belonging to him to others. It is here, the devotee-attained salvation. The Story goes like this. Lord Shiva once came to Iyarpagayar in the guise of a Shiva devotee and demanded his wife to be sent with him. Without any hesitation, the devotee offered him his wife. The wife also did not disobey the husband nor opposed his decision. The Lord said that his relatives or others can intercept and attack Him on the way and therefore, Iyarpagai Nayanar should escort Him until He crossed the borders of the place. Iyarpagayar obliged and escorted the Lord with a sword on hand. The devotee defeated those who came to oppose. Reaching the border, the devotee was asked to return as the danger was over. While turning to go back, Iyarpagayar saw the Lord with Parvathi asking him to go back with his wife, live happily for years and come back to HIM at the end of his life. It is in this holy soil, Chayavanam, the miracle took place.

Also it is here, that Lord Muruga holds the bow and the arrow instead of his usual weapon Velayudham, readying for the war against Soorapadman. It is also said that the idol of Lord Muruga was found in the sea and taken from there to the temple. Muruga also wears the Veeragandamani (anklet) in his right leg, presented by Father Lord Shiva. Those who have fear of enemies, worship this Muruga for freedom from enemy fear. While Mother Shakthi offered the Vel to Muruga, the Lord gave him the Veeragandamani. Those who come and worship here sum up all courage to advance in life.

Festivals

The 21 day Indira Vizha beginning from Chithira Poornima-full moon day in April-May; Thanneer Pandal – offering buttermilk and water to pilgrims in the name of devotee Iyarpagai Nayanar during April-June covering Tamil months Chithirai and Vaikasi in summer to quench their thirst; public feeding on Aadi new moon day in July-August; Saint Kumara Guruparar Guru Puja in May-June, 5 day Margazhi Iyarpagai Nayanar festival in December-January with Lord’s darshan on the fourth day, are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Significance

Those afraid of enemies worship Lord Muruga in the temple holding a bow. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer vastras

Nearby Place to Visit

Kayaroganeswarar

Thanthondreeswarar

Neelakandeswarar

Pallavaneswarar Aranyeswarar

Naganathar

Accessibility

Chayavanam is 20 km from Sirkali-Poompuhar road. Buses are also available. The closest railways are in Sirkali, and the closest airports are in Chennai and Trichy.

Temple Address