Sri Vijayanathar Temple

Overview

The Vijayamangai Vijayanatheswarar Temple is located at Tiruvijayamangai in Thanjavur. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva. He is called Vijayanatheswarar and his consort is Mangalanayagi. Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthy. The scar caused by Arjuna’s bow is still visible on the Linga. This is the 101st Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 47th Sthalam on the north side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Thiruganasambhandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

About the Temple

The temple was built by Medieval Cholas in accordance with contemporary Chola designs. The one different feature of the temple is that the Rajagopuram is smaller than the tower above the sanctum sanctorum. Mother Mangala Nayaki graces devotees with her two hands with Abhaya Mudra (assuring protection to devotees), one with Akshamala and Neelothpala flower in the fourth. Saint Arunagiriar had sung the glory of Lord Muruga in the temple in his Thirupugazh hymns. The temple is small but maintained beautifully. The Kumbabishekam might have been conducted in recent years. Only Dakshinamoorthy is seen in koshta moortham. Moolavar vimanam is higher than the entrance small Rajagopuram. There is a scar on Moolavar due to Arjuna’s arrow.

About the Deity

The presiding deity faces the east. Mother Mangalambikai is facing south. There are shrines of Lords Nardana Vinayaka, Anugraha Dakshinamurthy, Sun and Moon. The presiding deity is Shiva and the consort is Mangalanayagi or Mangalambikai. There are smaller shrines to Ganesha, Dakshinamoorthy, Surya and Chandra.

Legend and Stories

According to the Mahabharata, Arjuna wanted to get the Pasupatha missile to conquer the Kurukshetra war. Lord Krishna told him that though he got many weapons with the blessings of his father Indira, for Pasupatha he had to appeal to Lord Shiva only. Arjuna came to this place and performed penance on Lord Shiva. Dhuryodhana sent demon Mookasura to spoil the penance and kill Arjuna. Lord Shiva appeared at the spot as a hunter with Mother Parvathi followed by four dogs representing the four Vedas. Lord shot an arrow on the Mookasura pig and killed it while simultaneously Arjuna too hit the pig with his arrow. An argument arose between and Hunter Lord and Arjuna as to whose arrow hit the animal first. War of words between the two ended in true fight. Lord broke Arjuna’s arrow. Exasperated Arjuna hit the Lord with the broken arrow and the impact of the blow was felt by all in the three worlds. Lord appeared before him with Mother Parvathi in his true form and blessed him with the Pasupatha weapon. The scar on the Linga is still visible on the Linga. As Arjuna-Vijaya performed penance here, the place was named Tiru Vijaya Mangai. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. The scar caused by Arjuna is still visible on the Shiva Linga.

Festivals

Masi Maha Shivrathri is grandly celebrated in the temple in February-March.

Significance

Devotees who face delays in marriage pray in the temple for early results. Devotees perform abishek, offer vastras to Lord and Mother and contribute for the renovation of the temple.

Accessibility

Tiru Purambiam is 11 Km far from Kumbakonam. The temple is 4 km from this place. Autos are available. The closest railways are in Kumbakonam. The closest airport is in Trichy.

Temple Address

Arulmighu Vijayanathar Temple
Tiruvisayamangai, Govindhaputhur
Pullapoothankudi Post
Kumbakonam Taluk
Thanjavur District - 612301