Vanchinadha Swamy Temple

Sri Vanchinadha Swamy Temple
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geography
Coordinates 10°29′N 78°41′E / 10.483°N 78.683°E / 10.483; 78.683Coordinates: 10°29′N 78°41′E / 10.483°N 78.683°E / 10.483; 78.683
Country India
State Tamil Nadu
Locale Srivanchiyam
Culture
Sanctum Sri Vanchinadha Swamy (Shiva)
Mangalambigai (Parvathi)
Architecture
Architecture Dravidian architecture

Sri Vanchinadha Swamy temple[1] (வாஞ்சிநாதசுவாமி கோயில்) [2] is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Srivanchiyam, Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Temple

The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva in the name of Vanchinathan and the name of the Goddess is Mangalambika. The sthala vriksham (sacred tree of this temple) is Sandalwood tree. The sacred tank of this sthalam (place) is called the GuptaGangai.

It is one of the rare temples where there is a separate shrine for Yama, the Hindu god of death. Yama is sported in seated posture with Chitragupta by his side. Gupta Ganga, Yama Theertham, Agni Theertham and Lakshmi Theertham are the various bodies of water associated with the temple. Masimagam is the most prominent festival in the temple when the festival image of Shiva is taken in the mount of Yama around the streets of Srivanchiyam.[3] It has two nandhi's facing both sides of Vanchinadha. Rahu-Ketu, carved out in a composite sculpture. A separate sannathi for Shani.[4]

This temple is one of the six temples along the banks of the Kaveri which are considered equivalent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. These temples are :

° Aiyarappar Koil, Thiruvaiyaru

° Mahalingeswarar Koil, Thiruvidaimarudur

° Mayuranathaswamy Koil, Mayiladuthurai

° Chayavaneswarar Koil, Sayavanam

° Swetharanyeswarar Koil, Thiruvenkadu

° Srivanchinadhaswamy Koil, Srivanchiyam

Guptha Gangai

A sacred tank in which goddess Ganga herself bathes to cleanse herself from the sins. A holy dip in this tank is equivalent to that of one in Kasi.

Karthigai Gnayeru Festival

During the Tamil month of Kaarththigai(Nov-Dec), Theerthavari(sacred water splash) is conducted in the Guptha Gangai(temple tank) on all Sundays. It also includes a ten-day festival and a car festival at the end of the month[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Abodes of SHiva - Shivasthalams glorified by Tevaram hymns". Templenet.
  2. ↑ ta:திருவாஞ்சியம் வாஞ்சிநாதசுவாமி கோயில்
  3. ↑ V., Meena (1974). Temples in South India (1st ed.). Kanniyakumari: Harikumar Arts. pp. 29–30.
  4. ↑ http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=597
  5. ↑ Tourist Guide to Tamil Nadu. Sura Books. pp. 75–76. ISBN 81-7478-177-3, ISBN 978-81-7478-177-2.
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