Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Senthalai

Lord of Thiru Ananthapuram Divya Desam and Thaayar of Badrinath Divya Desam provide darshan here

Located on the Southern banks of Kudamurutti (a tributary of Cauvery) is an ancient Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple in Senthalai, a temple where one finds an interesting combination of two Divya Desam deities.

கெடும் இடர் ஆய் எல்லாம், கேசவா, என்ன நாளும்

 கொடுவினை செய்யும் கூற்றின்

 தமர்களும் குறுககில்லார்விடம் உடை அரவில்

பள்ளி விரும்பினான் சுரும்பு அலற்றும், தடம் உடை வயல்

 அனந்தபுரநகர் புகுத்தும் இன்றே - Tiruvoimozhi verse on Lord Anantha Padmanabhan

The lord of Thiru Ananthapuram Divya Desam, Anantha Padmanabha Swamy, who is seen in a Sleeping Posture there, provides darshan here to devotees in a grand Sitting Posture without Adisesha. The 9 feet tall moolavar Lord is seen with a conch and chakra, a saligrama on his lap and with Sri and Bhoo Devi alongside him. The Thaayar of Badrinath Divya Desam Parimala Valli Thaayar is seen here in a separate Sannidhi.

Both the idols date back several centuries and are exemplary works of art immediately, creating a devotional feeling in those who visit the temple here. 8^th Century AD inscriptions suggest that Senthalai was a prosperous village with the presence of a Shiva temple.

The Story

Once Lord Anantha Padmanabhan felt thirsty and requested Adisesha to get water. He went around and finally scratched the surface to have water pouring out in full force. A delighted Adisesha ran back to offer water to quench the thirst of his Lord only to find him already providing darshan in a Padmasana posture. Hence, one finds the Lord here without Adisesha atop him.  In memory of this event, the sacred water here is named after Adisesha as ‘Ananthan Theertham’.

People in the village say that there have been several instances in the last 40-50years, when they have found (real) snakes staying atop Lord Ananthapadmanabha swamy for a whole day here at this temple.

Bala Anjaneya- Ramayana Episode

A feature at this temple is the Bala Anjaneya idol – just 1 ½ feet high- seen in the Maha Mandapa. In the Ramayana, Anjaneya’s strength and commitment to Lord Rama was put to test while he went air borne in search of Sita. Half way through his journey, he was stopped by the Naga maiden Surasa who wanted to consume him for lunch. She asked Anjaneya to enter her mouth.

Anjaneya who was in great hurry to reach Lanka took a huge form and grew in great size with the lady too widening her mouth equalling his size. And all of a sudden, the son of Vayu contracted his body and shrunk in size and before she realised what was happening, he entered the asura’s mouth and came out again and resumed his normal shape and form. Hanuman told her that he had fulfilled her wish of entering her mouth and that he now wanted her blessings to be able to find Goddess Sita in Lanka.

It is believed that in memory of this episode in Ramayana, Lord Hanuman is seen here in a tiny standing posture in a separate Sannidhi. Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated in a grand manner at this temple.

Separate Sannidhi for Naga

There is a separate Sannidhi for Nagas. Belief is that those who offer their sincere prayers here will be liberated from Naga Dosham.

Festivals

Procession during Navarathri and Aadi Pooram

Puratasi Saturdays – Thirumanjanam for Thaayar

Hanuman Jayanthi

Vaikunta Ekadesi including Paramapada Vaasal opening

Thirumanjanam for Thaayar on Thai Fridays

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Anantha Padmanabhaswamy in a Padmasana East Facing Sitting Posture

Goddess   : Parimala Valli Thaayar (Separate Sannidhi)

Time         : 8am-11am and 4pm-7pm

Contact    : R Srinivasan Bhattar @ 98432 94472 /04362 287288/ 94422 93006

How to reach

Senthalai is about 20kms North West of Thanjavur on the Kandiyur- Thirukattupalli-Kallanai Highway. Buses ply every 30minutes from Thanjavur old bus stand. One can also get down at Budalur Railway Station (on the Thanjavur- Tiruchirapalli route) and take an auto (around Rs. 150) to reach the temple (just over 10kms)