Only Temple dedicated to ‘Dayanidhi’
Thiru Gnana Sambanthar praises the devotion of Vaali in his verses
It is a road that links Kallanai
in the West to Poompuhar on the Eastern Sea Shore. The stretch to Kumbakonam
alone houses several ancient temples both Vaishnavite Divya Desams and Saivite
Thevaram Sthalams along the banks of the Cauvery. Starting with Koviladi Appakudathan
temple (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2007/11/108-divya-desam-koviladi-appakudathaan.html) near Kallanai, there are huge temples in Thillaisthanam (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2016/10/thillaisthanam-neiyarappar-temple.html) and
Thiruvayaru (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2014/11/thiruvaiyaru-pancha-natheeswarar-temple.html). Despite being praised by
both the Saivite and Vaishnavite Saint Poets as glorious temples, the temples
along the stretch to Kumbakonam now find themselves ignored with the priests constantly
stretching their neck out of the Sannidhi to see if that elusive devotee makes his way
into the temple.
One such temple is the
Dayanidheeswarar temple in Vada Kurangaduthurai, a temple whose legend dates
back to the Ramayana and to the penance of Vaali. This is the only temple
dedicated to ‘Dayanidhi’ among the Thevaram temples. Ambal is referred to as
Jataa Makuda Nayaki. The Lord is housed
in a huge complex surrounded by tall coconut trees in a beautiful Nandavanam but on a normal day, there is not a devotee around. Similar is the story of the Vaishnavite Divya Desam a few 100 yards West of this temple (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2007/05/108-divya-desam-thiru-koodalur.html). The Jagathrakshakan Perumal Koil in Koodalur too has failed to lure the devotees in big numbers in recent decades.
The temple architecture in its current form is said to date to back 1300 years.
Vaali's strength, including of his
tail, was so great that even Ravana feared his presence. Just his tail was many times
enough to round out his opponents who would be circled and thrown many hundreds of yards away. In the legendary episode from the Ramayana, Vaali in his last moments addresses Rama expressing regret that the son of Dasaratha did not inform him of his search for Sita. The very decision of
Vaali going to Lanka would have forced Ravana to hand back Sita to her husband, such
was the fear of Vaali in the mind of the Lankan King.
In one of the fights between the
two, Vaali destroyed Ravana who to run for his life. In the process of this battle, Vaali had his long tail cut. It is
believed that he came here to Vada Kurangaduthurai and performed pooja invoking
the blessings of Lord Dayanideeswarar to secure back his tail in its full
length. Hence the Lord here is also referred to as ‘Vaali’ Nathar. In memory of this episode
one finds a sculpture atop the Vimana.
Thiru Gnana
Sambanthar’s praise
Referring to this temple as being
on the Northern banks of the Cauvery, Thiru Gnana Sambanthar in his verses on
Vada Kurangaduthurai has praised Vaali and his devotion to the Lord of Vada
Kurangaduthurai. He also refers to the Lord as Sadai Mudi Nathar.
Provides Coconut
Water to a thirsty devotee
A Chettiar lady, a true devotee
of Dayanidheeswarar was on the verge of giving birth to a child. When she
arrived here, ill health meant that the couple had to decide between the mother
and the child. While the husband was away to secure food for the hungry wife,
she surrendered to her favourite Lord and sought protection.
With the husband not returning in time and as
she could not contain her thirst, the Lord is said to have helped quench her thirst
by providing coconut water and much to her husband’s surprise, she gave birth
to the child without any complications.
It is believed that those who
offer their sincere prayers to Lord Dayanidheeswarar will be absolved of all
problems in life. To this day, there is a huge coconut grove around the temple
complex.
Moksham to a
devoted Sparrow
Another story goes that Lord
Dayanidheeswarar provided Moksham to a sweet singing sparrow that had brought
water for the Lord every day of his life from the nearby Cauvery river bank and
one that would sit atop Lord’s head in joy. Hence the Lord is also referred to
as Chittilingeswarar.
Festivals
Panguni Uthiram is celebrated in
a grand way. There is a special alankaram for Ambal on each of the days of
Navarathri. The Lord goes to the Cauvery for Theerthavari on the occasion of
Aadi Pooram.
Thyagaraja Gurukal comes from Ganapathi
Agraharam, a couple of kms West of the Temple @ 96887 26690.
Ravi Iyer, who manages
the Madapalli lives near the temple and is available for the ‘surprise’
devotees all the time at the temple @ 93642 39391 / 70942 29391 ( Ravi Iyer passed away a year later)
Administered by the Thanjavur Samasthanam, this is a very well maintained temple as is the case with most of the temples managed by the Sarabhoji Prince (a few examples of those include Punnai Nallur Mariamman Temple and Thanjai Maa Mani Divya Desam).
How to reach
Vadakurangaduthurai is about 10 kms East of Thiruvayaru on the Kumbakonam highway. Buses ply on the Kumbakonam –
Thiruvayaru highway, though this is infrequent. From Papanasam one can take a
mini bus to Kapisthalam, from where, one can take the Thiruvayaru bound bus
(8kms) to reach the temple.
Auto from Kapisthalam will cost
Rs. 150.
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