Ananda Thandava Puram Pancha Vateeswarar

 A Trustee run temple is now under Takeover pressure from the HR&CE

Not too long ago this temple town on the Northern outskirts of Mayiladuthurai was home to a beautiful agraharam with over a 100 houses lined up in a long row west of the Pancha Vateeswarar temple leading to the Perumal temple. There are two Ambal Sannidhis - Brahmma Nayaki Ambal and Kalyana Sundari. Baradwaja rishi undertook penance and performed pooja here. Historically this was a place where Vadama Iyers lived in large numbers.

It is believed that Shiva performed ‘Ananda Thandavam’ here to answer the prayers of a sincere devotee.

All the festivals were organised through contributions from residents of this agraharam. For the Kumbabhisekams till 1996, which was anchored by the Shivachariar from Thiru Kolakka, committees were formed with devotees from the agraharam participating actively in the festivities. Alankarams were grand during utsavams. As with other remote temples, original inhabitants left this town too seeking greener pastures in larger cities.

Sincere Priests

Gowrishankar Shivachariar came here in 2011 after finishing his patshala initiation in the agamas. His grandfather had been a trustee here at this temple. He had kept the entire village together. Gowrishankar Shivachariar is continuing the legacy of his forefathers who had served the temple for centuries. Currently there are several challenges including the takeover bid but he does not want to leave and is keen to keep the service going.The temple is in need of a restoration exercise.

Till the middle of the last decade, vahana processions were still part of the utsavams. However, in recent years, most of the vahanas have been damaged with only Mooshika Vahana now left in a good condition. The Dwajasthambam too has been damaged.Madapalli too is non functional now. 

Takeover bid by HR & CE

This has for long been a trustee managed temple but the HR & CE has in the recent past been pressurizing a takeover of the temple. The agraharam devotees continue to pay the EB bill. The temple has been run for long with the support of the devotees. Old Kavachams still exist. There are 25 utsava idols inside the temple. As with many other temples in TN, the HR & CE has been pushing the Trustees to move the idols away into their security.

There were a lot of lands for the temple including Ilupadi Thope. The sacred temple tank is used to grow fish which is then sold in the market, a process that is also followed at Karunaswamy temple, Karunthittakudi, Thanjavur(Karunaswamy Temple, Karunthittakudi).

Rishabha Vahanam on Thai Swathi

Those from the Srivathsa Gothram specifically visit the temple and perform abhisekam. On the occasion of Pradhosham, 60 ladies present songs in praise of the Lord. They also present abhisekam milk for Pradhosham. On Margazhi Swathi, Guru Pooja is performed for Maina Kanja Nayanar who hailed from here. The Mukthi utsavam of Manakanja Nayanar is celebrated on Thai Swathi with a Guru Pooja, Rishabha Vahana procession inside the temple and a Purana recital. Street procession also takes place on Vaikasi Visakam.

Ayyanar temple, a km away from here, is very popular in Ananda Thandava Puram.

The temple is open from 630am- 11am and 5pm-8pm. Contact Gowrishankar Gurukal@ 9442058137