Chinna Tirupathi Prasanna Venkatachalapathy temple

Pallava Period temple that was constructed in the current form and structure by the Pandyas

A Hill Temple whose legend back to the fight between Adiseshan and Vayu

Located about 25kms from Salem off the Salem-Dharmapuri NH on a small hill is the Pallava Period Prasanna Venkatachalapathy temple in Karuvalli near Omalur where Moolavar Lord Venkatachalapathy is flanked by Sri and Bhoo Devi. One has to climb 300 steps to reach the hill temple. There is a huge Gopuram at the Eastern Entrance that is seen from a fair distance away.

The story

Once, Vayu (the God of Wind) came to Vaikuntam to meet Lord Vishnu. With Adiseshan stopping Vayu, an argument arose as to who was mightier of the two. Adideshan went and wound himself around the Anantha Mountain (Meru’s son). With Vayu blowing in full force, devas became worried. Answering their request, Adiseshan slightly moved one of his heads. Vayu’s speed hit the mountain with such force that one piece flew and fell here at Chinna Tirupathi.

Another story goes that Vishnu came here searching for Goddess Lakshmi who had left him angered at him for not punishing Brigu rishi who had kicked him in the chest. Finding Adiseshan sleeping in the pit here in the mountain, Vishnu entered the pit. Coming to know of this, Shiva and Brahmma disguised themselves as a cow and a calf.

As this region was full of cows, it was referred to as ‘Pasupatti’.

Malai Kandaan and his descendents

The cow would come here every morning and fill the pit with milk leaving her master in a shocked state as he was not able to get even a litre of milk. Trying to understand the reason behind the cow going dry, he followed her one morning to this pit on the new mountain that had formed here. As he found the new mountain, he came to be called ‘Malai Kandaan’. To this day, the descendents of Malai Kandaan continue to perform service here at this temple.

As he narrated this story to the villagers, they came here to find out the truth. Inside the pit, they had darshan of Venkatachalapathy. A Pandya king, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, constructed this temple in its current form and structure installing the Swamyambu idol. In memory of this event, the sculptures of the Pandya King, his queen and mother are seen here on the south side of the Artha mandapam. The Pandya king is believed to have provided grants to the temple. There are fish symbols atop the wall on the Artha mandapa.

Granting of villages in the 15^th Century

With the muslim invasion, the temple had been closed. With no poojas offered to the Lord, this region had become a drought prone place. The Paalaya King who was ruling this region including Omalur in the 15^th Century AD once made a visit to Karuvalli on his horse. He found ‘Thirumalai Kannikakodi Thathachariyar’ invoking the Lord’s blessings on his way to Kasi.

He told the Paalaya King that performing a Varuna Jabam in a sincere way would bring rains back to this region.  On his way back from Kasi, Thathachariyar performed the Jabam which instantly brought rains. A pleased king presented three villages to Thathachariyar, who then brought 60families from Tirumalai to this region. One of the villages came to be called Thathaiyengar Pettai, near Namakkal.

Another village came to be called Thathayam Patti and is found near Omalur.  The descendents who were prolific in reciting Vedas were given the first rights at this temple for several centuries.

Contribution of Mysore kings

The Mysore Kings constructed the huge temple tank at the foot of the hill. Float Festival is celebrated in a grand manner in Puratasi. Near the tank is a shandy market that is seen in full buzz every Saturday.

Festivals

Brahmotsavam in Puratasi

Vaikasi Vasanthotsavam

Sri Jayanthi Utsavam – The descendents of Malai Kandaan participate as part of the Uriyadi Utsavam

Street Procession on the full moon day in Chitrai

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Prasanna Venkatachalapathy with Sri and Bhoo Devi Thaayar

Thaayar  : Alarmel Mangai Thaayar / Padmavathi Thaayar ( Separate Sannidhi)

Utsavar   : Srinivasa Perumal

Time       : 6am-130pm and 330pm-630pm  

Contact: Rajagopalan Bhattar @ 94422 20607/ Nandakumar Iyengar@ 98946 97279

How to reach

Bangalore bound morning train at 520am from Salem Junction will take you to Karuvalli station by 6am. The temple is walking distance from the station. By bus, one can get down at Omalur from Salem (on the Dharmapuri / Mettur highway). From Omalur, take the Mookanur/Vellaru bus to reach Chinna Tirupathi/Karuvalli (about 13kms)

Thuvar Kothandarama Temple

A 17th Century village where Prabhandham and Vedic Chants was a regular feature

A long 60house agraharam was built and donated by Pudukottai Samasthanam to Dwara Bashyas

Located just under 30kms North East of Pudukottai is the Kothandarama temple in Thuvar, a traditional village whose history dates back to the 17^th Century AD. The story goes that disciples of Kausika Muni (who was a disciple of Koorathazhvaan) travelled across to the Pudukottai Samasthanam from Tirupathi and adjoining areas to take up positions as vedic scholars under the Pudukottai king.

These disciples of Koorathazhwaan (who had helped Ramanuja in the compilation of Sri Bashyam) were referred to as Dwara Bashyas. To this day, many of the scholars belonging to this village suffix Bashyas to their names. This place where the Dwara Bashyas stayed came to be referred to as Dwara Bashyakara Puram, which in course of time became ‘Thuvar’.

The story goes that the Thanjavur king bought out this village from the Pudukottai Samasthanam. As an acknowledge of the great services rendered by these scholars to promote the Vedas and divya prabhandham, this serene village was donated to them and a long row of houses was built on either side of the street where they could stay and chant the Vedas and Divya Prabhandham.

In centuries gone by, the village had a beautiful long agraharam with 30 traditional houses on either side east of the temple. Vedic Chants and Divya Prabhandham was a distinguishing feature of this village with many Sanskrit scholars residing here. It is believed that Pongal Thaligai to Lord Kothandarama along with the recital of Divya Prabhandham and the Vedic Chants along the banks of the lake brought rain to the Thuvar Village.

These ancient idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were found in a pit near the huge lake South of the temple during a cleaning operation. These centuries’ old idols were installed in a Mutt on the banks of the lake. Later, these idols were moved to and installed at the temple that we currently find west of the then existing agraharam. The acharya at Poundarikapuram Ashram in Srirangam directed an Anjaneya idol from Trichy to be installed at the North Eastern corner at the Thuvar temple and thus the Anjaneya idol became a later period addition to the temple as were the Utsava Idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana.

The temple now has a single prakara with a guest house at the Eastern entrance for visiting devotees to stay. Shri. Ranganathan has been taking care of the poojas at the temple for the last four decades. He comes in early in the morning at around 530am and is there till at least 9am. And he comes back again in the evening for a couple of hours. It is this kind of dedicated service to the Lord that has helped revive the temple.

As one enters the village through the big arch off the Pudukottai- Mazhaiyur- Pattukottai Highway, one can see the Rama temple from a distance. One is also able to visualise the agraharam along the long street from east to west leading to the temple.

 Over 50years ago, this village which has had such a rich history was slowly beginning to get cut off from the bigger towns of Pudukottai and Thanjavur. No power supply, road transport services, educational institutions meant that youngsters began to migrate from here to Mazhaiyur and Pudukottai and later to other bigger cities in Tamil Nadu. The good news though is that the previous residents of Thuvar who are now living in different parts of the world have come together in an effort to bring back the village and the temple to life. The temple now wears a fresh new look.

Over time, the once beautiful agraharam has become non-existent as has become the scene with many other traditional temple towns in Tamil Nadu.

It is also believed that the Utsava idols of Rama temple in Gandharvakottai were actually found here in Thuvar village.

Festivals

Rama Navami Utsavam in Chitrai

Thirumanjanam during Navarathri

Moolavar Thirumanjanam on No Moon Day

Punar Poosam Thirumanjanam

Pavitrotsavam is being planned at the temple

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Kothandarama flanked by Sita and Lakshmana in an east facing standing posture

Time      : 6am-10am

Contact  : Thamarai Kannan Bhattar / Ranganathan @ 97865 06471 / 96553 16576

How to reach

Thuvar is just under 20kms from Gandharvakottai via Kollampatti and Karupatti patti.

From Pudukottai, Thuvar is just under 30kms on the Mazhaiyur – Karambagudi route. Buses every 30minutes from Pudukottai. Infrequent buses from Gandharvakottai.

Auto from Gandharvakottai and back will cost Rs. 500.

Thillai Sthanam Srinivasa Perumal Temple

Abhimana Sthalam of Koviladi Appakudathan

Located 2kms West of Thiruvayaru on the Kallanai Highway is the beautiful 400 year old 17^th century AD Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Thillai Sthanam with a long centuries old agraharam on the eastern side.

The temple is the Abhimana Sthalam of Appakudathan Perumal of Koviladi Divya Desam. In centuries gone by, it is believed that Lord Appakudathan used to make a 15km procession from Koviladi (west of Thiru Kaattupalli) to Thillai Sthanam along the Northern banks of the Cauvery. Being Appakudathan’s Abhimana Sthalam, his sacred Moolavar Shatari has been installed here in this temple here at Thillai Sthanam as a gesture of Appakudathan’s happiness.

NammAzhvaar who composed his verses of praise on Lord Appakudathan of Thiruper Nagar ( Koviladi) compares the Lord of Thiruper to Thirumaliruncholai.

திருபேர் நகரான் திருமாலிருன்சோலை 
பொறுப்பேன் உறைகின்ற பிரான் இன்று வந்து 

 இருப்பேன் என்று என் நெஞ்சு நிறைய புகுந்தான் 
இருப்பே பெற்று அமுது உண்டு களிதேனே 

Festivals

Aipasi Theerthavari Utsavam to the Cauvery (Full moon day)

Chitrai Chariot Festival on Shravanam

Avani Thiru Kalyanam

Pavitrotsavam

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Srinivasa Perumal East Facing Standing Posture

Thaayar  : Alarmel Mangai Thaayar

Time      : 730am-930am and 530pm-830pm

Contact  : Narayanan Bhattar @ 99656 05526

When here also visit Perumpuliyur Sundararaja Perumal temple 

(http://www.prtraveller.blogspot.in/2014/08/perumpuliyur-sundararaja-perumal.html),a temple

 visited by Thirumazhisai Azhvaar on his way from Srirangam to Kumbakonam

Navaneetha Krishnan temple Arasalur

A calm, peaceful temple 2kms South of Thottiyam 

It is a beautiful long road south of Thottiyam off the Namakkal / Salem Highway with greenery on both sides of the 2km route to Arasalur. It is ancient and it’s calm and there is a sense of peace as one enters the place.

Just a km north of the Veda Narayana Perumal temple in Thiru Narayanapuram is the 400year old Navaneetha Krishnan temple in Arasalur where the handsome looking Navaneetha Krishnan is seen with a butter ball in his right hand and providing a friendly welcoming gesture with his left. His right leg is seen placed on Lotus petals. Navaneetha Krishnan is seen flanked by Rukmini and Satyabhama.

Namm Azhvaar, Ramanuja and Swami Desigan are all seen together in a Sannidhi next to each other.

It is heartening to note that the Bhattar quit his job at ICICI Bank to continue the selfless service at the temple.

The historical name of the temple was Ashwatha Raja Puram which in course of time became Arasalur. In centuries gone by, this was a place where Vedic chants were heard through the day.

The Aasuri clan form Karnataka stayed here on the way to Srirangam. It is believed that they built the temple that one sees in the current form and structure. Salt was sold in large quantities and the sale proceeds were used for the maintenance of the temple in centuries gone by.

Chandran and Suryan are seen on the upper wall of the sanctum offering their prayers to Lord Navaneetha Krishnan. Also, on the upper wall of maha mandapa are ancient carvings.

Prarthana Sthalam

This is a Prarthana Sthalam for the unmarried and the childless. Belief is also that one will be able to cross all hurdles and overcome any obstacles by performing an archanai here on the start birth day.

Festivals

Navarathri

Chitra Pournami

Margazhi 30day Utsavam

Panguni Uthiram- Kalyana Utsavam

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Srinivasa Perumal East Facing Standing Posture

Utsavar  : Navaneetha Krishnan with a butter in his left hand

Time     : 730am-8pm

Contact : Bhoo Varaha Bhattar @ 70104 13600

How to reach

From Trichy, one can take Salem bound express bus to get down at Thottiyam Police Station (50kms). Auto from here to the temple will cost Rs. 50.

By train, one can get down at Kulithalai ( Mangalore Express from Chennai Egmore) stops here at 6am. From Kulithalai, one can take a bus to Thottiyam via Musiri across the Cauvery bridge.

Devotees can refresh / have bath in the house opposite the temple.

When here, also visit Veda Narayana Perumal temple in Thiru Narayanapuram

http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2009/01/thottiyam-veda-narayana-perumal-koil.html

Perumpuliyur Sundararaja Perumal

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar stayed here on his way from Srirangam/ Anbil to Thiru Kudanthai

 Sun's rays fall on the Lord during three evenings in Panguni at the time of Sun Set

Located 4kms North West of Thiruvayaru on the Northern bank of the cauvery is the ancient Sundararaja Perumal temple in Perumpuliyur a temple whose legend dates back to the period of Thirumazhisai Azhwar.

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar’s Perumpuliyur stay

After having praised Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam in his Thiruchanda Viruttam verses...

பொற்றை  உற்ற முற்றல்  யானை போர் 

எதிர்ந்து வந்ததைப் 

பற்றி உற்று மற்று  மறுப்பு ஒசிந்து பாகன் ஊர் 

சிற்றெயிற்று முற்றல் மூங்கில் மூன்று 

தண்டர் ஒன்றினர் 

அற்ற பற்றர் சுற்றி வாழும் அந்தண்

 நீர் அரங்கமே  

and Lord Vadivazhagiya Nambi at Thiru Anbil in his Naanmugan Thiruvanathaaathi,

நாகத்து அணை கட்டி....நாகத்து அணை அரங்கம், பேர், அன்பில்..

ஆதி நெடுமால் அணைப்பார் கருத்தன் ஆவான் 

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar left for Thiru Kudanthai where at Sarangapani Koil he enquired if the Lord was tired after his long trip to Sri Lanka and if that was the reason he would not wake up to greet the Azhvaar

 நடந்த கால்கல் நொந்தனவோ 

நடுங்க ஞாலம் யேனமாய் ...........

கடந்த கால் பரந்த 

காவிரி கரை குடந்தயுள் 

கிடந்த வாறு எழுந்து இருந்து பேசு வாழி கேசனே 

During the long trip across the Cauvery from Srirangam to Kumbakonam, Thirumazhisai Azhvaar stayed here at Perumpuliyur sitting on a Thinnai.  While he was thus sitting and relaxing, he heard the loud vedic chanting at the beautiful agraharam. As he moved towards the group, they visualised him as an unknown outsider making a sudden entry and taking steps towards the lord and immediately stopped the chanting.

A disappointed Thirumazhisai Azhvaar retracted his steps and came back to the Thinnai where he was previously relaxing.

To their surprise, the scholars forgot the verses they were chanting and could not recollect the next stanzas. Noting their embarrassment, Thirumazhi Azhvaar just plucked a couple of paddy grains with the end of his nails and cut it into two. And they immediately remembered the particular verse where they had previously stopped.

Interestingly they also found Lord Sundararajan showing a special liking for this unknown entrant at their village. Repeatedly they noticed the Lord moving towards this stranger. A few among the crowd were not pleased with this special attention on this newcomer and they expressed their displeasure.

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar sang asking the Lord to provide darshan and open the eyes of the villagers:

அக்கரங்கள் அக்கரங்கள் என்று மாவதேன்கொலோ

இக்குறும்  பை நீக்கி என்னை ஈசனாக்க யெல்

சக்கரங்கள் கையனே சடங்கர் வாய் அடங்கிட

உட் கிடந்த வண்ணமே புறம் பொசிந்து காட்டிடே என வேண்டினர்

To the bewilderment of everyone present including the vedic seers, Sundararaja Perumal provided darshan on the chest of Thirumazhisai Azhvaar indicating the greatness of the ‘stranger’.

Immediately they realised their fault and invoked the blessings of the great saint poet and honoured him in the best way possible.

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar sung praise of the Lord of Perumpuliyur before making his way to Thiru Kudanthai.

West Facing reverse posture

In memory of this episode, similar to Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal in Kanchipuram (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2007/10/108-divya-desam-kanchipuram-thiruvekka.html), the Lord here is seen in a West facing posture, a testimony that the Lord changed direction and reversed his posture to greet Thirumazhisai Azhvaar acknowledging his greatness.

At the western entrance of the temple is a Sudarshana Sannidhi (stone) where Lord Sundararajan first provided darshan to Thirumazhisai Azhvaar.

Vyakra Maha Rishi, the great rishi, came here and undertook penance. Since he had his right leg like a tiger’s leg, the place came to be called ‘perum’ puliyur.

In centuries gone by, big yagna was a regular occurrence here at perumpuliyur. There is a huge temple tank south of the temple.

Sun's rays on Sundararaja Perumal

Three days in Panguni, on March 17, 18 and 19, Sun’s rays fall on Lord Sundararajan in the evening during sun set, a very unique occurrence at this temple.

Vana Bhojanam was a special festive occasion in Karthigai in centuries gone by signifying that this was a forest and that people used to gather during festive occasions here at this temple.

There is an ancient Shiva temple near the Perumal temple.

Inscriptions

There are inscriptions in Telugu and Tulu inside the temple.  The temple is believed to have been renovated during the Chola and Nayak rule.

Festivals

10day Brahmotsavam in Chitrai with Chariot festival on Chitra Pournami

Vaikunta Ekadesi

Puratasi Thirumanjanam and Procession

Thirumanjanam on Deepavali

Thiru Kalyana Utsavam is being planned.

Quick Facts

Moolavar         : Sundararaja Perumal West Facing standing posture

Thaayar           :Sundaravalli Thaayar East facing posture

Separate Sannidhi: Narasimha facing South

Time               :630am-12noon and 4pm-7pm

Contact           : Navaneetha Krishnan Bhattar @9025716465 

How to reach

Perumpuliyur is a small village 3kms North of Thillai Sthanam off the Thiruvayaru- Kallanai Highway. Bus A 42 to the temple from Thiruvayaru. Auto from Thiruvayaru to the temple will cost Rs. 100 ( contact: auto driver Elango@99433 54358)

When here, also visit Srinivasa Perumal temple at Thillaisthanam.

Srivanchiyam Varadaraja Perumal Temple

Lord Vishnu undertook penance at Srivanjiyam to re-unite with Mahalakshmi

A visit to Srivanchiyam is complete only if you have darshan of both Vanchinathaswamy and Varadaraja Perumal

(http://www.prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/08/srivanchiyam-vanchinathaswamy-temple.html)

 

Located 1/2km West of Vanchinatha Swamy temple is the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Srivanchiyam.

Lord Vishnu’s penance

The story goes that Vishnu ignored the presence of Brigu Rishi and continued to be engaged in conversation with Goddess Lakshmi. Angered at being thus ignored, Brigu rishi kicked Vishnu on the chest. Accepting his mistake, Vishnu apologised to the rishi. However, this action of the Lord angered Lakshmi. Since she resided on his chest and the rishi had kicked him on the chest, Lakshmi expected the Lord to seek an apology from the rishi instead of him apologising to the rishi.

Vishnu came from Vaikuntam and undertook penance here in Srivanchiyam at the sacred pushkarani of the Vanchinathaswamy temple invoking the blessings of Vanchinathan in an effort to locate Mahalakshmi who had gone away from him angered at the above incident.

It was Lord Shiva who appeared before Vishnu and helped him re-unite with Maha Lakshmi. Since Lakshmi’s anger subsided here and she came back to Lord Vishnu, this place came to be called ‘Sri’ Vanchiyam.

Mahalakshmi is seen in a separate sannidhi on the western side at the Vanchinathaswamy temple in a tall standing posture facing East.

Festivals

Garuda Sevai on Vaikunta Ekadesi around the four Mada Streets

Special Thirumanjanam on Thiruvonam day

Thirumanjanam on Puratasi Saturdays

Navarathri Utsavam

Parikara Sthalam for Mesha/Rishaba/Kadaga/Simha/Kanya dosham.

Quick Facts

Moolavar : Varadaraja Perumal in an east facing standing posture with Sri and Bhoo devi

Thaayar   : Mahalakshmi

Time        : 430pm-7pm

Contact    : Varadaraja Bhattar @ 94424 67631

Srivanchiyam Vanchinathaswamy temple

Yama Dharma Raja served as the vahana for Lord Shiva and carried him to Thiru Kodikkaval from Srivanchiyam – Highest status for Yama at this temple

Bhoologa Kailasam - One of the 6 sacred Saivite Temples on the banks of the Cauvery- Praised by all four Saivite Saint Poets

 

Located 15kms North of Tiruvarur off the Kumbakonam-Nannilam Highway between Mudikondan and Puttar rivers is the ancient and huge Vanchinatha Swamy Temple in Sri Vanchiyam, a temple whose legend dates back to the Kretha Yugam and one that in its current form and architecture dates back to the Chozha period. The entire temple complex has a strong granite structure signifying the Chozha construction.

One of the 6sacred places

Historically, six places – Thiruvenkadu, Thiruvayaru, Thiru Mayuram (Mayiladuthurai), Thiru Vidaimarathur, Chaaya Vanam and Srivanchiyam - along the banks of Cauvery have been specified as sacred and comparable to visiting Kasi. Among these, Sri Vanchiyam counts as the most sacred.

Separate Sannidhi for Yama and Chitragupta

Yama Dharma Raja, the God of Death, was worried that by being the one who was responsible for deciding the mortality of everyone on earth and the timing, he was adding to his own sins and incurring the wrath of many. Having been the cause of the unreasonable demise of Markandeya Rishi who clung on to the Shiva Lingam at the time of his death at Thiru Kadaiyur, Yama felt depressed.  He came here and undertook penance invoking the blessings of Vanchinathar.

Lord Shiva appeared before him on the Barani day in Maasi and asked him for a wish. Yama Dharma Raja wanted Vanchinatha swamy to relieve the death fears of devotees from their sins of previous births. Devotees who visit Srivanchiyam and offer sincere prayers after bathing at the sacred pushkarani are believed to be relieved from any fears of death that they may have.

Yama also wanted to serve Lord Shiva as his Vahana. Pleased with the penance of Yama and his good thoughts, Shiva provided darshan at Thiru Kodikkaval with Yama taking him there from Srivanchiyam as his vahana (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2013/11/thiru-kotteeswarar-temple-thiru.html).  In memory of this event, every year on the occasion of Maasi Barani,Vanchinatha Swamy goes around on a procession on the Yama Vahana.  Since Yama plays the role of the security, this place is believed to be protected from earth quakes and natural calamities.

In recognition of his penance and his noble thoughts, Yama has been accorded the leading status at the Srivanchiyam temple. Devotees, after having bath at the sacred temple tank on the Northern side, have to seek the blessings of Yama at his sannidhi on the Southern side of the Eastern entrance, before they enter the sanctum of Vanchinathar.

Next to Yama is Chitragupta who is seen in a standing posture.

Equivalent to Kasi

If any one dies around the Mada Streets, the temple does not close and ‘secret’ poojas continue, though the big bell is not rung during this period as this temple is considered just as sacred as the Kasi temple.

Goddess Ganga who provides relief to devotees from all the sins that they may have committed in life came here to relieve herself from any sins. Answering her prayers, Lord Shiva appeared here and created the Gupta Theertham.

Sun God’s penance and liberation

The story goes that Brahmma’s son Dakshan refused to give his daughter in marriage to Shiva. Despite this, Dakshayini went ahead and married Shiva. Upset at this, Dakshan performed a Yagna inviting all but Shiva. Dakshayini protested against this decision but to no avail. Angered at her father’s decision to insult her husband, Dakshayini cursed all those present there for agreeing to participate in the yagna without the presence of Shiva and fell into the pyre.

Shocked at this turn of event, Shiva sent Veerabadra to knock out all those who were present at the Yagna. He went there and hit out at the Sun God, who had his teeth broken. Repenting his wrongful participation in light of Dakshan’s intent to insult Shiva, Surya undertook a month long penance at the sacred tank in the month of Karthigai and liberated himself.

Unique Posture

Bairavar, who is normally seen on his dog mount, provides darshan here in a Yoga posture without a vahana.

Mahisasura Mardhini

Answering the prayers of Devas, Goddess Durga came here and killed Mahisasura to liberate the earth from evil forces. Providing this special display here at this temple, Durga is seen with one feet on the ground and the other on the asura’s shoulder. Offering sincere prayers to durgai here will protect one from ‘Sei Vinai’ enemy elements.

Praised by all 4 Saint Poets

Srivanchiyam temple has been praised by all the four Saivite Saint poets- Sundarar, Thirunavukarasara, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar and Manicka Vasagar.

வன்னி கொன்றை மதமத்த மெருகொடு கூவிளம் 

பொன்னி யன்றசடையிர் பொலிவித்த புராணனார் 

தென்ன வென்று வரிவன்டிசை செய்திரு வாஞ்சிய 

மென்னையாள வுடையானிட மாகவுந்ததே - திரு ஞான சம்பந்தர் 

Also, Arunagirinathar has praised Lord Muruga of Srivanchiyam in his Saranagathi (Surrender) verses.

It was here at Srivanchiyam that Lord Shiva answered the prayers of Brahmma, Saptharishi, Agni, Surya, Sankapalan (Serpent Lord), Devas, Ganga and Parvathi and provided darshan to them.

Bhoologa Kailasam

Vanchinathan temple is also referred to as Bhoologa Kailasam (Srirangam is referred to as Bhoologo Vaikuntam). Over a 1000years ago, this was a West facing temple but over time, the Lord turned direction and is now seen facing the East. There are 2 nandis one behind the other in a west facing direction now.

At the Eastern entrance is the 5Tier 110ft high Raja Gopuram one of the biggest in the region. The huge 5acre complex houses three big prakaras with 4Mada Streets around the temple complex.

Inscriptions

Raja Raja Chozha contributed in a big to the improvement of the temple. During his period, the temple as well as the whole town was prosperous with happiness all around among the residents.

Raja Kesari Varma and Sadayavarma Sundarapandyan donated lands in big measure to the temple. The dakshinamurthy idol dates back to the 10^th Century AD with Kulothunga I raising the wall of the Sannidhi. The Subramanya idol belongs to the Nayak period and 15^th-16^th Century AD. The Ashtabhuja Durga idol goes back to the Kulothunga III period when the temple also saw renovation. Later in the 2^nd half of the 16^th century, Chellappa Nayak directed a part of the taxed income to be handed over to the temple for the conduct of daily poojas and annual festivals.

The region had sandalwood trees all around. Hence this place was known as 'Gantharanya' kshetram.

Rahu Kethu

Rahu and Kethu disguised themselves as Devas in order to consume the nectar that brought immortality to the Devas. Finding out their malice intent, Lord Vishnu killed them as seen from the story on Thiru Kadaiyur. Here Rahu and Kethu are carved out of a single stone and seen together in a separate sannidhi.  (http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/06/thiru-kadaiyur-amirtha-narayana-perumal.html).

Festivals

Karthigai 5 Sundays Utsavam

Maasi 10day Mahotsavam

Perumal Koil
When here also visit, the Varadaraja Perumal Temple West of the temple (http://www.prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/08/srivanchiyam-varadaraja-perumal-temple.html)

Quick Facts

Main Deity: Vanchanatha Swamy facing east

Goddess     : Mangalambigai

Time          : 6am-1230pm and 4pm-8pm

Contact      : Swaminathan Gurukal@ 98421 81507 / 94880 03071

How to reach

Srivanchiyam is 16kms South of Tiruvarur. One can get down at Manakkal on the Tiruvarur- Nachiyar Koil highway. From Manakkal, auto will cost Rs. 100-125 (about 5kms).

From Achuthamangalam - on the Kumbakonam -Nannilam highway, Srivanchiyam is 2kms. Taxi from Kumbakonam and back will cost Rs. 600-750.