Konganeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
Konganeeswarar
Temple is a Hindu
temple situated on Mela
Masi Veethi (West Main Street), Thanjavur. The principal deity is Konganeeswarar and his consorts
Gnanambal and Annapoorani. The temple is associated with the saint Kongana Siddhar. A little known ancient temple in Tanjore (Thanjavur);
Goddess instead of Shiva holds deer and Mazhu (pick axe)
Although
due to renovation work, the temple lost its antique feel, the temple has an
interesting legend and the sculpture of the Goddess has some unique features.
The
temple has been worshipped by Kongana Sithar and hence the deity is called
Konganeeswarar. Meru Deepam is being lit by worshippers on every Thursday in
front of the Kongana Sithar. Vaikasi Brahmorchavam, Pradosham and Navarathri
are the festivals celebrated with much fanfare.
Legends
Story behind the name Konganeeswarar:
As per
the legend, there was a Siddha named Kongana Siddhar was living in
this region of Thanjavur. He was performing penance towards Lord Shiva. The
Siddha had the power of merging or uniting anything with him. Once, he made
Lord Shiva to enter and get united with his matted hair. The typical activities
of the universe got affected without Lord Shiva. Hence, Indra took the form of
a tiger and tried to release Shiva from the Siddhar. However, the saint stamped
the tiger and did not let it move.
Sapta
rishis got the task of releasing not only Shiva but even Indra from the
Siddhar. They reached this site, lighted deep (lamps) in 11 layers and prayed
to the Siddha. He ultimately released Shiva and Indra. In fact, Lord Shiva came
out in the form of Jyoti (fire/light). The temple has the idol of Siddhar along
with Sapta rishis and a provision to light 11 layers of deep.
It is
said that Shiva Linga as well as the Goddess of the temple were installed by
Kongana Siddhar. There are few people who claim that they were not installed by
him; however, Shiva is called as Konganeeswarar as he
was worshiped by Kongana Siddhar.
Adopted Girl of a Chettiar family marrying Lord Shiva:
There
was a childless person belonging to Chettiar community who lived in this
region. He found a beautiful female baby on the banks of the Ayyan
Kulam (the temple tank which is found in the opposite direction of the
temple). He brought the child to the temple and declared that the baby belonged
to the God. When the girl reached appropriate age, the Chettiar tried to get
his adopted girl married off. However, she refused to get married to any human
being and instead she wanted to marry Lord Shiva in this temple.
As she
did not find a way to achieve her objective, she banged her head heavily on the
walls of the temple. Yoga Vinayakar (Ganesha) of this temple appeared to her
and advised her to perform penance towards Shiva. She did so and married Lord
Shiva.
You can
find the idol of Yoga Vinayakar in this temple. Also, it is believed
that the girl is found in the form of Annapoorneswari in a separate
shrine in this temple. Also, it is widely believed that
Durga and Kali were protecting her when she was doing penance.
Hence, they are also found in this temple.
The
Temple
The
temple is located in the busy West Main Street at the heart of Thanjavur. Although
the temple is well known in this area, it remains unknown even to the citizens
of Tanjore who reside outside this area. The temple is ancient for sure.
But to renovation work, it lost its antique feature to great extent. It is not
known who built this temple or the period of this temple.
The
temple has three tiered Raja Gopuram and faces towards the east direction. The
temple is slightly big and even a school is being run in the outer prakara for
the past 70-80 years. The temple tank called as Ayyan Kulam is
located in the opposite direction is a popular landmark of this area.
The flag
staff (kodi maram) is unusually found under the covered ceiling and not in the
open space. The Bali peetham is found near Nandi idol and is slightly found
away from the flag staff. The moola Stana (main shrine) enshrines small
Shiva Linga idol called as Konganeeswarar. The ardha mandapa is long with
2-3 small divisions. In Maha mandapa, all the Utsava (metal idols - procession
idols) are placed.
The
goddess of the temple Gnanambal is found in a separate south facing
shrine outside the main shrine. She has four arms and holds deer and Mazhu
(pick axe) in her upper arms like Shiva. This is very rare. She is found in the
standing posture.
There is
another separate shrine for the Goddess Annapoorneswari. On the exterior
wall of the shrine, the sculpture of Kali (facing west) is found. Yoga
Vinayakar is found nearby in a small shrine. Durga is found in a small
east facing shrine separately near the school.
The
idols of Kongana Siddhar along with Sapta Rishis and 11 layers of
lamps are found in the inner prakara, which depict the legend of the temple.
The exterior wall of main shrine has the niche images of Ganesha, Dakshinamurti
and Vishnu. Durga and Brahma are not found. As usual, Chandikeshwarar
sub-shrine is found.
Some of
the other deities found in this temple:
·
Triyambakeshwara
- Tripurasundari
·
Vishwanatha
- Vishalakshi
·
Sundareswara
- Meenakshi
·
Eka
Linga
·
Pancha
Linga
·
Sadasiva
Linga
·
Surya
·
Chandra
·
Bhairava
Some of
the sub-shrines found in the temple include:
· Jwarahareswarar
(Small Linga) and Kalateeswarar (Big Linga) with Nandi (People pray here to get
rid of fever).
·
Navagraha
·
Nataraja
- Sivakami
·
Manikkatti
Vinayakar
·
Murugan
with Valli and Devasena
Connectivity
Konganeeswarar
Temple is a Hindu
temple situated
on Mela Masi Veethi (West Main Street), Thanjavur. It is well connected to Thanjavur Bus Stand &
Thanjavur Railway Station. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thanjavur
& Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.