Monday, August 22, 2016

Kailasanathar Temple, Vembathur, Sivaganga

Kailasanathar Temple, Vembathur, Sivaganga
Kailasanathar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Vembathur in Sivaganga District. This Temple is 500 years Old. Vembattur has the pride of being the birth place of renowned Tamil Scholars belonging to the Sangam Age. 

Legends
Malayadwaja Pandya achieving the benefit of Kailasa Darshan:
Malayadwaja Pandya decided to perform Puthrakameshti Yajna to have a child.  Brahmin Pandits advised him to go to Kailash, have a darshan of Lord Shiva before starting the Yagna. The king set on a pilgrimage to Kailash as advised by the Pandits with his queen Kanchanamala. He heard a voice on the way saying “Mind by itself is Kailash”. He worshipped Lord Shiva with his mind set on Lord Shiva. Lord granted him darshan in this place itself as Kailasa Nathar. The king achieved the benefit of Kailash darshan in this place.
Ambica accompanying Kaviraja Pandithar as his daughter to Kasi:
Kaviraja Pandithar, a Sri Vidya Upasaka – Shakti worshipper - belongs to this place. He took a pilgrimage to Kasi (now Varanasi) with his daughter. Half the way, Mother Ambica accompanied him as his daughter and the real daughter had reached home. During the pilgrimage he bought lot of bangles and gave his daughter (Mother Ambica). 
Returning home, he asked his daughter about the bangles. She was confused. Ambica appeared, showed the bangles and disappeared. Kaviraja Pandithar came to know that it was Ambica, not his daughter who accompanied him to Kasi. He rendered Acharya Sankara’s Soundarya Lahari in sweet Tamil verses. His Jeeva Samadhi is in Veera Cholam, 40 km far from Vembattur. People call it Iyer Samadhi.
Greatness of this Place
Vembattur is the soil closely associated with the life of illustrious Tamil scholars.  Dr. U.V. Swaminatha Iyer was here in his uphill task of collecting and editing ancient famous Tamil works by gifted authors. Sei in Tamil means green fields. Many places here bear the names of great inspired poets and scholars as Kamban Sei, Koothan Sei, Paranar Vaikal – a canal, Kalamegathar, Avvai Thidal and so on. Vembathur Kumananar and Kannan Koothanar of the Sangam age belong to this place. 
The Temple
Presiding deity is called as Kailasanathar and Mother is called as Avudai Nayagi. Theertham is called as Kailasa Theertham. There are shrines for Lords Vinayaka, Muruga, Nataraja, Bhairava and Sun, Moon and Navagrahas the nine planets. The temple has two entrances. The Kailasa Theertham tank is at the entrance.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Festivals
Besides observing the monthly pradosha pujas, the temple grandly celebrates Maha Shivrathri in February-March.
Prayers
It is the staunch belief of the people here that Lord and Mother would clear the Putra Dosha (preventing child bearing) problem faced by couples and that the first child will be a male. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer vastras.
Contact
Sri Kailasanathar Temple,
Vembattur, Sivaganga District
Mobile: +91 97903 25083
Connectivity
Vembattur is 8 km far from the Tirupacheti stop on the Madurai – Rameswaram Road. Bus facility is available. Nearest Railway Station is located at Sivaganga and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.