Akshayapureeswarar Temple, Vilankulam, Thanjavur
The Akshayapureeswarar temple at Vilankulam in
the Indian state of Tamil
Nadu is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and an art of the work achieved by Cholas in Tamil architecture Built in 1335 AD to 1365 AD
by Parakrama Pandyan in Vilankulam, it turned 700 years old.
Legends
Legend here is Lord Saneeswara worshipped Lord Shiva
here on Poosam star and Tirthiyai Thidhi and Saturday for his lamed leg. While
coming for the Lord Saneeswara fell down when his legs got stuck on the roots
of the Vilam tree. From the place where Lord Saneeswara fell, a spring called
Poosa Gyanavavi rose with force and brought Saneeswara to shore. Lord Shiva gave
Dharshan to Saneeswara, blessed him with wedding and made his leg straight.
A Sidhar Poosa Marungar living in Saneeswara Loga
(world) used to spill water from Sanivari Theertham to Shiva temples. It is
believed that he still visit this temple daily. The Siddha has a rare power of
visiting the world of Sun and the world of the Pithrus (departed ancestors) and
is the Guru of the crows. It is believed that the Siddha is visiting the temple
for worship daily.
Lord Saneeswara is of great importance here and gracing
in the temple with His wives Jesta and Mandha called as 'Adhi Bruhat Saneeswara'.
Hence this temple is a Parihara Sthalam for peoples born in Poosam Star. They
are advised to visit this temple either on Poosam star or Tirthiyai Thithi or
Saturday, perform Abishekam to Saneeswara with eight items and circumambulate (Pradhakshinam)
temple eight times.
Combined with the names of Vila tree and the Gnanavari
spring, the place came to be known as Vilankulam. Kulam is called as spring in
Tamil.
Greatness of Temple
The adage goes that Poosa Padam brings friendship. Padam
denotes Saturn. When his leg was affected, Saturn worshipped Akshaya Pureeswarar
in the temple. This star is eighth in the list of 27 stars. Hence, they are
advised to pray here on the star day or on the Akshaya Tthritiya day falling in
the month of April–May for gaining all prosperity and health in life. They
should also perform abishek to Sani Bhagwan with eight items as mentioned above
(prayer commitment) and circumambulate the shrine eight times for lasting
solutions for their problems. Even if the impact of Sani aspect would be
severe, this prayer would help reduce the intensity of adverse look of the
planet.
Vilankulam Saneeswara is sought by those facing debt
burdens, distressed, frequent health problems, the handicapped and facing
obstacles in marriage proposals. He is gracing in the temple with his consorts
Jyeshta and Mandha in wedding form in the name of Aadhibruhat Saneeswara. He is
all merciful in the temple. Mother Abhivruddhi Nayaki (mother granting all
progress in life) ensures all development in life. There is no Navagraha shrine
(shrine for 9 planets together) in the temple. Instead, Sani Bhagwan and his
Father Sun grace from their respective shrines. Lord Vinayaka graces facing
west. As he ensures success (Vijaya) to his devotees, He is praised as Vijaya
Vinayaka.
Temple's Speciality
Sani Bhagwan (planet Saturn) graces in the temple facing
south with his consorts Mandha and Jyeshta in wedding form.
Main temple
A first rectangular surrounding wall marks the outer
boundary. The main temple is in the center of the spacious quadrangle composed
of a sanctuary, a Nandi, a pillared hall and an assembly hall (mandapas), and many sub-shrines. The most important part of the temple is the inner
mandapa which is surrounded by massive walls that are divided into levels by
sharply cut sculptures and pilasters providing deep bays and recesses.
Each side of the sanctuary has a bay emphasizing the
principle cult icons. The Karuvarai, a Tamil word meaning the interior of the sanctum
sanctorum, is the inner most sanctum
and focus of the temple where an image of the primary deity, Shiva, resides. Inside is a huge stone linga. The word Karuvarai means "womb chamber"
from Tamil word karu for
foetus. Only priests are allowed to enter this inner-most chamber. Sri
Akshayapureeswarar Temple is one of the Abhimana Kshetram of Lord Shiva.
Presiding
Deity – Sri Akshayapureeswarar with his consort
Goddess Sri Abivruddha Nayaki
Sthalavruksham – Vilavruksham
Theertham - Poosa Gyanavavi
Sannidhis
– Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeswara, Lord Subramanya with
his consorts Goddess Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Lord Shaneeswara with his
consorts Sri Mantha & Sri Jyeshta, Lord Surya, Bhairava, Nandhi, Lord
Dakshinamurthy, Brahmma, Lingodhbava, Mother Durga, Mother Gajalakshmi, Nagar
and Lord Nataraja.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 4.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
continuously.
Festivals
Mahasivarathri in February-March, Tirukarthikai in
November-December and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the
festivals celebrated in the temple.
Preferred Star
If Poosam Nakshatra people visit this temple during
Saturdays along with poosam star day and Akshaya Tritiya and offering Abhishekam
to Sani Bhagawan all their sorrows will disperse in air.
Prayers
Besides those belonging to Poosam star praying for
removal of planetary afflictions, those handicapped and those suffering from
leg pain and those facing obstacles in wedding proposals throng the temple for
remedy. Poosam starrers are advised to perform abishek to Sani Bhagwan (planet
Saturn) with eight objects as oil, panchamirtham, punugu a cosmetic paste,
green coconut, milk, curd etc. They also have to circumambulate the shrine
eight times.
Poosam starrers are advised to perform abishek to Sani
Bhagwan (planet Saturn) with eight objects as oil, panchamirtham, punugu a
cosmetic paste, green coconut, milk, curd etc. They also have to circumambulate
the shrine eight times.
Contact
Sri Akshaya Pureeswarar Temple,
Vilankulam – 614 612, Peravurani Taluk,
Thanjavur District
Phone: +91 97507 84944,
96266 85051.
Connectivity
Vilankulam or Vilangulam is at a distance of less than
20 km from the town of Peravurani, in the district of Tanjore. You could also
reach the place from the town of Pattukkottai, on the way to Rameswaram on East
Coast Road. You could travel from Karaikudi or Pattukkottai to Peravurani,
before you reach Vilankulam.
Vilankulam Vilakku is 30 km from Pattukkottai on the
Rameswaram East Coast road. The temple is 2 km from Vilankulam Vilakku.
Vilankulam can also be reached from Pudukkottai via Peravurani.
Nearest
Railway Station: Peravurani
Nearest
Airport: Trichy