Yama Dharmaraja Temple, Thiruchitrambalam, Thanjavur
Yama Dharmaraja Temple is a Hindu
temple located at Thiruchitrambalam in the Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Yama.
Legends
According to Hindu
mythology, Manmatha the Hindu Cupid provoked the ire of Shiva and was burnt to death. The Puradhana Vaneswarar Temple in neighbouring Pattukkottai lies on the spot
where the alleged incident took place. However, on Yama's request, Manmatha was
restored to life. The Yama Dharmaraja Temple is believed to have been built at
the spot where he was restored to life.
Once, the Devas of the celestial world came to Kailash
to have the darshan of Lord Shiva. As he was in deep meditation,
they used Manmatha to disturb His meditation-Nishta. Opening his
eyes in all fury, the sparks burnt Manmatha reducing him to ashes. Responding
to the prayers of his wife Rathi, he was restored to life at a spot near this
place. Yama prayed to Lord Shiva to permit him the destruction job
assigned to him and was granted permission. The temple for Yama is
built according to this story.
Lord Shiva blessing Yama to carry on his job has a
separate temple nearby.
Greatness of Temple
The God of Death is the presiding deity of the temple
appearing with a royal look with his twisted moustache in a sitting form on his
buffalo vehicle. He holds in his hands a rope, palm leaves and a
club. Seated under him are Chitra Gupta and his messenger named
Kalan. Pambatti Siddhar and Aiyanar with his consorts Poorana and Pushkala are
also in the shrine. Raw rice pudding is offered as
Nivedhana. Yama is dressed as a king during the 10 day Aadi festival as if
he is going for hunting.
In order to reduce the degree of his fury, Lord Raja
Ganapathy is installed in front of the shrine and Lord Baladhandayuthapani
behind. As Yama is the form of Justice, any one committing a sin
would be suitably punished. Women do not bathe in the Theertha of the temple in
the fear that they may have to be subjected to the fury of Yama.
The Temple
This is the place where Manmatha – Cupid – was restored
to life after he was burnt by the fury of Lord Shiva. The spot is
called Kaman Pottal. There are also guardian deities in the temple
complex Veeranar, Rakkachi, Muthumani, Karuppanasami, Kombukkaran and
Vaduvachi.
The presiding deity is Yama, the Hindu god of death.
There are also idols of Chitragupta, Pambatti
Siddhar, Ayyanar and his consorts Purna and Pushkala.
Significance
The temple is one of the few dedicated to Yama. God of
Death-Ema Dharmaraja is the presiding deity of the temple.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Festivals
10 day Aadi Vizha in July-August and Manmatha Vizha
(cupid festival) in Masi (February-March are the festivals celebrated in the
temple.
Prayers
People pray here for longevity. As Yama is
the head of Justice, people who were cheated and had lost their belongings also
pray here. They write their grievance in a paper and tie the prayer
in the trident. It is believed that the lost property would be
recovered within a few days. This is called Padi
Kattudhal.
During the Ema Kanda time (time attributed to Yama, 1.30
p.m. to 3.00 p.m.) Ayul Vruddhi Homa (a prayer puja for longevity) is performed
in the temple on Saturdays. As Saturn is the authority for longevity
according to astrology, the puja is conducted on Saturdays. Devotees perform
Abishek to the deity and offer vastras.
Contact
Yama Dharmaraja Temple,
Thiruchitrambalam, Pattukkottai Taluk
Thanjavur District
Phone: +91- 98943 24430
Connectivity
The Yama temple is 36 km from Thanjavur on the
Pattukkottai route. Nearest Railway Station is located at Pattukkottai and
Thanjavur. Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.
