Kanagagreeswarar Temple (Ponmalai Nathar Temple),
Devikapuram
The
Kanagagreeswarar Temple is located on top of a small hill called Kanagachalam
or Ponnmalai and the Periyanayagi Amman temple, the more popular one is located
at the base of the hill in the center of the town. Ponmalai Nathar
Temple is at a height of about 500 feet, from the mean sea level. It is
thought to have been built approximately 1000 years ago during the reign of the Chola
King. Later the temple was expanded during the Vijayanagara Period in the 15th century.
The hill
known as Kanakagiri is behind the Amman temple on the southwest side
scaling 500 feet with 365 steps covering a circumference of 5 kilo
meters. Lord Shiva at the top of the hill is a swayambumurthy
praised as Kanakagiriswarar-Pon Malai Nathar in Tamil.
Legends
Story behind Hot Water Abhishekam:
A story
says that while a hunter named Irula was digging the forest and collecting
roots, his axe hit a Lingam underneath. As a result of this sinful act, he
fell unconscious. On account of his deep devotion to the Lord, the God appeared
in his dream and told him that he is present inside the pit. At once, he found
the Lingam, installed it on the top of the hillock and worshiped it.
Since
then the worship and abishekam began with hot water as Lord was
injured. The hot water abishekam continues even today. As the
Shivalinga is too tiny in size, Lord Kasi Viswanatha Linga is also installed by
the side. Pujas are performed as per agamas. The hunter story is a
hearsay story.
Mother Parvathi Penance:
Sage
Brungi on a visit to Mount Kailash simply worshipped Lord Shiva
alone though Mother Parvathi was by his side. Feeling the neglect, Mother asked
the Lord to part with her a part of his body. Lord suggested that she must go
to Kancheepuram and do penance on him in the name of Kamakshi and he would
marry her there. Then he would offer a part of his body to her at Thiruvannamalai.
Kamakshi wedded Lord Ekambaranathar at Kanchi. On her way to Thiruvannamalai,
She performed penance on Lord Kanaka Giriswarar for a Mandalam-covering 48
days- at Devikapuram. Hence, the name of the place is called as
Devikapuram. Mother became part of Lord at Thiruvannamalai according to Sthala
Puranas.
The
temple for Mother Peria Nayaki, also Peria Nachiar in the center of the place
is as famous as that of Mother Kamakshi in Kancheepuram. This is one
among the Shakti Peetas. The temple has a 7 tier Rajagopuram and
three corridors-prakarams. As mother held the hands of Lord after a severe
penance, those facing delays in their wedding pray to mother
here. Lord came down from the hill to have mother in wedding on the
Panguni Uthiram day in March-April.
Story behind sanctum having Two Lingas:
Subsequently,
when a Pallava king, who was marching with his army through this
place on his way to war, came to know about the glory of Lord of this temple,
he worshiped it and vowed to build a grand temple at this place, if he returned
victorious. He won the war due to his prayers to this Lord. As the human
nature, people forget their promises after winning things.
Pallava
committed the same mistake. When he met with a next problem, he
recalled his promise and immediately built the
temple. Unfortunately, the hunter-Linga was missing then. The
king brought a Linga from Kasi and installed in the temple. Luckily,
the hunter-Linga also was found then. It also was installed in the
sanctum. Thus the temple has two Shivalingas side by side.
The Temple
The hill
temple is at a height of 500 feet with 365 steps representing the days of the
year and with the prayer that each day should be auspicious for the
people. The temple has a three tier Rajagopuram. Nandhi the
bull vehicle of Lord Shiva looks majestic. There are shrines for Lords
Vinayaka, Muruga, Dakshinamurthi, Chandikeswara, Agora Veerabadra and Saptha
Mathas. Mother graces from her shrine in the foot
hill. The temple with sculptures of high skills is believed to have
been built during the Vijayanagara days.
There
are several foot steps leading to the top of the hill. After a few steps, one
would find the Veerabadrar's shrine, which is a thing of architectural beauty.
Sri Aladi Vinayagar is installed mid-way to the flight of steps leading to
uphill. On a rock, to the north of the hill top, are found two beautiful foot
prints of the Ambal. It is believed to be those of the Ambal, who did a severe
penance for Sri Ponmalainathar, in a standing posture. Just in front of the
temple there is a thirty six pillared mandapam bearing several beautiful
sculptures in all its pillars.
The
temple is 140 feet long and 70 feet wide. The famous "Navanarikunjaram'
sculpture is found in the inner prakaram. In the southern prakaram of the
temple are found the Sannidhis of Sri Visalakshiamman, Saptha Kanniyars and Sri
Dhakshinamoorthy, while the Sannadhis of Sri Vinayagar and Sri Murugar are
located in the western prakaram.
There
are three lingams in the sanctum sanctorum of Kanagagreeswarar temple. The
Lingam at the rear is the Swayambu lingam called Kanagagreeswarar alias
Ponmalainathar, which is a 2 ft.-high lingam and another one is an ancient
Kasi Viswanathar lingam worshipped by Periyanayagi Amman. Since there should
not be two lingams, another lingam made of Rudraksha has also been installed in
the wall behind the Kanagagreeswarar. The first Dharsan in this temple is that
of Sri Viswanathar.
There
are sculptures of 9 women in the inner mandapa of the temple as an elephant
speaking volumes of the Tamil sculpture skills. On way down from the
hill, the foot print of Mother is carved where she performed
penance. At the foot of the hill, there is a shrine for Lord
Kameswara accompanied by Mother Kokilambal. It is a wonder that the whole
temple is built with just nine stones. As there is no shrine for Ambica at the
hill temple, Pradosha Pujas are performed in this temple. People go
round the Girivalam-3.5 km- on Poornima days-full moon days.
There
are number of images of pigs in the outer walls of the temple. The images of
the pigs might have been intended to create sentimental feelings among Muslim
invaders and to avoid destroying the temple.
The
notable features of the temple are, unlike other shrines, Abishegam is done to
the deity here with hot water only instead of cold water. At 8AM every day,
there is an Abhishekham for Kanagagreeswarar with ghee and hot water.
Temple
Opening Time
The hill
temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. only. The Amman temple at the foot
hills is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Singers
Saint
Arunagirinathar appears to have visited this shrine and sung songs in praise of
the deity, through his famous" Thirupugazh" in which he described this
sthalam as Kanakagiri.
Festivals
This is
a hill temple. 10 day Panguni Uthiram festival beginning on the
Krithika-Panchami day with flag hoisting and ending on the Uthiram star day,
with the visit of Panchamurthis to the hill each day; Chithirai Natarajar
abishek in April-May; Purattasi Navarathri in September-October; Aipasi Annabishekam
to Lord in the hill in October-November; Karthikai Deepam festival in
November-December, Maha Shivrathri in February-March are the festivals
celebrated in the temple. Besides the above Poornima Girivalam-circumambulating
the hill on full moon day, pradosha days, Deepavali, Makara Sankranti, Tamil
and English New Year Days are also observed with special pujas to Lord and
Mother, all drawing huge crowds of devotees.
Prayers
Prayer
in the temple brings total mental peace. People also pray for
wedding, child boons, besides employment opportunities, promotions and progress
in business.
Devotees
fulfill their prayer commitments with Pongal nivedhana, offering wedding
garlands, tonsuring, lighting ghee lamps and abishek to Lord with oil, curd,
milk, green coconut and offering vastras. They offer Sari to Mother. They make prasadams
for Lord and Mother and distribute to other devotees.
Contact
Sri
Kanakagiriswarar Temple,
Devikapuram,
Tiruvannamalai-606
902
Phone: +91- 4173-247
482, 247 796.
Connectivity
Devikapuram
is part Thiruvannamalai district, Arni
taluk, located in
Polur-to-Chetpet Road (SH-115). It is part of Thondai Mandalam. It is a quiet & calm village without any industry.
People lead a pleasant life by doing agriculture and weaving.
Devikapuram
is to the West of Vandavasi; to the East of Polur; to the South of Arani and to
the North-East of Thiruvannamalai. While going from Vandavasi after Nedungunam
comes Chetpet and in the same road towards Polur comes Devikapuram. The temple
is located by the right side of the main road.
By Road:
Devikapuram
is located on State Highway 115.
This
village can be easily reached by bus from:
·
Chennai (150 km)
·
Thiruvannamalai(50 km)
·
Arni (21 km)
·
Polur (14 km) and
·
Vellore (60 km)
From
Vandavasi: Chennai to Vandavasi (via
Uthiramerur/Thennangur) – 128 approx. km Vandavasi to Chetpet – 27 km
Chetpet to Devikapuram – 12 km
From
Arani: 21 km
From
Polur: 15 km
Buses
are plying to Devikapuram from Chennai (CMBT) round the clock with Bus No.148
(Direct Bus) and Bus No. 131(Via Kanchipuram). Town & mofussil buses from
Arni, Chetpet and Polur are available.
By Train:
Polur is
the nearby Railway station. Services have been resumed after the conversion of the
tracks. Trains arrives/depart to/from Katpadi, Vellore, Thiruvannamalai,
Villupuram, Madurai, Nagercoil and Mumbai, there are daily two trains to
Tirupati.
By Air:
·
Chennai (Domestic & International) (150 km)
·
Bangalore
(Domestic & International) (350 km)