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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Sasivarneswarar Temple, Sivaganga

Sasivarneswarar Temple, Sivaganga
Sasivarneswarar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Sivaganga Town in Sivaganga District of Tamilnadu. Presiding deity is called as Sasivarneswarar and Mother is called as Periyanayaki. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa. Urchavar of this Temple is Somaskandar. Aagama of this Temple is Shivagama.

Legends
The Sanskrit words Sasi and Soman mean Chandra the Moon. Moon got relieved from some adverse effects by worshipping Lord Shiva. As the Lord graced the Moon, He is praised as Chandrasekhara and Somasekhara.  The temple was built by a king and named the Lord Sasivarneswarar. The temple is under the administration of the Devasthanam of Sivaganga Samasthanam.
The Temple
Presiding deity is called as Sasivarneswarar and Mother is called as Periyanayaki. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa. Urchavar of this Temple is Somaskandar. Mother Perianayaki is all graceful.  As a tradition, Mother Durga is on the wall of Shiva shrine facing north. Mother Durga is in a separate shrine facing south with two hands the left leg bent and pressed on a demon in this Temple. She is facing south.  
This is a small temple without tower. There is a Linga in the Prakara under a Naga-snake. There are shrines for Sun, Lord Vinayaka, Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Kala Bhairava and Moon.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is generally open from 6.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m and 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. On Tuesdays, based on Rahu Kalam time, the second shift would be from 3.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. On Fridays, it is open from 5.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. in the first shift.
Festivals
New Moon day in July-August- Aadi Amavasya, Masi Magam and Shivrathri in February-March, Navarathri in September-October are the festivals celebrated in the temple. Special pujas are performed for Ambica.  Vilakku Puja (lamp puja) is performed on the first day of Chithirai falling almost on April 14 or a day before or after rarely. Lord comes in procession that day. 
Prayers
Pregnant women of this place pray to Mother Perianayaki for safe delivery. For this, they perform a ceremony called Marundhu Kudippu (taking medicine). They perform milk abishek to Mother and consume it as medicine. Where the woman is unable to visit the temple personally, her family members come to the temple for this prayer.
Some children never stop crying. Some never cry. Both are a matter of concern. Parents come to Mother for a remedy in both cases. They perform abishek to Mother, take the abishek water to the temple complex with the child and bathe the child there. They believe that this would solve the problem.
Women also pray to Mother Periyanayaki for wedding boon, for cure from monthly disorders and for girls not attaining puberty despite age. They offer garlands of red flowers (Sevvarali) and light lamps in lime cups.  They also go round (circumambulating) the prakara 27 times.   Lakshrachana (chanting the name of Mother with one lakh names and offering flower for each name) is performed to Mother on Masi Magam.
Those facing problems due to adverse aspect of snake planets, obstacle in wedding matters and problems of the health of spouse called Kalathra dosha pray here on Sundays between 4.30 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. – Rahu Kalam for remedy performing abishek with turmeric powder and milk. This prayer is also undertaken in the Nagar shrine under the Vilwa tree.
Contact
Sri Sasivarneswarar Temple,
Sivagangai – 630 561
Mobile: +91-98439 39761
Connectivity
The temple is very near the Sivaganga bus stand. Nearest Railway Station is located at Sivaganga and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.