Sankaranyeswarar Temple, Thalaichangadu, Nagapattinam
Sankaranyeswarar
Temple is a Hindu
temple located in the
village of Thalaichangadu in the Tharangampadi Taluk of Nagapattinam district in Tamilnadu. The temple is believed to have been initially constructed
by the Chola king Kochenganan and renovated in the following
centuries. Vishnu is believed to have worshipped Shiva at this place.
The temple has been praised by Sambandar in the Thevaram. This is the 162nd Devaram Paadal Petra
Shiva Sthalam and 45th sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in
Chozha Nadu. Thalaichangadu is also known as Pancharanya Kshetram. Vishnu
worshiped Shiva here to acquire the greatest of all Shankhs (Conch)
Panchajanyam.
Etymology
The
ancient Tamils have given the names of the natural plants to the land as well
as the city that depends on it. Hence, the meaning of ‘Thalaichangadu’
can be understood, if it is separated as
‘thalai+changu+kaadu’. ‘Changu’ flowers (shell-like flowers) were
grown abundantly in the gardens here and were sent to these temples and also to
the surrounding temples. The inscription informs that the name ‘Thalaichangadu’
must have come into vogue because of these flower gardens.
Legends
Lord
Vishnu, in order to protect this world and its inhabitants, had worshipped Sankaranyeswarar
and attained Panchajanyam (Talai Changu), the greatest of all Sangu (Conch). procured
the Conch as his weapon. Hence, there is a separate sanctum for Lord Vishnu in
this temple. It is interesting to note that the legend associated with this
temple is the same as in Thiruvalampuram.
History
This is
one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva built by King Ko-Chenganan Chozha known
as Maadakkovil. The temple inscriptions reveal that the Queen Sembian Madevi,
mother of King Uthama Chozha has made abundance of contributions to this
temple. The Pancharanya Kshetrams Tiruthalaichangadu, Tiruvengadu, Tiruchaaikkadu,
Thirumaraikadu and Thiruthalaialangadu are known as Shankharanyam,
Swetharanyam, Vadavaranyam, Vedaranyam and Vilvaranyam respectively.
The
Temple
The Lord
of this place stands at three feet height as a swayambu Moorthy. The temple is
structured in conch-shape. The darshan of the three prime deities Brahma,
Vishnu and Siva is available in the same Siva temple. The Prime Deity and
the Pradosha Lord separately bestow grace on the devotees. The
cosmic billionaires, ‘Sanganidhi’ and ‘Padumanidhi’ receive us at the front
portals of the temple itself. The Chola king Kochenganan has built
many Siva temples. Of these he has built temples with narrow
entrance where the elephant cannot get in. This is one such ‘Maadakkovil’-
temple with narrow entry.
This is
a Maadakkovil built at an elevation and the tank is located across the temple.
This temple occupies an area of about 2 acres. The temple has the ‘Somaskanda Structure’. That
is, when we enter the temple, on the left side is the sanctum of Lord Siva, in
the center is the Lord Murugan’s sanctum and on the right is the sanctum of
Ambal. It is significant that Tiruthalaichangadu in its temple pattern
follows the line of the temples in Thiruvenkadu, Tiruchaaikkadu, Thirumaraikadu
and Tiruttalaiyaalankaadu.
Lord
Vishnu, in order to protect this world and its inhabitants, had worshipped Sankaranyeswarar
and attained Conch as his weapon. Hence, there is a separate sanctum
for Lord Vishnu in this temple. The Consort of Lord Shiva is called as Soundara
Nayaki. The temple houses separate shrine for Saint Pattinathar. Sannadhi for
Natarajar, Somaskandhar, Naalvar, Ijvaraheswarar, Cauvery and Agasthiyar are
located in this Temple.
Moolavar
is in the shape of Sangu and Karuvarai is little large. In Koshtam,
Narthana Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Durgai (Durgai is
not in the niche - Little taller kept little outside) can be seen. In Artha mandapam,
Sculptures of Naalvar and Ko Chengata Chozhan with his wife can be seen. Sthala
Vriksham is Purasu and Theertham is Sanku theertham and Cauvery. There
is a Vallaba Vinayaka temple and Cauvery temple nearby.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 am to 12.00 noon and from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm.
Festivals
Five
days Vaikasi Visakam festival is celebrated in a grand manner. During Kantha
Sashti, Laksharchanai is performed for one day.
Singers
The
temple has been praised by Sambandar in the Thevaram. This is the 162nd Devaram Paadal Petra
Shiva Sthalam and 45th sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in
Chozha Nadu.
Prayers
Women
come here for begetting issues. Those women observe ‘Pournami Vratam’ (vow
on the full-moon day), consume a small amount of the sandal-paste that has
adorned Ambal’s body and pray to beget child. After the birth of the baby, they
adorn Ambal’s image with sandal-paste and worship. Women devotees throng this
temple mainly seeking boons for children.
Contact
Arulmigu
Thalaichangadu Sankaranyeswarar Tirukkovil,
Thalaichangadu
– Aakkoor Post – 609 301,
Tharangampadi
Taluk, Nagapattinam District
Phone: +91 – 4364 – 280 757
Connectivity
This
town is also known as Shankharanyam and is located 2 km South West of Thiruvalampuram
(Perumpallam) on the route between Sirkazhi and Poompuhar, near Tiruvengadu
near the Aakkoor Railway Station. It is located on the way from Mayiladuthurai
to Poompuhar via Aakkur. It is located at a distance of 16 kms east of
Mayiladuthurai and 5 kms from Aakkoor. Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.