Chintamaninathar Temple (Arthanareeswar Temple),
Vasudevanallur, Thirunelveli
Chintamaninathar
Temple, also called as Arthanareeswar Temple is located at Vasudevanallur in
Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Chintamaninathar
/ Arthanareeswar. Mother is called as Idapaga Valli. Sthala Vriksham is Tamarind
tree and Theertham of this Temple is River Karuppai. Historically this place is
called as Vasavanur. The Great King Pulithevan fought against Britisher in
Vasudevanallur.
Legends
Lord appeared in Arthanareeswara form to Parvathi:
Sage Brungi was worshipping Lord Shiva alone
ignoring Mother Parvathi under the impression that Shivam and Shakti were
different from each other. Though Mother Parvathi prevailed upon Lord
Shiva to teach the truth to Brungi, He showed no attention. Mother
Parvathi left Lord Shiva and took to penance under a tamarind tree. Lord
appeared before her in the Arthanareeswara form. He is also called
Chintamaninathar.
Lord cured disease of Kulasekhara son of King Ravi
Varman:
A king
ruling this region Ravi Varman by name was a staunch Shiva devotee. The
king was much worried that no physician could cure the illness suffered by his
son Kulasekharan. A Shiva devotee met the king and advised him to worship the
Lord of this place. His son was cured. The king built this temple
then.
The
Temple
The
presiding deity blesses the devotees in his Arthanareeswara form. The taste of
the tamarind tree here is both sweet and citric. Lord Sri Arthanareeswara
has Ganga on the head. On the Shiva-male part (right) there is
crescent moon. Behind the Ambica part in left behind, is the
Jada-turf. The hands of Shiva part hold trident, skull and ear
ring. On the Ambica part, the hands hold Pasa-rope, ‘Angusa, bouquet and
ear ring. The legs of Shiva part has anklet of male design and that of
Ambica part has the female design. Shiva part has dhoti and Ambica part
has the sari for dressing. Ambica part of the Lord is called Idabaga
valli-occupying the left part of the Lord.
Maharishi
Brungi is the procession deity of the temple. During the Aani Brahmmotsavam,
Lord Shiva and Ambica are placed close together and sage Brungi is placed as if
he worships Lord Shiva alone ignoring Ambica. The ritual goes to show the
anger of Ambica on Brungi for his attitude, Lord Shiva appearing as
Arthanareeswara and Brungi correcting himself by worshipping both together. As
the Lord is amidst Tamarind trees, He is named Chinthamani Nathar. Chintha
means tamarind. The fruits of these trees are both sweet and citric
in taste.
There
are shrines for Lord Nataraja, Lord Bhairava without his dog vehicle and Yoga
Chandikeswara in worshipping form showing a different sculpture
style. There are also shrines for Sun, Lord Yoga Dakshinamurthy,
Juradevar, Sapthamadhas, Veerabhadra, Panchalingam, Mother Mahalakshmi, Dharma
Sastha, Lord Siddhi Vinayaka, Sani Baghwan, Nagaraja and Nagarani. Sthala
Vriksham is Tamarind tree and Theertham of this Temple is River Karuppai.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festivals
The
temple celebrates Aani Brahmmotsavam in June-July, Aipasi Skandasashti in
October-November, Margazhi Thiruvadirai in December-January and Thai new moon
day in January-February. Special pujas are performed here on Shivaratri
day. Instead of an Annabishekam to the Lord in Aipasi – October-November
as traditionally followed, this event is celebrated on the first day of the
Tamil Year day – Chithirai – falling almost on April 14 each year.
Prayers
Those
seeking child boon, bathe in the river and worship Ambica and they are sure to
be blessed with a child. Hence the river is praised as Karu-pai –
womb. Couples separated due to some problems pray to Arthanareeswara for
reunion. Realizing their wish, the devotees perform special abishek to Lord and
offer vastras.
Contact
Sri
Chintamaninathar (Arthanareeswarar) Temple,
Vasudevanallur-627
758, Thirunelveli District
Mobile: +91 94423 29420
Connectivity
Vasudevanallur
is located at about 20 Kms from Sankarankoil, 86 Kms from Thirunelveli, 140 Kms
from Thiruvananthapuram and 120 Kms from Madurai. The temple is near the old
bus stand. Nearest Railway Station is located at Sankarankoil and Nearest
Airport is located at Madurai.
