Vaimoornathar Temple, Tiruvaimur – The Temple
This temple occupies an area of about 2 acres and it has
two prakarams and a beautiful 3 tiered Rajagopuram facing east. The sun's rays
illuminate the sanctum on the 12th & the 13th days of the Tamil month of Panguni.
The original brick and mortar temple was reconstructed of stone during the
reign of Vikrama Chola, just prior to 1130. Inscriptions from the period of
Rajadhiraja II, Kulottunga III and Rajaraja III speaking of grants made to the
temple are seen here.
The presiding deity is called as Vaimoornathar. Mother is called as Paalinum Nanmozhi Ammai / Ksheeropavachani. It
is one of the Saptha Vidanga Sthalams. Thyagarajar here is called as Neela
Vidangar and is believed to perform Kamala Natanam. ‘Vitanka Lingam’ is a very
small sized Lingam like the ones sold. There is an idol of Ganesh with his
trunk pointing to the direction of the Lord Siva. Sthala Vriksham is Jack Fruit Tree.
Another significant feature of this temple is that
Navagrahas are lined up in a row as against the usual form of square layout. The
Navagrahams are in a single line as in Tiruvarur. The Rishabha Dakshinamurthy shrine here is of
significance as in Kaichinnam nearby. Dhakshinamoorthi on the Deva ghoshta is
graceful. Lord Dhakshinamoorthi in the sanctum is seen seated on Rishabam.
The Vedaranyeswarar and Thyagarajar shrines are located to the North
and to the south of the sanctum. The bronze image of Karaikkal Ammaiyar is of
great workmanship. Also the Bhairavar worship here is a significant one;
there is a separate Bhairavar temple inside the temple. There are seven forms
of Bhairavar here; it is believed that 8 were in existence.
On the outer circle are the sanctum of Naalvar and
Bhairavar and in the inner circle are Vinayaka, Subramanya with his Spouses
Valli and Deivanai, and Mahalakshmi. There is the court of Lord Nataraja who
appears in a beautiful icon. Theerthams of this temple are Soorya Theertham located
on the west, Paapamega Prasanda maarutha Theertham located in the front; Indra
Theertham and Harichandra Nadhi.
