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Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Vaimoornathar Temple, Tiruvaimur – The Temple

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.