Vanchinadha Swamy Temple, Srivanchiyam – The Temple
The
temple complex is spread over five acres of land, including the sacred tank,
Gupta Ganga. This temple is one of the largest in Thiruvarur district,
measuring 558 ft. in length and 320 ft. in breadth, with three gopurams, three
vimanas and three prakaras. Among the three prakaras, the inner prakara has the
largest number of images. The Temple is having a five-tiered Raja gopuram at
the first entrance and a three tiered Gopuram at the second entrance.
The 110
feet tall five tier Rajagopuram is facing east. It was built by Rajendra
Chola in the year AD 850. Presiding Deity is called as Vanchilingeswarar / Vanchinathar
/ Vanchinadheswarar. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambu Murthy. Presiding
deity is a little fatter and tall. The presiding deity is the oldest among
the 64 in the world. The Swayambu lingam is worshiped with sandalwood leaves
instead of usual Vilvam.
The
temple also has two statues of Nandi, one on the east side and one on the west facing both
sides of Vanchinathar. Mother is called as Mangala Nayagi / Maruvar
Kuzhali / Vaazha Vandha Nayaki. Shrine of Mother Mangala Nayaki in her standing
posture is located in the second prakaram.
During
the eclipse days also Sri Vanchiyam temple is open though as a tradition other
temples are closed during the time. Special abisheks are dedicated to Lord on
these days. The Thevaram hymns related to the temple are carved on a marble
stone fixed on the wall. Sri Adhikara Nandhi is on the left
side.
Durga Shrine:
Durga is
seen with one feet on the ground and the other on the asura’s shoulder.
Offering sincere prayers to Durgai here will protect one from ‘Sei Vinai’ enemy
elements.
Mahishasuramardhini Shrine:
Goddess
Mother Mahishasuramardhini with her eight hands is blessing the devotees in the
temple. Mahishasuramardhini has a separate shrine, standing beside Simha vaahana.
Worshipping Her with 108 lotus flowers during Rahu kalam is considered special.
Bhairava Shrine:
Bhairava
has also been given a seat here with the same condition as that of Yama. He is
in a separate shrine in the inner prakara. He is in yoga posture, without his
usual mount, the dog — another rare feature.
Rahu-Kethu Sculpture:
Another
unique feature is Rahu-Kethu, both carved out in one composite sculpture, next
to the shrine of Bhairava. Similar to Thirunageswaram, milk poured over the Murtis
turns blue. Performing puja and prayers at this sannidhi, are said to bless
devotees with marriage and progeny and cure from nervous disorders.
Vennai Pillaiyar:
Those
with stomach ailments apply butter on Vinayaka (in the inner prakara) and
worship him for cure — another unique feature. He is known as Vennai Pillaiyar.
Nayanmars Idols:
63 Saiva
saints (Nayanmars) Idols are located on the southern corridor of the Temple.
Mahalakshmi Shrine:
Goddess
Mahalakshmi has a separate shrine. It is significant that her elephant has four
tusks.
Saneeswara Shrine:
As Lord
Shiva is all dominant in the temple, there is no shrine for Navagrahas the nine
planets. Saneeswara (Saturn) is housed in a separate niche.
Yama Shrine:
It is
one of the rare temples where there is a separate shrine for Yama, the Hindu god of death. The Shrine is located to the
left side of the temple entrance. Yama is sported in seated posture with
Chitragupta by his side, facing south in the Agni Moola of the temple. In
the tradition of this temple, visitors make a visit to the shrine of Yama first
before entering the temple, unlike in other temples where the Lord
Ganesha is propitiated first.
Cow milk
payasam and buffalo milk payasam are offered to Yama and Chitragupta to ward
off any Dosham relating to long life. Devotees worship Yama with garlands made
of Vada a popular dish of Tamilnadu. People also conduct in the
shrine their birthday pujas and homas seeking longevity. There is a Yama
Vahanam at this Temple, over which the Utsava idol is taken during the festival
in the Tamil month of Maasi.
Sthala Vriksham:
The
Sthala Vriksham (sacred tree of this temple) is Sandalwood Tree which imparts
the name Chandana Aranyam to the shrine.
Theertham:
Gupta
Ganga, Yama Theertham, Naga Theertham, Chakra Theertham, Agni Theertham and
Lakshmi Theertham are the various bodies of water associated with the temple.
Devotees are cured of illnesses after a bath in the Gupta Ganga, on the
northern side of the outer prakara. A holy dip in Lakshmi Theertham is said to
reunite a person with his estranged family. A holy dip in Naga Theertham is
said to liberate one of all Naga Doshas. It is said that by taking a holy dip
in Chakra Theertham, one is absolved of Brahmahatti Dosham.
Other Shrines:
Vinayagar
here is called Ábayankara Vinayagar. There are shrines for Pancha Bootha
Lingas, Jeshtadevi, Gaja Lakshmi, Lingas of Mukthi Kshetras along with an
exclusive east facing Durga shrine in the Temple. Shrines for Lord Vinayaka and
Subramanya (Muruga) are in the first Mandapam.
Inscriptions:
Historians
have identified 17 stone inscriptions on the pillars (10-17 A.D.) They reveal
the gift of lands, lamps etc. and also purchase of lands for temple by
philanthropists and kings during various reigns. Inscriptions of Chola, Pandya
and Nayaka period are seen here which glorifies this place as Raja Gambeera
Chathurvedhi Mangalam. Rajaraja Chozha contributed in a big to the improvement
of the temple. Raja Kesari Varma and Sadaiyavarman Sundarapandyan donated lands
in big measure to the temple.
The Dakshinamurthy
idol dates back to the 10th Century AD with Kulothunga I raising the
wall of the Sannidhi. The Subramanya idol belongs to the Nayak period and 15th
- 16th Century AD. The Ashtabuja Durga idol goes back to the
Kulothunga III period when the temple also saw renovation. Later in the 2nd
half of the 16th Century, Chellappa Nayak directed a part of the
taxed income to be handed over to the temple for the conduct of daily
poojas and annual festivals.
