Vanchinadha Swamy Temple, Srivanchiyam – The Temple

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 10^th Century AD with Kulothunga I raising the wall of the Sannidhi. The Subramanya idol belongs to the Nayak period and 15^th - 16^th Century AD. The Ashtabuja Durga idol goes back to the Kulothunga III period when the temple also saw renovation. Later in the 2^nd half of the 16^th 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.