Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Bhaktajaneswarar Temple, Thirunavalur – The Temple

Bhaktajaneswarar Temple, Thirunavalur – The Temple
This temple’s entrance has a 5- tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 2 corridors. The temple complex covers an area of two acres and all its shrines are enclosed with concentric rectangular walls. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Bhaktajaneswarar, his consort Manonmani Amman and Ranganathar being the most prominent. The Temple was constructed by Parantaka - I son Rajaditya Cholan. Vinayaka in the temple is known as Sundara Vinayakar and Muruga as Shanmuganathar.















Presiding Deity is called as Naavaleeswarar / Bhakta Janeswarar / Jambu Natheswarar. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthy (self-manifested) who is believed to have appeared amid Jambu trees (Naaval). It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam for five days (23rd to 27th of the Tamil month of Panguni). In the wall of the sanctum, there are beautifully carved reliefs depicting the life of Chandikeswarar.















Mother is called as Manonmani / Sundaranayaki / Naavalambigai. Goddess Parvathi is in a separate temple and can be seen in a meditative posture. It is interesting to see that her hair is not braided or tied. Devi Manonmani is having four hands with upper two hands is seen with akshamala/ Rosary and Lotus. The Lower two hands are in Abhaya and Varada Postures. The temples of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi are facing east. Shrines and idols of Lord Vinayakar and Lord Murugan with his consorts can be seen in the corridors.














The beautiful procession idols made of bronze (Utsava Murthy) of Lord Natarajar with Sivakami Amman, Vinayakar, Murugan, Bhikshandar, Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar with his two wives and the Nalvar can be seen in the temple’s hall. In this temple, Lord Dakshinamurthy is seen in a standing posture with his bull mount but without Muyalagan under his feet. It is believed that worshiping Lord Dakshinamurthy here is especially auspicious for those born during the time of the “Poorada Nakshatram”. 














Lingams worshiped by Saptha Rishis, Pollaappillayar, Sekkizhar, Gajalakshmi, Navagraham, Bargaveeswarar, Suryan and Bairavar can be seen in the corridors. The Shivalinga, worshipped by Shukra also known as Bhargava is installed near the Navagrahas in the name of Bargaveeswarar Linga. In the corridors, there are Shiva lingams that are believed to have been worshipped by Lord Mahavishnu in Kritha Yugam, Chandikeswarar in Tretha Yugam, Lord Brahma in Dwapara Yugam, and Saint Sundarar in Kali Yugam.















There is a Shivalingam in the inner corridor that is believed to have been worshiped by King Narasinga Munaiyaraiyar, foster father of Saint Sundamurthy Nayanar. A separate shrine for Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar with his wives Sangili Nachiyar and Paravai Nachiyar can be seen in the north-eastern corner of the temple.















Contrary to its normal position in the Navagraham, Sun (Suryan) is facing east (facing Lord Shiva). There is also a shrine to Varadaraja Perumal in this temple. Theertham associated with this temple are Gadilam River, Gomukhi Theertham and River Garuda. Sthala Vriksham is Naaval (Jambu) Tree. Near this temple, a mutt (madam) is being constructed to commemorate the birth place of Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar.