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.
