Vishamangaleswarar Temple, Thudaiyur, Trichy
Vishamangaleswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple
dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thudaiyur Village near Tiruvasi in Trichy
District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Vishamangaleswarar / Kadambavaneswarar.
Mother is called as Veeramangaleswari. Thudaiyur is also called as Thodaiyur.
This Temple finds a place in Appar's Thevaram. Hence it is also considered as
Thevara Vaipu Sthalam.
Legends
Visham Theenda Pathi:
It is believed that people in this place do not suffer
from any poisonous bites. Hence this place is called as Visham Theenda Pathi.
Vishamangaleswarar:
The Lord is called Visha (poison) Mangaleswarar (one
who gives Mangalam, prosperity, happiness, wellbeing) as he had consumed the
Alakala Poison coming out of the sea when it was churned.
People who worshipped Lord Shiva here:
Sahadevan, one of the Pandavas, was believed to have
prayed here and became an expert in astrology. Banumathi, wife of Duryodhana,
had also prayed here. As per the temple legend, Achala Nisumithra Maharishi
prays here even today.
The
Temple
This Thevara Vaipu Sthalam is a small temple and has
lots of special significances. There is a big snake pit at the entrance of the
temple and the place is also known as Visham Theenda Pathi, meaning poison has
no effect here. Presiding Deity is called as Vishamangaleswarar / Kadambavaneswarar.
The Lingam is a Swayambumurthy facing east. Mother is called as Veeramangaleswari
/ Mangalanayahi and is facing south.
The Ambal sannidhi is small and has a tall Ambal
Mangalambikai. Ambal is worshipped with Red Arali on Tuesdays by those who are
having problem with Mars (Sevvai) in their horoscopes. All the main gods
appear with their spouses – Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhoodevi, Subramanyar with
Valli and Devasena, Lakshmi Narayanar, Sun with Usha Devi and Kalyana
Sundareswarar. Hence it is believed that this is another Kshetram where
marriage proposals are expedited.
Digichandana Dakshina moorthy idol is really good
and he is with veena known as Digichandana in his hands like the one in Lalgudi
temple. This is supposedly good for optic nerve problems, the strings of the
veena are supposedly strands of optic nerve which can be strummed only by
Shiva. Surya and Chandra are seen on top of Dhakshinamoorthy to either side
with chamaram. The usual Sanathkumaras are missing and there is a female bell
clapper instead.
The speciality is Abhishekam to Dakshinamurthy and
Saraswathy with honey which is sold in the temple. The honey is to be consumed
early morning for success in studies. Durga is Vishnu Durgai on lotus
peetam with Agni in hand. Thadangam of Durgai is different here. The Saraswathy
here is in Dhyana posture with no veena she is housed as Koshta Vigraha instead
of a Vinayaka. This place has a Kalyana Utsavam for Brahma and Saraswathy, a
very unique festival.
Another unique shrine in the prakaram (behind the
main shrine) is Uma Aalingana Murthy (Kalyana Sundareswarar) in which Shiva
shows the Chin mudra with his right hand, embracing Parvathi with the left
hand, with his big toe slightly above Ambal's foot. This is a very unique idol.
Worshipping this Lord will give the boon of child for the childless couple.
There is a village deity called Vadha Munishwarar
who is present in a stone a little away (1/2 Kms) from the temple. Special
prayers are offered to him on Tuesday, Friday, Ashtami and Full moon days and
the oil used for his Abhishekam is offered as Prasadam which is believed to
cure lot of diseases. According to archeologists, Vadha Munishwarar Lingam is a
medicinal stone and the oil from this Shiva's Abhishekam sells like hot cakes.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 7 Kms from Thiruvasi,
11 Kms from Thirupparaithurai, 13 Kms from Jeeyapuram, 10 Kms from Elamanur, 10
Kms from Srirangam, 17 Kms from Trichy. The Temple is situated in Trichy Salem
road. The temple is on the left of the
road on a bit of land which is between the Kaveri and the left bank canal.
Nearest Railway Stations are located at Srirangam, Elamanur and Trichy. Nearest
Airport is located at Trichy.