Kalyana Vigirtheeswarar Temple, Venjamangudalur – The
Temple
This
temple has a 5-tiered Rajagopuram and the temple is facing west. The temple was
washed away by the flood in the Kudaganaaru. The current temple is the result
of extensive rebuilding work carried out in the 1982. The temple is a level
below the 5 tier Rajagopuram. Shrines of
Vinayaga and Murugan are situated on both side of Rajagopuram.
There is
a Garuda Thoon or Vilakku Thoon in front of Rajagopuram. A flight of stone
steps has been provided from the entrance to reach the maha mandapam since the
temple is at a much lower level. The ceiling of the temple has been painted
beautifully. The maha mandapam has been partially covered with a sloping roof
in concrete and elegantly painted. The floor has been neatly fitted with
glistening tiles.
The
original stone-pillared mandapam has now been crowned with beautiful stucco
work, and at its corners are found the images of Kamadenu. On either side of
the front wall of the garba griha of the main deity, the images of
Sundaramurthy Nayanar and Arunagirinathar have been placed indicating their
association with this temple. Presiding Deity is called as Kalyana Vigirtheeswarar
/ Vikirthanatheswarar. Lord Shiva is housed in the sanctum facing east. The main
Lingam inside the sanctum sanctorum is 5 feet in height. Lord Vigirtheeswarar
graces with his snake jewel (Nagabaranam) in the sanctum as a Swayambumurthy
(Self-manifested). Vigirtheeswarar means Lord who grants us all that is
good. Devotees get their sins washed off by worshipping Lord Shiva
here.
The
sanctum of this temple bears depictions of the 7 Thevara temples in Kongu
Naadu. Vinayagar, Dhakshina Moorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai are
the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls. Mother is called as Vigirthambika
/ Mathurabhasini / Panner Mozhi Ammai. She is housed in a separate shrine
facing east. Her Idol is 2.5 feet in height. Her shrine is situated to the left
of sanctum. Vinayaka of the temple is Lord Siddhi Vinayaka.
There
are shrines of Suryan, Chandran, Pancha lingams, Valli Devasena Sri
Subramaniyar in the outer prakaram. There are shrines of Navagrahas, Bairavar,
Nambiyandar Nambikal, Sekkizhar, 63 Nayanmars & Natarajar Saba in the inner
prakaram. Utsava Idols of Somaskandar, Pallakku Chokkar, Subramaniyar can
be found in this Temple.
The
Muruga sannidhi, located at the north-west corner of the prakaram, attracts
everyone. The idol, with six arms and his consorts, Valli and Devasena, to the
left and right respectively, is an architectural marvel. He is seated on
peacock whose head is turned to left, “asura pakam,” a posture adopted after
the killing of Soora Padman. He is praised by Saint
Arunagiri in his Thirupugazh hymns. It is believed that worshipping
Lord Muruga here will result in the re-union of couples separated earlier for
some reason or other.
As in
Karur Pasupatheeswarar temple, there are separate niches for Surya and Chandra
near the eastern compound wall on either side. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam Tree.
Theertham associated with this Temple is Vigirtha Theertham. The temple falls
under the jurisdiction of the Executive Officer, Karur Pasupatheeswarar temple.
This
Shivasthalam has been patronized by the kings of Pandiya Naadu and many rock
cut inscriptions of Pandiya Period have been found in this temple. The
northern and southern walls are full of inscriptions and similarly, around the
goddess sannidhi, there are inscriptions. All these inscriptions have been
copied under South Indian inscription series from 143-50 in 1905. One of them
relates to the re-building of the goddess shrine by Sundara Pandya Thevar
during the third regnal year of Thirubhuvana Chakravarthy Veera Pandya (1265-85
A.D.) The rest of them relate to 12th century when the village, Venjamakoodal
must have enjoyed great importance.
