Gajaranyeswarar Temple, Ranganathapuram, Thanjavur

Gajaranyeswarar Temple, Ranganathapuram, Thanjavur

Gajaranyeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple located at Ranganathapuram in Thiruvaiyaru Taluk of Thanjavur District in Tamilnadu. The Temple is also called as Thiruvaneswarar Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Gajaranyeswarar / Tiruvaneshwar / Karivanathar / Aanaikkara Peruman / Gaja Arohaneswarar / Aanesar and Mother is called as Kamakshi. The temple is associated with Pooratadhi Nakshathra and is called as Pooratadhi Star Temple. It is believed that this is one of the Mada temple built by Kochengata Chola.

Legends

Mada Kovil:

Kochengat Chola was a Chola king and one of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints) of Saivism. He is believed to have attained spiritual rebirth of a spider that fought with an elephant in its previous birth over the worship of the Hindu god Shiva. He had red eyes during birth as he remained in his mother’s womb a little longer. His mother, looking into the babies red eyes said Kochengkannano (in Tamil Ko=king, Cheng=red, Kan=eyes), which literally means king with red eyes and hence he was named Kochengat Cholan. After becoming a king, he followed Saivism and built 70 Maadakovils, temples with elevated structure where elephants cannot reach the sanctum, in the Chola empire. It is believed that this is one of the temple built by him.

The first of such temples he built was at Thiruvanaikaval, his birth place – Jambukeswarar Temple.  The temple at Ranganathapuram could well be the second of those temples.

Kala Bhairava, the authority of Time, created seven days under the Pooratadhi Star, took them on an elephant in procession.  According to the land history (Sthala Purana) this took place in this temple land. 

Vajra Theertham & Indra Koopam:

Once, Iravadham, Lord Indira’s elephant was in deep penance on Lord Shiva of Niyamam Village. Indiran who came in search of Iravadham got angry and use Vajrayudha on the elephant.  By the grace of Lord Shiva, the weapon fell on the ground here harmlessly.  Water sprang from the place where the Vajrayudha fell and that became Vajra Theertham.  The well inside the temple is known as Indira Koopam.  Indiran repented his act and sought forgiveness. It is believed that Iravadham elephant (white elephant) and Indira worship in this temple on Pooratadhi star days.

History

Ranganathapuram or Gajaranyam:

Between 1311 AD and 1373 AD, there were a few attacks by Mohammedans led by Malik Gafoor on Srirangam.  Srirangam was under Mohammedan rule for some time, when the main idols at Srirangam and Thiruvanaikaval temples were brought to this village and kept hidden. Those idols were returned to the respective temples after Pandyas defeated the Mohammedans and regained control over Srirangam.  As commemoration of these events, this village has since then been known as Ranganathapuram or Gajaranyam (Anaika).

Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal stay here:

His Holiness Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal (Kanchi Periyavar), Pontiff of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, spent a week in this temple in meditation.

The Temple

The Temple is east facing but the main entrance to the Temple is facing west. The temple is enclosed by walls on all sides. The Temple is also having a small three-tiered Rajagopuram on the northern side. The Temple Pond, Vajra Theertham is located just opposite to this Rajagopuram. The well inside the temple is known as Indira Koopam.  The Temple is built on top of the idol of an elephant, hence Lord Shiva is also known as Gaja Aarohana Eswarar or one who rides an elephant.  The speciality of this temple is Lord Shiva is having elephant as vehicle. 

The temple Mandapam can be reached through the steps on the Southern Side. Nandhi is located at the central area of Mahamandapam. Sanctum is situated immediately after Artha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Gajaranyeswarar / Tiruvaneshwar / Karivanathar / Aanaikkara Peruman / Gaja Arohaneswarar / Aanesar. Lord Shiva is facing east. Vimana of the presiding deity (tower above the sanctum sanctorum) is called Gaja Kadaksha Vimana.  

Dhakshinamoorthy, Vishnu and Durga are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls. Mother is called as Kamakshi. Mother is housed in a separate shrine facing south. Mother Shrine is situated on the right side of the Mahamandapam. She is in standing posture with four hands. She is holding Lotus in her two hands and other two hands are in Varadha and Hastha Posture.

There is an idol of Vinayakar in a separate shrine in the south west corner of the praharam (circumambulatory path). The Vinayakar is called as Valampuri Vinayakar.  He is seen as though he is resting his left hand on the ground and raising to his feet. There is shrine for Murugan along with Valli and Deivayanai.  There is a separate shrine for the Navagrahas in the North-East corner.

There are also shrines for Chandikeswara, Gajalakshmi, Mother Durga, Brahmma and Mahalakshmi inside Temple premises. Kanchi Acharya, His Holiness Chandrasekhara Saraswathy was captivated by the beauty of the place and stayed here for a few days.  There is a small mandapam built to signify this event. The sacred tree or the Sthala Vriksham here is Vilvam (a type of wood apple). 

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.

Poojas & Festivals

Two Kaala Poojas are conducted daily in this Temple. Monthly Pradoshams, Maha Shivarathri, Arudra Dharisanam, Kandha Sashti, Karthigai and Aippasi Annabishekam are the festivals celebrated here with much pomp and glory. Special abisheks and pujas are performed in the temple on all Pooratadhi star days in the year.

Prayers

Pooratadhi starrers are advised to visit this temple and worship as often as they could or at least on their annual birth star day.  Worshipping the Lord on these days would help developing mental stability and wisdom.  They are also advised to donate clothes of different colours to the poor which would protect them even in their subsequent births washing off all their doings committed knowingly or unknowingly. Pooratadhi people pray for solutions to their problems, for proficiency in Music, many pray the Lord of the temple. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer vastras.

Contact

Gajaranyeswarar Temple,

Ranganathapuram Post – 613 104, Via Tirukattupalli,

Tiruvaiyaru Taluk, Thanjavur District

Mobile: +91 94439 70397 / 97150 37810 / 97866 40927

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Thirukkattupalli, 4 Kms from Agarapettai, 10 Kms from Budalur Railway Station, 14 Kms from Kallanai, 22 Kms from Thiruvaiyaru, 29 Kms from Thanjavur Railway Junction, 34 Kms from Thanjavur and 39 Kms from Trichy Airport. Nearest Railway Station is located at Budalur and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.

Location