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