Panchanatheeswarar Temple, Thirumanamedu, Trichy
Panchanatheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva located at Thirumanamedu Village near Thirumaanthurai Paadal Petra
Sthalam in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Panchanatheeswarar
and Mother is called as Dharmasamvardhini. The temple is one of the 70 Maada
Kovils built by 2nd century Chola king, Kochengata
Chola. The Temple is situated between Kollidam River and Ayyan Vaikal. The
Temple is considered as Marriage Parihara Sthalam.
Etymology
The place was called as Rajaraja Narayana Nallur,
Thirukaliswaram and Thirumanalmedu. Thirumanalmedu got corrupted to current
name Thirumanamedu.
Legends
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
Temple
This Mada Temple is facing east. The Temple is located
on an elevation. Nandhi and palipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. Sanctum
is located after the Arthamandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Panchanatheeswarar.
Lord is Swayambu Lingam facing east. Idols of Vinayaga can be found on both the
sides at the entrance of the sanctum.
Mother is called as Dharmasamvardhini. Mother shrine is
located on the right side immediately after the entrance. She is having four
hands. There is separate shrine for Sage Agasthya and Lopamudra in the Temple
premises. There are inscriptions dating to Kulothunga Chola I, Vikrama Chola,
Rajaraja Chola II, Rajendra Chola III, Maravarma Sundara Pandya, Kulasekara
Pandya can be found in this Temple.
Prayers
Devotees pray to Lord and Mother to get rid of Marriage
obstacles and Debt related issues.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 300 meters from Thirumanamedu
Bazaar Bus Stop, 2 Kms from Manthurai Railway Station, 3 Kms from Valadi
Railway Station, 3 Kms from Thirumaanthurai Devaram Paadal Petra Sthalam, 7 Kms
from Lalgudi, 7 Kms from Lalgudi Bus Station, 11 Kms from Srirangam, 16 Kms
from Trichy Chatiram Bus Station, 19 Kms from Trichy, 22 Kms from Trichy
Central Bus Stand, 22 Kms from Trichy Railway Station and 23 Kms from Trichy
Airport. The Temple is situated on Trichy to Lalgudi Route on National Highway.
Location
