Vijayavidangeswarar Temple, Elangadu, Thanjavur
Vijayavidangeswarar
Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Elangadu Village near
Thirukkattupalli in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called
as Vijayavidangeswarar / Vaalavaneswarar and Mother is called as Valambigai. The
temple is one of the 70 Maada Kovils built by 2nd century Chola king, Kochengata
Chola.
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.
History
The Temple was built by Rajaraja Chola – I in 998 AD.
Etymology
Rajaraja Chola – I named the village after his first
title Rajakesari. The place was called as Vaalai Vanam and Ilangadu (Vaalai /
Ilam means Young and Vanam / Kaadu means forest).
The
Temple
The Temple is facing east. The Temple architecture is
similar to Thanjavur Big Temple. Particularly the Vimanam over sanctum is
replica of Thanjavur Big Temple Vimanam. Nandhi can be found in the Mandapam in
outer prakaram facing the Sanctum. Nandhi is made of single granite stone.
Nandhi looks majestic. It is around 4.5 feet long, 4 feet high and 2.5 feet
breadth.
Mahamandapam can be accessed after Nandhi Mandapam.
Vinayagar shrine can be found on the southern side of the Sanctum. There is
also a shrine for Adhi Vijayavidangeswarar on the northern side of Sanctum. Bronze
Idols of Nalvar can be found on the southern side of Mahamandapam. Navagrahas
can be found on the North-Eastern side. Sanctum is located after Mahamandapam
and Arthamandapam.
Presiding Deity is called as Vijayavidangeswarar /
Vaalavaneswarar. Lord in the form of Lingam is facing east. He is housed in
square Avudaiyar. Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodhbava, Brahma and Durga are
the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar is found in
his usual position. There is a prakaram around the sanctum in addition to the
Temple main prakaram.
Mother is called as Valambigai. She is in Kalyana Kolam
facing east. She is having four hands. Upper two hands hold Lotus. Bottom two
hands shows Varada and Hastha Mudra. Her shrine is located on the North-Western
side of Prakaram. Her shrine is equipped with Mahamandapam and Arthamandapam.
Normally, Mother shrine faces south in most of the temples. Only few Temples
have Mother shrines facing east. These Temples are famous for Marriage
Pariharam. Devotees pray to her for clearing marriage obstacles.
There are shrines of Vinayagar, Lord Murugan with his
consorts Valli & Deivanai, Gajalakshmi, Suryan, Chandran and Bhairavar in
the Temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam and Sarakondrai. Theerthams associated
with this Temple are Cauvery River, Muzhangaan Kulam and a well in the Temple
premises.
Temple
Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 09.00 AM and
05.00 PM to 09.00 PM.
Festivals
Puratasi Navarathri, Aipasi Kanda Sashti, Karthigai
Deepam, Margazhi Thiruvathirai, Thai Poosam, Maasi Maha Shivarathri, Aippasi
Annabishekam, Monthly Pradoshams, Monthly Sashti & Kiruthigai and Rahu Kala
worship for Durgai during Fridays are celebrated in this Temple with much
fanfare.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Thirukkattupalli,
13 Kms from Kallanai, 10 Kms from Budalur Railway Station, 28 Kms from Thanjavur,
32 Kms from Trichy and 37 Kms from Trichy Airport.
Location
