Nageswarar Temple, Vijayamangalam, Erode
Nageswarar Temple is a Hindu
Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Vijayamangalam near Perunthurai in
Erode District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Nageswarar and Mother
is called as Govarthanambigai. The place is also called as Vijayapuri.
Legends
Vijayamangalam:
Pandavas during their exile
came to Viradapuram (now known as Tharapuram). Arjuna (also called as Vijayan)
hide all his weapons in a Vanni Tree near Vijayapuri Amman Temple. He disguised
himself as a woman and started to live in hiding in Viradapuram. He defeated
Duryodhana in battle at the end of his exile. To commemorate his victory, he
built this Temple for Nageswarar. Also, he named the place after his name
Vijayan. Hence the place is called as Vijayapuri / Vijayamangalam.
Nageswarar:
It is believed that Nagas used
to worship Lord Shiva here. Hence Lord is called as Nageswarar.
The
Temple
The Temple is west facing with
five tiered Rajagopuram. The temple is facing west, since the temple was built
by Kerala Chera Kings. (to face their direction). There is a Vilakku Thoon
or Garuda Thoon in front of Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Nageswarar
and is facing west. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy. He is housed in the sanctum in
the form of Lingam. Dwarabalakars can be found at the entrance of the sanctum.
Ganapathy, Dhakshinamoorthy,
Durgai, Lingothbavar and Brahma are the Koshta Idols, located around the
sanctum walls. There are shrines for Lord Subramaniyar with his consorts Valli
& Deivanai, Bairavar, a Big size Naga and 5 Shiva Lingams of Pancha Bootha
Sthalangal and Sandikeswarar in the Mahamandapam. Utsava Idols and Nataraja
Sabha can be found in the front Mandapam.
Mother is called as Govarthanambigai
and is facing west. She is housed in a separate shrine on the southern side of
prakaram. It is believed that this shrine was built in the 12th
Century AD. Idols of Nagas can be found under a Bodhi (Arasamaram) tree in
front of the temple. There is a shrine for Saptha Mathas in the Temple
premises. The Temple is rich in inscriptions. Inscriptions can be seen all over
the temple (i.e. Temple walls, Ardha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam etc.).
Contact
Nageswarar Temple,
Vijayamangalam, Perunthurai
Taluk,
Erode District – 638 056
Mobile: +91 94881
52412
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
200 meters from Vijayamangalam Bus Stop, 6 Kms
from Vijayamangalam Railway Station, 10 Kms from Perundurai, 11 Kms from Uthukuli,
18 Kms from Chennimalai, 27 Kms from Erode, 26 Kms from Tiruppur, 63 Kms from
Coimbatore Airport and 71 Kms from Coimbatore. Vijayamangalam is situated on
the way from Erode – Perundurai – Coimbatore Route. Town bus facility is
available from Perundurai.
Location
References