Friday, September 6, 2019

Sangu Theertham, Thirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu

Sangu Theertham, Thirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu
Sangu Theertham is situated in Thirukazhukundram Town. Sangu Theertham is the most renowned holy tank. It is said that, a conch emerges from this Theertham once in 12 years. Sangu Theertham is associated with the Thirukazhukundram Vedagiriswarar Temple.


Legends
Unique phenomenon of birth of Conch:
It is believed that Saint Markandeya, came down here after visiting Benares. He wished to have a bath in the sacred tank and perform abhishekam to the Siva lingam here, but he found no vessel to take the water. Just then a conch suddenly emerged from the tank, with a humming sound, and Markandeya performed the abhishekam. It is said that even now once in 12 years, a conch emerges from this water, which the temple authorities collect with all honors and preserve in the temple in an enclosed glass box with dates mentioned therein. It is astonishing that a conch gets formed in fresh water since the natural phenomenon of a birth of a conch can happen only in salt water. Abhishekam is performed to Lord Vedagiriswarar with the collected conches on the last Monday in the Tamil month of Karthigai.
Sangu Theertha Pushkara Mela:
According to the Sthalapuranam, Lord Siva himself has declared that this tank is the holiest of all, and as per his command, all the sacred waters in India meet here once in 12 years when Guru (Jupiter) enters Kanya Rasi (Virgo). The event is conducted as a festival called Sangu Thirtha Pushkara Mela, when there is a huge gathering from all parts of the country. This being the second biggest bathing festival in the South, next to the Maha Maham.
There is an interesting story prevalent with respect to the origination of Sangu Theertha Pushkara Mela festival. There occurred a tussle of proving supremacy amongst various rivers such as Ambai, Indraputra, Rudra, Cauvery, Pamba, Yamuna, Thamirabarani, Vaigai, to name a few. Each one touted itself to be the best. The rivers then decided to worship Lord Vedagiriswarar by taking bath in the Sangu Theertham.
The Lord appeared before the rivers and told them that none of them was superior before the conch that appeared in the tank, which was used to perform abhishekam to Lord. The rivers felt ashamed about their mean fight and then decided to take bath in the Sangu Theertham during the day of transition of Jupiter into Virgo rasi.
Theertham
It is an extensive tank of 1,000 square yards area, with wide steps on all sides. It is said that even now once in 12 years, a conch emerges from this water, which the temple authorities collect with all honours and preserve in the temple. There is a collection of about 1,000 conches in this temple, with which, abhishekam is performed to Lord Vedagiriswarar on the last Monday in the Tamil month of Karthigai.


The first conch is believed to be of the age of Sage Markandeya. For rest, the dates are mentioned in the picture. Water from this Theertham is taken for the Abishekam of the deities. It has been demonstrated that the water in the tank contains mineral properties capable of curing diseases if taken for a long period.


Festivals
Sangu Thirtha Pushkara Mela is celebrated here once in 12 years when Guru (Jupiter) enters Kanya Rasi (Virgo). This festival is being the second biggest bathing festival in the South, next to the Maha Maham. It is during Sangu Theertha Pushkara mela, Laksha Deepam festival will be celebrated, wherein lakhs of deepams will be lit along the steps of the Sangu Theertham, streets, houses and temples, lighting up the whole town.
Connectivity
For brief details, please refer below link;
Location