Vilvavana Nathar Temple,
Thiruvaikavur – The Temple
This is an east facing temple without a Rajagopuram.
Instead of Rajagopuram, there is an entrance arch with stucco images of
Rishabaroodar, Parvathi, Vinayakar, Murugan, Brahma and Mahavishnu. The Temple
has three corridors. The temple is surrounded by vast streets on all the
four sides and the Yama Theertham right in front of the temple. It is believed that
Shivaratri festival is originated in this Temple and then followed then in all
Shiva Temples.
This was a unique temple with four Nandhis (the sacred
Bulls), all facing the entrance Gopuram, with the backs facing the deities. There
is no flag post (Dwajastambam) here. Nandhi faces the opposite direction here
i.e. facing the entrance. Balipeedam can also be found near Nandi. Presiding Deity is called as Vilvavaneswarar / Vilvavana
Nathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of
Lingam. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
Narthana Vinayakar, Agasthiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Bikshadana,
Brahma, Arthanareeswarar, Lingothbhavar, Kala Bairavar and Durga are the Koshta
Idols located around the sanctum walls. There are two idols of Chandikeswarar
in front of Goddess Durga. Lord Vishnu and Brahma stand as security guards at
the entrance of the Ardha Mandapam on both the sides of the door step. A feature
that could not be seen anywhere.
Lord Dakshinamurthy is seen in a standing posture with a
stick in his hand in the Artha Mandapam. This is quite unique and such an idol
cannot be seen anywhere else. Idols of Lords Vinayakar, Mahavishnu and Brahma
can be seen next to him. Saptha lingams, Brahma, Vishnu, Vinayakar
and the procession idol of Sri Baktha Anjaneyar can be seen in the Artha
Mandapam.
Mother is called as Sarvajana
Rakshaki / Valaikkai Valliammai. She is
housed in a separate west facing shrine. Instead of Dwarapalakis in Mother Shrine,
Vinayakar idols are placed on both sides. There is an inner three-tiered
Gopuram at the entrance of the inner prakaram. At the second entrance, on the
left side, beautiful sculptures depicting the legend of the hunter worshiping
the lord and obtaining salvation can be seen. There is a separate shrine for
Lord Siddhi Vinayakar at the entrance of this temple.
Idols of Vishnu, Narayani, Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran
and Saneeswarar are placed in a row. There are shrines and idols of Vallabha
Vinayakar, Kasi Vishwanathar and Saraswathi can be seen in the hall and
corridors. Shrines of Sapta Kannikas and Sundaramurthy Vinayagar can be found
in the outer prakaram. There is no Navagraha sanctum in this temple. There are two
Durgas in the Temple premises.
There is a shrine for Lord Murugan in the outer prakaram
of the Temple. The idol of Lord Murugan is very beautiful. This idol has been
carved out of a single stone. It depicts him with six faces, seated on his
peacock mount with the sacred arc (Thiruvatchi) behind him. The hand lines
(rekhas) nails are very clear in the idol. Another significant aspect is that
the peacock is facing the left direction.
Theerthams associated with this Temple are Yama
Theertham and Agni Theertham. The Yama Theertha (Temple tank named after
Lord Yama) is situated right in front of the temple. The Yama Theertham is
similar to the one present in Tiruneelivaneswarar Temple in Trichy. Sthala
Vriksham is Vilvam Tree.
