Ramalingeswarar Temple,
Kanjanur, Villupuram
Ramalingeswarar Temple is a
Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kanjanur Village in Kanai Taluk
in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Ramalingeswarar
and Mother is called as Soundaranayaki. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam
as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. The place was called as Vada
Kanjanur in ancient times because there was another Kanjanur, a Paadal Petra
Sthalam, in present day Thanjavur District.
Legends
It is believed that Lord Rama
worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple. Hence, the Lord came to be called as
Ramalingeswarar.
The
Temple
This is a small east facing
Temple. Nandi, Balipeedam and Dwajastambam can be found facing the sanctum. Presiding
Deity is called as Ramalingeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the
sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swaymbhu Moorthy. Sun rays will fall
on the presiding deity during Chithira and Aippasi Months. Lingothbhavar,
Brahma, Dakshinamoorthy, Durga and Ganesha are the Koshta idols located around
the sanctum walls.
Mother is called as
Soundaranayaki. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. There is a
separate shrine for Saneeswaran in the Temple premises. His shrine is situated
near the sanctum. He is keeping his right leg on his crow Vahana. There is a
beautiful Nataraja Idol in the Temple. There are shrines for Vinayaga, Lord
Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Bhairavar and Navagrahas in the
Temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Nelli Tree. There is a big Vellerukku plant
in the temple.
Literary
Mention
The Temple is considered as
Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Sundarar had a mention about
this Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 7th Thirumurai in 12th
Patikam in 8th Song.
நாளும் நன்னிலம் தென்பனை
யூர்வட கஞ்சனூர்
நீள நீள்சடை யான்நெல்லிக்
காவும் நெடுங்களம்
காள கண்டன் உறையும்
கடைமுடி கண்டியூர்
வேளார் நாட்டு வேளூர் விளத்தூர்
நாட்டு விளத்தூரே
Prayers
By worshipping Lord Saniswaran
of this Temple, difficulties caused due to Ukkira Sani or Ucchi Sani will be
reduced. Further he also removes Pitru Dosham.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 8
Kms from Thumbur, 13 Kms from Mundiyampakkam, 13 Kms from Mundiyampakkam
Railway Station, 15 Kms from Thiruvamathur, 16 Kms from Vikravandi, 18 Kms from
Kanai, 19 Kms from Viluppuram, 19 Kms from Villupuram Junction Railway Station,
20 Kms from Villupuram Bus Stand, 24 Kms from Gingee and 147 Kms from Chennai
Airport. The Temple is situated on Villupuram to Gingee Route.
Location
