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Thursday, April 2, 2020

Ramalingeswarar Temple, Kanjanur, Villupuram

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