Rettai Lingeswarar Temple, Senniyamangalam,
Thanjavur
Rettai Lingeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Senniyamangalam village near Kumbakonam Town in Kumbakonam Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. This Temple houses two pairs of deities namely Arunachaleswarar / Annamalaiyar along with his consort Unnamulai and Chokkanathar along with his consort Meenakshi.
History
Senniyamangalam was an historical town during ancient times. This town was captured by the Chalukyan forces during the invasion of Pallava empire by Chalukya King Pulikesi in the 7th Century CE. When Pulikesi retreated back to his kingdom after signing peace pact with Pallavas, he destructed and looted the temples of Saralanallur, Sagadamangalam, Adiyamangalam, Senniyamangalam, Aidiyamangalam, Chathurvedhimangalam, Ammangudi and Kanchipuram Manimangalam. This incident was recorded in Kooram Copper plate inscription. As per the inscriptions of a Shiva temple in Thiruvallur District, Pallava King Simha Vishnu performed Dasa Ashvamedha Yaga in Koliyagudi, Senniyamangalam and Ammangudi.
As per the copper plates and
inscriptions, the area was under the sway of Pallavas till 9th Century CE.
Later, the area came under the control of Cholas. The temples destructed during
Pulikesi invasion were renovated during the Chola period. Cholas granted number
of gifts to this village. The Village came to be called as Senniyamangalam.
Chenni was one of the titles of Cholas. Senniyamangalam was completely
destroyed and all the riches were looted during Malik Kafur invasion in 13th
Century CE. The Linga was unearthed recently and villagers built this temple.
The
Temple
This temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. This Temple houses two pairs of deities namely Arunachaleswarar / Annamalaiyar along with his consort Unnamulai and Chokkanathar along with his consort Meenakshi. Arunachaleswarar is housed in an east facing sanctum and Unnamulai is housed in south facing shrine.
Chokkanathar along with his
consort Meenakshi are kept in the entrance of the sanctum. There are shrines
for Vinayagar, Murugan, Mahalakshmi and Navagrahas in the temple premises.
Sthala Vriksham associated with temple is Vilwa and Peepal Tree. Both the trees
are intertwined in such a way it looks as if it is a single tree.
Festivals
Maha Shivarathri, Last Mondays
of Karthigai Month, Karthigai Deepam, Aipasi Annabishekam and Chitra Pournami
are celebrated in this Temple. Abhishekams are performed to this Lingam on
Mondays, Amavasai and Pournami.
Prayers
Devotees pray here for child
boon, longevity of husband life, relief from debts and relief from stress.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 1
Km from Thippirajapuram Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Valangaiman, 7 Kms from Kumbakonam
Railway Station, 8 Kms from Kumbakonam, 8 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 41 Kms
from Thanjavur and 100 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on
Kumbakonam to Needamangalam Route.
