Saturday, February 20, 2021

Panchavarneswarar Temple, Manikudi, Thanjavur

Panchavarneswarar Temple, Manikudi, Thanjavur

Panchavarneswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Manikudi Village in Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk in Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Panchavarneswarar and Mother is called as Brihannayagi. The Temple is situated between Manniyaru River and Pazhavaru River.

Legends

Panchavarneswarar:

Once, Lord Shiva and Mother Kali entered into a dancing contest in front of Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma and other deities in Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram. While they were playing dance, Lord Siva was about to be defeated. Sensing his defeat, Lord Shiva played his furious Oordhuva Tandava i.e. raising one leg above his head. When he played this Thandava, one of beads in his anklet fell here.

This bead transformed into a Shiva Linga. Devas knew about this incident through a divine voice and came here to have a darshan of the Linga. Linga appeared in five different colours to devas while they were worshiping. Hence, Lord came to be called as Panchavarneswarar. As bead (Mani) fell here, the place came to be called as Manikudi.

Vishnu Theertham:

It is believed that the Lord Vishnu excavated the temple tank and worshipped Lord Shiva here. Hence, the temple tank came to be called as Vishnu Theertham.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Rishabaroodar flanked by Vinayaga and Murugan. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found immediately after the entrance arch, facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Panchavarneswarar and is facing east.

He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam in square Avudaiyar. Lord appears in five different colors. Dakshinamoorthy and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Brihannayagi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated to the left side of sanctum in Maha Mandapam.

There are shrines of Anjaneya, Vinayaga, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Vishnu, Maha Lakshmi and Navagrahas can found in the prakaram. Idols of Suryan and Bhairavar can be seen in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this temple is called as Vishnu Theertham. It is situated opposite to the temple. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwam tree.

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 07.00 am to 09.00 am and 06.00 pm to 07.00 pm.

Festivals

Aani Thirumanjanam, Somavaram and Poosam are celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Thiruppanandal, 4 Kms from Thiruppanandal Bus Stand, 5 Kms from Suriyanar Kovil, 7 Kms from Aduthurai, 7 Kms from Aduthurai Railway Station, 10 Kms from Thiruvidaimarudur, 18 Kms from Kumbakonam, 57 Kms from Thanjavur and 106 Kms from Trichy Airport. The temple is situated on Aduthurai to Thiruppanandal route.

Location