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.