Kailasanathar Temple,
Senganur, Thanjavur
Kailasanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Senganur Village near Thiruppanandal Town in Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk in Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu. Presiding deity is called as Kailasanathar and Mother is called as Shivaloka Nayagi. The Temple is situated on the banks of Manniyaru River.
Senganur is considered as the birthplace of the Saivite saint Chandesha Nayanar. He is the only Nayanmar with the Eswara title. Senganur is considered as one of the important cities of Chola Kings. It is said that the crowning ceremony of Chola kings used to take place in Senganur. Senganur is also the birth place of Acharya Priavachan Pillai, an eminent scholar in Vaishnavite philosophy. He has authored elaborate commentaries on Nalayira Divya Prabandham. Krishnapremi Swamigal was born in Senganur. He spent his major part of his childhood days in penance at the Dakshinamoorthy shrine in this temple.
Legends
As per legend, Kaambeeli King Sibi Chakravarthy undertook a pilgrimage to get relief from his graha dosha. He visited Triveni Sangamam, Narmada, Godavari and various other pilgrimage sites. He finally reached Senganur and worshipped Sathyagireeswarar. He decided to stay in this place for short duration. He built 365 houses in this place and brought 365 brahmin families, who were well versed in vedic scriptures, from all over the country to reside here for vedic chanting throughout the year in Senganur. But, one family could not reach Senganur. Sibi Chakravarthy was worried about the vacant house.
Lord Kailasnathar and Shivaloka
Nayagi in the guise of old Brahmin couple got the house from King. When Sibi
came to the brahmin settlement, in the morning to enquire about the well beings
of inhabitants, he found the house offered to the old brahmin couple was locked from
inside and without a response. Sibi broke open the door, he was surprised to
have darshan of Lord Shiva and Parvathy inside the houses. This house can be still
seen in the southern tip of the brahmin settlement called as Swamy Veedu (House
of Lord Shiva). It is believed that King Sibi took a bath in the Theertham and
attained salvation at this temple.
The
Temple
The Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Lord Shiva & Mother Parvathy flanked by Vinayaga and Murugan. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen immediately after the entrance, facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding deity is called as Kailasanathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Shivaloka Nayagi. Mother is called as Sakidevi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in Maha Mandapam to the left side of the sanctum. There are shrines for Vinayaga and Murugan in the temple premises.
Temple
Opening Time
The Temple remains open from
7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 4
Kms from Thiruppanandal, 4 Kms from Thiruppanandal Bus Stand, 12 Kms from
Aduthurai Railway Station, 12 Kms from Thiruvidaimarudur, 17 Kms from
Kumbakonam, 18 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Kumbakonam Railway
Station, 56 Kms from Thanjavur and 107 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is
situated on Kumbakonam to Thiruppanandal Route.