Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 159th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - South |
Chola Naadu - South | 42nd Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) |
HISTORY:
There
are six stone inscriptions in this temple dating back to the periods of Chola
Kings Kulothungan, Rajathirajan and King Saraboji of Tanjure. The historical
names of this place are Lakshmi Puri, Indirapuri and Skandapuri. There are few
reasons why this place gets the name Sembanarkoil. One is that Chola kings
built and renovated this temple hence it gets the name “Sembian Palli”
(“Sembian” is another name for Cholas and “Palli” means village).
Another
reason is that the roof of Lord Shiva’s sanctum tower was earlier believed to
have been made using many gold (“Sempon” in Tamil) sheets.
Another
reason is that the Swayambu lingam of this temple once sparkled like gold. For
this reason, the lord is also praised as “Sri Semponpalliyar”.
Usually,
the village around the temple does not have a separate name and is referred to
by the name of the temple itself. Following this norm, the village here is called
Sembanar Koil.
Goddess Dhaakshayani:
This
temple revolves around Dakshan, also known as “Dakshaprajapathi”, the son of
Lord Brahma. His daughter Dhaakshayani was married to Lord Shiva. In spite of
this, he intentionally failed to invite Lord Shiva for a grand Yagna that he
performed in Thiru Pariyal Veerattam, a nearby place. Goddess Dhaakshayani
decided to visit the Yagna against the wishes of her husband. Instead of
participating the yagna, she intent to go there and ask her father to correct
his mistake. But clouded by arrogance and pride, Dakshan not only humiliated
her, he also disrespected Lord Shiva. Furious Dhaakshayani cursed her father
that his Yagna would not be successful. She came back to Lord Shiva and
requested him to disrupt the Yagna.
It
is believed that in Sembanarkoil Lord Shiva created Veerabadrar and Badrakali
and sent them to Thiru Pariyal Veerattam to destroy Dakshan and the yagna. It
is believed that Veerabadrar punished the guests which included Vishnu, Brahma,
Indiran, Suryan and Chandran. He beheaded Dakshan and put his head in the fire.
Dakshan pleaded to Lord Shiva for his life. Thereafter Lord Shiva appeared at
the yagna and pardoned the guests. He also pardoned Dakshan and saved his life
by placing a goat’s head in place of his original head. The idol of Veerabadrar
along with Dakshan can be seen here in the corridor.
Dhaakshayani
sought relief from the sin of having been born as the daughter of someone who
opposed Lord Shiva. She decided to perform penance in this place by sitting in
a place surrounded by fire (“Panchakni”). Pleased with her penance, Lord Shiva
appeared before her and blessed her with the name, “Sugantha Kunthalambikai”
and took her to Mount Kailash.
Goddess Mahalakshmi:
Goddess
Mahalakshmi performed penance here to marry Lord Mahavishnu. Lord Shiva of this
temple bestowed his blessing on her. Hence, this place also gets the name
Lakshmipuri.
Lord Indiran:
This
place is also called Indirapuri because Lord Indiran worshipped Lord Shiva here
to get the weapon “Vajrayutham” which he needed to destroy demon Vruddhasuran.
Lord Murugan:
The
third name of this place is Skandapuri as Lord Murugan (also known as Skanda)
worshipped Lord Shiva here to seek his blessings to destroy demon Tharakasuran.
People who worshipped here:
Lord
Mahavishnu, Lord Brahma, Veerabadrar, Indran, Sage Agasthiar, Sage Vasishtar,
Kaveri, Nagakanyas, Kuberan and Ashtadikbalakars have worshipped Lord Shiva in
this place. Rathi Devi is also believed to have prayed to the lord here to get
back her husband, Manmathan.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
This temple is
counted as one of the Maadak Koils built by King Kochengat Cholan.
·
In this temple,
the Shivalingam is placed on a lotus-shaped base (avudayar) with two rows of 16
petals each.
·
There are
beautiful reliefs on the walls - like Lord Pitchandavar, and various kings,
queens and saints.
·
It is believed
that King Kochengat Chola built about 70 “Madakkoils”. The distinguishing
feature of a Madakkoil is that it is not easily approachable by an elephant. He
built these temples at an elevation and there are a few steps that need to be
climbed before seeing the lord. Also, the sanctum sanctorum’s (Karpagragam)
entrance is narrow such that no elephant can enter it.
·
It is believed
that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays
on the lingam every year for 12 days from 7th to 18th of the Tamil
month Chithirai (April-May) in the morning hours.
·
An interesting
aspect in this temple is that women, after purchasing new jewels and ornaments,
first offer them to Goddess Sugantha Kunthalaambikai before wearing it
themselves. They believe that doing so will help them buy more gold in the
future.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Swarnapureeswarar, Sri Semponpalliyar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Sugantha Kunthalambikai, Sri Suganthavana
Nayaki, Sri Maruvar kuzhali Amman |
|
Theertham |
Surya Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vanni, Vilvam |
BELIEF:
Devotees
believe that taking a holy dip on new moon day in the Tamil months of Chithirai
(April-May) and Vaikasi (May-June) will help them seek absolution for their
sins.
It
is also believed that worshiping the Sapthamathas here will remove obstacles
from marriage proposals.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Chithirai |
Apr-May |
Surya poojas |
|
Aani |
June-July |
Aani
Tirumanjanam |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Vinayakar
Chaturthi |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Annabishekam |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Somavaaram, 108-conch
abhishekam is performed to the lord |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thiru
Karthikai |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiruchemponpalli
is situated at a distance of about 10 kms from Mayiladuthurai on the
Mayiladuthurai to Porayar route.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Swarnapureeswarar
Temple,
Sembanar Koil,
Tharangambadi ,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu – 609 309.
LOCATION:
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