Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 108th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - North |
Chola Naadu - North | 54th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)
and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) |
HISTORY:
Sri
Vaidyanatha Swamy temple is on the banks of the river Coleroon or Kollidam at
Thirumazhapadi, in Ariyalur district. The Kollidam river flows northward here
in the vicinity of the temple. It is at a distance of 45 km from Tiruchy. There
are lot of inscriptions on the temple walls. Inscriptions say that this temple
has received contributions from the kings of various dynasties viz Pallava,
Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara, Hoysala & Maratha and of course the smaller
rulers of Ariyalur.
Vaidyanathaswamy,
the presiding deity of the temple is present here along with His Consort
Sunarambigai. The Lord is also known as Mazhuvadeeswarar. There is a statue of
Mazhuvadeeswarar in the ardhamandapam. He is seen with an axe in His right hand
along with a spear and a rope. He is said to have saved Markandeya from Yama
here also.
The
majestic Rajagopuram is tall and seven-tiered facing the east. The second gopuram
is five-tiered. As is the case with most temples, one can see a lot of
sculptures on these gopurams.
This
huge temple complex has separate temples for Vaidyanathaswamy and
Sundarambigai. There are two Nandis one behind the other in front of the Sanctum
sanatorium. Another unusual sight here is there are four Nandis in front of the
idol of Brahma. These represent the four Vedas. There are no Navagraha idols in
the temple. Instead, there are three pits between Lord Shiva and Nandi which
devotees consider Navagrahas. Poojas to the Navagrahas is offered here.
The
sthala vriksha is the palmyrah tree, and the entire temple complex was once
called Thala Vanam (forest of Palmyrah trees). The palmyrah generally does not
flourish on river banks. Perhaps, around the seventh century, the entire area
was a dry pocket, and the Coleroon came closer to the present location much
later.
Thirumazhapadi was significant for the kings of Thanjavur, Chembian Mahadevi,
grandmother of Rajaraja the Great, hailed from Chembiakudi, 4 km from
Thirumazhapadi and historical places like Pazhuvur, Alambakkam, Kandaradithyam,
(birthplace of Kandraditha Chola), are all situated within a radius of just
about 15 km. There are quite a few references to the temple in “Ponniyin
Selvan” of Kalki.
Nandi Kalyanam:
The
temple of Lord Vaidyanatha is closely connected with the Panchanadeeswara
temple at Tiruvayaru on the opposite bank about 15 km from Thirumazhapadi. The
most important festival in the temple is the Nandikalyanam in the Tamil month of
Panguni. Lord Nandeeswara the bridegroom from Thiruvayaru marries Goddess
Swayambikai Devi of Thiumazhapadi temple, and the entire village celebrates the
wedding with involvement. The palanquin of Nandideva dressed with a Maratha cap
is received by Lord Vaidyanatha on the banks of the Coleroon. The entire
marriage ceremony is conducted by the priests of the temple, and the Celestial
couple are taken out in procession through the main streets. The car festival
is celebrated in the Tamil month of Masi. The temple car has over 300
exquisitely carved wooden panels, with over 100 figures, depicting stories from
the Hindu mythology.
Sage Siladha:
Sage
Siladha, a resident of Tiruvaiyaru performed penance on Lord Shiva seeking
child boon. A voice spoke to the sage telling him that his wish could be
realized if he conducts the Puthrakameshti Yajna and he would get box with a
child while tilling the land for the yagna. He was advised to bring up the
child having longevity of just 16 years only. Siladha found the box and on
opening it, found a child with 3 eyes, 4 shoulders and crescent moon adoring
the head. Struck by a shock, he closed the box and opened again and found a
child in normal human form. He named the child Japesar.
Japesar
reached the age of 14 leaving just two years to complete the destined term of
life. The sage was very sad. Knowing his father’s agony, Japesar started
penance by standing on one leg on the Ayana Theertha tank in Tiruvaiyaru. The
creatures of the tank slowly began to consume him. Japesar was not deterred by
the danger. Lord Shiva, moved by his penance, cured him completely and granted
a long life. Later, Japesar was married to Suyasambikai in Tirumazhapadi. Japesar
continued his penance even after the marriage and was rewarded with a position
as the chief of Shiva Ganas and further elevated as the first security chief at
the first gate of Kailash and was named as Nandhi Deva.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
Moovar has sung
hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
·
There are two
Dhakshinamoorthys and two Nandhis and two Ambal sannadhis.
·
Somaskandhar is
made up of single stone looks very beautiful. Front of this there are two
Vinayagars of one is in standing and other in sitting posture.
·
Lord appeared in
Sundarar’s dream and called him to this temple.
·
Purusha Miruga
Rishi brought the lingam from Sathyalogm and could not able to remove after
worshiping, hence called as “Vairathoonoo”
·
There are many
Rajaraja Chozhan period Tamil inscriptions on the moolavar outside walls.
·
Land donated to
this temple is found in the Eengoimalai (near Trichy) temple kalvettu.
·
Huge size sudhai
thwarabalakars.
·
There is no
Navagraha sannadhi.
·
In the prakaram
sannadhi for Vishnu & Saraswathy, Sundarar & Paravai Nachyar,
Mahavishnu & Mahalakshmi, Jureswarar, Gajashamkaramoorthy, Sabthakanniagai.
·
Separate
sannadhi for Balambigai.
·
Two tier
mandapam along the outer walls.
·
This is also one
of the temple which has the Sthala viruksham as Palm tree.
·
It is a big
temple with Pallava, Chozha and Hoisala kings constructions.
·
Once in a year
in Tamil month Panguni (Punarpusam) Nandhiyam Peruman’s marriage is celebrated
in this temple in front of Sri Iyarrappan from Thiruvaiyaru.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Vajirathambeswarar, Sri Vairathoonnadar, Sri
Mazhuvadeeswarar, Sri Vaithyanadar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Sundarambigai, Sri Azhagambigai, Sri
Balambigai |
|
Theertham |
Lakshmi Theertham, Kollidam |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Panai (palm tree) |
BELIEF:
The
car (chariot) festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Masi.
Those
suffering from high fever offer boiled rice with rasam to Jurahareswarar and
get relief.
It
is believed that having a bath in the temple tank will cure all illness.
It
is also believed that by visiting this temple unmarried will get married soon.
Devotees
firmly believe that praying at this temple will result in transfer and
promotion.
Nandi’s
marriage with Suyahambikai is celebrated in the month of Pankuni when Aiyarappar
of Tiruvaiyaru crosses the Kollidam and arrives at Tirumazhapadi and conducts
the wedding, in a grand ceremony.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Annabishekam |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
|
Thai |
Jan-Feb |
Makara
Sankranthi |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri and Bhramotsavam |
|
Panguni |
Mar-Apr |
Nandi’s
marriage with Suyahambikai |
HOW
TO REACH:
This
temple is located 16 Kms. from Tiruvaiyaru. One has to travel from Tiruvaiyaru
towards north and cross Kollidam river and turn left at Tirumanur to reach
Tirumazhapadi. One can reach Thirumazhapadi from Ariyalur also.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Vajrathampanathar
Temple,
Tirumazhapadi,
Ariyalur,
Ariyalur,
Tamil Nadu – 621851.
LOCATION:
No comments:
Post a Comment