47. SRI VIJAYANATHAR TEMPLE TIRUVISAYAMANGAI

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	101th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	47th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

Vijayamangai Vijayanatheswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Tiruvijayamangai in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India, now known as Govindaputhur. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Vijayanatheswarar. His consort is known as Mangalanayaki.

Pasupata weapon:

Arujnua desired to get the Pasupatha missile to conquer the Kurukshetra war. Lord Krishna told him that though he got many weapons with the blessings of his father Indira, for Pasupatha he had to appeal to Lord Shiva only. Arjuna came to this place and performed penance on Lord Shiva. Duryodhana sent demon Mookasura to spoil the penance and kill Arjuna. Lord Shiva appeared at the spot as a hunter with Mother Parvathi followed by four dogs representing the four Vedas. Lord shot an arrow on the Mookasura pig and killed it while simultaneously Arjuna too hit the pig with his arrow. An argument arose between and Hunter Lord and Arjuna as to whose arrow hit the animal first. War of words between the two ended in true fight. Lord broke Arujuna’s arrow. Exasperated Arjuna hit the Lord with the broken arrow and the impact of the blow was felt by all in the three worlds. Lord appeared before him with Mother Parvathi in His true form and blessed him with the Pasupatha weapon.

The scar on the Linga is still visible on the Linga. As Arjuna-Vijaya performed penance here, the place was named Tiru Vijaya Mangai. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthi. The scar caused by Arjuna is still visible on the Shiva Linga.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·      The temple is built in accordance with the Chola designs.

·    The one different feature of the temple is that the Rajagopuram is smaller than the tower above the sanctum sanctorum.

·     Mother Mangala Nayaki graces devotees with Her two hands with Abhaya Mudra (assuring protection to devotees), one with Akshamala and Neelothpala flower in the fourth.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Vijaya Natheswarar, Sri Vijaya Nathar
Ambal	Sri Mangala Nayaki, Sri Mangai Nayaki
Theertham	Arjuna Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam

BELIEF:

Devotees those facing delays in marriage pray in the temple for early results.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Travel from Kumbakonam to Tiruvaikavur by Bus and get down at Govindaputhur to reach the temple. Another paadal petra sthalam Tiruvaikavur is located nearby.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Vijayanathar Temple,
Tiruvisayamangai,
Govindaputhur,
Pullapoothankudi,
Kumbakonam,
Thanjavur,
Tamil Nadu – 612301.

LOCATION: