SRI ARDHANAREESWARAR TEMPLE RISHIVADIYAM, VILLUPURAM DISTRICT TAMIL NADU.

09^th June 2019.

After the dharshan of Sri Vennayappar / Sri Swarnakadeswarar of Thirunelvennai,  we thought of  winding our Villupuram temples visit with this Rishivandiyam Shiva temple, considering the distance to be traveled back to Chennai. It was around 18.00 hrs when we landed Rishivandiyam Temple. Rishis worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Hence the ancient name of Rishi Vantha vanam was corrupted to the present name of Rashivadiyam.

Iraivan     : Sri Arthanaresswarar

Iraivi        : Sri Mukthambigai.

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 5  tier Rajagopuram. A Nandhi with a mandapam is in-front of the Rajagopuram. Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandi are immediately after the Rajagopuram.  On the left is the Vasanthamandapam ( with musical Pillars )  and on the right is the vahana mandapa ( there are two Yazhi pillars, in one of the Yazhi’s mouth a stone rolling ball was carved by the sculptor. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala, arthamandapam and a mahamandapam. Moolavar is swayambu. ( Parvati in standing posture can be seen duing honey Abhishekam on the shiva Linga. A two tier Vimana is on the sanctum. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. The Urchavars are in the arthamandapam.  Bhairavar, Suryan, Natarajar, Palliyarai and Vinayagar are in arthamandapam.

In prakaram sannadhi for 63var, Vinayagar, Agastheswarar & Agastheswari, Nagars, Sndikewarar, Viswanathar & Visalakshi, Annamalaiyar,  Unnamulaiammai, Sri Valli devasena subramaniyar Stucco image of Arthanareeswarar and Navagrahas.

Ambal is in a separate temple like sannadhi. The temple consists of sanctum, antarala and arthamandapa. A Nandhi mandapam is in front of the sanctum. The stucco image of Sthalapurana, in which a Shiva Lingam with Parvati inside in standing posture. Since Ambal Mukthambiga gives Mukthi, She is being called by that name.

LEGEND: Indira had done abhishekam only Lord Shiva ignoring Sri Parvati.  Parvati got angry and complained to Shiva. Lord Shiva in turn offers his left side of his body. While doing the Abhishekam, Indra had seen Parvati on the left side of the Shiva Linga. Realizing the mistake he had done, he sought forgiveness from Sri Parvati.

   

In another Legend, Agasthiyar was sent to South to balance the earth, during Shiva’s marriage with Parvati marriage. Since he couldn’t attend the marriage, Shiva gave Kalayana kola Dharshan in this temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION:

The temple was built by Jadavarma Sundara Pandyan  in 1282AD and latter contributions by the Vijayanagaras and Nayaks. Mahakumbhabhishekam was done in 2007.

Apart from regular poojas, important functions like, Mahashivarathiri, In Aani month 10 days annual festival will be celebrated in a grand manner.

This temple is famous for the marriage boon and children could not speak, do abhisheka with honey and the honey to be consumed for speech.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT:

Mr. Somu Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile +919865369493  for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Rishivandiyam is about 26 KM from Thirukoyilure, 73 KM from Villupuram, 25 KM from Kallakurichi and 250 KM from Chennai.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Arthanareeswarar Stucco image 

The Mandapa opposite to Ambal's Sannadhi. on the top stucco image of Parvati on Shiva Linga

 Yazhi Pillars

 Yazhi Pillars 

 The rolling ball in Yazhi's mouth

The musical pillars

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---