This is the 187th Devaram Paadal petra Shiva Sthalam and 70th sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha nadu. The temple is on the banks of Mudikondan River.
In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord shiva of Thiruveezhimizhalai.. Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Kaduvaikaraiputhur.
நீடுதிரு வாஞ்சியத்தில் அமர்ந்த முக்கண் நீலமிடற்று அருமணியை வணங்கிப் போற்றிப்பாடுஒலி நீர்த் தலையாலங்காடு மாடு பரமர் பெருவேளூரும் பணிந்துபாடிநாடுபுகழ்த் தனிச் சாத்தங்குடியில் நண்ணி நம்பர் திருக்கரவீரம் நயந்து பாடித்தேடுமறைக்கு அரியார் தமவிளமர் போற்றித் திருஆரூர் தொழநினைந்து சென்று புக்கார்...... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்நாலூர் தென் திருச்சேறை குடவாயில் நறையூர் சேர்பால் ஊரும் இன்மொழியாள் பாகனார் கழல் பரவிமேல் ஊர்தி விடைக் கொடியார் மேவும் இடம் பலபாடிச்சேல் ஊர் தண் பணைசூழ்ந்த தென் திருவாஞ்சியம் அணைந்தார்..... திருநாவுக்கரசு புராணம்Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar, Manickavasagar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
வன்னி கொன்றைமத மத்தம் எருக்கொடு கூவிளம்பொன்னி யன்றசடை யிற்பொலி வித்தபு ராணனார்தென்ன வென்றுவரி வண்டிசை செய்திரு வாஞ்சியம்என்னை யாளுடை யானிட மாக உகந்ததே..... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் படையும் பூதமும் பாம்பும்புல் வாய்அதள்உடையும் தாங்கிய உத்தம னார்க்குஇடம்புடைநி லாவிய பூம்பொழில் வாஞ்சியம்அடைய வல்லவர்க்கு அல்லல்ஒன்று இல்லையே...... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் பொருவ னார்புரி நூலை புணர்முலை உமையவ ளோடுமருவ னார்மரு வார்பால் வருவதும் இல்லைநம் அடிகள்திருவ னார்பணிந் தேத்தும் திகழ்தரு வாஞ்சியத்து உறையும்ஒருவ னார்அடி யாரை ஊழ்வினை நலியஒட் டாரே....... சுந்தரர்“திருவாஞ்சியத்தில் சீர்பெறஇருந்துமருவார் குழலியொடு மகிழந்த வண்ணமும்”....... மாணிக்கவாசகர், திருவாசகம் -“ஆங்ககனந்தாஞ்சியத்தை வேங்கைத் தலையாற் ரடுக்கின்வாஞ்சியத்தின் மேவு மறையோனே” .......திருஅருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Vanchinadha Swamy, Sri Vanji Lingeswarar. Consort : Sri Mangala Nayagi, Sri Vazhavantha Nayagi.
Some of the salient features of this temple are….The temple is facing east with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy and a mandapam was built. Both Moolavar and Ambal Temples are facing east. There are lot of stucco images on both Vimanas, painted colourfully. Both Ambal and moolavar are little large.
In the inner prakram, Abhayankara Vinayagar, Marugan with his consorts, Mahalakshmi, Mahishasura Mardini, standing on Simha, 63 var, Kshethra Lingam, Sattainathar, Durgai, Shiva Lingas in the names of Thiruvengadu, Chayavanam, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thiruvaiyaru, Theyu Lingam, akasa Lingam, Dharmabal, Kailasanathar, Mahalakshmi, Chandramouleeswarar, Chandikeswarar, Sundareswarar with Meenakshi ( her elephant has tusks ), Shaniswarar, Rahu, kethu and Bhairavar.
In the outer prakaram, temple tank is on the right and Yamadharma Sannathi is in the agni moolai. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam.
The 15th Century Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple.
தரிபுராந்த கற்கு வரசுத ரதிகாந்தன் மைத்து னமுருக திறல்பூண்ட சுப்ர மணியஷண் முகவேலா திரைபாய்ந்த பத்ம தடவய லியில்வேந்த முத்தி யருள் தரு திருவாஞ்சி யத்தி லமரர்கள் பெருமாளே
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSSince Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7th Century. Latter the same was reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozha period. Further extended during Vijayanagara Nayakas and maintained by Nattukottai nagarathars. It is believed that the temple was reconstructed as a stone temple during Rajaraja-I.
Out of 27 inscriptions recorded, 7 belongs to latter Chozhas, 7 belongs to Pandyas and one belongs to Vijayanagara nayaks. As per the inscriptions this place was under Kulothunga Chozha valanattu Panaiyur nattu Thiruvanjiyam, Thiruvanjiyam was also called as Rajakembeera chathurvedi mangalam. Most of the inscriptions records the sale of lands, gift of lands, exemption of Taxes, etc.
Rajrajan-II, 18th reign year inscription records the list of lands belongs to this temple. Amman temple was constructed and consecrated during his period. Land and a House was also gifted. Kulothunga-I’s 26th reign year inscription records the endowment of Palliyarai Nachiyar established by Thiruvarangamudayan and a land was gifted by the sabha as irayili. The inscription mentions the Sembiyan Mahadevi Peraru, Kulothunga Peraru, Rajendara Chozha Vaykal / channel and the roads as Manickavathy and Sahayavathy.
Rajarajan-III’s 18th reign year inscription records that a request was raised for establishing Kamakotta Nachiyar. 4 Chinnakol land on the north side street to the temple was gifted to the donor of the temple as an Irayili. A land was also gifted to this Kamakottamudaya Nachiyar temple by Puthuvurudayar Vinayaga Thevar alias Thayyal Baramudayar.Rajarajan-III’s 24th reign year inscription records that a land was purchased from Thirumangalam Narayana bhattar Somachiyar by paying 16000 kasus. Also records that a land was purchased for the worship of Dakshinamurthy and Subramaniya Pillayar established by Sahanai Avimukthisiramudayan Bhattan alias Vellai Pillai Andar and Seeralathevar. The lands periphery limits are also mentioned.
One of the gifted land records that one veli land located at Mundu Vancheri was purchased by Agora Sivachariyar’s disciple Achchutra Mangalathu Perumanayanar Pandaram purchased and gifted to Chidambaram Pichai madam.
Pandya king Kochadaya Barmar’s 13th reign year inscription records that a Enchingabhattan sold a land as Thirunamathukani to this temple to the worship of Adhi Chandeswarar.
Another Pandya King Jadavarman Sundara Pandyan’s 10th year reign inscription records the sale of land for Adhi Chandeswarar by Agaran Rajakembeera Chathurvedi mangalam Srimadhava bhattan. The same king’s 11th reign year inscriptions records that a land measuring 1 veli land was sold to this temple for worship to Adhi Chandeswarar Temple by Rajaraja Chathurvedi mangalam, Karambu ChettuSridhara battan. The land was belongs to his mother. Almost all the Pandya King’s period inscriptions records the land donations to Adhi Chandeswarar temple for worship. From this we can understand that Adi Chandeswarar was worshiped popularly, live Lord Shiva.
A 15th to 16th Century inscription records the construction of a mandapa by Damal Appa nayan who was an officer to Raghavan Pillai.
The 16th Century Vijayanagara King Krishnadevaraya period inscription ... damaged in many portions records the names of the temple names as Tiruchirappalli, Engoi Malai, Sandalai, Thirukattupalli, Thirunangur, Thalachangadu, Thiruparangur, Thirumangalakudi, Thiruvisanallur, Thiruthevankudi, Suriya Nayinar Koil, etc..
A 1579 CE ( saka 1501 ) period inscription with out kings name records that Chidambaram Picksha mandam Agora Sivachariyar’s disciple, Perumal Nayinar Pandaram, who belongs to Achutra mangalam, purchased a land at Kunthuvanchery and gifted to this madam.
Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 10th April 1989 after renovations.
LEGENDSThis place was called as Vanchiyapathi, Santhanavanam, Thiruvaraiyur, Bhukailash and Gandharanyam during ancient times. There are 6 temples on the banks of river Kaveri are considered as equivalent to Kasi, the other places are Thiruvengadu, Thiruvaiyaru, Chaayavanam, Mayiladuthurai, and Thiruvidaimaruthur.
As per the purana, at the end of each yuga, all the living things will be destroyed due to pralaya and this is spared. During that time the Shiva Linga will took different forms in each yuga. Gemstone ie Rathinam in Krita Yuga, Gold in Treta yuga, Silver in Dvapara yuga, and granite in Kali Yuga.
As per the legend ma Parvati loves this place very much. She came to this place and stayed here itself. Hence ma Parvati is being praised as “Sri Vazhavantha Nayaki”.
Aper the another legend, in a conflict between Bhudevi and Sridevi, Sridevi left Maha Vishnu. Maha Vishnu came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva to reunite with Sri Devi. Lord Shiva blessed Maha Vishnu and Sri Devi and reunited them with vanchai – affection.
This legend is associated with Yama, the lord of deaths. Lord Yama came to this place and started penance of Lord Shiva. Satisfied the penance Lord Shiva gave darshan and blessed. Yama constructed a Temple to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva told that all his devotees worships first the Yama and then should come to his shrine. The devotees will be relieved from the Yama fear and relieved from the cycle of birth and death. The devotees will also be blessed with long and peaceful life. Lord Shiva granted Yama the status of Kshetra Palaka. Since this place was full of Sandal wood trees – this place was called as Gandhaaranyam ( fragrant smell ).
It is believed that Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Indran, Suriyan, Agni, the sages Parasarar, Athiri worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Agasthiyar mentions that if one think of this place will attain mukthi.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on 10 days Aadi Pooram festival in the month Aadi ( July – Aug ), 12 Days Kadi Gnayiru festival in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), 10 days Masi magam festival in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), Vinayagar Chathurthi and Avani Moolam in the month Aavani ( Aug – Sept ), Navaratri in the month of Purattasi ( Sept – Oct ), Skanda Sashti and Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thiru karthigai and Theerthavari on all Sundays in the Gupta Ganga in the month of Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradosham days,
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:Mobile and land line numbers +91 94424 03926, +91 94433 54302 +91 4366 - 228 305, may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH : The temple is midway between Kudavasal and Nannilam. Buses are available from Kudavasal, which is also an another Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on Thiruvarur to Kumbakonam bus route.This temple is 6 KM from Nannilam, 12 KM from Kudavasal, 14 KM from Thiruvarur, 27 Km from Kumbakonam, 36 KM from Mayiladuthurai and 294 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway station is Nannilam and Junction is Thiruvarur.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
..... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
...... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்
....... மாணிக்கவாசகர், திருவாசகம்
வாஞ்சியத்தின் மேவு மறையோனே”
Moolavar : Sri Vanchinadha Swamy, Sri Vanji Lingeswarar.
