Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple

Introduction to the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple

Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple, or Villianur Temple, is in Villianur, Puducherry. It is a significant tourist attraction in Puducherry, drawing visitors worldwide.

Legend of the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple

According to the temple legend, a king who suffered from leprosy worshipped Shiva here and got cured. He built a town in this place, which was earlier a Vilwa tree forest. He constructed the temple and named it Vilwanallur. Over time, the name gradually changed to Villianur. His successors in the Chola kingdom and rulers of the Vijayanagara empire later built other structures.

As per the other legends, while Brahma and Vishnu contested for supremacy, Shiva appeared as a pillar of fire (Jyotirlingam) and challenged them to find its source. Vishnu took the form of Varaha (boar) and looked for the base of the flame, while Brahma took a swan form and flew to the sky to see the top of the flame.

Neither Vishnu nor Brahma could find the source. While Vishnu accepted his defeat, Brahma lied that he had found the apex. Shiva ordained that Brahma would never have shrines on earth as punishment. When Brahma asked Shiva to relieve him from the curse, Shiva asked Brahma to build a temple on the banks of the River Mutharu in Thondai Mandalam. Brahma built the temple and was relieved from the curse.

The Architecture of the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple

A Chola king constructed the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple in the 12th century. The temple's architecture is a blend of Chola, Pallava, and Vijayanagara styles. There are two majestic towers, exquisitely designed and sculptured.

It sprawls over two acres, and concentric rectangular walls guard the temple on all four sides. The Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple has a flat entrance, Rajagopuram, facing south. Pillared halls surround a large and spacious courtyard. Maha Mandapam and Artha Mandapam are before the sanctum.

The sanctum houses the main deity, Thirukameswar, as Shiva Lingam. The Shiva Lingam is of mud. When priests perform Abishekams and other Poojas, they cover the Shiva Lingam with brass armor. His consort, Gokilambal Amman, is in a separate shrine facing the south in the first precinct. The sanctum precinct surrounds the Vinayaka, Murugan, Brahma, Narasimha, Navagraha, Chandikeswarar, and Durga shrines. The temple has a Nandi, the divine vehicle of Shiva called Prasava Nandi. Nandi got this name as women prayed to it during their pregnancy. A smaller Nandi is also here.

There is a temple tank in the second precinct and a garden inside the temple. Visitors can see the inscriptions from Raja Narayana Sambuvarayar (1339-63), who is believed to have donated over 850 acres to the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple. The Ossudu Lake was used for land irrigation. Several beautiful pillars with carved images adorn the temple.

The Vilwa Tree is the Sthala Vriksham. Brahma Theertham and Hruthapa Nasini are the sacred Theerthams of Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple.

Festivals in the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple

Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple is famous for its annual temple car festival. This 10-day Brahmotsavam takes place between May and June. The idols of Thirukameswar and Gokilambal are taken out in a 15-meter-tall chariot for a procession. The devotees believe their wishes will come true if they pull the chariot. They offer curd, buttermilk, and sandalwood paste to Thirukameswar.