Srivanjiyam Temple

Introduction to the Srivanjiyam Temple

The Sri Vanchinadha Swamy temple is also called Srivanjiyam Temple and is a famous shrine dedicated to Shiva. This ancient temple is located at Srivanjiyam, Thiruvarur District, Tamilnadu.

Vanchinadheswarar is the presiding deity, and Mother Mangala Nayagi is his consort. The presiding deity is also called Vanchilingeswarar, Vanchinathar. Maruvar Kuzhali and Vaazha Vandha Nayagi are the other names of Mother Mangala Nayagi. Srivanjiyam Temple is the 70th Paadal Petra Sthalam or Shiva temple on the southern bank of the Cauvery river. Saint Thirugnana Sambandar has praised the glory of Vanchinadheswarar in his hymns.

This Sthalam is regarded as a Moksha or Mukti Sthalam as Shiva gives Moksha to all the souls that leave their physical bodies in Srivanchiyam. In other words, those who die here escape rebirth.

Usually, temple Poojas do not take place if there is any unfortunate event or death nearby. But in the Srivanjiyam Temple, such things do not affect the daily routine or the temple Poojas.

Legends of the Srivanjiyam Temple

Yama’s Penance

Once, Yama was worried about his job of deciding the mortality of humans on earth and taking their lives. He was hated and criticized by humans. So, Yama started suffering from Brahmmahati dosha caused by his duty.

Seeing his plight, Brahma told him to go to earth and find a place on the banks of Cauvery where there were many Sandal trees and do penance there to please Shiva. Yama, accordingly, found a place called Gandhaaranyam (the fragrant forest) and began his penance.

After some years, Vanchinatheswarar (Shiva) appeared before him on the Bharani Star day in Masi month (February-March) and granted him his wishes. Shiva told Yama that he would no longer be blamed or criticized by humans for their death. He also asked Yama to give them a peaceful death and to ensure that people who died in this sacred Sthala should not get rebirth. Moreover, he made Yama the Kshetra Palaka and allowed him a separate shrine for him in the temple. In yet another concession, Shiva said that people who visited the temple would worship Yama first and then only worship Shiva. Hence, the priests here dedicate the first Pooja to Yama daily in the Srivanjiyam Temple.

Yama, goes the story, stayed in this temple as the Vahana for Shiva. Special Poojas are performed to Yama here for those who desire a peaceful death as well as for those who seek longevity.

How Ganga Became Pure

Another legend relates to Ganga, the holy river. Ganga asked Shiva how she could cleanse herself of all the sins of the people who took bath in her waters. Shiva told her to pray at a place where he blessed Yama. So, Ganga took bath in this temple’s tank and purified herself. Hence, the Theertham got the name,Gupta Ganga Theertham. Devotees believe that this tank is holier than the Ganga itself and that a dip in this tank can free them from all of the sins, and they would escape rebirth.

The Architecture of the Srivanjiyam Temple

The Srivanjiyam Temple is around 1500 years old and has the Dravidian architectural style. King Rajendra Chola built the temple in 850 AD. The Srivanjiyam Temple complex sprawls over five acres of land, including the sacred tank, Gupta Ganga. This is one of the largest temples in the Thiruvarur district, measuring 558 ft. in length and 320 ft. in breadth, with three Gopurams, three Vimanas, and three Prakarams. Among the three Prakarams, the inner Prakaram has the largest number of sculptures. The Srivanjiyam Temple has a 5-tier Rajagopuram (tower) at a 110-feet height at the first entrance facing the east. A 3-tier Rajagopuram is at the second entrance.

Strong granite walls enclose the entire temple complex. It showcases the strength of the Chola construction. The presiding deity Vanchinadheswarar is a Swayambu Murthy. Priests perform Archana to the Swayambu Lingam with sandalwood leaves instead of the usual Vilvam.

Two statues of Nandi are there in the temple. One is facing the east, and another is facing the west. Mother Mangala Nayaki has a separate shrine in the second Prakaram where she graces in the standing posture.

In the Srivanjiyam Temple, devotees can see separate shrines for Durga, Mahishasuramardhini, Bhairava, Vennai Pillaiyar, Mahalakshmi, Saneeswara, and Yama. Visitors can see Rahu-Ketu sculptures next to the Bhairava shrine. The 63 Nayanmar idols are in the south corridor.

One can see the Vennai Pillayar or Butter Ganesha in one of the pillars in the first Prakaram of the temple. Devotees believe that smearing butter on his bulging stomach can bring relief from stomach ailments.

Yama Theertham, Naga Theertham, Chakra Theertham, Agni Theertham, Lakshmi Theertham, and Gupta Ganga are the various sacred Theerthams associated with the Srivanjiyam Temple. Gupta Ganga lies on the northern side of the outer Prakaram. Srivanjiyam Temple is also known as Bhoologa Kailasam.

The Specialty of the Srivanjiyam Temple

Generally, during eclipse days, all temples will be closed. But, the Srivanjiyam Temple will remain open throughout the day. The temple's priests perform special Abishekam and Poojas to the main deity on these days.

People worship Mother Mangala Nayagi as Durga in the morning, Mahalakshmi in the evening, and Saraswati after 6 pm. The temple does not have a Navagraha shrine.

When pouring milk on the Ragu-Ketu sculptures, it turns blue.

Another rare feature is that Bhairava graces in yoga posture without his usual divine vehicle, the dog.

Festivals in the Srivanjiyam Temple

Traditionally, Theerthavari is performed only on the final day of Brahmotsavam in all Shiva temples. It is performed on the second day in the holy temple tank (Theertham) during the Masi Magam festival. Vanchinadheswarar will be on the Yama Vahana during this procession. On the final day, priests perform special Poojas to Muruga. The Srivanjiyam Temple celebrates Theerthavari on Karthikai Sundays also.

The temple also celebrates a 10-day festival followed by Aadi Pooram.

Benefits of Worshipping at Srivanjiyam Temple

• People who are born in Magam, Pooram, Sadayam, and Bharani stars belonging to Aries (Mesha), Aquarius (Kumba), and Leo (Simha) Rasi or Lagna visit the Srivanjiyam Temple and pray to the deity to get relief from the planetary afflictions.
• Realizing their wishes, as a custom of thanksgiving, devotees perform Abishekam and Poojas to Vanchinadheswarar and Mother Mangala Nayagi and offer vastras to them.
• People worship here seeking jobs, promotions, transfers, and reunion with estranged spouses or loved ones on Karthika Sundays after taking a holy dip in Gupta Ganga.
• Devotees offer cow milk payasam and buffalo milk payasam to Yama and Chitragupta to ward off Doshas.
• This temple is a Parihara Sthala for overcoming the adverse effects of Rahu and Ketu. Both Rahu and Ketu are carved in a single stone.