Sugavaneshwarar Temple

Introduction to the Sugavaneshwarar Temple

Sugavaneshwarar Temple is located in Salem, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the five Shiva temples built along the Manimuthar River. All five temples enshrine Swayambhu Shiva Lingams. It is one of the Paadal Petra Vaippu Sthalam sung by Sundarar Nayanar. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board administers and manages it.

Legend of the Sugavaneshwarar Temple

According to legend, the Sugavaneshwarar Temple is associated with the great sage Sugavana Muni, the king of parrots, who performed rigorous penance at this spot to seek Shiva's blessings. It is said that Shiva appeared before the sage and blessed him. Hence, the temple became known as Sugavaneshwarar Temple.

It is also believed that Avvaiyar, the saint poetess, performed some miracles here. The Chola, Chera, and Pandya monarchs are said to have visited this Sugavaneshwarar Temple to attend the marriage of Avvaiyar's adopted daughter. This temple's Vinayagar is believed to have helped Avvaiyar reach Kailasam.

The Architecture of the Sugavaneshwarar Temple

Mamannan Sundara Pandyan built the Sugavaneshwarar Temple in the 13th century. It has various historical traces of the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas. The temple is spread over 2 acres and has 15 inscriptions.

It faces east, and its entranceway is south. The Sugavaneshwarar Temple has a 3-tier Rajagopuram with a single Prakaram.

It displays a classic Dravidian architectural style with intricately carved gopurams, pillared halls, and a sanctum. Beautiful sculptures and stone carvings depicting various Hindu deities and mythological stories adorn the temple complex.

The temple's presiding deity is Sri Sugavaneshwarar, an incarnation of Shiva. The sanctum, next to Artha Mandapam, enshrines the Shiva Lingam as Swayambu. The Shiva Lingam is slanting on one side with a small scar caused by a hunter. His consort, Sri Swarnambikai Amman, is depicted in a standing posture in a separate shrine. An Urchavar idol of Sri Sugavaneshwarar is also present in the sanctum.

Other names of Sugavaneshwarar are Papanasar, Kili Vana Nathar, Nahisar, Patteeswarar, and Mummudinathar. Swarnambikai Amman's other names are Sornambigai, Maragathavalli, and Patchivalli.

Irattai Vinayagar and Valampuri Vinayagar are found in this Sugavaneshwarar Temple. They are "Mummoorthigal" here. Thiru Nandi Mandapam and the front Mandapam are present before the entrance gateway.

Murugan, Navagrahas, Dakshinamurthy, Pancha Bootha Lingams, Kasi Viswanathar, Gaja Lakshmi, Saraswati, 63 Nayanmars and Saptha Kannigas have separate shrines here. There are many beautiful mural paintings of deities in the Southern style throughout the temple that attract visitors.

Sukha Vanam, Papanasam, Patteeswaram, and Nageswaram are other names for this place. The Sugavaneshwarar Temple has a beautiful garden with several Vilwa and coconut trees. The Pathiri tree is the Sthala Vriksham, and the Theerthams are Papanasam, Amanduga, Manatha, Manusarana, Manimuthar, and Thenu.

The Sugavaneshwarar Temple maintains a library and a Mercy home. It also has a Statue Safety Center for the nearby temples of the villages, with air-conditioned rooms in the Sugavaneshwarar Temple area. The temple also offers Anna Daanam for 75 devotees daily.

Festivals in the Sugavaneshwarar Temple

The Sugavaneshwarar Temple celebrates Chithirai festival in April-May, the 10-day Vaikasi festival in May-June, Ammai Appar festival in September-October, Panniru Thirumurai in October-November and Thiru Kartikai in November-December.

On the full moon days of every month, Krithikai and Poora Nakshatra days, special Poojas, and Abishekams are performed to the deities in the temple.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Sugavaneshwarar Temple

It is believed that worshipping at all these five temples built along the Manimuthar River on the same day can absolve one's sins.

Contrary to tradition, visitors can notice different placements of planets Mars (Sevvai) and Rahu here. People believe that praying to these planets here can bless them with a happy married life and good job opportunities.