Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple

Introduction to Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple

Trichy is famous for its many ancient Hindu temples. Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple is one such temple on the northern bank of River Kollidam, Mannachanallur Taluk, which is 26 km away from Trichy. It is one among the 275 Paadal Petra Shivasthalangal. Shiva blesses his ardent devotees here in the name of Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar, the main deity. The temple is also called South Kailash.

Legend of Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple

The temple's legend says Shiva defeated Yama (deity of death) in Thirukadaiyur Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, to rescue his devotee Markandeya from death. As Yama himself became lifeless, people stopped dying, and the universe became highly populated. People stopped worshipping god and performing Poojas. Bhumadevi (Mother Earth) could not bear the burden of an immortal population.

On the other hand, Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple was functioning, and Poojas were continued. So, Bhumadevi, Vishnu, Brahma, and many deities visited Shiva in the Thirupanjali temple. They requested Shiva to give rebirth to Yama. Accepting their request, Shiva offered rebirth to Yama on Thaipoosam through Pilathuvaram.

Many divine beings, including Parvati, Kamadhenu, Indra, Adiseshan, Vayu, Sudhama Munivar, King Kaliyugarama Pandiyan, Sivamithiran, Padumakarpan, Viyakirasuran, and Arjuna worshipped Shiva in this temple.

In Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple, the deity has many names, such as Aaranyavidankar, Neelakandar, Kadalivasanthar, Gneelivananathar, and Sakrathiyagar.

The Architecture of Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple

The east-facing Thirupanjali Gneelivaneswarar Temple has an incomplete main tower (Rajagopuram). King Konerinmai Kondaan supposedly built it, but the construction stopped after the first tier.

Soon after entering the temple, devotees can see a 4-foot hall. Behind the hall, there is a three-tier second tower with the name Ravana Gate. On its left, Sotrudai Eshwarar Sannidhi is located.

Without crossing the second entrance, in the corridor, devotees can see the temple of Yama, which is caved in under the surface of the earth, where they can worship Murugan in the form of Somaskandhar, who sits between Shiva and Parvati. Yama is under the feet of Shiva in a child form. It is said to be built in 640 AD.

Uniquely, Thirupanjali Gneelivaneswarar Temple does not have a Navagraha shrine.

After entering through the Ravana gate, devotees have to go down nine steps to worship Sotrudai Eshwarar. These nine steps represent the Navagraha (Nine planets), enslaved people in Ravana's ministry. Near the Nandi, nine pits are there in front of Sotrudai Eshwarar. Pilgrims treat the nine pits as Navagrahas, light lamps, and worship them.

Crossing the Ravana Gate, devotees can see the Thirukarthigai entrance to worship Gneelivaneswarar. He is Swayambu Murti (Self-manifested). As he gave Yama his life back and made him return to his duty, he is called Athigaravallabar.

Ratna Sabha is where the deity listened to the plea of Vashishta and appeared before the sage in his dance posture, so the temple is also called Mela Chidambaram.

In Thirupanjali Gneelivaneswarar Temple, Visalatchi has two sanctums. Gneeli is the Sthala Vruksham, and Badra Vimanam adorns the sanctum sanctorum of the principal deity. In the temple, a few stones have stripes like those of a tiger. Stones of this kind are seen only in this village.

Pilgrims can worship Shiva and Mahavishnu (Senthamarai Kannan) idols inside Vinayaka's sanctum. Dakshinamurthy is located under the feet of Nandi. Sage Sudama did penance for many years and attained salvation (Moksha) in this temple. His Jeeva Samadhi is in the outer corridor. The temple has totally four corridors.

Festivals of Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple

Shivaratri, Guru Pooja, Navaratri, 10-day Chithirai Brahmotsavam, Vinayakar Chaturthi, and special poojas for Yama on Poosam star in the month of Thai (Jan-Feb) is grandly celebrated in Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple. Pradosham is performed regularly (bi-monthly).

Benefits of Worshipping Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple

Sashtiyaptapurthi and Ayulviruthi Homam are performed in Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple.

As per the Sthala Puranam, the sacred trees in this temple represent the Devakanyarkal (virgins). Devotees, who face hurdles in marriage, tie the "Mangal sutra" on the trees for their early wedding. Devotees perform Pooja to Sthala Vruksham to get progeny blessings.

Since Yama regained his position in this temple, devotees worship the main deity to restore all their lost fortunes.