Sri Vanchinathar Temple Kumbakonam | Vanchium Vanchinathar temple - Famous Temples of Kumbakonam

Sri Vanchinatha  Swamy:

Sri Vanchinatha Swamy temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The  temple is so famous for its uniqueness as it has many special features in it. Lord Shiva here is a Swayambumurthy and this temple is 70th Shiva temple on southern banks of Caurery river. This temple is also called as 'Purva Janma Paavam Parihara Sthala'. The temple has a tall 5 tier rajagopuram facing east built by the King rajendra Cholan in the year 850 AD. This temple is one of the six Shiva sthalas on banks of Cauvery. The special feature of the temple is that there is a separate shrine Yamadharmaraja ( Lord of Death). This shrine appears on the left side of the entrance of the temple. Lord Vinayaga and Muruga are found in the first mandapa passing inner entrance.
Also shrine for Mother Mangalanayaki in standing posture is found. The other shrines found are Sri Adhikara Nandhi,Vennai Pillayar, Pancha boodha Lingas, Jeshtadevi and Sani Bhagawan. No Navagrahas are found as Lord Shiva is dominant in the temple. Another special feature is the Yoga Bairavar without his mount and dog (vehicle) is a rare one.  

History:

The lord of Death, Yamadharma was very sad that he was assigned the job of taking the life of people. He went Tiruvarur and spoke to Lord Shiva about his sadness. Lord Shiva directed him to go to Sri Vanchiyum and pray. Yamadharma reached there and performed penance. Lord Shiva was pleased with the Yama's penance and asked for his wish. Yama replied that taking people's life incurred hatred and suffering of Brahmmahathi dosha caused by his duty. Lord Shiva assured him, in future people would attribute the cause of death due to diseases,age and accidents. Hence people would not blame him. lord Shiva also granted him the status of  Kshetra Palaka and devotees would worship him first and then only at Lord's shrine. Accordingly the first pooja is dedicated to Yamadharma only in the temple each day.

Special Features:

During eclipse time, doors of the temple is opened, as a tradition in other Shiva temples doors are closed. Mother Ganga sought a solution from Lord Shiva to cleanse herself of the sins left on her by those who bathed in the river.Lord Shiva directed her to pray at a place where even Yama was blessed by him. Mother Ganga left just a small power of her in original Ganga and merged with sacred spring here with remaining 999 parts of her holiness. So the Theertha is called 'Gupta ganga' which is presently known as Muni Theertha. Lord Vishnu desirous (Vanchithal in tamil) of Mahalakshmi(Sri) sought the help of Lord Shiva to realize his wish, hence the place came to known as Sri Vanchiyam. Yamdharma and his assistant Chitra Gupta are in the same shrine in the south-east corner in the temple. Also Mother Mahisasuramardhini with eight hands is blessing the devotees in the temple.

Festivals:

Theerthavari is performed only on the final day of the Brahmmotsavam in Shiva temples. Here it is performed on the second day in the temple tank itself during Masi magam festival in February - March month. Lord Vanchinathaswamy comes in procession on Yama Vahan. A ten day festival celebrated following Aadi pooram in July - August month. Special aradhanas and abishegam are performed in the temple on Sundays.

Contact:

Sri Vanchinatha Swami Temple,

Sri Vanchiyam - 610 110,

Tiruvarur district.

Ph.no: 04366 291305.

Timings: 6 am - 12 noon & 3 pm - 8 pm.

How to reach:

25 kms from Kumbagonam, 16 kms from Tiruvarur - Nannilam route, stop name - Sri Vanchium.

Rail route: Tiruvarur & Kumbagonam. Nannilam station is nearby.