Senganur Sri Sathyagireeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Senganur Sri Sathyagireeswarar Temple, Senganur,Tiruppanandal Post,Tiruvidaimarudur Taluk Thanjavur District,PIN 612504 PH:9345982373

Deity

Sathyagireeswarar Amman: Sakidevi ammai

Introduction

Sathyagireeswarar Temple is located at Senganur in the Thiruvidaimarudur taluk of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The historical name of the place is Seignalur. Senganur is located at a distance of 16 kilometres from Kumbakonam on the road to Chennai. It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar.Hymns in praise of the deity have been sung by Arunagirinathar and Sekkizhar. The temple finds mention in Sekkizhar’s Periapuranam.This Temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram hymns.This Temple is the 95th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 41st sthalam on the north side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Thirugnana Sambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Lord Murugan of this Temple is praised by Saint Arunagirinathar in his.

Puranic Significance

1. Connection with King Kochengat Chola

• One of the 70 Maadakovils built by Kochengat Chola.
• Unique Feature: Temples were built at an elevation, with narrow sanctum entrances to prevent elephants from entering.
• Temple Crowning Ceremony: Chola kings’ crowning rituals were performed here.

2. Historical Names of Senganur

• Known as Sathyagiri, Kumara Puram, Asumathakavanam, Chandeswara Puram.
• Considered one of the important cities of Chola Kings.

3. Birthplace of Chandesha Nayanar

• Only Nayanmar with the Eswara title.
• Considered the guardian of temple belongings.
• Devotees clap their hands before leaving the temple to show they are empty-handed.
• Jeeva Samadhi (attained salvation) at Thiruvaippadi on Shivaratri new moon day.

4. Chandikeswarar’s Devotion and Divine Blessing

• Born as Visarasarman to Echa Dattan and Pavitrai.
• Upanayanam at age 7; completely devoted to Lord Shiva.
• Defended cows from a cowherd’s beating, took over cow herding.
• Created a Lingam from Manniyaru River sand, worshipped it with milk abhishekam.
• Villagers & father accused him of wasting milk.
• Father tried to stop him, but Visarasarman, lost in worship, struck back with a stick.
• The stick turned into an axe and cut his father’s legs.
• Lord Shiva appeared with Parvati, granted him darshan, and honored him as Chandikeswara.

5. Birthplace of Acharya Priavachan Pillai

• Eminent Vaishnavite scholar.
• Wrote commentaries on Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

6. Mada Kovils and King Kochengat Chola

• Early Chola King and one of the 63 Nayanmars.
• In his previous birth, was a spider fighting an elephant over Shiva worship.
• Reborn with red eyes, named Kochengat Cholan (King with Red Eyes).
• Devout follower of Saivism, built 70 Maadakovils to prevent elephants from entering the sanctum.

Beliefs

Devotees pray here for regaining lost position & power, for wealth and to overcome any adverse situation. Devotees offer vastras to Lord and Mother and contribute to the renovation of the temple.

Special Features

• Temple Orientation & Entrance
  • The temple faces east and has an entrance arch.
  • The arch features stucco images of Rishabaroodar worshipped by Chandikeswarar, along with Vinayaga and Murugan with his consorts.
• Historical Significance
  • Built by King Kochengat Chola as one of the 70 Maadakovils.
  • Designed to be inaccessible to elephants, requiring devotees to climb steps to reach the sanctum.
  • The entrance to the sanctum is narrow to prevent elephant entry.
• Structure & Layout
  • The temple has two prakarams:
    1. Upper prakaram (Maadakoil) around the sanctum.
    2. Lower prakaram at ground level.
  • Nandi and Balipeedam face the sanctum.
  • The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam, and Maha Mandapam, located at the hilltop.
• Presiding Deity & Sanctum
  • Main deity: Sathyagireeswarar / Sathyagirinathar / Shaktigireeswarar (Swayambhu Lingam), facing east.
  • Koshta idols: Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, and Durga.
  • Chandikeswarar appears with features similar to Lord Shiva, including the crescent moon, long hair, kundalams, and the Ganga on his head.
• Goddess & Other Shrines
  • Goddess Sakidevi resides in a separate south-facing shrine in Maha Mandapam, to the left of the sanctum.
  • Other shrines in Ardha Mandapam: Nataraja and Naalvars.
  • Shrines in Maha Mandapam: Bhairava (produces a bronze metal sound when tapped), Chandran, and Surya.
  • Inner prakaram shrines: Maha Ganapathy, Kasi Vinayagar, Gaja Lakshmi, Kasi Viswanathar, Kasi Visalakshi, and Subramanya.
  • Ground-level shrine: South-facing Lord Murugan shrine near the Mada Kovil entrance.
  • Outer prakaram shrine: Shaktigireeswarar under a tree.
• Theerthams (Sacred Water Sources)
  • Sathya Pushkarini – Located to the west, believed to be created by Lord Shiva.
  • Other Theerthams: Manniyaru, Kumara Theertham, and Malaiyappan Kulam (Appan Kulam).
• Literary & Religious Significance
  • Saint Arunagirinathar has praised Lord Murugan of this temple in Thirupugazh hymns.

Festivals

The temple celebrates the birth day of Chandeswara Nayanar in the month of Thai (January-February) on the Uthiram star day. Avani Vinayakar Chaturthi (Aug-Sep), Aippasi Skanda Shashti (Oct – Nov), Aippasi Annabishekam (Oct – Nov), Thiru Karthikai (Nov-Dec) and Masi Shivrathri (Feb-Mar) are the other festivals celebrated here. Monthly pradoshams are also observed regularly.

Century/Period/Age

1000 to 2000 years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Senganur

Nearest Railway Station

Kumbakonam

Nearest Airport

Trichy

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