Vaipur Jambunathar Shiva Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Vaipur, Thiruvarur circle,

Thiruvarur District,

Tamil Nadu 610101

Moolavar

Jambunathar

Amman

Akilandeswari

Introduction

The Vaipur Jambunathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Vaipur village, in the Thiruvarur Circle of Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu. The village is situated 14 kilometers on the Thiruvarur-Nagursalai road. The temple faces east, while the main entrance is to the south, featuring beautiful carvings. The temple structure dates back to the Chola period and is built using black stone. The primary deity of the temple is Lord Jambunathar, with an east-facing sanctum, and the goddess is Akilandeswari, with a south-facing sanctum.

Puranic Significance

The temple’s significance is tied to a touching legend involving a merchant and his daughter:

The Merchant and His Devoted Daughter: Once upon a time, in the village of Vaipur, there lived a merchant with seven daughters. The seventh daughter was deeply devoted to Lord Shiva and had a strong attachment to the deity. Observing her father’s attitude and the displeasure of her future son-in-law, she decided to leave her home and marry him.
Tragic Incident: After their marriage, the couple traveled to the temple of Manikavannar in Thirumarugal to pray. Unfortunately, while there, the son-in-law was bitten by a snake and died. The daughter, devastated by the loss, cried and prayed to Lord Shiva for help.
Sambandar’s Intervention: Hearing her cry, the daughter fell at the feet of Sambandar, a revered saint, and narrated her tragic story. Impressed by the daughter’s devotion and the high morals of both individuals, Sambandar sang a hymn to Lord Shiva. Miraculously, the merchant’s son-in-law was revived. Both the merchant and his son-in-law were overjoyed, praising the immense mercy of Manikavannar. The following day, a group of volunteers congratulated Sambandar for his intervention, and Lord Shiva himself gave a dance performance as a token of gratitude to Sambandar and those who contributed to the revival.

The temple is believed to be around 1300 years old, with rich historical and devotional significance.

Temple Features and Architecture

Main Deity and Goddess: The temple is dedicated to Lord Jambunathar (Shiva), and the goddess is Akilandeswari. The east-facing sanctum houses the main deity, while the goddess’s sanctum is south-facing.
Additional Shrines: The temple features various shrines, including:
- Karurai Kottam (with Tenmugan, Lingotpavar, Brahman, and Durga).
- Shrines for Vinayagar and Vallitheiwani Samedha Murugan.
- A separate shrine dedicated to Ayyappan located behind the Vinayaka sanctum.
Sacred Water and Mandapams:
- The temple has a Tirtha well in the north-east.
- A separate mandapam for Navagraha (the nine planets).
- A Bhairavar Sani in the long mandapam.
- Lingam and Nandi are situated opposite each other.
Temple Grounds: The temple has a large pond to the east. The story of the woman’s devotion and the miraculous revival of her husband is depicted in paintings on the walls of the temple.

Beliefs and Practices

Devotees visit the temple for spiritual guidance and blessings from Lord Jambunathar and Akilandeswari. The story of the merchant’s daughter and the revival of her husband is a central part of the temple’s religious significance, highlighting the power of devotion, mercy, and divine intervention.