Govindavadi Dakshinamurthy Temple (Guru Temple), Kanchipuram

Address

Govindavadi,

Kanchipuram District, Tamilnadu – 631 502

Phone: +91- 44 – 3720 9615, 27294200

Moolavar

Dakshinamurthy

Introduction

Dakshinamurthy Temple is located at Govindavadi Village near Agaram in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. Dakshinamoorthy an aspect of Shiva is the presiding deity for the planet Jupiter or Brihaspati. The planet Jupiter shifts from one Zodiac sign to the next once in a year and as such has a great influence on the fate of people. There are, therefore, innumerable shrines for this benign planet which is worshipped in the persona of Dakshinamoorthy, the Guru. Govindavadi is locally known for the Gurusthalam temple, a shrine dedicated to the deity Dakshinamoorthy. It is said that Govinda Swamy Perumal along with his family was tutored the Vedas by Dakshinamoorthy at this Temple and hence the name. Every Thursday is considered as a special occasion and devotees visit this temple in large numbers on that day. Guru Preethi pooja may be done to overcome any issues/obstacles posed by the influence of planet Guru.

This is also the only exclusive shrine for Lord Dakshinamurthy. Normally in other shrines the Lord is in the Southern side of the Main/presiding deity with no gopuram/tower. However, at Govindavadi Temple the main presiding deity is Lord Dakshinamoorthy with other deities around. It is a famous temple for Dakshinamurthy and a Navagraha kshetra for Guru.

Puranic Significance

Vishnu repaired his discus with the blessings of Shiva:

While on a war to protect his devotee, Lord Vishnu’s discuss slipped down and fell on Maharshi Thatheesi and lost its sharpness. Lord was discussing with Devas how to get back the discus with its full power. He came to the conclusion that the weapon could be repaired and got back with the blessings of Lord Shiva. For Shiva worship, initiation is necessary by a learned Guru.

Shiva as Guru to Lord Vishnu:

Lord Vishnu came here with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi, had a bath in a holy spring here and began penance. Lord Shiva appeared before Vishnu, taught Shiva Mantras and initiated for the pujas. Lord Shiva also told his disciple to worship him with 1000 flowers in the place nearby called Tirumalpur in his Linga form and assured that the discuss would come back to him fully powered at an appropriate time. Lord Vishnu, after the Shiva worship, got back his discus. As Lord Shiva appeared before Vishnu as Guru, he is worshipped here as Lord Dakshinamurthy

Viboothi Kavadi:

Legend has it that Lord Dakshinamoorthy is said to have appeared before one of his ardent devotees, Thandavarayar, a resident of Govindavadi and bestowed on him his grace and the `scared ash.’ Thandavarayar established a religious math at Govindavadi and observed Visaka nakshatram in the Tamil month of Chithirai as Guru Puja day by taking out Viboothi Kavadi from his math and performing special pujas to Dakshinamoorthy. This practice is continued by his descendants.

Etymology:

Govindaraja perumal stayed at Govindavadi with Sridevi and Bhoodevi, worshipped Shiva daily at Tirumalper after taking bath at Palar. Since Govindaraja Perumal stayed, the place is called Govindavad

Beliefs

People facing adverse effects of Jupiter aspects pray in the temple. Devotees light lamps in coconut shells. Women perform Sumangali Puja to Mother for happy wedding. Every Thursday is considered as a special occasion and devotees visit this temple in large numbers on that day. Guru Preethi pooja may be done to overcome any issues/obstacles posed by the influence of planet Guru. People facing adverse effects of Jupiter aspects pray in the temple.

Special Features

Lord Dakshinamurthy generally has his place on the wall around the main Shiva shrine. But, this is the temple that has Lord Dakshinamurthy as presiding deity facing south. Behind is another sanctum separately for Lord Kailasanathar. Both sanctums are under a single vimana having Lord Shiva and Lord Dakshinamurthy. Lord Dakshinamurthy is the principal deity of the temple to whom Aipasi Annabishekam (abishek with rice) in October-November is performed as to Lord Shiva. The other difference is that Lord Dakshinamurthy graces with an eye on the forehead and crescent moon as Lord Shiva himself.

The Temple is believed to be 1500 years old. The main entrance leads to the guru Sannidhi which is a 5 foot statue of Dakshinamurthy actually situated in the outer wall of the Kailasnathar Sannidhi alongside. The `kalalam’ (the tree canopy above the head of the deity) is not there and apanchasanam has been carved out below the Muyalagan (the monster on whom Dakshinamoorthy rests his right leg). The panchasanam – consisting eight Simhas’ (lions), eight nagams (five-headed snakes), Ashta Dwarapalaka (eight armed guards), eight Gajas (elephants) and `Ashta dikhbalakas’ (regents of eight cardinal points) – has the Koormam (tortoise) as its base. Though the Dakshinamoorthy idol has been installed south of the sanctum Santorum of Sri Kailasanathar (like in any other Siva temple), the construction has been done in such a way that the deity has a separate shrine

As he granted darshan to Lord Vishnu privately, the banyan tree is not here but a structure (Mandapam) representing Mount Kailash. Muyalagan the symbol of ignorance usually under the feet of Lord facing right is facing left in this temple. Vibhuti Kavadi usually attributed to Lord Shiva worship, is carried for Lord Dakshinamurthy in this temple. The sacred ash is used for abishek and given as Prasad to devotees. Devotees dissolve it in water and consume as medicine.

The panchaloka idol of Dakshinamoorthy is also as exquisite as the granite one. The deity is seen seated on the Mount Kailash where the Sanakathi sages are performing penance. Kailasanathar Sannidhi has akhilandeshwari and in both the Sivan and Amman sannidhis we are allowed very close to the idols. Exquisite stone carvings – referred to as kumbachara, said to be a form of sculpting promoted by the Chola Kings.

The symbol in the forehead of Lord Vishnu is called Namam. This is done with sand called Thiruman. Here Kumkum and Sandal is used for this dressing-Alankara to show Vishnu was a Shiva devotee. Bhagwan Adhi Sankara has a shrine in the temple remembering his visit. Serpent deities, Rahu and Ketu – also serpent planets – are in a single shrine in the prakara. Those facing adverse serpent planet effects perform milk abishek here for relief. The Nagadevata appears with her two legs bent. Vinayaka is seen a special seat called Avudaiyar. There are shrines for Lord Kailasanathar, Mother Akhilandeswari and Lord Chandana Kumkuma Govinda. Lord Perumal graces from a separate shrine facing west. Mothers Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Aanjaneyar, Garudazhwar are with Lord. As Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva here with his hymns, the place was originally called Govinda Padi and changed as Govinda Vadi later.

Another important aspect exclusive to this temple is that devotees, whose marriage proposals face hurdles because of the influence of Raghu, Kethu or Angaragan, are allowed to perform Abhishekam to the naga kanni idols installed at the north-west corner of the temple. After performing the anointment, they have to worship Dakshinamoorthy to get their marriage proposals through.

Festivals

Guru Puja in Chithirai (April-May), Jupiter transit days and Mahasivarathri Sangabishekam in Masi (February-March) are devotionally celebrated in the temple.

This has been extracted from,

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/09/dakshinamurthy-temple-guru-temple_31.html