Ilambayankattoor Sri Deivanayaka Easwarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Ilambayankattoor Sri Deivanayaka Easwarar Temple, Ilambayankattoor, Kancheepuram District Pin – 631553

Diety

Deivanatheswarar Amman: Kanaka Kuzambi,

Introduction

This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 13th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This lingam is not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is “Theendathirumeni”. Clothes and flowers are being offered with the help of a stick. This is an east facing temple and it has one corridor. Instead of a main tower (Rajagopuram), there is an arch type entrance.

Puranic Significance

The legend is that on his march to destroy the three demons (Tiripura Samharam) – Tharakatchan, Kamalakshan and Vidunmali and protect the Devas, Lord Shiva passed through this place in a chariot. During this journey, the garland (kondrai flowers in Tamil) from Lord Shiva’s neck fell down at this place and became a swayambu lingam. As this lingam is considered to have been formed from the lord’s garland the lord here is considered to be “Theendathirumeni” (untouched by human hands). During the march, it is believed that all the devas who were under the commands of Lord Shiva stopped and worshipped this swayambu lingam. Hence this lingam here is praised as “Daiva Nayaka Easwarar” (literally translated as “the lord who was worshiped by the rest of the gods”). On His march to destroy the demons to protect the Devas, Lord Shiva passed through this place, once a forest of dense Jasmine trees. Lord Vinayaka broke the axis of Lord’s chariot as He passed without worshipping Him. Lord Vishnu held the car from falling down. The kondrai garland on Shiva’s neck fell down and became a swayambulinga. Saint Tirugnanasambandar was returning through this way after visiting Shiva temples. Lord Shiva in the guise of an old man asked the saint to sing the praise of Lord who was in that place, but the saint could not see and returned. Lord again intercepted the saint in the form a cow, showed the place and insisted His demand. Saint was too happy and sang in praise of the Lord. Arambas-virgins of the celestial world, prayed to Lord to help them keep their alluring beauty perennially. Lord appeared before them as Yoga Dakshinamurthy and granted their boon. Prayer to Lord Yoga Dakshinamurthy will grace the devotee an enticing personality, it is believed. Lord Shiva, worshipped by the virgins is gracing us near the entrance of the temple facing west ensuring all the 16 benefits as education, prosperity, courage, success etc. – 16 Peru in Tamil.

Beliefs

All ill effects on the devotee would vanish if he/she prays to Deivanayaka Easwarar. Those affected by adverse aspects of Jupiter planet, worship Yoga Dakshinamurthy with abishek and archanas.

Special Features

Lord Shiva here is named Deiva Nayaka Easwarar after the event of his assuming the Commandership of the Deva forces against the demons. He is also praised as Arambeswarar as He graced the Aramba women belonging to the celestial world. The place was named after this event as Arambayankattoor that changed as Ilumbiyankattor in the days that followed. Moon-Chandra worshipped Lord Shiva aftr a dip in the Mallika Pushkarini theertha and got relieved from the curse of Daksha. It is firmly believed that the soul would be totally relieved from the cycle of births and deaths, if one bathes in the Mallika Pushkarini Theertha.

Festivals

Guru (Jupiter) transit days, Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (February-March), Arudra Dharisanam in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January) and Thirukarthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (November-December) are the major festivals celebrated in this temple. Monthly Pradosham is also observed.