Naalur Mayanam (Thirumeignanam) Sri Gnanaparameswarar Swamy Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Naalur Mayanam (Thirumeignanam) Sri Gnanaparameswarar Swamy Temple, Thiru Naalur Mayaanam (Thirumeignanam), Inchikollai Via, Thirucherai Post, Kumbakonam Taluk, Tanjure District, Tamil Nadu – 612 605.

Diety

Gnanaparameshwarar, Amman: Gnanambigai

Introduction

Thirumeignanam Gnanaparameswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Thirumeignanam in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, as the moolavar presiding deity, in his manifestation as Gnanaparameswarar. His consort, Parvati, is known as Gnanambikai. The place is also known as Tirunallur Mayaanam. Theertham (Holy water) Gnana Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree) Vilvam tree

Puranic Significance

It is believed that this temple was originally built in the early Chola period and later on it was built using granite by Aditya Chola-I. There are 23 stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of various Chola kings starting from Paranthaka Chola-I.The historical names of this place are Chaturvedi Mangalam, Thirumayanam and Thirumeignanam. This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE). There are four temples in the name of “Mayaanam” (burial ground) – they are (1) Kachi Mayaanam (Kanchipuram), (2) Veezhi Mayaanam (Thiruvizhimizhalai) (3) Kazhi Mayaanam (Sirkazhi) and (4) Naalur Mayaanam (this temple). It is believed that Lord Mahavishnu, Brahma, the four Vedas, Aabasthamba Maharishi and Saint Thirugnanasambanthar have worshipped Lord Shiva here. The Sanskrit word “Chaturvedi Mangalam” refers to the four Vedas. It is believed that the personified forms of these four Vedas worshiped the lord here. In Tamil this place is referred to as “Naal Vediyur” (“Naal” means four). Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, they can become Vedic scholars.

Beliefs

Devotees pray to the lord here for removal of obstacles from their marriage proposals. They also pray to the lord such that they may be blessed with success in their educational pursuits and prosperity in their lives.

Special Features

Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Vinayagar, Murugan, a few Nagars, Chandikeswarar (2), Dakshinamurthy (2), Athma Lingam, Saneeswarar, Bairavar, Suryan and Navagraham can be seen in the hall and the corridors. There is a separate shrine for Saint Thirugnanasambanthar in the main hall. Shivalingams in the names of Sri Amirthakadeswarar, Sri Sattanathar, Sri Ekambareswarar and Veezhiazhagar can also be seen in the corridor. In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Vinayakar, Pitchandavar, Natarajar, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Vishnu Durgai can be seen. It is believed that a snake comes to this temple occasionally and wraps itself around the head of Shivalingam. Interestingly, while prising the lord of this temple, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar mentions the following line – “Paaloorum malai paampum panimadhiyum…..”. This means that the lord here is seen with a big snake. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar also mentioned in his hymn that whoever prays to this lord will be freed from his past sins. He would also be freed from the cycle of death and rebirth and will reach the lord’s abode. The sanctum sanctorum is in the shape of a square and its tower (“vimanam”) is hemispherical.

Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are – Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov) and Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).