Devikapuram Sri Periyanayaki Samedha Kangagirishwarar Temple, Thiruvannamalai

Address

Devikapuram Sri Periyanayaki Samedha Kangagirishwarar Temple, Devikapuram, Thiruvannamalai -606 902 Phone: +91- 4173-247 482, 247 796

Diety

Kanaka Giriswarar Amman: Periyanayaki

Introduction

The Periyanayagi Amman Temple situated in the center of Devikapuram village. This temple is built by the Vijayanagara Emperor in the 14th century. This is the second largest temple after Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple. The consort of Sri Kanakagiriswarar installed at the hill temple is Sri Periyanayagi Amman, found at the bottom. She is also otherwise known as Sri Brihannayaki and Sri Brahadambal. This village is located south of Arni. Devikapuram comes under Arni Taluk. Periyanayaki Amman temple has lot of excellent sculptures. Compound of this temple was carved with phrases of Purana stories, warriors and animals like elephants and horses. These kinds of phrases are seen only at Hampi. On the walls of the Periyanayagi Amman Temple about 50 inscriptions incised recording donations mostly from Padaiveedu Nayaks. Mandapams are main attraction of the Temples. On the hill top Malaikkozhundu Nayakar is housed a temple. Devikapuram, otherwise known as the city of goddess’, is noted for its temples. Generally, people call this village as Devikapuram, Devakipuram, Devakkapuram, Kanagagiri, Narayanavanam, Kanagathiri, and Kanagachalam, are the other names found in the history of this sthalam.

Puranic Significance

The hill temple is at a height of 500 feet with 365 steps representing the days of the year and with the prayer that each day should be auspicious for the people. The temple has a three tier Rajagopuram. Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva looks majestic. There are shrines for Lords Vinayaka, Muruga, Dakshinamurthi, Chandikeswara, Agora Veerabadra and Saptha Mathas. Mother graces from Her shrine in the foot hill. The temple with sculptures of high skills is believed to have been built during the Vijayanagara days. The hill known as Kanakagiri is behind the Amman temple on the southwest side scaling 500 feet with 365 steps covering a circumference of 5 kilo meters. Lord Shiva at the top of the hill is a swayambumurthi praised as Kanakagiriswarar-Pon Malai Nathar in Tamil. A hunter was digging the ground for some roots but was shocked to see blood coming out. When he dug further, he found a Shivalinga. Since then the worship and abishek began with hot water as Lord was injured. The hot water abishek continues even today. As the Shivalinga is too tiny in size, Lord Kasi Viswanatha Linga is also installed by the side. Pujas are performed as per agamas. The hunter story is a hearsay story. The temple for Mother Peria Nayaki, also Peria Nachiar in the centre of the place is as famous as that of Mother Kamakshi in Kancheepuram. This is one among the Shakti Peetas. The temple has a 7 tier Rajagopuram and three corridors-prakaras. As mother held the hands of Lord after a severe penance, those facing delays in their wedding pray to mother here. Lord came down from the hill to have mother in wedding on the Panguni Uthiram day in March-April. On his way to war, a Pallava king came to know the glory of Lord of this temple. He decided to build a temple for Lord here if he won the war. He won. As is the human nature, people forget their promises after winning things. Pallava committed the same mistake. When he met with a next problem, he recalled his promise and immediately built the temple. Unfortunately, the hunter-Linga was missing then. The king brought a Linga from Kasi and installed in the temple. Luckily, the hunter-Linga also was found then. It also was installed in the sanctum. Thus the temple has two Shivalingas side by side. There are sculptures of 9 women in the inner mandap of the temple as an elephant speaking volumes of the Tamil sculpture skills. On way down from the hill, the foot print of Mother is carved where She performed penance. At the foot of the hill, there is a shrine for Lord Kameswara accompanied by Mother Kokilambal. It is a wonder that the whole temple is built with just nine stones. As there is no shrine for Ambica at the hill temple, Pradosha Pujas are performed in this temple. People go round the Girivalam-3.5 km- on Poornima days-full moon days. Sage Brungi on a visit to Mount Kailash simply worshipped Lord Shiva alone though Mother Parvthi was by His side. Feeling the neglect, Mother asked the Lord to part with her a part of His body. Lord suggested that She go to Kancheepuram and do penance on Him in the name of Kamakshi and that He would marry Her there. Then He would offer a part of His body to Her at Tiruvannamalai. Kamakshi wedded Lord Ekambaranathar at Kanchi. On Her way to Tiruvannamalai, she performed penance on Lord Kanaka Giriswarar for a Mandalam-covering 48 days- at Devikapuram. Hence, the name of the place Devikapuram. Mother became part of Lord at Tiruvannamalai according to Sthala Puranas

Beliefs

Devotees fulfill their prayer commitments with pongal nivedhana, offering wedding garlands, tonsuring, lighting ghee lamps and abishek to Lord with oil, curd, milk, green coconut and offering vastras. They offer Sari to Mother. They make prasads for Lord and Mother and distribute to other devotees. Prayer in the temple brings total mental peace. People also pray for wedding, child boons, besides employment opportunities, promotions and progress in business.

Special Features

Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthi in the temple. There are sculptures of 9 women in the inner prakara as if an elephant is standing there which is an outstanding example of the skill of Tamil sculptors. The shrine of Lord Kameswara with Mother Kokilambal is at the foot hills. On the downhill way is the foot print of Mother where She performed penance. The whole temple is built with just 9 stones. As per the legend Devaki, the sister of Kamsan came here and worshiped Lord Kanakagiriswarar and gave birth of Krishna. Hence this place was also called as Devikapuram Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthi. It is noteworthy that there are two Shivalingas in the sanctum sanctorum. Also, this is one of the Shakti Peetas of Mother.

Festivals

The following festivals are celebrated. Chithirai 1 st Day, the starting of Tamil New Year, Appar Guru pooja, Vaikasi Visakam, Navarathri, Karthigai Deepam, 10days festival during Panguni, etc,