Natham Parameswara Mangalam Shenbakeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Natham Parameswara Mangalam Shenbakeswarar Temple, Natham Parameswara Mangalam, Kanchipuram District – 603305. Mobile: +91 – 99945 87182 / 94430 67193/ +91 – 9443620460 / 9994587182 /

Diety

Shenbakeswarar Amman: Sountharyanayagi.

Introduction

Shenbakeswarar Temple is dedicated to God Shiva located at Natham Parameswara Mangalam in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. Natham village is located at a distance of 10 Kms from Kalpakkam in Lathur Taluk. The temple is thoroughly built with stones. The presiding deity is called as Shenbakeswarar and Mother is called as Sountharyanayagi. The temple is located at about 80 kms from Chennai.

Puranic Significance

The temple was built during the Pallava King Nirupathungan (869- 880 AD) and was extended during Chozhas, Pandyas and Vijayanagaras. The inscriptions belongs to Kulothunga Chozha-I, Rajendra Chozha-I, Rajaraja-III, Pandyas, Maravarman Sundara Pandyan and Vijayanagaras, are on the adhisthana and sanctum walls. This place was called in the name of Rajaraja-I (Also called as Nakaril Chozhan) as “Nikarili Chozha Chathurvedi mangalam” As per Rajaraja-I inscription, this Village Saba was managed by 12 members called “Samvathsara Variyam”, elected in Ipasi Month. They assemble in “Rajendra Chozha Sathuschali” mandapa, once in a year. This place came under Sembur Kottam in Jayangonda Chozha mandalam. This inscription records the donation of paddy for the poojas. The Pillar fallen down inscription records the gift of 90 goats for burning perpetual lamp. Latter Rajaraja-III’s inscription mentions that this place was called as Chozhakula Chathurvedi mangalam. Another pillar inscription records a land was donated to this temple to celebrate Chitraivisu, Ipasi Visu and Masimaham for the benefit of Rajendra Chozha and Thandi Piratiyar, by the Thandi Piratiyar, Veerakosa Mangalamudayar and Udayapiratiyar. The temple first re-constructed during Uthama Chozha / Parantaka Chozha period. A 16 Pillar mandapa built during Rajendra Chozha period was brought down. The temple was in a dilapidated state and reconstruction is in progress. The Mandapa Simha pillars with inscriptions and ordinary pillars, Dwarapalakas, Jyeshta Devi, Nadukal i.e. Hero stone, Chandikeswarar, 5 Shiva Lingas with Nandhis are scattered around the temple. These Shiva Lingas and Nandhis are called as Panchabootha Lingas i.e. 5 elements. One of the inscription belongs to Rajaraja-I, the Queen Lokamadevi donated money to convert barren land to fertile land. There are interesting legends behind the Nandhi facing the same direction of Lord Shiva. Sri Lakshmi came to this Shenbaka forest and done penance to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva asked Nandhi to Guard her. So Nandhi turned its back. At the end of penance Lord Shiva gave darshan to Lakshmi. Another interesting story is Lord Shiva went out of this place to nearby Palar River Island and hid there. When Parvati searched Lord Shiva and climbed the island hill through her knees. Lord Shiva blessed her as Kailasanathar and stayed in the island. So Nandhi is still expecting Lord Shiva’s arrival facing the Kailasanathar temple.

Special Features

This is an east facing Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Shenbakeswarar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Usually Nandi faces Lord but here it faces opposite direction. Mother is called as Sountharyanayagi. Here importance is given to Mother. Hence, the first worship goes to Mother. The temple is facing east with a Balipeedam and Nandhi are in front of the new mukha mandapam. Nandhi is also facing east like Lord Shiva under a mandapam with beautiful pillars. In 7 koshtams Vinayagar, Pichadanar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Sankaranarayanan and Durgai. In the Mukha mandapam, Ambal is facing south (Ambal is holding Nilothpala and lotus flowers on her hand instead of Pasa & Angusam), Arumugar (sitting on Peacock facing opposite direction- called asura peacock), Brahma Sastha and Vinayagar. The other Sannadhis are under construction. Even-though the temple is under renovation Lord Shiva is under worship. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, artha mandapam, Maha mandapam and a Mukha mandapam. The Sanctum sanctorum is on a pathabandha adhisthana. The new sannadhis for Nalvar, Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Navagrahas, Bhairavar, Suryan and Chandran are under construction.