Sivaganga Sri Sasivarneswarar Temple, Sivaganga

Address

Sivagangai Sri Sasivarneswarar Temple, Sivagangai

Sivagangai district,

Tamil Nadu – 630 561

Mobile: +91-98439 39761

Moolavar

Sasivarneswarar

Amman

Periyanayaki

Introduction

The Sasivarneswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Sivaganga Town, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu. The Sasivarneswarar Temple is situated in Sivaganga Town, very close to the Sivaganga bus stand. The nearest railway station is located at Sivaganga, and the nearest airport is in Madurai.

Deities:

The presiding deity is Lord Shiva, who is worshipped as Sasivarneswarar.
The divine consort of Lord Shiva is Goddess Periyanayaki.
The sacred sthala vriksham (temple tree) is the Vilwa tree.
The urchavar (processional deity) of the temple is Somaskandar.

Puranic Significance

The temple was built by a king who named the Lord Sasivarneswarar.
The temple is believed to be around 1000 years old.
The temple is administered by the Devasthanam of Sivaganga Samasthanam.

Temple Features:

The temple houses a separate shrine for Mother Durga, who is depicted on the wall of the Shiva shrine facing north.
Mother Durga is also present in a separate shrine facing south with two hands and her left leg bent and pressing on a demon.
The temple has shrines for Sun, Lord Vinayaka (Ganesha), Lord Muruga (with Valli and Deivanai), Kala Bhairava, and the Moon.

Beliefs

Pregnant women from the area come to the temple to pray to Goddess Periyanayaki for a safe delivery. They perform a ceremony called “Marundhu Kudippu,” which involves offering milk abhishekam (ritual bathing) to the Goddess. They believe that consuming the abhishekam milk will ensure a safe delivery.
Parents of children who cry excessively or those whose children do not cry come to the temple seeking remedies for both situations. They perform abhishekam to the Goddess, bathe the child with the abhishekam water in the temple complex, and believe that it will solve the issue.
Women also visit the temple to seek blessings for getting married, relief from monthly disorders, and for girls who have not attained puberty despite their age. They offer garlands of red flowers and light lamps in lime cups. Circumambulating the temple’s prakara 27 times is considered a significant practice.
A special ritual called “Laksharchana,” which involves chanting the name of Mother Periyanayaki with one lakh names and offering a flower for each name, is performed on Masi Magam.
Devotees facing problems due to adverse planetary aspects related to snakes, obstacles in marriage matters, or issues with their spouse’s health (Kalathra dosha) come to the temple on Sundays between 4.30 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. (during Rahu Kalam) to perform abhishekam with turmeric powder and milk for remedies.

Special Features

The name Sasivarneswarar signifies Lord Shiva as the one who blessed the Moon (Chandra) and relieved it from adverse effects.
The temple holds great significance as it is associated with the worship of Lord Shiva, who alleviated the difficulties faced by the Moon.

Festivals

New Moon day in July-August- Aadi Amavasya, Masi Magam and Shivrathri in February-March, Navarathri in September-October are the festivals celebrated in the temple. Special pujas are performed for Ambica. Vilakku Puja (lamp puja) is performed on the first day of Chithirai falling almost on April 14 or a day before or after rarely. Lord comes in procession that day.