Thiruviyalur (Thiruvisanallur) Sri Sivayoga Nathar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Sri Sivayoga Nathar Temple, Thiruvisanallur Post, Veppathur Via, Kumbakonam Taluk, Tanjure District, Tamil Nadu – 612 105. Tele: +91- 435-200 0679, 94447 47142.

Diety

Sri Sivayoga Nathar, Sri Yoganandheswarar, Sri Vilvaaranyeswarar, Sri Puraathaneswarar

Introduction

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 43rd Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). There are 4 Bairavar idols placed in a row and is known as Chathurkala Bairavars. This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers. This is the birth place of the renowned scholar Saint Sridhara Venkatesa Iyyavaal. According to legend, in ancient times, this region was a forest densely covered with Vilwa trees and hence the lord here is praised as Sri Vilvaranyeswarar. There are 94 stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of Cholas (14 kings – from Paranthakan-I to Kulothungan-III), Pandyas (king Varakuna Pandian) and the Vijayanagara kingdom (king Krishnadevarayar).

Puranic Significance

The Sthala Puranam of this temple mentions the following stories: (a) There was once a brahmin who had ignored his duties and was leading his life in a wrong way. When he realised his mistakes, he visited this temple and worshiped the lord. Although he was a habitual sinner, he came to Lord Shiva with full devotion. For this reason, Lord Shiva blessed him by absolving him of his sins (“papa vimochanam”). (b) There was once a prince called Ganapathy, from a kingdom in Kerala. The prince was involved in various criminal activities. He had illicit relationships with women and had also committed many other sins. He came to this place and worshiped the lord here after taking a dip in this temple’s Theertham. It is believed that Lord Shiva pardoned his mistakes and blessed him with salvation. ( c) Another legend is that of a devotee of Lord Shiva. This devotee visited this temple to worship the lord. However, his life was about to end by that time. Yama, the lord of death had also reached there to perform his duty. In order to save the devotee, Nandhi stopped Yama and punished him. Yama realised his mistake and pleaded to Lord Shiva for forgiveness. It is believed that Lord Shiva pardoned him and let him go. The Nandhi in this temple is positioned in between the Bali Peet and the flag post. Further, the Nandhi’s head is turned to a side.

Festivals

Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai and Somavaram (Mondays) in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Makara Sankranthi in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) and Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar). Pradosham is also observed regularly.