Vasudevanallur Chintamaninathar Temple (Arthanareeswar Temple) - Thirunelveli

Address

Vasudevanallur Chintamaninathar Temple (Arthanareeswar Temple) – Thirunelveli

Vasudevanallur,

Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu – 627 758

Mobile: +91 94423 29420

Moolavar

Chintamaninathar / Arthanareeswar

Amman

Idapaga Valli.

Introduction

Chintamaninathar Temple, also called as Arthanareeswar Temple is located at Vasudevanallur in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Chintamaninathar / Arthanareeswar. Mother is called as Idapaga Valli. Sthala Vriksham is Tamarind tree and Theertham of this Temple is River Karuppai. Historically this place is called as Vasavanur. The Great King Pulithevan fought against Britisher in Vasudevanallur. The temple is near the old Vasudevanallur bus stand.

Puranic Significance

Lord appeared in Arthanareeswara form to Parvathi:

Sage Brungi was worshipping Lord Shiva alone ignoring Mother Parvathi under the impression that Shivam and Shakti were different from each other. Though Mother Parvathi prevailed upon Lord Shiva to teach the truth to Brungi, He showed no attention. Mother Parvathi left Lord Shiva and took to penance under a tamarind tree. Lord appeared before her in the Arthanareeswara form. He is also called Chintamaninathar.

Lord cured disease of Kulasekhara son of King Ravi Varman:

A king ruling this region Ravi Varman by name was a staunch Shiva devotee. The king was much worried that no physician could cure the illness suffered by his son Kulasekharan. A Shiva devotee met the king and advised him to worship the Lord of this place. His son was cured. The king built this temple then.

Beliefs

Those seeking child boon, bathe in the river and worship Ambica and they are sure to be blessed with a child. Hence the river is praised as Karu-pai – womb. Couples separated due to some problems pray to Arthanareeswara for reunion. Realizing their wish, the devotees perform special abishek to Lord and offer vastras.

Special Features

The presiding deity blesses the devotees in his Arthanareeswara form. The taste of the tamarind tree here is both sweet and citric. Lord Sri Arthanareeswara has Ganga on the head. On the Shiva-male part (right) there is crescent moon. Behind the Ambica part in left behind, is the Jada-turf. The hands of Shiva part hold trident, skull and ear ring. On the Ambica part, the hands hold Pasa-rope, ‘Angusa, bouquet and ear ring. The legs of Shiva part has anklet of male design and that of Ambica part has the female design. Shiva part has dhoti and Ambica part has the sari for dressing. Ambica part of the Lord is called Idabaga valli-occupying the left part of the Lord. Maharishi Brungi is the procession deity of the temple. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. During the Aani Brahmmotsavam, Lord Shiva and Ambica are placed close together and sage Brungi is placed as if he worships Lord Shiva alone ignoring Ambica. The ritual goes to show the anger of Ambica on Brungi for his attitude, Lord Shiva appearing as Arthanareeswara and Brungi correcting himself by worshipping both together. As the Lord is amidst Tamarind trees, He is named Chinthamani Nathar. Chintha means tamarind. The fruits of these trees are both sweet and citric in taste.

There are shrines for Lord Nataraja, Lord Bhairava without his dog vehicle and Yoga Chandikeswara in worshipping form showing a different sculpture style. There are also shrines for Sun, Lord Yoga Dakshinamurthy, Juradevar, Sapthamadhas, Veerabhadra, Panchalingam, Mother Mahalakshmi, Dharma Sastha, Lord Siddhi Vinayaka, Sani Baghwan, Nagaraja and Nagarani. Sthala Vriksham is Tamarind tree and Theertham of this Temple is River Karuppai.

Festivals

The temple celebrates Aani Brahmmotsavam in June-July, Aipasi Skandasashti in October-November, Margazhi Thiruvadirai in December-January and Thai new moon day in January-February. Special pujas are performed here on Shivaratri day. Instead of an Annabishekam to the Lord in Aipasi – October- November as traditionally followed, this event is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil Year day – Chithirai – falling almost on April 14 each year.