Pazhur Viswanathar (Navagraha) Temple, Trichy

Address

Kudi Street, Pazhur,

Trichy district,

Tamil Nadu 639101

Moolavar

Viswanathar

Amman

Visalakshi.

Introduction

Viswanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Pazhur Village in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. The temple is also called as Navagraha Temple or Navagraha Sthalam in this region. People from this village and the nearby places visit Navagraha of this temple, as it is believed that Navagrahas of this temple are very powerful. However, this temple is actually a Shiva temple. Presiding deity is called as Vishwanathar and Mother is called as Visalakshi. This temple is in Trichy – Karur Road after Mutharasanallur.

Puranic Significance

This temple was built by Pandian Emperor. The temple is said to be more than 1800 years old. The specialty about this temple is, Trichy was the capital of Chola Kingdom. And Hostility existed between Cholas and Pandians forever. Still it’s a mystery that how the Pandyan temple was built in Chola’s place. In the temple wall Pandian’s have established their sign. The fish sign in the wall denoting that the temple was built by Pandian Emperor. Another mystery in this temple is, the main god is Lord Shiva but the temple was built by Sri Vaishnavas who worship only lord Vishnu. .

The small temple has very small size Linga as the presiding deity. Presiding deity is called as Vishwanathar. The sanctum is east facing. The south facing shrine enshrines a small idol of the Goddess, Vishalakshi. The temple also has other sub-shrines such as Ganesha, Dhakshinamoorthi, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena and Chandikeswara. The idols of Surya, Bhairava and Saneeswarar are also found in the temple.

Navagraha idols were installed in 1932 CE, as per the instructions from Kanchi Maha Swamigal. All Grahas are found with their respective consorts. Their vahanas are found as the relief images below them. Twelve Rasis are installed below Navagrahas. Thus, the Navagrahas in this temple are unique. The entire Navagraha god has weapon in their hand. Each Navagraha god has its own Chakra encrypted in the sculpture.

Beliefs

Devotees pray for child boon, prosperity and fearlessness.

Festivals

Chitra Poornima in April-May; Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; Aadi Pooram in July-August; Vinayaka Chathurthi in August-September; Navarathri in September-October; Maha Shivrathri in February-March.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/03/viswanathar-temple-navagraha-temple-pazhur-trichy.html