Thirukanji Villianur Gangavaraga Nadheeswarar Temple, Puducherry

Address

Thirukanji Villianur Gangavaraga Nadheeswarar Temple, Puducherry

Thirukanji, Villianur,

Puducherry – 605110

Mobile: +91 94427 86351

Moolavar

Gangavaraga Nadheeswarar

Introduction

Location:

• Situated at Thirukanji Village, near Villianur Town, Union Territory of Puducherry, India.
• Located on the southern bank of the Sankaraparani River (Varaga Nadhi).

Puranic Significance:

• The temple is believed to have been destroyed during the 12th-century floods caused by the Nawab and French battle.
• Maqfouz Khan, the son of Carnatic Nawab Anwaruddin, invaded the temple during the French rule in 1747 and plundered its wealth, later turning the temple into a fort.
• French officials, including Anandaranga Pillai, secured the temple from Nawab’s destruction.
• Gangavaraga Nadheeswarar is named after the river Varaga Nadhi, considered as sacred as the Ganges.

Legendary Origins:

• Greater than Kasi: According to legend, a priest’s parents’ ashes turned to flowers when he reached this temple, and a divine voice declared this place more powerful than Kasi. This led to the temple becoming renowned for Pitru Tharpan rituals.
• Lord Rama is said to have performed the Shrardha ceremony for his father during his exile here.
• Sankaraparani River is believed to hold the same power as the Ganges (Gangai Nadhi) in Hindu mythology and is also called Uthara Vahini due to its northward flow.

Agastheeswaram:

• Sage Agasthiyar is believed to have sculpted and installed the Lingam at the temple, and his worship here makes the temple equivalent to visiting Kasi in North India.
• The temple is also known as Agasthyeeswarar because of his significant association.

Rahu and Kethu Worship:

• Rahu and Kethu are said to have worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple.

Thirukanji:

• The town is considered equivalent to Kasi and is hence referred to as Thiru Kasi.
• The name “Thirukanji” is a corruption of Thiru Kasi.

Beliefs:

• Ammavasai Tharpanam at this temple is considered to offer greater benefits than doing it in Kashi.
• Devotees come here to seek relief from Pitru Dosham (ancestral karma) and to get rid of Rahu-Kethu Dosha.

Special Features:

• The temple is over 1500 years old, although the current structure is a newer version.
• Features a five-tiered rajagopuram.
• Presiding deity: Gangavaraga Nadheeswarar (Lord Shiva) in the form of a Shodasa Lingam (16-faceted), believed to be sculpted by Sage Agasthiyar.
• Lingam faces West, which is unusual for most temples.
• Goddess Kamakshi is enshrined facing South and Meenakshi in a separate shrine facing East.
• Other shrines include those for Vinayaga, Lord Murugan (with his consorts Valli and Deivanai), Vishnu, Durga, Dhakshinamoorthy, Bhairavar, Lakshmi Varaha Perumal, Agasthya, and the Navagrahas.
• Nine Siddhars’ Jeeva Samadhis are present on the banks of Varaha Nadhi.
• Jeeva Samadhi of Sri Gangadhara Swamigal is located to the north-east of the temple.
• There are three inscriptions found in the temple, two from the Kulothunga Chola dynasty and one from the Pandya Kings.
• An additional temple, Kasi Vishwanathar, is located on the northern bank of the river.

Festivals:

• The Maasi Magam festival (celebrated in February-March) is one of the most significant festivals at the temple, lasting for ten days.
• The Car Festival takes place on the ninth day of the Maasi Magam celebrations.

References

https://explore-pondicherry.blogspot.com/2018/08/gangavaraga-nadheeswarar-temple-thirukanji-villianur-puducherry.html

Century/Period

1500 Years Old

Nearest Bus Station

Villianur

Nearest Railway Station

Villianur

Nearest Airport

Puducherry

Location on Map

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