Thirukanji Villianur Gangavaraga Nadheeswarar Temple, Puducherry

Address

Thirukanji, Villianur,

Puducherry – 605110

Mobile: +91 94427 86351

Moolavar

Gangavaraga Nadheeswarar

Introduction

Gangavaraga Nadheeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thirukanji Village near Villianur Town in Union Territory of Puducherry, India. This is an ancient temple situated on the southern bank of Sankaraparani River (Varaga Nadhi). This is unique place because about nine Siddhar’s Jeeva Samadhi buried near this temple.

Puranic Significance

It is believed that the temple was completely destroyed during the 12th Century floods. Once a wealthiest temple went in devastation when the Nawab and French had battle near it. Battle of Abhishekapakkam and riots by Muslim ruler made the temple to get diminish in its form. During the French Rule under the governorship of Dupleix, Ariyankuppam was invaded by Maqfouz Khan, son of Carnatic Nawab Anwaruddin with the help of his brother Muhammed Ali on February 14, 1747. After attacking Ariyankuppam, he captured this temple and robbed off its wealth. Also, he converted the temple to his fort started plundering the nearby temples. Anandaranga Pillai, Diwan to the French Governor requested French to help to save this temple from Nawab’s destruction. Anandaranga Pillai and French officials started dialogue with the Nawabs and safely secured the Temple.

Gangavaraga Nadheeswarar: This temple has got the name of the river on the bank it exists. Gangai + Varaga + Nadhi + Eswarar = Gangavaraga Nadheeswarar. Varaga Nadhi flowing here is considered as Gangai and it decorates the Eswarar here.

Greater than Kasi: As per the legend, once a priest was going to Kasi to dissolve his parents Asthi on ganga river. When he reached this place, Asthi became flowers and also, he heard a divine voice stating that this place was more powerful than Kasi. Based on this, he dissolved his parents Asthi in Varaha Nadi and worshipped Lord Shiva. From then, this temple is famous for doing Pitru Tharpan. It is also noted that Lord Rama did Shrardha ceremony for his father during his Vanavasa here. Even today, doing Ammavasai Tharpanam here is considered a higher boon than doing it in Kashi.

Equivalent to Ganga: Among the temples Gangai Varaga Nadheeswarar Temple located at Thiru Kanchi in Puducherry named after this river Varaga Nathi. The name suggests that this river Sankaraparani has the same power as of Gangai Nathi (The River Ganges) as per Hindu Mythology. The River is also called Uthara Vahini here as it flows in the northern direction.

Agastheeswaram: Sage Agasthiyar visited this temple and worshiped the Lord here and hence visiting this temple is equal to visiting Kasi temple in north India. Also, it is believed that sage Agasthya sculpted and installed the Lingam here. Since Agasthiyar worshipped Lord Shiva, this temple is also called as Agastheeswaram.

Rahu and Kethu Worshipped Lord Shiva here: Rahu and Kethu Worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple here.

Thirukanji: This place is considered equivalent to Kasi. Hence it is called as Thiru Kasi and later got corrupted to Thirukanji.

Beliefs

Ammavasai Tharpanam here is considered a higher boon than doing it in Kashi. Devotees pray to Lord to get relief from Pitru Dosham and Sins. Devotees pray to Lord to get rid of Rahu Kethu Dosha.

Special Features

The old Temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old. The current structure is a new form of temple. The Temple is having five tiered Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Gangavaraga Nadheeswarar / Agastheeswarar. The Lord faces the West, instead of East as is commonly seen in all temples. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lingam is Shodasa Lingam (16 faceted). The Lingam was believed to be sculpted by Sage Agasthiyar. Similar to Visalakshi and Annapoorani in Kasi, here Meenakshi and Kamakshi Amman are the two forms of Uma worshipped here. Mother Kamakshi shrine is situated to the right side of the sanctum and she is facing south. Mother Meenakshi is housed in a separate shrine facing east. There are shrines of Vinayaga, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Vishnu, Durga, Dhakshinamoorthy, Bhairavar, Lakshmi Varaha Perumal, Agasthya and Navagrahas in the temple premises. There are Jeeva Samadhis of Nine Siddhars (Kubera Varman, Kesava Varman, Nagendhiran, Kamalan, Vyuga Muni, Mangalan etc.) in the banks of Varaha Nadhi. Jeeva Samadhi of Sri Gangadhara Swamigal is situated to the north-eastern direction of this temple. There were 3 inscriptions in this temple of which two belonged to Kulothunga Chola and other once belonged to Pandya Kings. There is another temple on the Northern Bank of the river by name as Kasi Vishwanathar. Masi Magam is celebrated here in grand manner.

Festivals

Every year in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-March) during the Magam Nachathiram day this temple festival is celebrated. Maasi Magam – ten days festival is celebrated including car festival on the ninth day.

References

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