Thirumangalam Sri Samavedeeswarar Temple, Trichy

Address

Thirumangalam Sri Samavedeeswarar Temple, Thirumangalam, Lalgudi Circle, Trichy District – 621703.

Deity

Samavedeeswarar Amman: Loka Nayaki.

Introduction

• Temple Name: Samavedeeswarar Temple
• Location: Thirumangalam, Trichy District, Tamil Nadu
• Presiding Deity: Lord Shiva as Sama Vedeeswarar
• Mother Goddess: Loka Nayaki
• Uniqueness: The only temple in the world dedicated to the Samaveda
• Sacredness: Considered equally sacred as Kasi and Gaya
• Architecture: Built during the Chola period with unique sculptures
• Historical Figure: Birth and Mukthi place of Anaya Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars
• Administration: Managed by the Hindu Religious Endowment Board

Puranic Significance:

• Chola Period Stone Inscriptions: Date back to the 11th century CE, developed by Raja Raja Chola
• Legend of Parasurama: He worshipped here to rid himself of the sin of killing his mother, hence the holy tank is called Parasurama Theertham, and the village is named Parasurameswaram
• Lakshmi’s Worship: Goddess Lakshmi worshipped Shiva here, leading to the village’s name, Thirumangalam

Beliefs:

• Parihara Sthalam: For doshas related to neglecting ancestors (like Parasurama and Chandikeswara)
• Healing Powers: Bhairavar is believed to cure ills, and Saneeshwara is believed to restore losses

Special Features:

• Temple Structure: Faces east with three prakaras and a three-tiered tower
• Courtyard: Long mandapa with pillars and sculptures, featuring Nandi, bali peetha, and Kodimara Ganapati
• Sanctum: Houses the big Shiva Linga named Sama Vedeeswarar, with Nandi facing the sanctum
• Ardha Mandapam: Contains idols of Ganesha and Chandikeswara (Chandikeswara is unusually found here)
• Koshta Murtis: Include Dhakshinamoorthi (in rare abhaya mudra), Bhikshatana, Shankara Narayana, Brahma, and Durga
• Unique Sculptures: Durga rests on a lion, not Mahishasura, and a separate idol of the sage Jaimini is found before Dhakshinamoorthi

Festivals:

• Regular Poojas: Pradosham, Fridays, Mahashivaratri, Pongal, Vinayagar Chathurthi, Karthigai Deepam
• Special Pooja: Anaya Nayanar’s Guru Pooja on Hastha Nakshatra day in November

Century/Period/Age

11th century CE

Managed By

Hindu Religious Endowment Board. (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Thirumangalam

Nearest Railway Station

Lalgudi

Nearest Airport

Trichy

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