Tiruvaimur Sri Voimoornathar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Tiruvaimur Sri Voimoornathar Temple, Tiruvaimur, Thiruvarur Taluk, Nagapattinam district, Tamil nadu. PH:9786244876

Diety

Voimoornathar Amman: Shiroba vasani

Introduction

Vaimoornathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Tiruvaimur in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is revered in the hymns of 7th century Tamil saivite poets, Appar and Campantar and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The presiding deity is Vaimoornathar (Lord Siva) is believed to have been worshipped by Surya(Sun god). Lord Siva appeared in the dreams of Appar, the 7th century nayanar and Tamil saivite poet and ordered him to make to Tiruvaimur. After making his visits to Tirupazhanam, Tiruvalanchuzhi, Tirunallur and Kumbakonam arrived at the temple here on the day of Tirvathirai for temple festivities. Sambandar also followed him and both these poets revered the Lord here with their hymns. Thyagarajar is called Neela Vidangar and is believed to perform Kamala Natanam. Thala Virutcham : Jack tree Theertham : Sooriya Thirtham

Puranic Significance

The Vitanka form is that form of Lord Siva in His heavenly abode. He desired to have this form on earth also. Lord Indra once solicited this Vitanka form of Lord Siva. Vitankam is a small Sivalinga form and the Lord told Indra that this Lingam could not be worshipped in the Indralokam, a world of pleasures. However, He gave the Vitanka Lingam to Lord Indra because of his compulsion. Knowing the significance of the Lingam, Lord Indra was carrying on the poojas in an appropriate manner. But, the Lord wanted the Lingam to be in the human inhabited terrain. When Emperor Muchukuntha was ruling, people were suffering due to the attack of wild animals. So, the Emperor went off in a hunting expedition and after completing the hunt in the northern part, he came to the banks of river Kaveri. On a Sivarathiri night while he was hunting, a few sages passed that way. They told him that they were proceeding to the Vilvaaranya Kshetram to perform Sivalinga Pooja during Sivarathiri night. Scriptures do not allow animal hunting in Sivarathiri. The regretted king abandoned his kingly attire, wore ascetic outfit and went with the sages. Lord Siva appeared before the king who repented for his action. The Lord told him to retrieve the Sivalinga, which was with Lord Indra and install it in the earth for the purpose of worship. At that time, Lord Indra was seeking help to put down Vaalaasuran and he had offered as gift his elephant Iraavatham, his white umbrella and any gift asked if someone put an end to Vaalaasuran. The Lord advised the king to kill Vaalaasuran and get the Sivalingam as gift. A wise man will win even God. Emperor Muchukundan told Lord Siva: “I’ll do likewise. But Lord Indra is likely to cheat me by giving a similar Lingam like Vitanka Lingam. So, please show me how the Vitanka form would be!” Lord Siva conceded to his request and there arose a flood of light all over the place. Apart from Emperor Muchukundan and the sage, the entire Angel world thronged there. The emotionfilled Muchukundan urged the Lord: “O Lord! Thou be in the Indraloka as well as here as Thou are now. I’ll raise a temple for Thee!” The Lord accepting their plea remains here in this sacred place.

Beliefs

The devotees pray to the Lord of this place to steer clear of the impediments for marriage, to be excellent in studies and to boost up wealth conditions. On fulfillment of prayers the devotees perform abhishekam and offer new clothes to both the Lord and Ambal.

Special Features

There is a pond opposite to the temple. On its banks is Lord Vinayaka. The three-tier Rajagopuram is seen east facing. On the outer circle are the sanctum of Naalvar and Bhairavar and in the inner circle are Vinayaka, Subrahmanya with His Spouses Valli and Deivanai, and Mahalakshmi. There is the court of Lord Nataraja Who appears in a beautiful icon. In this place, the nine planets are in a row. On the southern side to the Prime Deity is the sanctum of Thiagarajar-Neelavitankar, and on the northern side appears Vedaranyeswarar. Many inscriptions scattered around reveal the fact that the temple had been built up in the ancient times by the Pallava and Chola kings.

Festivals

Sivarathiri, Aippasi annabhishekam, Markali Tiruvathirai, and Brahmotsavam is celebrated in Vaikaasi Visaakam. The usual festivals are conducted. Pooja is offered to Lord Bhairavar in Ashtami. On the first day of the Aippasi month special abhishekam is peformed for Lord Thiagarajar.