Tiruvijayamangai Sri Vijaya Natheswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Tiruvijayamangai Sri Vijaya Natheswarar Temple, Tiruvijayamangai, Thanjavur district -612 301 Phone: +91- 435- 294 1912, 94435 86453, 93443 30834.

Diety

Vijaya Natheswarar – Vijaya Nathar Amman: Mangala Nayaki – Mangai Nayaki.

Introduction

Vijayanatheswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Vijayamangai Village in Papanasam Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Vijayanatheswarar and Mother is called as Mangalanayagi / Mangalambikai. Presiding deity Lord Shiva is facing east. Mother Mangalambikai is facing south. There are shrines of LordsNardana Vinayaka, Anugraha Dakshinamurthy, Sun and Moon. It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Thirugnana Sambanthar and Tirunavukkarasar. This Temple is the 101st Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 47th Sthalam on the north side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Saint Arunagirinathar had sung the glory of Lord Muruga in the temple in his Thirupugazh hymns. The temple is built in accordance with the Chola designs. The one different feature of the temple is that the Rajagopuram issmaller than the tower above the sanctum sanctorum. Mother Mangala Nayaki graces devotees with Her two hands with Abhaya Mudra (assuring protection to devotees), one with Akshamala and Neelothpala flower in the fourth. Saint Arunagiriar had sung the glory of Lord Muruga in the temple in his Tirupugazh hymns. The holy water of this temple is Arjuna Theertham. The agamam or pooja of this temple is known as Kameeyam. According to the Hindu religious scholars and pundits, “The Lord of the temple is praised in the Thevram hymns of Saint Tirugnanasambandar. This is the 47th Shiva temple on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.” Theertham : Arjuna Theertham

Puranic Significance

According to the Indian epic Mahabharata, Arjuna desired to get the Pasupatha missile to conquer the Kurukshetra war. Lord Krishna told him that though he got many weapons with the blessings of his father Indira, for Pasupatha he had to appeal to Lord Shiva only. Arjuna came to this place and performed penance on Lord Shiva. Duryodhana sent a demon Mookasura to spoil the penance and kill Arjuna. Lord Shiva appeared at the spot as a hunter with Mother Parvathi followed by four dogs representing the four Vedas. Lord shot an arrow on the Mookasura pig and killed it while simultaneously Arjuna too hit the pig with his arrow. An argument arose between and Hunter Lord and Arjuna as to whose arrow hit the animal first. War of words between the two ended in true fight. Lord broke Arjuna’s arrow. Exasperated Arjuna hit the Lord with the broken arrow and the impact of the blow was felt by all in the three worlds. Lord appeared before him with Mother Parvathi in his true form and blessed him with the Pasupatha weapon. When Shiva was about to give the Pasupathastra, Mother Parvathi had a doubt whether Arjuna really deserved it. Then Lord asked Arjuna to show his hand to the Mother. When Arjuna showed his hand to Mother Parvathi, she studied it carefully and decided that he was having the required characteristics to receive the Pasupathastra. The scar on the Linga is still visible on the Linga. As Arjuna (Vijaya) performed penance here, the place was named Thiru Vijaya Mangai.

Beliefs

Those facing delays in marriage pray in the temple for early results. Those facing delays in marriage pray in the temple for early results. Devotees perform abishek, offer vastras to Lord and Mother and contribute for the renovation of the temple.

Special Features

The scar on the Linga is still visible on the Linga. As Arjuna-Vijaya performed penance here, the place was named Tiru Vijaya Mangai. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. The scar caused by Arjuna is still visible on the Shiva Linga. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanars Tirugnanasambandar and Tirunavukkarasar.

Festivals

Masi Maha Shivrathri is grandly celebrated in the temple in February-March. The major festivals of this temple are Masi Maha Shivrathri in February-March is grandly celebrated in the temple.