I wrote an article on Sri Vanchiyam Siva Temple where a burning ghat is located near the temple.
And this temple is not closed when death occurs in the street where the temple is nor is the temple closed during Eclipses, which is a standard practice in Hindu temples.
I shall be writing a clarification on this in a separate article.
Shiva is His form as Rudra is associated with Death and described as living in Smasanam, Burning ghat.
The ashes of the corpse is smeared by Him all over His body.
The association of Burning ghat with Shiva is more prevalent in South India than North India.
Th
Thirukkadayur Temple.
ough there are Bhairava Temples in the North indicating Shiva’s association with Burning Ghats and there is the association of Varanasi, Benares with Burning Ghat, there seems to be no clear classification of such temples in Sanskrit texts as much as in Tamil texts.
Tamil literature abounds in such references.
And specific temples are grouped as Smasanam Temples.
There are four such temples in Tamil Nadu.
1.Thiruvattanam,Thirukkadavur,near Mayuram Tamil Nadu.
This town is famous for the temple of Abhirami and அமிர்தகடேஸ்வரர். Amirthakadeswarar.
The smasanam is located slighly away from the temple and many miss it.
And one prays for longevity and has Sashtiapthapoorthy performed at Thirukarukavur.
2.Kachi Mayanam. Mayanam in Tamil is burning ghat.
One finds Siva associated with Burning ghat here too.
3.Srivanchiyam..
4.Navalur Mayanam.
5.Sirkazhi.
Shall be writing in detail on each of these.
In some of these places streets have sprung between burning ghat and the temples
It , legend has it, is here Lord Yama, God of Death/Time, Rahu and Kethu(shadow planets) were absolved of their Sins after having had a dip in the Ganga Theertham( Temple Tank).
There is a separate idol and Sannidhi for Yama.
It is believed that people are rid of the Fear of Death and the ill effects of the malfeasance of Rahu and Ketu.
Sri Vanchiyam.Temple Tower.
Name of the presiding Deity Vanchinathar,
Goddess.Mangalambikai.
Sri Vanchiyam
One has to see Lord Vinayaka first, then Yama, Lord Vanchinathar, Mangalambika.
Preferable to have a dip in the Theertham (Temple Tank).
The Temple is closed between 12 and 40 pm.
Legend of The Temple.
People’s whose star sign is Leo ( Simha Rashi ) have to visit Vaanchinathar Temple – Tiruvaanchiyam (Srivanchiyam) in Tamil Nadu twice in an year or atleast once in an year. Should stay in the temple or premises for two and half hours.
“Tiruvanchiyam (Srivanchiyam), one of the Abodes of Lord Shiva is situated in the Cauvery basin near Tiruvarur (about 14 kms from Tiruvarur) and Nanilam in the state of Tamilnadu, India. Considered as a “Mukthisthalam” (land of attainment of salvation), Goddess Ganges is said to have bathed in “Gupta Ganga Theertham”, the holy pond in the temple, to wash away all the sins of those taking bath in Ganges. Srivanchiyam is considered holier than Varanasi (Kasi).
Sivaboga saram
Goddess Mahalakshmi is said to have prayed Lord Shiva to be united with Lord Vishnu and hence this place is called as “Sri Vanchiyam”. There is also a story that Lord Vishnu prayed to get united with Goddess Mahalakshmi. Taking bath in Gupta Ganga Theertham on Sundays in the Tamil month of Karthigai is considered sacred and is said to wash away all sins. Suriyan (Sun) had prayed Lord Shiva here to get rid of his sins and get back is shining best during Karthigai (Nov-Dec)
The temple is said to have withstood the period of great deluge and hence considered very sacred. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva known as Vanchinathan. The Shivalinga here is “swayambhu” and it faces on both the directions East and West. Hence pujas are conducted on both the sides of Shivalingam. Pujas are performed to Vanchinathan using sandalwood leaves. The sthala vruksham here is Sandalwood tree. Lord Shivas consort is known here as Mangalambika.
One of the rare deities in Tiruvanchiyam is “Yoga Bhairavar”. Pujas are performed to Yoga Bhairavar using “Vanni” leaves. It is believed that one gets cured of nervous disorders and diseases if he consumes daily, the powder made from vanni leaves that are used for puja. Yoga Bhairavar is worshipped here to get rid of all evils directed towards a person. Pujas using “red arali” flowers for 6 Krishnapaksha ashtami days (eighth day of waning moon) are performed to beget children. Special prayers on Amavasya days (new moon days) offering Curd Rice, Coconut Rice and Honey helps one to be victorious in all his deeds and to gain profits in business. To get married soon, pujas are performed during Rahu Kaalam on Sundays offering vada made of lentils and ghee.
One is said to have “Kalasarpa dosham” if all the planets are positioned in between Rahu and Kethu in ones horoscope. Srivanchiyam is a lesser-known parihara sthalam for Kethu and Kalasarpa dosham. Pariharam for Rahu is also done here. Rahu-Kethu is here in a single form and known as “Chanda Rahu”.
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