76 Friday Temple Visit
22nd July 2022
வாரம் ஒரு கோவில் தரிசனம்
by S. Subramaniam
Shri Swarnapureeswarar Temple, Sembanarkoil, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu
Location
The famous Shiva Temple, Swarnapureeswarar Temple is located on the southern banks of River Cauvery in village Sembanarkoil, which is about 10 Kms from Mayiladuthurai and about 12 Kms from Thirukkadaiyur.
Google maps location tag :- 4P4R+348, Boopathi Nagar, Sembanarkoil, Tamil Nadu 609309, India
https://goo.gl/maps/qLooW1vtSe5mKZqa7
Salient features
The name of the presiding deity is Swarnapureeswarar and Devi Parvati is known in this temple by the name Sugantha Kundalambigai (a name given to her by Lord Shiva, the original one being Daakshayinee. ) The Sthala vriksham is the Vanni tree and the Theertham is called Surya Pushkarani.
Name of the place
The place is also referred to as Sem Ponnar Kovil and during medieval period it was called Thiru Chem Ponn Palli. The roofing of the Vimanam of the temple is made of reddish gold and hence the name. During ancient times, the place was referred to as Lakshmipuri, Indrapuri and Skandapuri as the Lord of the temple was worshipped respectively by Devi Lakshmi, Indira and Muruga.
Uniqueness
The Shivalinga in the temple is on a 16 petal lotus designed Avudaiyar – the peetam.
This is the only Shiva temple where a festival in the name of the Sun God Saura Mahotsavam is held.
History
The temple is about 2000 years old and is one of the Maada kovil (temple erected on a raised platform) built by Ko Chenkann Chozhan. The present structure was however constructed by Adithya Chozhan (879 – 907 CE). Additions were made during the reign of Kulothunga Chozhan during the 12th century and extensive renovations were later made by the Thanjavur Maratha king Serfoji II Bhonsle - (1787-1793) and again (1798-1832) - (in Tamil his name is written as Saraboji).
Legends
According to the Sthala Puranam (History of the temple) there are five legends relating to this temple, out of which three are directly connected with the post Daksha Yajna episode. Details.....
Legend 1 of 5 - relating to Devi Lakshmi
It is noteworthy that Devi Mahalakshmi performed penance on Lord Shiva of this temple to have the hands of Lord Vishnu as her husband. Her wish was fulfilled by the Lord Shiva. Hence, the place got the name Lakshmipuri.
Legend 2 of 5 - relating to Lord Indira
It was also called Indirapuri as Indira worshipped Lord Shiva here to get the weapon Vajrayudha to kill demon Vruddhasura.
Legend 3 of 5 - Muruga in the form of Lord Shiva
The story goes that when Lord Shiva refused to receive Mother Parvathi back home after her visiting Daksha’s Yajna against his advice, Lord Muruga came to the Mother in the form of Lord Shiva and imparted good advice in this place. Based on this story, Lord Muruga appears in the temple with an Akshamala. Lord Shiva is worshipped in this place only as Veerabhadra form.
Legend 4 of 5 - Lord Shiva naming Parvati as Sugantha Kundalambigai
Devi Parvati, in her form as Dakshayani, daughter of Daksha, wanted to wash off her sin and get united back with Lord Shiva. She performed severe penance here sitting around five types Agni-fire. The Lord, pleased with her penance named her Sugantha Kundalambikai and took her to bless devotees along with him in the temple.
Legend 5 of 5 - the sun god Surya worshipping Lord Shiva
When Lord Shiva directed Veerabhadra to destroy the Yajna and kill Daksha, Veerabhadra also punished those who had taken to Daksha's side. He broke the teeth of the sun god Surya, who later repented his mistake, visited this temple and offered prayers to Lord Shiva. The temple tank is believed to have been created by him and hence it got the name, Surya Pushkarani. As an acknowledgement of his sincere devotion, Lord Shiva had directed observance of the annual festival Saura Mahotsavam.
Other deities
Apart from the main shrines of Swarnapureeswarar and Devi Sugandha Kundalambigai, there are shrines and idols of Lord Vinayaka, Lord Indira Vinayaka, Bala Subramania, Veerabhadra, Bhairava, Dakshinamoorthy, Srinivasa Perumal, Gaja Lakshmi and Durga. Added attraction is the idol of the King Ko Chenkann Chozhan worshiping Lord Shiva along with a monk and his minister.
Urchavavars ( metal idols that are taken out during procession) are Somaskandar, Chandrasekarar and Nataraja. There is a separate shrine for Sapta Kannigas near Mother's shrine and a shrine dedicated to Sibi Katchinathar holding a deer and an axe (mazhu in Tamil).
Special Festival
The rays of Sun fall on the presiding deity for 12 days in Chithirai (April-May) in the morning hours when special pujas are performed in the temple. On the ninth day a car festival is celebrated called Soura Mahotsavam.
Literary Mentions
This is the 159th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam with hymns composed by Thiru Gnana Sambhandar, Appar, Vallalar and Chidambaram Swamigal. Says Gnana Sambandar, No miseries would peep in to the life of those worshipping my Lord, gracing from Semponpalli, with Mother on his left and holding in his hands the Maan (deer) and Mazhu (axe) and his long hair glittering as golden thread.
திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
மருவார் குழலி மாதோர் பாகமாய்த்
திருவார் செம்பொன் பள்ளி மேவிய
கருவார் கண்டத்து ஈசன் கழல்களை
மருவா தவர்மேல் மன்னும் பாவமே
திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்
ஞாலமும் அறிய வேண்டில் நன்றென வாழ லுற்றீர்
காலமும் கழிய லான கள்ளத்தை ஒழிய கில்லீர்
கோலமும் வேண்டா ஆர்வச் செற்றங்கள் குரோத நீக்கில்
சீலமும் நோன்பும் ஆவார் திருச்செம்பொன் பள்ளி யாரே
திரு அருட்பா - வள்ளலார்
நெறிகொண்டே அன்பள்ளியோங்கம் அறிவுடையோர் வாழ்த்துஞ் செம்பொன்பள்ளி வாழ் ஞான போதமே
ஸ்ரீ சிதம்பரம் ஸ்வாமிகள்
தாசரடியார் தாசன் என இருந்திடு முனைத் தன் பெருமை யறியாமலே தனை ஒத்த பேரெனப் பிள்ளை விளையாட்டினைத் தருமிளம் பருவத்தினால்
ஆசையோடழைத் தனன் எங்கள் குமரேசனுடன் அம்புலீ ஆடவாவே அழகு செம்பொன் பள்ளி ஆறானனத்துடன்
Very interesting. Keep posting!
Nice article, keep up the work.