Friday Temple Visit - Week # 84
16th September 2022
வாரம் ஒரு கோவில் தரிசனம்
by S. Subramaniam
Sri Bhakta Janeswarar Temple, Thirunavalur, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu.
Location:
Shri Bhakta Janeswarar Temple is located in village Thirunavalur and lies between the rivers Gadilam and Pennar. It is about 28 Kms from Villupuram, 12 Kms from Panruti and 15 Kms from Ulundurpettai.
Uniqueness:
The temple is considered to be one of the oldest one and is said to have existed here even before the 4 yugas.
There are several Shiva lingams in this temple that are believed to have been worshipped by Lord Mahavishnu in Kirutha yuga, Chandikeswarar in Thretha yuga, Lord Brahma in Dwapara yuga, and Saint Sundara Moorthy Nayanar in Kali yuga.
Salient Features:
The presiding deity of this temple is known by several names such as Sri Naavaleeswarar, Sri Bhakta Janeswarar, Sri Jambu Natheswarar.
Devi Parvati is known as Sri Manonmani Devi, Sri Sundara Nayaki and Sri Naavalambika. The sacred tree (Sthala Vriksham) of the temple is the Jambu phalam (lin Sanskrit, Naval Pazham in Tamil and Black Berry in English. The sacred waters (Sthala Theertham) of the temple are three in number respectively known as the Gomukhi Theertham, the Gadilam river and the Garuda river.t
Significance of Name of the place:
During ancient times, the temple was known as “Thiru Thondeecharam” and the place around it was called Jambunathapuri. Later it was known as Thiru Namanallur but presently it is called Thiru Navalur.
In ancient times, the area was abundant with Jambu (black Berry) trees and as per Sthala Puranam (Legend related to the temple) this was due to the effect of a drop of the poison drank by Lord Shiva falling in this place.
History:
The temple is believed to be in existence even before tt four Yugas. In general it is assumed to more than 2000 years old. However, the credit of erecting the present structure goes to Parantaka Chozhan I (873-955 CE).
Several stone inscriptions in the temple inform us that during the subsequent periods endowments were made to the temple by later monarchs such as Raja Raja Chozhan, Kulothunga Chozhan etc.
Legends
1 of 6 : Antiquity of the Temple:
When the milk ocean was churned, Lord Shiva consumed the halahala poison to protect the lives of all creatures. The drops that fell on earth were grown into a dense forest of Jumbo fruit trees. It was at this place that the Lord descended on this spot and the antiquity of the place is said to be earlier to the Yugas began. There was only a sanctum and no other buildings in ancient times. It was only later that a proper temple was built and later extended by Chozha kings.
2 of 6: Relating to Sundara Moorthy Nayanar.
This is the birthplace of saint Sundara Moorthy Nayanar. Legend has it that Alalasundaram, a fervent devotee of Lord Shiva at Mt. Kailash was entrusted with the job of fetching flowers for the worship of the Lord daily. One day while plucking flowers in the garden he met two lovely maidens and immediately fell in love with them. He forgot his duty and earned the anger of the Lord who cursed the three to be born in earth.
Alala was born in this village as Sundarar and the two maidens as Paravai Nachiyar and Sangli Nachiyar. He married Paravai at Thiruvarur and Sangli at Thiruvottiyur.
On the day of marriage, the Lord in the disguise of an old man produced a palm leaf, demanding his enslaving of Sundarar . Sundarar calls him a mad man (Pithan) which later becomes the opening lines of his first ever pathigam on the Lord Pitha Pirsi Soodi.. Later he composes numerous hymns and ultimately grants all thr three Mukti (liberation) and takes them back to Mt. Kailash.
3 of 6 Relating to Lord Maha Vishnu:
Lord Maha Vishnu is believed to have Lord Shiva here to seek his blessings before taking the “Narasimha Avatar” to destroy demon Hiranyakashipu. There is a separate shrine for Sri Varadaraja Perumal in this temple.
4 of 6 : Relating to Chandikeshwara.
It is believed that Sivapriyar, a Shiva devotee, worshipped Lord Shiva here and attained the post of Chandikeswarar. Beautifully engraved reliefs depicting the life of Chandikeswarar can be seen in this temple.
5 of 6: Relating to Planet Sukra
The Planet God Sukra (Venus) worshipped Lord Shiva and Mother Goddess at this temple to get his Vakra Dhosham cleared off. Special pujas are offered to the Lingam, installed by him known as Bhargaveeswara.
6 of 6 Relating to Garuda
It is also believed that in a fight between Garuda and the Serpent Adhiseshan, Garuda had turned blue after coming in contact with Adhiseshan's venom. He prayed to Lord Shiva here and got relief from his discolour.
The Temple:
The temple complex covers an area of two acres and all its shrines are enclosed with concentric rectangular walls. The temple’s entrance has a 5- tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has two corridors.. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Bhakta Janeswarar, his consort Manonmani Amman and
Other deities:
Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthy (self-manifested) who is believed to have appeared amid the forest of Jambu trees.
Devi Parvathi is in a separate shrine and can be seen in a meditative posture. It is interesting to see that her hair is not braided or tied.
Lord Vinayakar and Lord Murugan with his consorts can be seen in the corridors. The Utsava Murthy of Lord Natarajar with Sivakami Amman, Vinayakar, Murugan, Bhikshandar, Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar with his two wives can be seen in the temple’s hall.
Lord Dakshinamurthy is seen in a standing posture with his bull mount but without Muyalagan under his feet.
Devi Durga in this shrine is known as Kanaka Durga.
Litatary Mentions:
As the temple is revered in Thevaram, it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. Sundarar has venerated Bhakta Janeswarar in ten verses in Thevaram. Thirunavalur is highly praised by Sekkizhar in his celebrated epic Periyapuranam also known as Thiruthondar Puranam. Saint Arunagirinathar sung praising the glories of Lord Subramanya in this temple.
Contact
Sri Bhaktajaneswarar Temple,
Thirunavalur, Ulundurpet Taluk,
Villupuram District – 607 204 Tamilnadu, India
Phone: +91 4149 224 391
Mobile: +91 99433 59480 / 94436
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