80 Friday Temple Visit
19th August 2022
வாரம் ஒரு கோவில் தரிசனம்
by S. Subramaniam
SRI DAKSHINAMURTHY TEMPLE, GOVINDAVADI, KANCHEEPURAM, TAMIL NADU
Location
Sri Dakshinamurthy Temple is located at Govindavadi Village near Agaram in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. It lies at a distance of about 12 Kms from Kanchipuram and 15 Kms from Arakkonam. The temple is also known as Gurusthalam temple.
Salient Features
Lord Dakshinamoorthy, an aspect of Lord Shiva, is the presiding deity. The shrine of Dakshinamoorthy, as is the general practice, faces South. Interestingly another shrine, adjacent to the main shrine, facing east is dedicated to Lord Shiva known here as Kailassnathar. Devi Parvati is known as Akhilandeswari. The Holy tree (Sthala Vruksham) associated with the temple is the Banyan tree. River Palar flows to the South of the temple.
Uniqueness
Lord Dakshinamoorthy is usually depicted resting his right foot on Muyalagan. Here he is shown resting it on a tortoise known as Koormam in Sanskrit.
Legends
Lord Vishnu gets his damaged discus repaired.
Once Lord Vishnu’s discus the famous Sudarshan Chakra, accidentally slipped down and fell on Maharshi Thatheesi. In the process it injured the sage and lost its sharpness. Lord Vishnu then visited this temple, worshipped Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva assured him that the discus would come back to him fully powered at an appropriate time.
With the blessings of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu got his damaged discus repaired, says the Sthala Purana (Legend relating to the temple).
Legend relating to Govinda Swamy Perumal
Another legend has it that Lord Govinda Swamy Perumal (Lord Vishnu again) along with his two wives Sridevi and Bhudevi was tutored the Vedas by Dakshinamoorthy. As Lord Shiva appeared before Vishnu in the form Guru, he is worshipped here as Lord Dakshinamurthy.
There is a separate shrine for Govinda Swamy Perumal with his consorts.
Legend relating to Thandavarayar and Viboothi Kavadi:
Legend has it that Lord Dakshinamoorthy is said to have appeared before one of his ardent devotees, Thandavarayar, a resident of Govindavadi and bestowed on him his grace and the `scared ash.' Thandavarayar established a religious math at Govindavadi and observed Visaka nakshatram in the Tamil month of Chithirai as Guru Puja day by taking out Viboothi Kavadi from his math and performing special pujas to Dakshinamoorthy. This practice is continued by his descendants.
Some Special features exclusive to this temple
Lord Vinayaka, in this temple, is seen placed on a special seat called Avudaiyar.
Instead of Sri Choornam Or Thiruman, the symbol onthe forehead of Lord Vishnu, here Kumkum and Sandal paste are used for alankara of the Lord.
Adi Shankara had visited this temple that's why we have a shrine for him here.
Lord Dakshinamurthy graces with the third eye on the forehead and with the crescent moon as Lord Shiva himself.
The Annabishekam (decorating the idol with cooked rice) is performed to Lord Dakshinamoorthy in this temple.
As the Lord granted darshan to Lord Vishnu privately, the banyan tree (usually associated with Dakshinamoorthy) is not here but a structure (Mandapam) representing Mount Kailash is shown.
The panchasanam of Lord Dakshinamoorthy consists of (1)eight Simhams (lions), eight nagams (five-headed snakes), right Dwarapalaka (armed guards), eight Gajas (elephants) and `eight dikpalakas (regents of eight cardinal points.)
Guru Parihara Sthalam
The temple is considered as a Guru Parhara Sthalam. People facing adverse effects of planet Jupiter pray in the temple by light lamps in coconut shells. Women perform Sumangali Puja to Mother for happy wedding. Every Thursday is considered a special occasion and devotees visit this temple in large numbers.
Contact
Sri Dakshinamurthy Temple,
Govindavadi- 631 502,
Kancheepuram District,
Tamilnadu, India
Phone: +91- 44 - 3720 9615, 27294200
Mobile: +91 - 93809 57562.
Disclaimer
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