Tamil Nadu - Nagapattinam   

Arrangements made for `Guru Peyarchi' festival

Staff Reporter

At Vallalar temple in Mayiladuthurai

NAGAPATTINAM: Elaborate arrangements have been made at the famous shrine of Lord Medha Dakshinamurthy (Guru Bhagawan) at the ancient Goddess Gnanambika samedha Lord Vathanyeswarar temple or popularly known as Vallalar temple at Mayiladuturai in the district in connection with the `Guru Peyarchi' festival on Friday.

The temple attracts devotees from all over the places to fulfil their `prarthanas' and offer prayers to Guru Bhagawan. This temple, belonging to the famous Dharmapuram Adheenam in Mayiladuturai, is considered one of the major pilgrimage centres of Lord Guru Bhagawan.

`Guru Peryarchi' this year begins from the early hours of October 20. On this day, Lord Guru Bhagawan (Jupiter) transits from Thula Rasi (Libra) to Vrichika Rasi (Scorpio). Special abishekam and poojas will be performed to the deity in the presence of Sri-la-Sri Shanmugha Desika Gnanasambanda Paramacharya Swamigal, the 26th Guru Maha Sannidhanam of Dharmapuram Adheenam, Mayiladuturai.

The Dharmapuram Adheenam Mutt is also conducting a two-day special `Guru Maha Yagam' and poojas on October 25 and 26 in the temple in connection with the festival.

The temple is situated on the northern bank of the River Cauvery in Mayiladuturai and the Rishabha Mandapam in the middle attracts the pilgrims.

The main deity called Lord Vathanyeswarar in Sanskrit is popularly known as Vallalar in Tamil, means that the Lord will bless the devotees with all prosperity.

There is also a separate shrine for Goddess Gnanambika, the consort of Lord Siva here.

Lord Medha Dakshinamurthy (Guru Bhagawan) shrine is situated on the southern side of the sanctum sanctorum.

Here, the Guru Bhagawan (Jupiter) is seen in a sitting yogasana and he right hand in `chinmudhra' posture that is in the form of offering `upadesam'.

The left hand is seen holding a book to teach the devotees. The unique feature of the deity is that the Lord is seated on the Nandhi offering `upadesam' to Rishaba Deva who is seated in front.

Besides, the presiding deity of Medha Dakshinamurthy, there is an ancient bronze idol of `utsavamurthi' of the Lord, which used to be taken in a procession on a silver `Kailasa Vahanam' on the New Moon Day in the Tamil month of `Aipasi'.

On the same day, Goddess Ganga Devi is also taken in a procession on a crocodile mount.

It is believed that the Ganges flows into Cauvery at Mayiladuturai during the Tamil month of Aipasi.

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Arrangements made for `Guru Peyarchi' festival

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