Time for renovation
The five-tier Rajagopuram of the Vatavaranyeshwarar temple.
THE VERY mention of the village's name — Thiruvalangadu — will evoke memories of the famous violinist, `Suswara' Sundaresa Iyer, in old timers in Carnatic music circles. Thiruvalangadu is a village on the banks of the river Cauvery. The legend has it that, Bharata Muni and his spouse Subhadra prayed in this Thiruvalangadu village for progeny, after taking bath in the Puthrakameshwarar teertham inside the temple, where the main deities are Puthrakameshti Lingam, Vatavaranyeshwarar and Vandarkuzhali Nayaki (Goddess Parvati). Other shrines for which this temple is famous are:
Erattai (twin) Vinayakar — one of them very ancient and the one next to it called Puthra Santhana Pillaiyar, believed to be installed by Bharata Munivar. It is said that as an answer to the prayers of Bharata Munivar and his wife, Goddess Parvati took birth as their child. As a human being, she performed pujas to a Lingam in the nearby village of Kutralam to unite with Lord Siva as His consort. To this day, childless couples come to this shrine of Puthrakameshti Lingam and the belief is that they are blessed with progeny. Another noteworthy shrine in this village temple is Jwaraharesharar who is prayed for the speedy cure of common ailments like fever. Banyan is the sacred tree, Sthala Vriksha as it is called, for this pilgrim centre.
Overdue
This Vatavaranyeshwarar temple is under the care of Thiruvavaduthurai Adeenam. Available records reveal that Kumbabhishekam for this temple is long overdue — the last one having been performed several years ago when Kulothunga Cholan III was ruling Thanjavur. Now the renovation work has been taken up with the blessings of the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam and Sri Kanchi Sankara Math. Devotees, especially those hailing from this and nearby villages, are requested to contribute generously for the renovation work.
This village is famous for its annual Panguni Uthiram festival, celebrated in March-April. `Swasti Vachanam' recited by Vedic pandits, initiated by Natesa Dikshitar of those days, used to be one of the highlights during this festival. There is also a shrine for Lord Murugan and his two Consorts — the deft hand of the sculptor who made them is evident from the wonderful workmanship. Lord Murugan is on a peacock frame, adorned and enclosed in an arch like form — a sight worth to see. R. Swaminathan, the present Sivacharya looking after the daily routines of the temple, has the distinction of his immediate predecessors having had the divine grace of the presiding deities of this temple — the grace appears to be passing on from one generation to next without break which explains the steadfast devotion of the family to this temple.
Contributions, toward renovation, can be in the form of DD, Cheque or M.O. taken in favour of Erattai Vinayagar Narpani Mandram and the same be sent to to the Secretary, Erattai Vinayagar Narpani Mandram, Main Road, Thiruvalangadu-609 810. For further details contact: S. Neelakantan, C-1, Lakshmi Enclave, No. 6, Raja Rao Street East Tambaram, Chennai-600 059, Ph: 22392594.
K. VEDAMURTHY
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