Temples of Bharath

Saint Thirugnana Sambandar. This is the 61st Devara Sthalam.

https://youtu.be/KEE_-0bySnM?si=WtoD1mp6ToXb2SYK

History of the place

Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple is one among the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams and is popularly called as 'South Kailash' and 'Melai Chidambaram' by the devotees of Lord Shiva. This holy abode of Lord Shiva is intricately glorified by the Saiva poet-saints Thirugyana Sambandar, Appar Tirunavukkarasar Nayanar and Sundarar in their divine literary compositions. The Thirupanjali Temple is the 61st sivalayam, situated on the southerly bank of River Cauvery that is named in the Saiva devotional verse of Tevaram. Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar (Lord Shiva), the presiding deity of this temple is a Swayambhu Murthy (self-manifested) deity and is called by several names which include Gneelivaneswarar (most common name) Paramasambu Aaraniya Vallaver Kathali Vasanthar Eluthariya Peruman Sorudiya Eswarar Legend has it that Lord Shiva defeated Yamadharman (Lord of Death) in Thirukadaiyur (Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu), in order to rescue the distinguished rishi Markandeya, from the grip of death. As the 'lord of death' Yamadharma himself lifeless, people were not subjected to death and the world turned overly populated. People stopped going to temple and poojas were stopped all over. Goddess Bhumadevi (Mother Earth) could not endure the burden of the Earth, which is full of immortal population. On the other hand, the Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple was functioning as was common and daily poojas were not discontinued at all. Hence, Goddess Bhumadevi along with the creator and protector of the universe, Lord Brahma and Lord Mahavishnu and several other devotees of Lord Shiva visited Thirupanjali temple. They pleaded Lord Shiva to give rebirth to Yamadharma. Their prayers were answered that Lord Shiva offered a new birth to Yamadharma on the day of Thaipoosam, through 'pilathuvaram'. There are several others who received blessings of Lord Shiva in this temple, who include Lord Indra (King of the Gods), Kamadhenu aka Surabhi (Mother of Cows), Sheshanaga aka Adishesha (King of all Nagas), Lord Vayu Deva (Lord of the Winds), Lord Agni (god of Fire), Lord Rama, Arjuna (3rd of the Pandava Brothers), Saint-poet Appar, Sage Vashishta, Soothamamunivar and so on. The main temple tower (rajagopuram) of this temple was constructed by the Pandyan king Sundara Pandyan and the tower is not completed fully. The second tower is called as the 'Ravana Vayil' and just before the entrance is the rare shrine of Yamadharma. The lord of death is in the form of a child as he got his new birth here. The Yamadharma sannadhi is in a cave under the ground level. Devotees offer special poojas to Yamadharma, seeking longevity. Another small sannadhi of Lord Shiva is located close to the second temple tower and the deity here is called as Sorudiya Eswarar. Another unique feature of this temple is that there is no separate shrine for Navagrahas is found. The nine steps leading from the second temple tower are regarded as the Navagrahas that were at the dictation of Ravana.

Temple History, Speciality, Miracle and Greatness

During three days in the Tamil month of Puratasi (6th, 7th and 8th) and three days of Panguni (6th, 7th and 8th), the sun light will precisely fall on the deity of Lord Shiva

Pariharam

Pariharam Procedure

• The Legend: Divine maidens (Deva Kannigal) wanted to stay near Goddess Parvati. She blessed them to transform into the sacred, lush green Kal Vazhai (stone plantain trees) inside the temple complex. 
• The Ritual: Devotees looking to marry buy a pariharam ticket. They are guided to treat the holy plantain tree as a symbolic bride or groom. Formal marriage rituals are conducted, and the devotee ties a sacred Mangalsutra (Thaali) around the plantain tree to clear away past karmic obstacles. 
• Rule: Once the marriage successfully takes place, the newlywed couple is expected to return to the temple together within 30 days to offer thanks and complete the ritual. 
• Best Days: While done daily, Fridays and Sundays are considered the most auspicious and see the maximum number of devotees. 
• Ayush Homam / Mrityunjaya Homam: Performed at the underground shrine to eliminate Yama Bhayam (fear of death), overcome severe health issues, and pray for longevity.
• Shani Dosha Nivaranam: Since Lord Yama is the ruling deity of Saturn (Shani), performing arches and deepam lighting here is believed to completely mitigate the malefic effects of Shani transitions or Sade Sati.
• Job & Position Recovery: Because Yama regained his lost position and powers at this exact spot, people who have lost their jobs, faced demotions, or are dealing with heavy debts pray at this shrine to regain their status

Pooja Types

Kameekam

Festival Period

Chithirai festival, Aadi 18, Aipasi annabishekam, Karthikai deepam, Thiruvathirai, Ekadashi, Thai Theerthavizha, Maasi mahasivaratri, Panguni utharam and so on

How to reach

Srirangam Raiway Station

Nearest Location

Chatram Bus Stand, Trichy - 17.9 km (via MDR823, SH 62 and Salem - Namakkal - Trichy Road/Trichy Chennai Trunk Road)