Srivanchiyam Vanchinathar Temple

Srivanchiyam – Vanchinathar Temple

Vanchinathar temple is located in a place called Srivanchiyam that is 35 Kms from Kumbakonam in Tamilnadu. This is the 70th Paadal Petra Sthalam located in the South of Cauvery. The main deity of this temple is Lord Shiva and he graces his devotees as Swayambu Lingam by the name Lord Vanchinathar and the Goddess is known as Mangalanayaki. This temple is estimated to be 1100 years old and is built by Rajendra Cholan during 850 AD.

This temple is one among the six temples located on the banks of Cauvery that are equivalent to Kasi Temple. (The other five temples are Thiruvaiyar, Thiruvidaimarudur, Mayiladudurai, Thiruvengadu, and Sayavanam).

As per the Sthala Purana, once Yama, God of Death, was worried that he was assigned the job of taking the life of people. He thought that he was gaining their hatred and harsh criticism and he was suffering the Brahma hatya Dosha caused by his duty. Seeing his worries, Lord Brahma advised him to go to earth in search of a place on the banks of Cauvery where he can see an abundance of Sandal trees. He advised Yama to sit in that place and perform penance towards Lord Shiva. So Yama, as per Lord Brahma’s advice, found a place called Gandhaaranyam (the fragrant forest) and sat there to do his penance. Being pleased with his penance, Lord Vanchinatheswarar appeared before him on the Bharani Star day during the month of Masi (February- March) and granted him the wishes. The Lord assured Yama that he will not be blamed or criticised by the people for their death. Lord also emphasized that Yama should make their end/death peaceful. Lord Shiva gave Yama the status of Kshetra Palaka and granted him a separate shrine for him in this temple itself. He also assured that devotees would worship him first and then only offer their prayers to the Lord. After that Yama stayed in this temple as the Vahana (Vehicle) for the Lord.

As per another legend, it is said that the Goddess Ganga once sought a solution from Lord to cleanse herself since she was left with all the sins of the people who took bath in the river. Lord directed her to pray at a place where Yama (God of Death) was blessed by him. As per the Lord’s advice, Ganga took bath in the temple’s tank to purify herself. Hence the Theertham is called Gupta Ganga Theertham. Moreover, it is still believed that this tank is holier than the river Ganga and a dip in this tank liberates us from all of the sins and there would be no rebirth.

This Sthalam is considered as one of the Pitru Kadan Nivarthi Sthala and so it is auspicious to perform Tarpanam on Amavasya.This temple will not be closed even during the times of Lunar and Solar eclipses. Instead, special Abishekam and Poojas will be conducted to the Lord Vanchinathar and Yama on these days.