Sri Vanchinathar temple, Srivanchiyam
Rasi : Simham
Temple Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon 3.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : +91-4366 291 305, 94424 03926, 93606 02973.
Location : 36 kms from Myladuthurai Peralam 20kms
Nearest town : Kudavasal, Nannilam
Important days : Rasi day , Masi Magam
This place is holy for born of Magam, Pooram, Sadayam and Bharani Stars and belonging to Aries (Mesha), Aquarius (Kumba) and Leo (Simha) Rasis or Lagna who pray here for any adverse planetary problems faced by them. Loss of jobs, work related issues etc are resolved by praying here. Separated couples who seek reunion are blessed after a bath in Gupta Ganga on karthika Sundays in November-December.
Uniquely, the doors of the temple are open during eclipse is open as a tradition and Special abishekam done to the Lord. Mother Ganga wanted to cleanse Herself of the sins left by those who bathed in the river. Lord directed Her to pray at a place where even Yama the God of Death was blessed by Him. Ganga then left just a fraction of her power in the original Ganga and merged with the sacred spring here and the Theertham came to be known as Gupta Ganga and her presence is still believed.
Considered holier than Ganga, it is now known as Muni Theertha and afestival is celebrated during Masi Magam.
Lord Shiva sent Veerabadra to destroy the Daskha’s yagna and also punish those attended. Sun-Surya who participated lost his shining due to the Lord’s anger and prayed forgiveness. He performed penance here and regained his original form.
When Lord Vishnu desiring (Vaanchai) Mahalakshmi (Sri) sought the help of Lord Shiva to realize His wish, the place came to be known as Sri Vaanchiam. As Lord Shiva is dominant here, there is no shrine for Navagrahas. Yama and his assistant Chitra Gupta are in a same shrine and the devotees worship Yama with garlands made of Vada (vada malai). Longevity homams and birthday Pujas are popular here. Mother Mahishasuramardhi with Her eight hands bleeses the devotees here.
Yama the God of Death felt very sad that people hate him for his job of taking the life of people while there are pleasant jobs available. When he prayed to Lord at Tiruvarur, the Lord directed him to pray at Sri Vanchiam. When Yama performed penance, When the Lord was pleased and appeared before him on the Masi month Bharani Star day in February-March, Yama expressed that his job taking life of people has earned theirr hatred and criticism and causding him to suffer from Brahmmahati dosha. Lord Shiva then decreed that in future, people would attribute the cause of death due to diseases, age and accidents and no more blame him. Lord also instructed Yama that he should be lenient to those who are less sinners and they should not have rebirth and in addition make their end peaceful. In addition He granted him the status of Kshetra Palaka and the devotees would worship him first and then only the Lord and hence the first puja is dedicated to Yama in this temple even today.
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