Sri Vijaya Natheswarar Temple, Thiruvijayamangai, Papanasam - 275 Shiva Temples

47. Sri Vijaya Natheswarar Temple, Thiruvijayamangai, Kumbakonam (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Vijaya Nathar
Name of Goddess : Sri Mangalambigai, Sri Mangai Nayagi
Holy water (Theertham) : Arjuna Theertham.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : none.
Thevaram : Sambandar, Thirunavukarasar
District : Thanjavur.
Location : Papanasam.
Timings : 08:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 05:00 p.m. to 07:00 p.m.

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This is the 47th sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Thiruganasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Presiding deity Lord Shiva is facing east. Mother Mangalambikai is facing south. There are shrines of Lords Nardana Vinayaka, Anugraha Dakshinamurthy, Sun and Moon.

The temple is built in accordance with the Chola designs. The one different feature of the temple is that the Rajagopuram is smaller than the tower above the sanctum sanctorum. Mother Mangala Nayaki graces devotees with Her two hands with Abhaya Mudra (assuring protection to devotees), one with Akshamala and Neelothpala flower in the fourth. Saint Arunagiriar had sung the glory of Lord Muruga in the temple in his Tirupugazh hymns.

Masi Maha Shivrathri is grandly celebrated in the temple in February-March.

History / Legend:

Arujnua desired to get the Pasupatha missile to conquer the Kurukshetra war. Lord Krishna told him that though he got many weapons with the blessings of his father Indira, for Pasupatha he had to appeal to Lord Shiva only. Arjuna came to this place and performed penance on Lord Shiva. Duryodhana sent demon Mookasura to spoil the penance and kill Arjuna. Lord Shiva appeared at the spot as a hunter with Mother Parvathi followed by four dogs representing the four Vedas. Lord shot an arrow on the Mookasura pig and killed it while simultaneously Arjuna too hit the pig with his arrow. An argument arose between and Hunter Lord and Arjuna as to whose arrow hit the animal first. War of words between the two ended in true fight. Lord broke Arujuna’s arrow. Exasperated Arjuna hit the Lord with the broken arrow and the impact of the blow was felt by all in the three worlds. Lord appeared before him with Mother Parvathi in His true form and blessed him with the Pasupatha weapon.

The scar on the Linga is still visible on the Linga. As Arjuna-Vijaya performed penance here, the place was named Tiru Vijaya Mangai. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthi. The scar caused by Arjuna is still visible on the Shiva Linga.

Location: Travel from Kumbakonam to Tiruvaikavur by Bus and get down at Govindaputhur to reach the temple. Another paadal petra sthalam Tiruvaikavur is located nearby.

Temple Address & Contact Details:

Arulmighu Vijayanathar Temple
Tiruvijayamangai
Govindaputhur
Pullapoothankudi Post
Kumbakonam Taluk
Thanjavur District
PIN 612301
Phone: 0435 - 294 1912 ; 94435 86453 ; 93443 30834.