Sri Sangaranyeswarar Temple, Thalaichangadu, Mayiladuthurai - 275 Shiva Temples

45. Sri Sangaranyeswarar Temple, Thalaichangadu, Mayiladuthurai (Chola Nadu - South of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Sangaranyeswarar, Sri Thalaipathudaiyar
Name of Goddess : Sri Soundara Nayaki, Sri Bruhath Sundarambikai
Holy water (Theertham) : Sankhu Theertham, Cauvery Theertham
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Palasha Tree
Thevaram : Thiru Gnana Sambandar
District : Nagapattinam.
Location : Mayiladuthurai.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 05:00 p.m. to 07:00 p.m

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This is the 45th sthalam on the southern side of river Cauvery. Thiruganasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Thiruthalaichangadu/Pancharanya Kshetram is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in Tharangampadi, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu. This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva built by King Ko-Chengan Chozha known as Madakkovil. The temple inscriptions reveal that the Queen Sembian Madhevi, mother of King Uthama Chozha has made abundance of contributions to this temple. The Pancharanya Kshetrams Thiruthalaichangadu, Thiruvengadu, Thiruchaikkadu, Thirumaraikkadu and Thiruthalaialangadu are known as Sankaranyam, Swetharanyam, Vadavaranyam, Vedaranyam and Vilvaranyam respectively. This town is also known as Shankharanyam and is located 2 km South West of Tiruvalampuram (Perumpallam) on the route between Sirkazhi and Poompuhaar, near Tiruvenkadu near the Aakkoor Railway Station.

Important Features:

• This temple classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
• This is one of the maada temple constructed by Ko Chenkat Chozhan.
• Vishnu worshiped Shiva here to acquire the greatest of all Shankhs (Conch) Panchajanyam.
• The temple is structured in conch-shape.
• The temple houses separate shrine for Saint Pattinathar.
• The temple has the ‘somaskanda structure’.
• Women devotees throng this temple mainly seeking boons for children.

This is a maadakkoyil built at an elevation and the tank is across from the temple. This temple occupies an area of about 2 acres. Chitra Pournami is celebrated here. The ancient Tamil scholars have given the names of the natural plants to the land as well as the city that depends on it. Hence, the meaning of ‘Thalaichangaadu’ can be understood, if it is separated as ‘thalai+changu+kaadu’. ‘Changu’ flowers (shell-like flowers) were grown abundantly in the gardens here and were sent to these temples and also to the surrounding temples. The inscription informs that the name ‘Thalaichangaadu’ must have come into vogue because of these flower gardens.

Image Gallery Of Sangaranyeswarar Temple:

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History / Legend:

Women come here seeking boons for children. They undertake fasting here during the full moon days and consume a little sandalwood applied on the Goddess and pray to Her to bless them with a child.

The temple is in the shape of a conch (Sangu). Devotees get the Darshan of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahmma in a single Shiva temple here. The presiding deity and the Pradosha detity are housed separately. The richest (cosmic billionaires) of the world Sanganidhi and Padmanidhi receive the devotees at the entrance.

Kochengannan was the king who built a number of Shiva temples. He had built some temples with narrow entrance space in which elephants cannot enter. Sangaranyeswarar temple is one such.

One can see hairs on the presiding deity in lamp light pouring oil on the idol. It is also noteworthy that the temple is designed in the shape of Somaskanda – Shiva on the left, Muruga in the middle and Goddess Parvathi on the right. Thiruthalaichangadu is one among the Thiruvengadu, Thiruchaikadu, Thirumaraikadu and Thiruthalaiangadu.

Lord Vishnu, in order to protect this world and its inhabitants, had worshiped Sankaaranyeswarar and procured the Conch as His weapon. Hence, there is a separate sanctum for Lord Vishnu in this temple. The Lord of this place stands at three feet height as a swayambu moorthy. Pouring gingely oil on the icon of the Prime Deity Sankaaranyeswarar and look at the lamp light, we can see the hair-roots in the lingam.

Women devotees throng this temple mainly seeking boons for children. They submit their prayers to Mother Soundaryanayaki. They express their gratitude to the Goddess by adoring Her with sandalwood paste sooner they are blessed with a child.

Location: This Siva sthalam temple is located 18 Kms from Mayiladuturai on the Mayiladuturai - Tarangambadi road. Another paadal petra sthalam is situated nearby at Tiruakkur. One of the 108 Divya Desam shrines of Lord Vishnu known as Tiruthalaichanga Nanmathiyam is also situated nearby the Shiva temple.

Temple Address & Contact Details:

Sri Thalaichangadu Sankaranyeswarar Temple,
Thalaichangaadu,
Aakkoor Post,
Tarangampadi Taluk,
Nagapattinam district,
Pin code: 609 301.
Phone: 04364 – 280 757.