Back to Results
Temple Image

Vanchinathar Temple

The Vanchinadha Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated in Srivanchiyam, within the Thiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu. This temple, located at the centre of the village, is revered for its spiritual significance. The presiding deity is known by several names, including Vanchilingeswarar, Vanchinathar, and Vanchinadheswarar, while the goddess is worshipped as Mangala Nayagi, Maruvar Kuzhali, or Vaazha Vandha Nayaki. Unlike many temples in South India that focus on various deities, this temple uniquely honours Yama, the God of Death, who is enshrined and receives special preference in daily worship. The entire temple complex features a robust granite structure that reflects the architectural style of the Chozha dynasty, believed to be around 1500 years old. The Vanchinadha Swamy Temple is considered spiritually significant, on par with Kasi (Varanasi), with six sacred sites along the banks of the Cauvery River regarded as equivalent to Varanasi. Additionally, the temple serves as a Parihara Sthalam for those born under the Leo (Simha) Rasi, making it a vital site for astrological rituals and blessings.

Timings

Morning : 6.00 AM to 12.00 PM & Evening : 3.00 PM to 8.00 PM

Entry Fee

Free of charge

Yama, the God of Death, felt a deep sadness about his role in taking lives, especially when there were many joyous tasks available. Troubled by this, he travelled to Thiruvarur to express his sorrow to Lord Shiva. In response, Lord Shiva instructed Yama to go to Sri Vanchiam and pray there. Following this guidance, Yama performed penance at the site.

Pleased with his devotion, Lord Vanchinadheswarar appeared before Yama on the day of Bharani Star in the month of Masi (February-March) and asked him what he wished. Yama expressed his concerns about being blamed for death, which caused him to suffer from Brahmmahati dosha, a curse associated with his duties. Lord Shiva reassured him that people would soon attribute death to causes such as disease, age, and accidents, rather than blaming him directly. He instructed Yama to permit only those with fewer sins to pass on, ensuring they would not be reborn, and emphasised that their end should be peaceful. Furthermore, he granted Yama the status of Kshetra Palaka, stating that devotees should first worship Yama before offering prayers at the Lord’s shrine. Consequently, the first puja in this temple each day is dedicated to Yama.


Sthala Puranam :


Visiting Sri Vanchiyam is believed to be destined by the grace of the Lord. Personally, I can attest to this, as I had attempted to visit the temple three or four times without success; my eventual visit was completely unplanned.

The legend begins with a conflict between Sridevi (Lakshmi) and Bhoomadevi, leading Sridevi to leave Vaikuntam. In his yearning to reunite with Sridevi, Lord Vishnu undertook penance at this site, which led to the name "SriVanchiyam" (meaning "wish"). Nearby, there exists a Varadaraja Perumal temple; visiting SriVanchiyam is considered incomplete without also visiting this temple.

This temple is unique, as it highlights the significance of Yama (the God of Death) alongside Lord Shiva. Upon entering the temple, devotees encounter shrines for Yama and Chitragupta situated on the left side of the temple premises, known as the Agni Moolai.

Yama, burdened with Brahmahathi dosham due to his role in death, felt distressed by the blame he received for the deaths of humans. Seeking relief, he prayed to Lord Thyagarajar at Tiruvarur and was advised to go to SriVanchiyam for penance. After his devoted prayers, Lord Shiva appeared before him, absolving him of the blame for death and allowing people to attribute passing to illness or accidents instead. Shiva assured Yama that only those with good deeds would be able to visit this temple and granted him the role of the town's guardian. Consequently, it is said that the fear of death is alleviated for devotees who worship here. Devotees commonly offer payasam made from cow and buffalo milk to Yama and Chitragupta.

The order of worship at this temple is specific. Devotees must first pay homage to Yama and Chitragupta in their dedicated shrine before taking a dip at the Gupta Gangai Theertham. Only after these rituals can they proceed to the main temple. Signage at the temple entrance outlines this order clearly.

A unique belief states that if a person passes away in Srivanchiyam, Lord Shiva himself whispers the panchaksharam (five-letter mantra) into their ears, granting them immunity from Yama's judgement.

The Ganga river once sought Lord Shiva's help to rid herself of the sins accumulated from those bathing in her waters. He advised her to come to Sri Vanchiyam, a site that had already purified Yama of his sins. Following this guidance, Ganga relinquished 999 parts of her powers here, retaining only one in Kasi. Thus, the Teertham is known as Gupta Gangai (Hidden Ganga) and bathing in it is deemed equivalent, if not superior, to bathing in Kasi. Sri Vanchiyam is among six sacred places that are said to hold the same significance as Kasi.

The Teertham created by Lord Shiva is believed to have existed across all four yugas, referred to variously as Punya Teertham, Atri Teertham, Parasara Teertham, and Muni Teertham.

The Sun God, Suryan, lost his brightness after being punished by Veerabhadra for participating in Daksha’s yagna. To regain his power, he undertook a month-long penance at Gupta Gangai, after which Lord Shiva restored his luminosity.

Interestingly, the temple does not have a separate shrine for Ambal/Durga, as she is worshipped as part of Mahishasuramardhini. Both Yama and Bhairavar are depicted in meditative states, stripped of their weapons, emphasising that they are powerless in the presence of the all-powerful Lord Shiva.

In addition to the hymns composed by Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar also paid their respects to Lord Shiva at this temple.

Notably, the temple features several unique shrines, including those for the Pancha Bootha Lingas and Jyeshta Devi (Moodevi). The original structure of the temple dates back to the Chola period, with inscriptions from Chola, Pandya, and Nayak times. One of these inscriptions refers to the site as Raja Gambheera Chaturvedi Mangalam.


Administration History :



The temple was originally built before the 7th century, with significant reconstructions during the Chozha period, particularly under Rajaraja I. Further extensions were made during the Vijayanagara Nayakas period. Later, the Nattukottai Nagarathars maintained the temple. Currently, it is under the administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.

Do's and Don'ts

  1. Pray to Your Ishta Devata: Begin your pilgrimage by seeking blessings from your chosen deity.
  2. Contact the Temple Devasthanam Information Centre: For any inquiries, including temple details and pooja arrangements, reach out to the information centre.
  3. Reserve Travel and Accommodation: Plan your visit in advance by securing your travel and lodging near the temple.
  4. Bathe and Dress Appropriately: Ensure you bathe and wear clean clothes before entering the temple to maintain purity.
  5. Focus on the Deities: Concentrate your thoughts and prayers on the God and Goddess within the temple.
  6. Maintain Silence: Observe silence and softly recite "Om Namah Shivaya" or your chosen mantra while inside the temple.
  7. Observe Customs and Traditions: Respect and follow the ancient customs and traditions upheld in the temple.
  8. Respect Religious Sentiments: Be considerate of the beliefs and practices of others during your visit.
  9. Deposit Offerings in the Hundi: Ensure that any offerings are placed in the designated hundi.
  1. Avoid Non-Worship Activities: Do not visit the temple for reasons other than worshipping the deities.
  2. No Smoking: Smoking is strictly prohibited within temple premises.
  3. No Alcohol: The consumption of alcoholic beverages is not allowed in the temple.
  4. No Non-Vegetarian Food: Eating non-vegetarian food is prohibited within the temple grounds.
  5. Do Not Seek Quick Darshan: Avoid approaching mediators for expedited darshan, as it may inconvenience others.
  6. No Weapons: Do not bring any weapons into the temple.
  7. Remove Headgear: Avoid wearing helmets, caps, turbans, or hats while in the temple.
  8. No Sastanga Pranama Inside Sanctum: Do not perform full prostration inside the sanctum sanctorum.
  9. Limit Time for Sparsa Darshan: Be mindful not to linger too long while performing the sparsa darshan (touching the deity).

Dress Code

For Men : Men should wear traditional attire such as dhoti, kurta, or a lungi. If not in traditional wear, neat and clean casuals like trousers and shirts are acceptable.

For Women : Women are encouraged to wear sarees or salwar kameez for a traditional appearance. If opting for casual wear, ensure it is modest, with shoulders and knees covered.

How to reach

Open in Google Maps ↗

By Air: The nearest airport is in Trichy, which is 119 kilometres away.

By Train: The nearest railway stations are located at Thiruvarur.

By Road : The nearest Bus Stand is Thiruvarur.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

Rivers:

  1. Vadavaaru River: This river flows near the temple, adding to the natural beauty of the area and is significant for ritualistic purposes.
  2. Kollidam River: Another important river nearby, it serves as a vital water source and is often associated with various religious activities.
  3. Arasalar River: This river is also in proximity to the temple, contributing to the temple's environment and supporting local agriculture.


Cities:

  1. Thiruvarur: The temple is situated near Thiruvarur, known for its rich cultural heritage and numerous ancient temples.
  2. Kumbakonam: Located not far from the temple, Kumbakonam is famous for its temples and is often referred to as the “temple town” of Tamil Nadu.
  3. Thanjavur: A historical city known for its art and architecture, Thanjavur is also close to the temple, offering a glimpse into the region's storied past.