Thiru Thalaichangaadu (108/276)
|
Name |
Thiru Thalaichangaadu |
|
Vernacular Name |
Sangaaranyam |
|
District |
Nagapattinam |
|
State |
Tamilnadu |
|
Devaram |
Thiru Gnana Sambandhar |
|
Position |
South of Kaveri – 108/276 |
|
Presiding deity |
Shiva |
|
God |
Sangaaranyeshwarar Sangu Vana Naadhar |
|
Goddess |
Brihath Sundarambigai Soundara Nayagi |
|
Speciality |
Hair follicles can be seen on The Moola Moorthy The temple is one of the Pancha Aaranya Kshetrangal |
|
Sthala Vriksham |
Purasu (Flame of the forest) |
|
Theertham |
Sangu Theertham |
|
Worshipped by |
Mahavishnu |
|
Offering |
Fasting and offering a Sandal Paste Alangaram to The Goddess and consuming it is said to give Santhana Praapthi (The blessing of having a child) |
|
Temple timings |
7AM to 11PM 5PM to 7PM |
|
Contact details |
LORE:
What is the Lore of the temple?
The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Sangaaranyeshwarar and His Devi is Brihath Sundarambigai.
Why does the Sthalam go by the name of Thalaichangaadu?
The village is called as Thalaichangaadu (Thalai + Sangu + Kaadu). There was an abundance of Sangu flowers (Bluebell vine) in this area and hence it got the name as Thalaichangaadu – the forest of the Bluebell vine.
Another reasoning was that, in the olden days of the Tamizh Sangam, this was one of the prominent villages where travellers stayed and hence it got the name as Thalai-Sangam.
Legend says that Lord Vishnu prayed at this shrine and received one of his weapons, the Great Sacred conch called “Panjajanyam”. As the “Thalai Sangu” (Foremost of Conches) was given to Lord Vishnu by Mahadev Shiva in this shrine, it got the name as Thalaichangaadu @ Sangaaranyam. (Vainavam has a different version of the story where Lord Krishna kills the demon Shankasur, to get the divine conch)
The most cited reason however is that this village used to be the commercial nexus of conches from the adjacent port town of Poompuhaar (Conch = Sangu) and thus got the name as Thalaichangaadu.
What is the speciality of the temple?
The temple is in the shape of a conch. The Aavudayaar of the Moola Lingam is also in the shape of a conch. On applying oil to the deity, hair follicles can be seen on the Lingam.
This is the shrine where Mahavishnu prayed to Sangaaranyeshwarar and got the divine conch – Panchajanyam.
The temple is also one of the 70 Maada koils built by the Chozha king, Kochengannan. A “Maada koil” is the form of architecture where the sanctum-sanctorum is at a higher level, accessible only by a flight of stairs and a narrow gateway, both of which precludes elephants from entering the temple and worshipping the deities. It is said that Kochengannan was a spider in his previous birth and had bitter enmity towards elephants. Hence, in this jenmam as the Chozha king, he built all temples as Maada Koils in remembrance of that enmity. Kochengannan’s previous birth as an arachnid and his conflict with pachyderms is associated with the legend of the Jambukeshwarar temple of Thiruvaanaikovil (60/276)
The temple welcomes its devotees with Sanga Nidhi and Padma Nidhi, the accountants of Kuberan’s wealth, at the entrance.
Sanga Nidhi is said to be a measure of 10 to the power of 14 wealth, and is a plump opulent man, holding a conch whereas Padma Nidhi is said to be a measure of 10 to the power of 35 wealth and is equally rotund, holding a lotus.
Lord Vishnu is seen the outer Prahaaram with his consorts. And the divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva can be worshipped in the same temple.
Being a Maada Koil, the Nandi is at a higher level. The Pradosha Nayagar is engraved separately in the Maadam, in front of the Pradosha Nandi.
This is one of the Pancha Aaranya Kshetrangal.
What are the Pancha Aaranya Kshetrangal?
- Sangu Aaranyam – Thalaichangaadu (108/276)
- Vada Aaranyam – Thiru Chaai Kaadu (09/276)
- Vilva Aaranyam – Thalaiyaalangaadu (156/276)
- Swetha Aaranyam – Thiru Ven Kaadu (11/276)
- Veda Aaranyam – Thiru Marai Kaadu (189/276)
Our Experience:
After having a hearty darisanam at Thiru Thalaichanga Naan Madhiyam (25/108), we drove to Thiru Thalaichangaadu. The priest was not there. Luckily the temple was open, and we were able to see The Lord and His Devi.
It was getting dark and we quickly went through the outer Prahaaram. We again reiterate the fact that this temple, like many of the Paadal Petra Sthalangal do not have any amenities or shops that sell flowers and fruits. Get them from the nearby town if you plan to visit. Also, do try to contact the priest and make sure he is available before you visit the shrine.
We finished our darisanam and were off to the next temple on our list, Thiru Nani Palli (105/276)
Loads of love,
Karthick and Rahul.