Thiru Vaanjiam Temple:



This place Thiru Vannchiam is about 16 Kms from Thiruvarore, and about 28 kms from Kumbakonam. This place is also known as Boo kailasam, Sandana Vanam and Thruvarayoor. The place is considered equal to Varnasi Kshetram.This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.







The temple is constructed with granite stones. The main Raja gopuram of the temple is of five storeys and three prakarram. Sthala Vruksham is Sandal tree.







As we enter in there is a corridor where we see Dwajasthambam. To the left side there is a separate sanctum for Yamadharma. Inside the sanctum we see Chitragupta in standing posture near Yamadhrma.



As we enter into second prakaram we see Abyankara Vinayakar and Blamurugan to either side of the door. Mangalambikai sanctum is seen here. s we enter thirs prakaram we see Irattai vinayakar, and Adikara Nandi.We pass through Maha mandapam and Artha mandapam to reach msin sanctum of Sri Vaanchi Nadha swamy.







Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Vaanji Nadhar and his consort known as Vazha Vandha Nayaki / Mangala Nayaki.Teertham is Yama teertham, Gupta Gangai and Anandha Koopam. Water in Gupta Gangai came from the Trisoolam of Lord Siva in Krutha Yugam. Parvathy stayed on the banks, and the pushkrani is considered sacred.









In Dwapara yugam the pushkarani is known as Prasara teertham. Veeradanu was wandering as Brahma Rakshas and he was relieved out of his curse by parasar sprinkling this holy water on him. In Tretha Yugam the pushkarani is known as Athri teertham. Athri Maharashi stayed here and used water from the pushkarani and worshiped Lord Siva here for a child. He was blessed, and Dattatreya is his son. In Krutha Yugam Thirumagal left Thiruparkadal, came down to earth, and lived as Brugu muni’s daughter. Thirumaal decided to penance in this place and join with Thirumagal. Lord Siva was pleased, and he brought Thirumagal from Brghumuni’s ashram and got them married in this place. The place is known as Thiru Vanjiyam




Yama worshiped Lord Siva here and was blessed. There is a separate sanctum for yama in this temple. Yama is considered as a Vahana, for Lord Siva in this temple. Yama does not punish people who die in this place



Sthala purana says Uma Devi heard the importance of this place from Lord Siva. She stayed back in this place. In the month of Feb/ March (Masi) Lord Vishnu along with Umadevi came to this place. Lord Siva with his consort blesses with all prosperity, for one who worships him in this place. Since Uma Devi liked and opted to stay back in the place, it is known as Thiru Vanjiyam. Ganga worshiped Lord Siva here to get herself purified, from the sins of those, who bathe at Ganges at Varnasi.



As we go around the prakaram, we come across Yamadharma, Yoga Bairavar, Durgai, Vennai Pillayaar, Kasi Viswanadhar, Chandra mowleeswarar, Pancha Boodha lingam, Gaja Lakshmi, Kailasa Nadhar, Sani Bagwan and Nataraja sannidhi.Yoga Bairavar is seen in sitting posture in this temple which is rare. Raghu and Kethu together bless here. This form of is known as Chanda Raghu.



Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Thiru Navukkarasar, and Sundarar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Manikkavachakar, Sekizhar, Arunagiri nadhar, Ramaling Swamigal and Mutthuswami Deekshidar have contributed songs on Lord Siva of this temple.



There are stone inscriptions seen in the temple.




[Manikkavachakar][Muttuswami Deekshitar][Agasthiyar][Thiru Navukkarasar] [Thiru Gyana sambandhar]