Thiruvisanallur, Sivayoginathar Temple

Thiruvisanallur, Sivayoginathar Temple is a very ancient temple.  The presiding deity of this temple, Sivayoginathar is also known as Yoganandeswarar. Eight Shiva yogis after severe penance on Lord Shiva, merged with the Lingam and hence the name Sivayoginathar.   This place was a vilva forest at one time and hence He is also called Vilvaranyeswarar. He is also known as Puradhaneswarar.  His consort here is known as Soundaryanayaki or Shantha Nayaki.  The sthala vriksham is Arasa maram and the Theertham Jatayu Theertham.

Chatur Kala Bhairavar is famous here. The four Bhairavars with Saneeswara Bhagawan and Sivalingam on their sides denote different periods of life and praying here will solve our problems for our entire lifespan.

The four Bhairavars, (Chatur Kala Bhairavars) each representing the four phases or four Ashramasin the lifespan of a human being are as follows:

Gnana Bhairavar :

The Brahmacharya phase of the human life is dominated by his quest for knowledge. Gnana Bhairavar bestows good education and good employment on his devotees.

Swarna akarshana Bhairavar:

In the Grahasta phase, Swarna akarshana Bhairavar blesses his devotees with excellent growth in career and material gains.

Unmattha Bhairavar:

In the Vanaprastha phase, His devotees are blessed with good health, financial stability and good luck.

Yoga Bhairavar:

In the Sanyasa stage of life, a man is supposed to be totally devoted to God. By praying to Yoga Bhairavar and the Kailash Lingam beside the Yoga Bhairavar, man attains salvation. The objective of existence is to try to merge the jivatma (individual self) with the paramatma (God). This is known as moksham or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The four ashrams prepare a person to undertake the process in a controlled but directed manner.

Devotees who worship Chatur Kala Bhairavar during the 8^th day of the waxing period (ashtami of Sukla paksham or valarpirai) gain in prosperity and advancement in business and career. Devotees worship during the 8^th day of the waning period (ashtami of Krishna paksham or theipirai) to get cured of their diseases, peaceful family life, protection from evil spirits and envy.

Lighting oil lamps with black pepper on eight consecutive Sundays during Rahu kalam 4.30PM to 6.00 PM at Bhairavar’s sannidhi results in getting back lost property and wealth.

Kala Bhairava Gayatri Mantra “Om kaalakaalaaya vidhmahey Kaalaatheethaaya dheemahi Thanno Kaala Bhairava Prachodhayaath.”

Once a man who was a habitual sinner was about to be taken away by Yama.  This man had only indulged in evil deeds and had not not anything good to anybody all his life.  This man came running into the temple to escape from Yama and was shouting and pleading to Lord Shiva to save him.  Nandi trained his ears towards the entrance of the temple to hear the cry of the man and informed Lord Shiva about the same.  Though, this man was a habitual sinner, Lord Shiva blessed him with papa vimochanam (absolution of sin) and Mukthi because he had come to Shiva with total devotion.  It is to be noted that you can see the idol of Nandi with its head turning to a side. It is believed that those who pray to Him here during the Pradosham (Twilight period in the evening on the 13th day of every Lunar fortnight) will be absolved of all their past sins.

There is also a sannadhi for Lakshmi and Narayanan which is a rare.  Vishnu and Lakshmi are supposed to have got the blessing of Shiva here for their marriage.  Worshipping Lakshmi Narayanan on shravan nakshatra, ekadasi and Saturdays is considered special.  Devotees who light 6 oil lamps and offer Tulasi garland to this deity for six consecutive weeks are blessed with progeny, peaceful family life, removal of obstacles in marriage and general prosperity.

There is a Sun Dial in the periphery wall of this temple opposite to Ambal’s Sannidhi, which is a symbol of the scientific advancement during the Chola period.

This is the temple for Rishabha Rasi.  People born under Rishabha rasi are recommended to visit and pray at this temple regularly.

Sridhara Ayyaval’s ashram is in this village.  There are few miracles about his life. Devas and Pithrus are believed to have partaken in a meal when he conducted Shraddham for his father, although the local Brahmins refused to attend.

Once on a New Moon day, he brought Ganges to the well in his house for purification.  He is also credited with restoring life to a young man, out of compassion for his parents.

Sridhara Ayyaval is reported to have vanished after entering the Sanctum Sanctorum of Madhyarjuna Siva temple at Thiruvidaimaruthur.

Location:

Click here for the Map

From Thiruvidaimarudhur this is at a distance of about 6 kms across the Cauvery. Thiruvisanallur is on the Suryanar – Thirumangalakudi – Swamimalai Road.

Boarding & Lodging: Do not expect any hotel here.  This is a very small village. Thiruvidaimarudhur is the nearest town.  You could stay at Kumbakonam, which is about 9 kms from here.

Other temples nearby:

Mahalingaswamy temple at Thiruvidaimarudhur

Thirumangalakudi – about 10kms from here

Suryanar Koil – 10 kms from here

Karkadeswarar temple is just less than 2 kms from here

Sridhar Ayyaval Ashram at Thiruvisanallur.

Thirubhuvanam Sarabeswarar temple

Govindapuram

Kolavilli Raman Temple, Thiruvelliangudi

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