61. THANJAVUR

KONGANAESWARAR TEMPLE

Shiva: Konganaeswarar

Amman: Annapurani and Gnanambigai

Sthala Viruksham: Vanni and Bakula tree

Specialty:

Thanjavur was earlier known as Thanjapuri or Sammevanam.

The temple faces east.

The flag staff is very tall. 

When one crosses the Nandhi can find the sannidhi of Annapurani sitting in Yoga posture. She holds Angusam in her right upper hand and Pasam in her left upper hand. In her lower hands she has the Abhaya Varadha Mudhra. 

The Yoga Vinayaka Sannidhi who helped Annapurani is seen outside the Shiva Sannidhi. 

Amman Gnanambaal is found with Maan and Mazhu.

The Mulavar Konganaeswarar faces east.

The Kongana Sidhdhar Sannidhi is found in the east of the Prahara.

Devotees perform Abhishekam to the Sidhdhar and light 365 lamps to get their wishes fulfilled.

There is a Thriyambaka Mahaeswarar Sannidhi with his consort Thiripurasundari. These deities are the Mulavars of Another temple in that area. Due to invasions and population the temple has been destructed and the deities have been placed in this temple.

In the west Prahara there is Kodi Vinayaka, Valli Dhevasena Subramaniya, Viswanadhar and Visalakshi, Pancha lingas, Gajalakshmi and Sadha Siva linga in separate Sannidhis each. 

The Jwaraharaeswarar and Kalahastheeswarar Sannidhi in this temple.

There was a Meenakshi temple in that area. In the east prahara these deities have been kept in this temple. 

Suryan Saneeswarar and Bhairavar are beside one another.

This temple was built by the Cholas.

History:

Kongana Sidhdhar came her to perform penance. Normally after performing penance if he could attain what he wanted he would hide what he had attained in his long hair (Jadamudi). He performed penance towards lord Shiva. When Shiva appeared before him he hid the Lord under his hair and continued with his penance. Due to his deed the all world became dark. The Devas did not know what to do. They sent a tiger to disturb the penance of the Penance. Konganar hid the tiger controlled it and made it his Vahana. Devas approached the Saptha Rishis. The Saptha Rishis came down to the earth worshipped Konganar and intelligently asked him to give a suggestion to bring back light to the world. Konganar told them to light 365 lamps on the same day in front of him. The Saptha rishis did so and worshipped the Sidhdhar. Shiva appeared with Gnanambigai in his Rishiba Vahana. Immediately the Rishis and Devas installed Shiva and amman here. Since the Shiva was worshipped by Kongana Sidhdhar he was called Konganaeswarar and amman Gnanambigai.

There lived a devotee in Thanjavur. He had no children. He visited this temple everyday and pleaded to the lord to grant him a Child. One day he heard a voice within the temple that he would be bestowed with a Child. Next day when was bathing in the pond he heard the cry of a child. He was very happy. Joyfully he brought the Child home and named it Annapurani. Both he and his wife brought up the child with care love and affection. The girl grew to the age of 18 and he started for a suitable groom for her. The girl Annapurani normally went to the temple everyday. She came to the temple and cried that she wanted to get married to Konganaewarar. The Vinayaka of this temple suggested to perform penance to the lord to fulfil her wish. She started her penance and she requested Kaali and durga to guard her penance in the west facing and east facing direction respectively. Lord Shiva appeared before her and united her with him and therefor there is a sannidhi for Annapurani as a second amman of this temple.