Pavala Vanna nather temple, Kanchipuram. divinebrahmanda.com |
Sri Pachai Vanna Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram pinterest.co.uk |
Located on the same street close to Sri Kamakshi Amman temple in Kanchipuram are the Pacchai and Pavala Vannan perumal temples that are considered as one place of worship. Both temples together form the ''Divvyadesam'' shrine glorified by the Tamil Azhawar saints despite the fact no Mangalasasanam is done in the Pacchai Vannar sannadhi so far for unknown reasons.
It is to be noted that Pacchai Vannar, also referred to as "Maragatha Vannar" is a form of Lord Shiva, whereas Pavala Vannar a form of Parasakthi (sister of Sri Vishnu). So, devotees must visit both shrines and should not leave the other. Sri Pachai Vannar, who is in emerald green, is in a sitting posture on the serpent Adishesha (Irundha Thirukkolam on Aadhiseshan). Very few Perumal temples across India, in particular, Tamil Nadu have this kind of sitting posture on the giant serpent and, obviously, it is one of a kind. The belief is when devotees worship at these perumal temples, they, in a way, also worship Lord Shiva and Parvathi.
Here, lord gave darshan to Brighu Maharishi (sage) who raised many questions about the pupose of his avatar (incarnation) as Rama in Thretha Yuga, abduction of Sita by Ravanna, assistance from Sri Anjenaya and others, Lord explained to him that his avatar was to make the people understand how it is important to lead a dharmic life, following the right path, respecting elders and people around them and how the good emerges victorious at the end over the evil, etc. Lord Shiva took the form of Sri 'Anjenaya' and Sri Lakshmana took the form of lord's serpent bed 'Adishesha'. When the sage wanted to have the darshan of Adishesa, obliging his request, he appeared as ''Jyothi'' (bright light) on his head, This is the reason why Naga (serpent) Deepam is lit in the shrine of the goddess.
Pachnai Vanna nather temple, Kanchipuram divinebrahmanda.com |
Pavala Vanna Nather temple is just close-by on the opposite side and here, lord's consort is Mahalashmi (Pavalavalli Thayyar) who has a separate shrine. This temple is a small one unlike Pacchai Vanna Perumal temple which is slightly biger and has many stone sculptures. The shrine carries the chakra, a symbol of Sri Vishnu. Here the Perumal is in coral red color and is also known as "Paramapatha Nathan"; his thirumugham is facing West. The Mangalasasanam was done by saint Thirumangai Azhwar. The red coral color of perumal is symbolic of his fierce-looking image emerging from the holy sacrificial fire to contain and stop Goddess Saraswati and to drive out the demons.
Vaikasi Viszkam in May-June; Aani Thirumanjanam in June-July and Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Tit-bits:
12 Vaishnava Azhwars haristore.com |
last two are Thirupalkadal and Paramapadam. Tirupalkaddal is
the ocean of milk and paramapadam is the Vaikuntha where
Lord Vishnu presides. The Divya Desams are revered by the 12 Azhwars In the Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 Tamil devotional hymns, the 12 Azhwars mentioned the Vishnu shrines and extolled his virtues. Divya Desams follow both Thenkalai or Vadakalai traditions. As for temple worships and rituals, invariably most of the Vishnu temples in Tamil Nadu follow 'Thenkalai Samprathayam', Example: Srirangam Ranganathar temple, Triplicane, Chennai Parthasarathy temple. However, pujas are done by priests (Bhattacharyas) belonging to Vadakalai sect in many of the Thenkalai temples.
https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8274938273148772169#editor/target=post;postID=422319944226484568
http://www.divyadesam.com/hindu/temples/kanchipuram/pavalavannan-temple.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divya_Desam