Vaimoornathar Temple, Tiruvaimur

Vaimoornathar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Tiruvaimur in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is revered in the hymns of 7th century Tamil saivite poets, Appar and Campantar and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam (No:124).

Vaimoornathar Temple
Tiruvaimur
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictTiruvarur
DeityVaimoornathar(Shiva)
Location
LocationTiruvaimur
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates10°37′N 79°43′E
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture

The Temple

The presiding deity is Vaimoornathar (Lord Siva) is believed to have been worshipped by Surya(Sun god).[1] Lord Siva appeared in the dreams of Appar, the 7th century nayanar and Tamil saivite poet and ordered him to make to Tiruvaimur. After making his visits to Tirupazhanam, Tiruvalanchuzhi, Tirunallur and Kumbakonam arrived at the temple here on the day of Tirvathirai for temple festivities.[2] Sambandar also followed him and both these poets revered the Lord here with their hymns. Thyagarajar is called Neela Vidangar and is believed to perform Kamala Natanam.[3]

Processional Dance

The Thyagarajar Temple at Tiruvarur is famous for the ajapa thanam(dance without chanting), that is executed by the deity itself. According to legend, a Chola king named Mucukunta obtained a boon from Indra(a celestial deity) and wished to receive an image of Thyagaraja Swamy(presiding deity, Shiva in the temple) reposing on the chest of reclining Lord Vishnu. Indra tried to misguide the king and had six other images made, but the king chose the right image at Tiruvarur. The other six images were installed in Thiruvaimur, Thirukkuvalai, Nagapattinam, Tirukarayil, Thirunallar, and Tirumaraikadu.[4][5] All the seven places are villages situated in the river Cauvery delta. All seven Thyagaraja images are said to dance when taken in procession(it is the bearers of the processional deity who actually dance). The temples with dance styles are regarded as Saptha Vidangam(seven dance moves)[6] and the related temples are as under:[7]

Temple Vidangar Temple Dance pose Meaning
Thyagarajar Temple Vidhividangar Ajabathaanam Dance without chanting, resembling the dance of Sri Thyagaraja resting on Lord Vishnu's chest
Dharbaranyeswarar Temple Nagaradangar Unmathanathaanam Dance of an intoxicated person
Kayarohanaswamy Temple Sundaravidangar Vilathithaanam Dancing like waves of sea
Kannayariamudayar Temple Adhividangar Kukunathaanam Dancing like a cock
Brahmapureeswarar Temple Avanividangar Brunganathaanam Dancing like a bee that hovers over a flower
Vaimoornaathar Temple Nallavidangar Kamalanaanathaanam Dance like lotus that moves in a breeze
Vedaranyeswarar Temple Bhuvanivividangar Hamsapthanathaanam Dancing with the gait of a swan

References
  1. South Indian shrines: illustrated.P.254.P. V. Jagadisa Ayyar
  2. Mysticism and metaphysics in Saiva Siddhanta: a study of the concept of self in the Śivajñānabodham of Meykaṇḍa Deva in relation to the mystical experience of Appar .P.22.J. X. Muthupackiam
  3. V., Meena (1974). Temples in South India (1st ed.). Kanniyakumari: Harikumar Arts. p. 36.
  4. Pillai, J.M. Somanasundaram (1994). The great temple at Tanjore. Tamil University, Thanjavur. p. 9.
  5. Glimpses of the history of Karaikkal.Saroja Sundararajan
  6. The Journal of the Music Academy, Madras: Volumes 33-34 .Music Academy (Madras, India) - 1962
  7. Nityasumaṅgalī: devadasi tradition in South India .P.146. Saskia C. Kersenboom-Story
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