Panchanatheeswarar Temple (Vadugurnathar Temple), Thiruvandarkoil – The Temple

Panchanatheeswarar Temple (Vadugurnathar Temple), Thiruvandarkoil – The Temple

This east facing temple has no flag post (Dwajasthambam) and no main Tower (Rajagopuram). The Temple do not have the Kodi maram and Rajagopuram. This is an ancient temple under the maintenance and protection of Archaeological Survey of India. The temple is rich in Architecture and Sculpture. Presiding Deity is called as Vadukeeswarar / Panchanadeeswarar / Vadugurnathar. Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthy (self-manifested) and is facing east.

The lord of this temple, Lord Vadukeeswarar is slightly leaning towards the left side. There are scars on the Linga. As a respect to Lord, a turban is tied on the head. The Artha Mandapam (hall) in front of Lord Shiva’s shrine has eight pillars. It is believed that worshipping the lord from this hall will reward the devotees with prosperity and happiness. Mother is called as Thiripurasundari / Vaduvakirkanni and is facing south. Mother Tripurasundari is gracing with Mahalakshmi attributes from a separate shrine, bearing the name Vadukur Nayaki.  

Mother Durga graces from wall around the sanctum with her hands ready for a war. Devotees pray here for success in their efforts.  Lord Arthanareeswara is on her left and Lord Pradosha Nayanar on the left.  Lord Vinayaka is praised as Valampuri Vinayaka. Pujas are performed to Lord Dakshinamurthy on the sanctum wall with white vastras. Panels containing miniature sculptures are seen on the main shrine. The present structure can be assigned to the period of Parantaka Chola I. Inscriptions from the period of Raja Raja are seen here.

There is a sculpture showing Lord Brahmma worshipping Lord Shiva.  The significant feature of this temple is that the idol of Sri Anjaneyar is next to that of Lord Brahma. In the front hall (Mandapam), there is an idol of Lord Krishna where he can be seen standing between two serpents. Those facing problems in wedding matters worship him with red vastras tying the wedding knot in the hope that adversities in life would vanish. Theertham associated with this temple is Vamanadeva Theertham and Vatuka Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Vanni tree.

This temple also enshrines a beautiful shrine to Subramanyar. Lord Muruga on his peacock vehicle turning left graces with his six faces, 12 hands and weapons.  Saint Arunagiriar in his Thirupugazh hymns ensures that the devotee would be relieved of all his/her sins if they worship Muruga in this form. Shrines and idols of lords Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Nalvar, Dakshinamurthy, Bitchadanar, Brahma, Ardhanareeswarar, Suryan, Chandran, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Saptha Mathakkal and Bairavar can be seen in the corridors.