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Tirumanancheri is located 5-km from Courtallam near
Mayiladuturai. The most popular legend behind this place goes like this
Parvati who was reborn to Bharata Muni married Shiva here, hence the name
Tirumanancheri, and Kalyanasundareswarar.
Parvati is said to have expressed her desire to Shiva to have the
experience of an earthly wedding; Shiva obliged and so she was reborn as
the daughter of Bharata Muni. Shiva emerged from the lingam (also spelt as
Linga) at Tirutturutti; Bharata Muni approached Shiva and asked for his
hand in marriage to Parvati. The name Sonnavaararivaar stems from this
legend that Shiva kept his word.
About The Temple
The temple covers an area of about 3.5 acres and is surrounded by a
canal, the waters of the, which are said to represent the seas that
gathered to witness the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati. In the temple
complex there is a shrine dedicated to "Varadarajar" (Vishnu)
with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi.
Inscriptions dating back to 10th century belonging to the reign of
Parantaka Chola I are seen here. Inscriptions regarding Sembiyan
Mahadevi's endowments are also seen here. Based on these inscriptions it
is inferred the rebuilding of the original brick structure into a stone
structure commenced around the time of Parantaka Chola I, and was
completed during the time of Uttama Chola. Shiva is referred to as "Arul
Vallal" here.
The Idols
Images of Ganapati, Nataraja, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhavar, Brahma and
Durga adorn the niches of the sanctum. The Nataraja, Kalyanasundara, and
Aadi Sesha images are of great beauty that represents the great
workmanship of earlier days. The bronze image of Kalyanasundara, which
dates back to the period of Uttama Chola (10th century), is similar to the
image found in Tiruvelvikkudi.
Services And Festivities
Deity is offered four worship services each day. The Tirukkalyanam is
celebrated in the month of Chittirai; Kartikai Deepam, Arudra Darisanam
and Navaratri are also celebrated here.
Air: The nearest airport is at
Trichy (65-km).
Rail: There is a railway junction in Thanjavur. It is well
connected with Trichy,
Chennai,
Madurai and Nagore.
Road: Distance of 5 km from the Kutralam railway station near
Mayiladuturai in Thanjavur District. Thanjavur is well connected by road
with all the major towns and cities in Tamil Nadu and
also with Kochi
, Ernakulam
, and Thiruvananthapuram
in Kerala and
Bangalore in
Karnataka .
There are regular bus services for visiting all places of interest in and
around Thanjavur. Tourist taxis are also available.
Accommodation is available at the moderate class hotels, dharmasalas and lodges in Thanjavur.
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