Where Moon, Muruga, Dasaratha, Arjuna and Manmatha-Rathi were freed of their sins

 

We weave our way through narrow winding roads before coming upon the ancient Treta Yuga temple - Sri Amirthambigai sametha Sri Chandrasekara Swamy Shiva temple at Kamakkur. The place of worship that remained unknown for several centuries and was in a dilapidated state, was renovated by King Jayamkonda Chozha in the 11^th century CE. He was ordered to do so by Lord Shiva himself through a vision he had. A Thiruppugazh sthalam where Lord Muruga was glorified by the 15^th century Tamil poet-saint Arunagirinathar, the temple enjoys several distinguishing features and is associated with many interesting legends.

 

 

A four-tiered Rajagopuram of modest height welcomes us to the complex which housesindividual sanctums for many deities. We pass the copper-coloured dhwaja sthambha which uniquely holds aloft the Nandi, to first pay our obeisance to Vijaya Ganapathy, also known here as Narthana Ganapathy.

 

The presiding deity Lord Shiva who became self-manifest here, goes by the name Sri Chandrasekhara, having enabled Chandra or Moon to rid himself of the curse he incurred at the hands of Daksha. According to legend, Chandra or Moon, who is the lord of the 27 Nakshatras or the 27 daughters of King Dakshan, was particularly biased towards Rohini to the exclusion of his 26 other wives. An infuriated Dakshan, cursed Chandra whereby he lost his beauty and became ugly and repulsive. When a saddened Chandra sought Lord Shiva in Kailash and pleaded to be liberated from the curse, Shiva ordered him to dig a pond and perform abhisheka with its sacred water at Kamakkur when he, Shiva, himself would become self-manifest. The Lord further instructed Chandra to purify himself with the abhisheka water. At the appropriate time as indicated by Shiva, Chandra carried out his command to the last letter. Exactly upon the completion of one mandala, Shiva appeared before Chandra at Kamakkur and redeemed him of the curse. An elated and relieved Chandra sought a favour from Shiva for the benefit of mankind: that those suffering from stree and pitru doshas or curse, should be freed of it if they perform Rudrabhishekam here and bathe with its water. The Lord agreed.

 

In similar manner, Lord Muruga, King Dasharatha, Arjuna and Manmatha-Rathi were relieved of their respective curses. Thus emerged five holy ponds namely, Chandra, Kumara, Dasharatha, Arjuna and Manmatha-Rathi Theerthams. Unfortunately, only one of them remains today, and is replete with lotus flowers.

 

Lord Chandrasekhara in Lingam form, slightly tilted towards Ishana direction and growing in very minute fractions, rests here on a square peetam unlike in other Shiva temples where Lingam is placed on a circular peetam or pedestal. According to the priest, when abhishekam is performed to the Lingam, devotees experience the Lord’s grace in different ways – some get His Divine darshan with his tresses tied, some with his three eyes open, yet others see him as a serpent.

This kshetram which has been sanctified by demigods and Siddhas who performed austerities and worshipped Lord Shiva here is considered to be on par with Kashi. A pilgrimage undertaken to Kamakkur bestows upon one the benefits obtained from visiting Kashi. As the story goes, when an individual was once travelling to Kashi with an asthi (ashes of a departed one) kalash, the bone pieces miraculously turned into Arali Poo (Oleander blossom) and since then, this place has been deemed as sacred as Kashi.

 

Goddess Amirthambikai in standing posture is in a separate shrine. However, the eye-catching sannidhi is that of Goddess Kamakshi Amman or Tripurasundari who was consecrated and installed here by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8^th century, along with the Sri Chakram during the Chaathurmaas period. Seated in Padmasana, she is depicted holding the Neelotpala flower (Blue water lily, symbol of Bhumi Devi or Mother Earth), sugarcane, and the pasham (rope/noose) and ankusham (goad) in her four hands. 

                                                                   

The dwarapalakas guarding the entrance to this sanctum entail a rare trait. They resound with the sapta swaras or seven musical notes when tapped upon at different points. The presence of Kamakshi Amman lends its name to the place Kamakkur which in ancient times was known as Kamanagar and Kamathur.

 

Opposite Sri Kamakshi Amman’s sanctum is a small open-on-all-sides structure which holds a green stone Yazhi (Yali). 

After worshipping the shrines of the Sahasralingam, Surya and Chandikeshwara and Maha Nandi, we head to the Valli-Deivanai sametha Muruga sanctum. 

The six-faced Lord Shanmukha or Karthik faces the North and is perched on his mount, the peacock. A distinguishing feature of the idol, not seen anywhere else in the world is a serpent’s tail gripped by the peacock in its mouth! Also, on the snake’s hood is present the imprints of Muruga’s lotus feet.

Just as distinctive as the Muruga idol is the statue of Nataraja, the dancing form of Shiva. Unlike in other shrines, here Nataraja is seen with his left leg on the floor and the right leg is placed from the back of the left one in twisted form, in Chatura Thandavam Mudra as it is known in dance terminology. Such an idol of the deity is present only in this temple according to the priest.

 

The green stone Kala Bhairava image is exceptional here with the moon on his forehead, and ears having kundalam and stud respectively.

 

In its heydays the temple had a golden kalash atop its vimanam, lost to looters in time. The edifice was patronized, maintained and taken care of by the Nawabs of Arcot for a significant period of time. In a shrine that once witnessed puja six times every day, worship subsequently reduced to twice daily. 

Adhikara Nandi, Maha Vishnu, Vishnu Durga, Iyyappa, Muniswara and the Nayanmargals or Shaivite saints also adorn the temple complex.

Specialties associated with the temple:

This is the first of the 4 sacred shrines (Devikapuram, Vedapurishwara in Cheyyar, Tiruvannamalai being the other 3) where poet saint Arunagirinathar sang in praise of Lord Muruga (Thirupugazh)

The dhwaja sthambam or flagstaff of the temple has Nandi seated atop, a feature unique to this temple.

After Thingalur, this is the second parihara sthalam for those who have a weak Chandran (Moon) in their horoscope.

For those suffering from the mal-effects of pitru and stree shraap or curse, visiting this temple, performing Rudrabhishekam for Lord Chandrashekhara and subsequently bathing in this water, will free them of the curse.

To rid oneself of the ill-effects of Mars in their horoscope (Mangal/Kuja dosha): worshipping Lord Muruga in the temple on Tuesday with 3 Kalasham, red vastram (red cloth), red oleander flower (Arali poo) and doing parayanam of Subramanya Stuti, is said to be beneficial.

On the midnight of every Chitra Pournami (Full Moon day of the month of Chaitra – mid April to mid May) one can hear the tinkle of bells and anklets in the interior of the temple complex. Devotees plagued with any kind of problems, ask prashnam(questions) at the sanctum sanctorums of Goddess Kamakshi and Chandrasekhara Swamy to which the Divine indicate a solution.

Those facing marriage hurdles, facing issues related to property and financial problems, individuals suffering from various ailments, childless couples are said to find amicable solution to their problems by visiting the temple, and/or undertaking homas et al.

 

Facts at a Glance:

 Sthala Vriksham: Magizham tree

Pushkarini: The temple which was once surrounded by 5 ponds, has a single one left today. However, this pond, replete with lotuses has not dried up since its origin in the Ramayana time period.

Festivals: Pradosham, Sankatahara Chaturthi, Amavasya are regularly observed with all associated rituals. Maha Shivaratri, Ten-day Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Panguni (Chaitra/Phalguna according to Hindu calendar, that is, March/April), Aippasi Pournami (Full moon of Octobetr-November) are celebrated with much fervour and fanfare.

Location: The temple is located on the Arani-Pada Veedu route in Tamil Nadu. It is 5 km from Sedarampattu Railway Station, 8 km from Arani, 16 km from Pada Veedu, 25 km from Polur, 33 km from Vellore, 62 km from Tiruvannamalai and 131 km from Chennai.

Temple Timings: 7:00  –  11:00  & 17:00  – 19:00

Contact: Sivacharyar, the archakar (priest) @ 98418 48359 / 90872 25939

 

In ancient times the pilgrimage to Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha was not considered complete until devotees first paid their obeisance to Lord Rajiv Lochan, the principal deity at Rajim. The temple town of Rajim in Chhattisgarh, aka Panchkashi because of the presence of five Shiva Lingas – Fingeshwar, Kopeshwar, Kuleshwar, Pateshwar and Patneshwar – boasts the unique Rajiv Lochan temple dedicated to Vishnu. None other than the divine architect Vishwakarma himself supposedly built the temple and sculpted Vishnu’s idol. Unusually, pooja and archana at the temple are offered by the Kshatriya community, the descendants of Raja Ratnakar, ably assisted by Brahmin gurus!  

Read on

 

Where Kshatriyas Perform Puja ----- The Unique Temple of Rajim

 

A jaunty ride through mud roads, about 50 km from Raipur, the State capital brings us to the temple town of Rajim. It is considered the holiest and one of the most ancient towns of Chattisgarh, situated on the confluence of the rivers Mahanadi, Pairi and Sondhul, thus earning it the sobriquet of the Prayag of Chhattisgarh. Mahanadi is considered in Chhattisgarh to be as sacrosanct as the Ganges; hence taking a dip in it and performing ceremonies on its banks are considered holy. In ancient times the pilgrimage to Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha was not considered complete until devotees first paid their obeisance to Lord Vishnu as Rajiv Lochan, the principal deity at Rajim.

We walk down a flight of steps for the traditional cleansing of our feet in the sacred waters.  I wonder whether it’s my fertile imagination that I see three distinct colours of the trio of rivers. I’m happy when my friends who accompany me on this jaunt, also observe the phenomenon without any promptings from me! 

Rajim which is believed to stand on a lotus-shaped surface was referred to as Kamal Kshetra and Padampur in ancient times. It was also called Panchkashi because of the presence of five Shiva Lingas – Fingeshwar, Kopeshwar, Kuleshwar, Pateshwar and Patneshwar. However, the origins of its present name ‘Rajim’, is shrouded in myth and mystery. Legend has it that the town was named after Rajim Telin, a woman who sold oil. It is believed that Lord Vishnu who was immensely pleased with her devotion, promised to name the town after her.  

Though the town boasts a plethora of temples that were chiefly built between the 8^th and 14^th centuries CE and dedicated to various deities, it is the 8^th century brick temple of Rajiv Lochan dedicated to Vishnu that attracts devotees and tourists by hundreds of thousands. This is particularly so during Shivaratri and the Rajim Mahotsav.

The golden rays of the giant planet gently caress the temple dome as we enter its precincts. The monument belongs to the panchayatana style of temple construction and has four subsidiary shrines at the four corners of its courtyard which roughly measures 147 feet by 102 feet. 

 

While the main and central shrine is dedicated to Rajiv-Lochan, meaning the blue lotus-eyed, the four smaller subsidiary shrines honour Narasimha, Badrinath, Vamana and Varaha.  

 

The temple is built in close annexed style with elements of Dravidian architecture, as evidenced by its dome. Minarets, latticework, plain pillars and those sculpted with the pantheon of Hindu gods adorn various segments of the temple. A high point of the temple architecture that makes it stand out amongst several others in the region, is the blend of materials used in its construction. This has enabled the edifice to withstand the vagaries of weather. The bricks have been piled, cemented with a mixture of limestone, urad dal and the entrails of the bel fruit, making it sturdy.      

 

The ornate doorway of the sanctum sanctorum of Rajiv Lochan is at once striking. Its lintel majestically holds Anantasayana, or Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture.  Garuda, Nagas and amorous couples make up the rest of the temple art. 

                                             

A sculpted figure of Trivikrama is particularly impressive and appears to be casually interspersed in one of the courtyard walls.  The unusual feature of the figurine depicts Adisesha in the act of paying obeisance to the standing figure of Trivikrama whose right leg lifted high is shown crushing the ugly face of Brahmanda.

                                            

Tales abound on the origins of the temple and the deity of Vishnu therein.  None other than the divine architect Vishwakarma himself supposedly built the temple and Vishnu’s idol. He sculpted the four-armed Lord Vishnu with consort Lakshmi on the right side and Yoga Maya on his left.  Further, between a pair of arms he carved the episodic Gajendra Moksha with the elephant holding aloft the lotus flower and offering it to the Lord. 

According to one legend, Lord Vishnu in the sanctum sanctorum was actually called Lochan and was once whisked away by Goddess Rajiv.  The people of the village were so distraught at the disappearance of their favourite Lord and protector that they beseeched the Goddess to return the Lord’s idol.  Appeased at the humble entreaties, Goddess Rajiv acquiesced on condition that her name would henceforth be associated with the Lord; hence the name Rajiv Lochan. 

Yet others credit the construction of the temple to Jagat Pal a mythical king who is supposed to have erected the entire structure in a single day! Yes, those were days when one day lasted six months of our present time! As a tribute to the king, his idol resembling a sitting Buddha lies in one of the sanctums of the temple.

An apparently more plausible story is associated with the king Ratnakar and his steadfast devotion to Lord Vishnu.  Pleased by the king’s bhakti, Vishnu appeared before him in the form of Rajivlochan and granted him a boon:  that King Ratnakar would continue to see the Lord in this form for always and after him, his descendants would continue to serve the Lord in the temple premises. This is perhaps the reason why even to this day, the pooja and archana at the Rajivlochan temple are offered by the Kshatriya community, the descendants of Raja Ratnakar, ably assisted by Brahmin gurus!

Myths and legends apart, a rarity associated with the temple is the bare-foot idol of Vishnu crafted from black granite. Ritualistically, the deity is always draped in unstitched cloth that is never knotted at the ends but left folded.  The pagri or turban adorning the Lord’s crown is woven by generations of a single family and the Lord is adorned thrice everyday in three different forms: as a child in the morning, a youth in the afternoon and as an old man in the evening!

On the occasion of Maha Shivratri every year, the Rajiv Lochan Kumbh Mela is celebrated in a grand fashion for thirteen days.  Festivities begin at Triveni Sangam, the meeting point of the three rivers on magh purnima and culminate on the day of Shivratri.  Besides several thousands of devotees who throng the riverside and the temple, at least a couple of thousand sadhus congregate at the venue to participate in religious activities and give discourses.

Factfile

Reaching:

Air: Raipur is the closest airport at 45 km from Rajim.  Raipur is well connected to all major cities of India.

Rail: Raipur is the nearest railhead.

Road: Taxis ply between Raipur and Rajim and may also be hired privately.

Accommodation:  Though PWD rest house is available, the more comfortable place of stay would be at one of Raipur’s several star and other budget hotels.