Thursday, April 12, 2012

A different sacred place called Thirucheyanallur

The ultimate devotee, Shri Chandiskeshvara
                                                    

When driving from Kumbakonam to Thirupananthal we cross a small vilage called Netunkollai. Crossing this a slight distance further, away on the right side of the highway, we find one of the very ancient sthalas of the Caveri delta. On the map it is called Senganoor, but its ancient name is Ceynalur. It received this name because it was the place where Murugan worshipped his father, Lord Shiva, before he set out to conquer Surapadman. Shiva blessed his son with the weapon Pashupatastra with which Murugan destroyed the demon.

It is also known as the birthplace of Chandikesvarar, Shiva's most dedicated disciple, who was made steward of the Lord's household. And of the devotee of Vishnu, Periyavachan Pillai.

Once upon a time it was a well known sacred place held in high regard by the Chola emperors. The mythological ancestor of the Cholas, emperor Sibi Chakravarti, is said to have worshipped here. As did another hero for Truth, king Arichandra. These two great kings came here because Shiva is manifested here as the Lord of the Mountain of Truth, Satyagirishvara. As it was a sthala connected with their great ancestor, the Cholas held it in high regard.

Historically it is known from the hymn sung by Thirujnana Sambandar. In the Thevaram it is the 41st sthala to the North of the Caveri.

For us, woshipping in the 21st century, it is a place where we can worship to have so many obstacles removed from our life. And especially for the solution of marriage problem, to resolve obstcles in busines, to get rid of enemies and for the promotion of all wishes and goals in our life.

Kandhan Raja

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