Gajaranyeswarar Renganathapuram

Gajaranyeswarar, Renganathapuram

Saivite Temples, Thanjavur District

God

Gajaranyeswarar (also called Thiru Vaneswarar), facing east

Goddess

Kamakshi Amman, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Gajalakshmi, Valamburi Vinayaka, Navagraha . Sanctum Niches – Dakshinamurthy, Durga, Chandikeswara

Gajaranyeswarar Renganathapuram is a small temple that is on an elevated platform climbed through steps on the south side. On the east side of the base of the temple is the front portion of an elephant. The temple is said to have 7 elephants underneath it. The Lingam of Gajaranyeswarar is large and is about 5 feet in height. The goddess idol is also large at about 4 feet. An entrance gateway in the west leads inside the single prakaram. A gopuram is on the north side and a beautiful temple pond is outside it. The sanctum sanctorum is tall and large. The Vinayaka idol here has a shiva lingam carved on the head. There is a Nandi at the ground level and another one at the sanctum level facing the lord.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Temple Pond

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

There are a few inscriptions here at Gajaranyeswarar Renganathapuram that indicates its ancient nature. We were told by the priest that officials from Archaeological Survey visited the temple and said it is more than 1700 years old based on the idols. Gajaranyeswarar Renganathapuram is said to have been built by Kochenga Chola (early Cholas) as the first of the 70 elevated (Maadakovil) temples he built during his lifetime. The great saint of Kanchi, Mahaperiava, has visited this temple.

Legend

Gajaranyeswarar Renganathapuram is connected with of the Thiruvanaikaval Temple. A spider caused the death of the elephant that used to worship a Shiva Lingam by entering his trunk and stinging him. The spider also perished. Cursed this spider was born as Kochenga Chola and could attain salvation only by building 70 elevated platform temples for Lord Shiva. Gajaranyeswarar Renganathapuram is one of that.

Directions

Gajaranyeswarar Renganathapuram is about 32 kilometers east of Thiruchirapalli off the road going from Kallanai towards Thirukattupalli. Gajaranyeswarar Renganathapuram is about 32 kilometers west of Thanjavur after Thirukattupalli in the road going towards Kallanai. Gajaranyeswarar Renganathapuram is near Elangadu.

Stay and Food

None locally. Thiruchirapalli and Thanjavur are the closest.

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