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255. Vijayamangai

விசயமங்கை

Location: Govindaputtur near Kumbhakonam, Tiruvaikavur
(Chola Naadu -North of Kaveri)
Shiva: Vijayanathar, Gangajateswarar
Ambal: Mangai Nayaki
Vriksham: Purasu Maram
Theertham: Arjuna Theertham
Patikam : Sambandar
Travel Base: Thanjavur
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Description:   This Shivastalam is located in the vicinity of Tiruvaikavur near Kumbhakonam and is another of the Shivastalams associated with Arjunan's penance. The Sundara Perumal temple in this town is well known. It is considered to be the 47th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located north of the river Kaveri.

Legends: The name Govandaputtur arises from the legend surrounding a cow 's worshipping Shiva (carved on the stone pillars in the entrance). Arjuna (Vijayan) is said to have obtained the Pasupatastram after severe penances towards Shiva here, hence the name Vijayamangai.  Nandi is also said to have worshipped Shiva here. It is believed that when Sambandar arrived here, the Kollidam was in spate and that he composed his Patikam from across the river.

The Temple: There are 2 prakarams here, and the Amman Temple is in the outer Prakaram. Pralayamkaatta Vinayakar adorns the inner prakaram as in Tiruppurampayam nearby. There are several inscriptions from the Imperial Chola period in this temple. There is yet another Vijayamangai on the southern banks of the Kollidam river, enshrining Vijayanathar, Mangainayaki, Visalakshi and Viswanathar. There are murals of Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Bhrama Vishnu, Vinayakar, Subramaniyar, Shiva and Parvati and the Tevara Moovar and Manikkavacakar in the Mahamandapam.

Festivals: The annual Bhramotsavam falls in the month of Chittirai where the festival deities are taken out in procession vahanams. Other festivals celebrated here are Margazhi Tiruvadirai, Navaratri, Kartikai Deepam & Aadi Pooram.

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