| 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. |
