Sri Nagarathar Vairavan Temple

Overview

Sri Nagarathar Vairavan Temple also known as Vairavan Swamy Temple and is located at Vairavanpatti, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu. This temple is dedicated to Lord Bhairavar.

About The Temple

Vairavan swamy temple is a beautiful 500 year old temple with a magnificent five-tiered Rajagopuram. Lord Shiva here assumes the form of Shri Bhairava and there is a shrine for the Goddess Ambika too. Vairavanpatti Temple is patronized by the Chettiar community and is their third largest temple.

On the external wall of the sanctum sanctorum, Lord Rama is shown deferentially greeting a Viswaroopa Anjaneya with folded hands as he delivers the news of the safety of Sita. Worshipping Rama in this form is supposed to help devotees develop the quality of simplicity. Lord Bhairava, with his dog Vahana, appears in a separate shrine to the right of Goddess Ambika’s. The sacred spring created by Shiva is outside the temple. Behind Goddess Ambika’s shrine one can see interesting sculptures of three lizards.

Vairavanpatti Temple is a beautiful example of Tamil architecture. Lord Dakshinamurthy lords over a mandapam that has a pillar that replays seven musical tones when tapped. The Chandikeshwara shrine is representative of a cave temple built out of a single rock. Do not miss seeing the typical warrior on his horse, all ready to wage war.

Vairavanpatti Temple has some beautiful sculptures and many, like the Meenakshi Kalyanam frieze, are carved out of a single stone. The Dakshinamoorthy icon is also carved out of a single stone and in addition features small stone pillars that emanate different musical notes when struck. The temple roof has stone rods not iron pillars and hand-carved stone bolts screwed onto the rods hold the granite structure together. A unique and amazing architectural achievement! The temple has 23 bronzes dating to the first renovation and 12 vahanas. Several striking wall paintings — 37 on the Vairava Puranam and 43 on the Ramayana and scenes from the Mahabharata — can be seen in exquisite detail.

About The Deity

Vairavanpatti Temple’s reigning deities are Swayambu lingam known as Valarolinadhar and Goddess Vadivudai ammai.

Legend and Stories

Vairavanpatti’s history is quite interesting. Originally, Lord Brahma, the creator, had five heads equal to Lord Shiva. Brahma took great pride in this. One day, Goddess Parvathi mistook him for Lord Shiva and Brahma accepted all her courtesies and respect without pointing out the error. When Parvathi discerned her mistake she reported it to Lord Shiva. Shiva sent His deputy Vairava to pluck off a head of Brahma as a punishment. Lord Bhairava blesses his devotees in this temple. Bhairava’s vehicle is not the Nandi, but a dog.

Festivals

Champakasura Sashti and Vinayaka Chaturthi-Pillayar Nonbu are the festival of the temple.

Significance

Devotees pray in the temple for freedom from enemy fear and relief from adverse planetary aspects.

Thanks Giving

Devotees offer Vadamala-a garland made of vada a popular dish of Tamilnadu to Lord Bhairava on the eighth day (Ashtami) day of new moon fortnight.

How To Reach Sri Nagarathar Vairavan Temple, Vairavanpati

Airport

The nearest airport is Madurai Airport.

Railways

The nearest railway station is Karaikudi Railway Station.

Road

Vairavanpatti is 8 km far from Tiruputhur. Buses bound to Karaikudi pass through this place.

Temple Address

Sri Nagarathar Vairavan Temple,
Vairavanpati, Sivaganga District,
Tamil Nadu - 630212.