Ayyavadi Prathyangira Devi temple

Ayyavadi Prathyangira temple

Earlier I have blogged about the Prathyangira temple in Sholinganallur, Chennai. Here is another post on the same Goddess located in Ayyavadi, Kumbakonam.

Ayyavadi is a small village 6 km from Kumbakonam. “Ayvar- Padi”(ஐவர் பாடி) has later become Ayyavadi(ஐய்யாவாடி ). It is believed that the Pancha Pandavars (Ayvar) worshipped Maha Prathyangira Devi here and hence the name. As we travelled along the Banks of the Kaveri river we crossed few Mayanabhoomi(grave yards) and reached this temple. It was mentioned in the compound walls of this temple that the temple is in middle of such MayanaBhoomis(surrounded by grave yards- to be more specific,Cremation grounds (as Hindus cremate)) in all 8 directions and so was asked not to speak bad words.

Lord Shiva  here is named as Agastheswarar and the Goddess is Dharmasamvarthini. After the darshan of Shiva and Ambal we went to worship Prathyangira devi. There is separate Sannadhi for Maha Prathyangira Devi. The Goddess has the face of the Lion, wears cresent moon on her head, and has weapons in her had. The priest served us Kumkum Prasad and flowers. The Goddess Prathyangira is also Named as Aparajitha (The one who can never be Won, the Goddess of Vistory).

Significance mentioned in the temple:

There are few facts mentioned to have happened here in this place

1. It is believed that Lord Krishna prayed Prathyangira Devi here along with his wives and was blessed with the child “Pradhyumnan”
2. It is believed that the Sage Agasthya worshipped the Goddess and gained more power
3. It is believed that the Pandavas worshipped the goddess here and regained their kingdom
4. The Banyan tree here is set to have 5 types of leaves. (We did not have a chance to lookas it was dusk)
5. Indrajith (alias Meganathan), the son of Ravana is believed to have performed the Nikumbala (red Chilli )Yaga to Win Lord Rama. This Yaga was disturbed by Laskhmana and Hanuman. Else, Indrajith would have gained more power to defeat Rama
6. It is believed that Sugreeva, the king of Apes received long life defeating death doing this Nikumbala Yaga

 

The RedChilla Yaga (Nikumbala Yaga) is performed every Full moon day and No Moon day in this temple.It is believed that perfoming this ritual removes the negativity. One interesting fact is that it is noticed by people that there is noeye irritaion, no sneezing nor running nose is being experienced by the devotees. They will be seated in their seats until the end of the yagam.

For more detail about the stories, history, temple, more Pictures or Photographs 

http://www.prathiyangaradevi.org/

http://kumbakonamtemples.in/ayyavadi-sri-maha-prathyangira-devi.html

http://navrangindia.blogspot.in/2015/07/prathyangira-devi-temple-ritual-with.html