THE GANESA OF THIRUVANAIKKA

There is an episode in the history of the SriMeenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai wherein, the Nataraja's cosmic force caused havoc to those places which were directly in the sight of Nataraja.

Tantrik scholars made use of a very old solution to overcome this problem. They closed the doorway which was directly in front of Nataraja. Outside this wall, they made a shrine and placed a very large Vinayagar called MukkuRuNi PiLLaiyaar. Henceforth there was no problem at all.

The MukkuRuNi PiLLaiyaar became a very powerful source of cosmic energy. Some elements of Tantrik worship are are still maintained. One of them is the constant fumigation with aromatic smoke and the offering of a huge mOdhakam made from mukkuRuNi measure of rice.

The temple of Siva at Thiruvanaikka is a very ancient temple of great importance. The presiding deities of this temple is AkilaandEsvari and JambukEsvara. It was a center for Saiva Cult as well as Saktha Cult. In addition, the Kaapaalika Cult also held it in reverence. Basically AkilandEsvari is MahaVarahi who is also known as DaNdanatha, DaNdiNi, Panchami, among Other names. DaNdanatha is the Commander-in-Chief of the Great Celestial Empress – RajaraEsvari.

 

The Kaapaalikas and other such sects of Saivites had taken control of many Siva temples in Tamilnadu at one time. One among them was the Thiruvaanaikka temple.

The rituals which took place were different from the tame agamic and pseudo-vedic rituals which take place nowadays.

The intensity of the worships and rituals made AkilaaNdEsvari to attain what is known as 'ugra kalai'. This manifestation of Cosmic Energy is very forceful and fiery. Much harm came in the way of the temple.

Adhi Sankara came along in one of his Sankara Vijayams. By means which were best known to him, he wrested control from the Kapalikas and stopped many of the kaula and vaama practices.

He thought that the fiery energy had to be captured and be emanated slowly in quanities which human beings could benefit from.

So he made two thaatankas - big ear-rings. They were very special. Sankara had inscribed the SriChakra in the Thaatankas.

 

With due special pujas, he made them attain 'uru' power which would absorb much of the power and release them in proper quantities.

Directly in front of AkilANdEsvari, he placed a big Vinayaka figure.

Behind the shrine of AkilANdEsvari, he placed a big statue of Murugan on Mayil vahana.

VinAyaka and Murugan absorbed the fiery cosmic power that was very intense and made it into a benefient and nurturing energy.

To this day, Akilandesvari is a very pacific and belevolent giver of boons.Great poets were given their literary power by Her.The great poet KaLamegam was given incredible power of words and poesy by Her.