Sri Yama Dharma Raja Temple
Posted on: 03/Jan/2018 3:03:43 PM
The God of Death, called Yama Dharma Raja or Yama, is the presiding deity of the temple. the temple is located in Tiruchittrambalam, Thanjavur.
The main deity is in a sitting posture with royal looks and a twisted moustache. The deity is seated on the carriage of buffalo as per the Hindu Mythology.
In his hands, he holds a rope (known as the ‘Pasa Kayiru’) or the soul drawing rope and palm leaves and a club.
His assistant Chitra Gupta and his messenger named Kalan sit under him.
Pambatti Sidhar and the deity of Aiyanar with His consorts Poorana and Pushkala are also located in the shrine.
The main item, or ‘Naivedhya’, prepared for the Lord Yama is raw rice pudding.
During the 10-day annual festival, Lord Yama is dressed like a king as he takes off for a hunting session.
The deity of Lord Raja Ganapathy is located just in front of the Lord Yama’s shrine to reduce the intensity of Yama’s fury. And as per the Hindu mythology, the younger brother of Raja Ganapathy, the deity of Lord Baladhandayudhapani is located behind the main shrine of Lord Yama.
As Lord Yama is also taken as the symbol of justice, he is said to punish the sinners. Another interesting feature is that the women do not bathe in the temple pond or ‘theertha’ (fearing being subjected to Lord Yama’s fury).
‘Sthala Viruksha’ or the mythological story of the temple
The folklore or the myth describe that once upon a time, the Devas of the celestial world came to Kailash to have the Darshan of Lord Siva. As Lord Siva was in deep meditation, the Devas used Manmatha to disturb His meditation – known as ‘Nishta’. As Lord Siva was disturbed, he opened His eyes in all fury, the sparks burnt Manmatha reducing him to ashes. Responding to the prayers of his wife Rathi, he was restored to life at a spot near this place. Lord Yama prayed to Lord Siva to permit him the destruction job assigned to him and was granted permission. The temple of Yama is built according to this story.
