Vilamal Temple: The Sacred Abode of Ajapa Natanam and the Divine Annabhishekam
Vilamal Temple, located near Thiruvarur in Tamil Nadu, is one of the most spiritually vibrant temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Pathanjali Manoharar.
Annabhishekam on Amavasai – A Unique Tradition
While most Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu perform Annabhishekam on the Aippasi Pournami (Full Moon day in October–November), Vilamal Temple holds this sacred ritual on every Amavasai (New Moon day). This unique practice is deeply symbolic. Amavasai represents the dissolution of the ego, the darkness before spiritual illumination. Offering cooked rice (Anna) to the Lingam represents the offering of one’s sustenance, body, and ego to the Lord.
The ritual is preceded by devotees performing Pithru Tharpanam—rites for their ancestors. Those who have not observed the prescribed ancestral rituals bathe in the Pithur Kattam at Kamalalaya Theertham in Thiruvarur and the Agni Theertham at Vilamal. Only after purification through sacred waters do they perform Annabhishekam and light the Moksha Deepam, a symbolic flame for liberation of the soul. The act is an expression of gratitude, surrender, and purification.
Spiritual Significance of Annabhishekam
In the Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva declares:
“He who offers the essence of his food to the Lingam attains the essence of immortality.” (Shiva Purana, Vidyeshvara Samhita 9:34)
Annabhishekam is therefore not merely a ritual but a deep act of surrender. Rice symbolizes the human body—grown from earth, sustained by water, pervaded by life. By bathing the Lingam with rice, devotees symbolically return the elements of their being to the Divine, acknowledging that all nourishment and existence flow from Him.
Purattasi Annabhishekam – The Month of Divine Fulfillment
Among all Amavasai days, Purattasi Annabhishekam holds special importance. Purattasi (September–October) marks the transition toward the harvest season and the beginning of auspicious observances dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva alike. At Vilamal, devotees believe that performing Annabhishekam during this month grants prosperity, liberation from ancestral karma, and spiritual upliftment.
The Divine Abode of Lord Pathanjali Manoharar
The temple derives its name from the divine act of the Lord revealing His left foot (Vil Amal) during a cosmic dance. It is believed that this sacred act was performed for the sage Patanjali, who made a Lingam out of sand and worshipped Lord Shiva with utmost devotion. Moved by his intense penance, Lord Shiva appeared before him and performed the Ajapa Natanam—the dance beyond sound and form.
Ajapa Natanam – The Dance Beyond Chant
Ajapa Natanam is symbolic of the inner rhythm of the soul, where the inhalation and exhalation of breath itself become the prayer—“So-Ham” (I am He). This silent dance represents the unity of the individual self with the Supreme Consciousness. The Ajapa is said to be the essence of all yogic practices, emphasizing inner meditation over external expression. The presence of Nandi in Vilamal Temple, facing the northeast direction instead of directly toward the sanctum, signifies his reverence to the spot where this sacred dance took place.
The Message of Vilamal
Vilamal Temple stands as a testament to the profound unity of ritual, devotion, and philosophy. It reminds devotees that true worship is not in the external act alone but in the inner dance of silence, the Ajapa Natanam of the heart. Through Amavasai Annabhishekam and the lighting of the Moksha Deepam, devotees affirm their connection to the cosmic rhythm of Lord Shiva, seeking not merely worldly blessings but ultimate liberation—Moksha.