Manambuchavadi, located in Thanjavur town, is a ward under Thanjavur Municipal Corporation. This place is referred to as a suburb of the town forming the European quarter of the city in colonial times in the book “District History of Thanjavur” by P.V. Jagdeesha Aiyar and published by the Chennai Archaeological Department in the year 1925.
Manambuchavadi is referred to in association with many cultural activities Thanjavur is famous for, especially the Bhagavata mela. Here, Saurashtran people live in large numbers. The dramas written by Vidwan Brahma Sri Vandavasi Ramaswami Bhagavathar have been enacted in the Bhagavata Mela by the artist belonging to the Saurastran community.
The name Makarnonbuchavadi, in time to come, colloquially came to be Manabuchavadi.
During the waxing phase of the moon in the Puratasi month of the Tamil calendar, a nine-day celebration is observed for Devi. The celebration is known as "Navarathra," when the first three days are devoted to Sri Parvati, the next three days to Sri Lakshmi, and the last three days to Sri Saraswati. Devotees observe religious austerity during these nine days for the welfare of family and society.
Devotees observing religious austerity used to assemble at a common place for this purpose. The common place where the devotees assemble in Thanjavur during Maha Navami was known as Makarnonbuchavadi. The term “Nonbu” in Tamil means religious austerity. In accordance with the Tamil Dictionary (1985), “Cavadi” means wayfarer's shelter, and Chatram means inn. Hence this place came to be known as Makarnonbuchavadi.
To know more about "chatram," "chavadi,” and also “thaneer pandal” under the Maratha rule of Thanjavur, kindly read the article "Hanumar temple, Mothirappa chavadi."
People from Saurashtran community live in large number in Manambuchavadi. Basically they are weavers by tradition. Although it was mentioned that this area was a suburb of British community, evidences from the street names suggests the presence of weaving community also. Further we can also see temples which are old and some ancient also.
Of the temples present in the area few finds their origin to the Saurashtra community. Temple for Sri Krishna maintained by the Saurashtrans is one of the famous temples of Thanjavur. Many roads around this bore the relating to this temple or weaving. Not far away from this temple is another temple for Sri Anjaneya of nearly two hundred years old maintained by this community people. Incidentally the name of the person who first installed the idol is Sri “Pavukara Krishna Pillai”. The word “pavu” in tamil means warp and weft insertion kit used in weaving. The temple road is named after him as “Pavukara Krishna Pillai Street”.
To know more about Saurashtran community of Tamil Nadu kindly see our other article on "Sri Anjaneya, Sitarama Anjaneya Mataalayam, behind Alankar Theater, Madurai."
This Anjaneya temple is known as “Sri Sanjeevi Anjaneya Temple." The temple is east-facing, and three-tier gopuram welcomes the devotees. The temple complex is fairly big and very neatly maintained. As the devotee enters the temple, a lengthwise hall comes. The Garbhagraham is seen right in the centre, facing the main entrance. Small mun mandapam is seen before the Garbhagraham. A broad pathway for the devotees to make circumambulation of the Lord is also seen. The vimanam is adorned with beautiful stucco figures of Vishnu and His avatars. Sri Vishnu in Sri Narashimha facing south, Sri Varahar facing west, and Par-kadal Vishnu facing north are seen along with both consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi in all the figures. It is a rare sight to see Sri Narashimha and Sri Varahar with both his consorts. Sri Rama with Sri Sita ma and Sri Lakshmana in standing posture and Sri Hanuman in dasa bhava near the lotus feet of Sri Rama are seen on the eastern side of the Vimana.
The slab on the northern side wall informs that this temple was constructed and kumbhabhishekam performed during the intervening period of 1840 and 1896 by Sri Sanjeevi Pillai. Sri Sanjeevi Pillai’s father Sri Krishna Pillai had originally installed the idol of Sri Anjaneya. Another slab informs that another kumbhabhisekam was performed on 01.07.1993. Further in September 2019, another kumbhabhisekam was performed, we were told.
The idol of Lord Sri Sanjeevi Anjaneya is about four feet in height and made of granite.
Lord is seen in standing posture facing east. He has His right leg placed an inch forward than the left. Lord is wearing Thandai [anklet] and nupur on both His lotus feet. Robust calf muscle and strong thighs of the Lord are startling to look at. Lord is wearing loincloth [kaupeenam], over which He is wearing waistcloth. His bosom is beautified by the ornaments. He is wearing a necklace close to his neck and a two-tread mala. The sacred thread [yogyopaveedam] is seen flowing across His left shoulder and boosam. He is seen holding Sanjeevi Mountain in his right hand. The left hand is seen resting on His left side of the hip and also holding the steam of the Sowganthika flower. The tail of the Lord is not visible to the devotee. The Kundalam in the ear is shining. Neatly tied hair is held properly by an ornamental crown. Lord's eyes are looking straight towards His devotee with love, care, and compassion.
Darshan of Lord is sure to make the devotee confident to undertaking any new venture, for Lord bestows care and compassion.
Ed: October 2024
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