Wednesday, 21 October 2020

Kalyanasundareswarar Temple / Sri Manavaleswara Swamy Temple / கல்யாண சுந்தரேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில், திருவேள்விக்குடி, Thiruvelvikudi, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 77th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 23rd Sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. The Thiruvelvikudi is on the banks of the river Kaveri.  This is one of the Temple participants in Nandhiyam Peruman’s marriage at Thirumazhapadi with Urchavars.


In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar mentions that after worshiping Lord Shiva of Ethirkolpadi, Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple.

செழும் திருவேள்விக் குடியில் திகழ் மணவாள நல்கோலம்
பொழிந்தபுனல் பொன்னி மேவும் பினிதத் துருத்தி இரவில்
தழும்பிய தன்மையும் கூடத் தண்தமிழ் மாலையில் பாடிக்
கொழுந்து வெண்திங்கள் அணிந்தார் கோடிகாவில் சென்று அடைந்தார்

Thirugnanasambandar Sundarar and Vallalar have sung Hymns /Pathigam in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Thirugnanasambandar mentions that Lord Shiva used to stay at Thiruvelvikudi, during day time and at Thiruthuruthi during Night time in all his 10 hymns. Also, he covers both temples in this single hymn. What a coincidence..!. Sundarar also Sung the hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of temples at Thiruvelvikudi and Thiruthuruthi in single hymns

ஓங்கிமேல் உழிதரும் ஒலிபுனல் கங்கையை ஒருசடைமேல்
தாங்கினார் இடுபலி தலைகல னாக் கொண்ட தம்மடிகள்
பாங்கினால் உமையொடும் பகலிடம் புகலிடம் பைம்பொழில் சூழ்
வீங்கு நீர்த் துருத்திஆர் இரவிடத்து உறைவர் வேள் விக்குடியே
------- திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
மூப்பதும் இல்லை பிறப்பதும் இல்லை இறப்பதில்லை
சேர்ப்பது காட்டாகத் தூரினும் ஆகச்சிந் திக்கினல்லால்
காப்பது வேள்விக் குடிதண் துருத்திஎங் கோன்அரைமேல்
ஆர்ப்பது நாகம் அறிந்தோமேல் நாம்இவர்க்(கு) ஆட்படோமே
....... சுந்தரர்
                                            -“மன்னர்சுக
வழ்விக்குடிகளடிமண் பாசலாலென்னும்
வேள்விக்குடி யமர்ந்த வித்தகனே
....... திரு அருட்பா
Moolavar  : Sri Gowthageeswarar, Sri Kalyanasundareswarar,
                 Sri Manavaaleshwarar
Consort    : Sri Parimala Sugantha Nayagi, 
                 Sri Kouthakesinarumchanthu Nayagi

Some of the important features of this temple are.....
The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of the sanctum, artha mandapam.  In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy,  Lingothbavar, Arthanareeswarar (different from others – Parvati on the right side – right half) as Rishabanthikar, Pichandanar, Brahma, Chandrasekar, Natarajar (Lord Shiva with Parvati’s marriage bas relief in the Makara torana is above Natarajar) and A King worshiping Lord Shiva.   

In artha mandapam Agasthiyar, Natarajar and Vinayagar ( Pillayar are doing prayer for Lord Shiva's Velvi Completion.

In Prakaram Valamchuli Vinayagar, Murugan, Natarajar, Sage Agasthiyar, Nalvar Esanamurthy, Gajalakshmi, Rama, Sita, Lakshmanan, Anjaneyar, Suryan, and Kala Bhairava. Two Bhairavas are facing Moolavar. Stucco images of Kalyanasundarar and Parvati are in a separate Sannadhi and look very beautiful.


Kalyanasundarar bas-relief on the makara thorana above Natarajar koshtam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before the 7th Century. May be reconstructed during the Parantaka-I period and later contributed by Vijayanagara Nayaks. As per the Inscriptions Lord Shiva was called Manavalanambi, Mangkalawakkar, Thiruvelvikudi  Udayar, etc,.

As per the inscriptions, this place was under Rajathiraja Valanattu Kurukkai Nattu Gangaikonda Chozha Chathurvedimangalathu, Thiruvelvikudi and Viruthabayangara Valanattu Kurukkainattu Thiruvezhvikudi. Lord Shiva was called as Thiruvelvikudi Mahadevar Mangala nakkar,

Parakesari Vikrama Chozha’s 4th-year reign inscription records that Bhuloka ManickaChathurvethi Mangalam sabai, gifted / sold land to Thiruvaduthurai Temple as irayili. This is for the Thiruketharam temple constructed by Gnanasivar to provide food for the Thabsis and the devotees who came for darshan. The Land was purchased for 90 Kasu and the tax was also borne by the Sabhai. It gave permission, to Gnanasivar and his decedents to care of this endowment. The sabai received 20 Kasu from the Gnanasivar. The gifted land was allowed to create Nandavanam, Temple Tank, Madapalli, etc,.

The three fragment stones of, the 11th Century Chozha period inscription record the installation of an idol for Ainootruva Pillayar and Thirugnanasambandar. For Pooja and naivedyam a land measuring 412 kuzhi was gifted as irayili after purchase.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 16th-year reign inscription records the land gifted to this temple for the Adhi Chandeswarar’s pooja, creating a Kitchen / Cooking place and growing the Sengazhuneer plant for worship on the channel. This inscription also specifies/mentions the materials offered for pooja and naivedyam like, vegetables, beetle nut, leaves, pepper, paddy, firewood, etc,.

The Rajendra Chozha-II’s 4th-year reign inscription records that Koovandan Alavallan Pattan established an idol of Thiruvarur Nambi, and a gift of 30 Kasu was received by the Siva Brahmins of the temple. The interest from the gift has to be used for pooja and naivedyam. After the pooja, naivedyam is to be given to the Thevaradiyar

Rajendra Chozha-II’s 27th-year reign inscription records the endowment of night-artha jama pooja to Kshetrapala, by Gundur Govinda Kiramavithan received 60 kalam paddy. The interest or 22 kalam paddy has to be utilised for the Naivedyam and after the poojas naivedyam is to be offered to Thevaradiyars also called Maheswarars.

Rajakesari Varman’s 15th year reign inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for Thiruvelvikudi merchant Velinakkan, by his sons Nakkan Thiruveli and Nakkan Kooththan. For which 96 sheep/goats were gifted to this temple.

Koparakesarivarman (Uthama Chozhan) 12th-year reign inscription records the endowment of Thirumanjanam water of 15 kalam, channeled ( Mel Paruthi Vaikkal) from river Kaveri, for which  3 makani land was donated to the temple after purchasing from two people. Vadakarai Nattu Videl Vidugu Devi Chaturvedi Mangalam sabha exempted the tax for the land donated.  The same person donated 2 ma land purchased after paying gold and gifted to this temple for burning perpetual lamp. This endowment was established by Nallatrur Nayan Kunamalapadi Kunamalapadi Udayan Ayyan Mara Singan alias Seerasekara Mooventha velan. The same person donated a silver plate measuring 30 Eezha kasu for the water naivedyam. He also donated 400 Kalanju silver ( measured in oorkal ) Velli Thalikai ( vessel ).

Rajakesari Varman ( Kulothunga Chozha-I ) 3rd-year reign, inscription records the endowment of 3 people for playing Sripali, blowing kalam and sekandi during the pooja. Which land was donated by the Kurukkai Nattu Murugavel Mangalathu Sabha. From the land donated dresses and food were supplied.

Rajaraja-I period inscription starts with his mei keerthi records that the lands gifted for the Eruthupadi Mahadevar temple as irayili. These are inscribed in many places of the temple.   These inscriptions are grouped and re-inscribed during Rajendra Chozha-I’s period.

Sri Koparakesari... a Chozha period 10th-century inscription records that a portion of the temple was constructed by the Valanjiyar, Nanadesika Aayiraththu Ainootruvar, Thisai Ayiraththu Ainootruvar and the village people. Another inscription records the parts names of the adhisthana like Thadipadai and Kaalpadai and the donors of the stones like Samithan Vela Cholai, Soolapani Velur Kilavan, three people and Maran Salukki of Kandarathicha Therinja Kalikolar caste are also mentioned.

Uthama Chozha’s 6th-year reign inscription records the gift of Silver Kalasam weighing 142 kalanju by Uthama Chozha’s mother Chembiyam Mahadevi  

A 10th-century Chozha period inscription records the installation of Dwarapalaka by the name Mahakala by Thenkarai Nattu Aniya mudayanKari Veppan aliasKarikala kanna Mooththa Velaan. The sanctum entrance door frame was donated by Periya Kilavan Pattadevan of the income department by the name of Thinaikala Thravi Saththu Avanam recording/ Document writing person.

The temple was renovated and Kumbhabhishekam was performed in 2000.

LEGENDS
As per archakar, all Navagrahas attended the velvi, hence there is no separate sannadhi Navagrahas. During velvi, Dakshan sent birds to disturb, but dwarapalakas made them as rings and wear in ears, which is not available in any other temples.

As per another legend, Since Parvati was not attentive while Lord Shiva teaching the Pranava mantra,  Lord Shiva cursed Parvati to take birth as a cow at Therazhundur.  Parvati in the form of a cow worshiped Lord Shiva. Lord Maha Vishnu played the role of shepherd. At Thirukozhambam Parvati worshiped Lord Shiva and Cow’s hoop marks can be seen on the chest. At Thiruvaduthurai Parvati worshiped Lord Shiva in the form of Cow and got relieved from the curse. At Ethirkolpadi Lord Shiva  as bridegroom, was welcomed by his father-in-law Sage Bharata. All the Velvi which includes yagna was performed in this temple and Marriage was conducted at Thirumanancheri.     

Lord Shiva’s marriage velvi was performed here. For Parvati “Gnana Tharanam” was given in this temple hence this place is called “Kowthukapanthana kshetra”.

Urchavars will participate in Nandhiyam Peruman’s Marriage at Thirumazhapadi.


POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from Regular Poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vinayagar Chathurthi in Avani ( Aug- Sep), Thiruvathirai in Margazhi ( Dec- Jan ), Mahashivaratri in Masi ( Feb – March ) and  Panguni Uthiram in Panguni ( March – April ).

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 08.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:
Vaidyanatha Gurukkal may be contacted on landline number +91 4364 235 462  and mobile number +91 97508 81536 for further details.

HOW TO REACH: 
The temple is about 3 KM from Kuthalam and is near Anjaru Varthalai. On Kumbakonam to Mayiladuthurai get down at Kuthalam. From Kumbakonam, Thiruvelvikudi is on Kumbakonam to Poompuhar route.
The temple is 10 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 27 KM from Kumbakonam, 30 KM from Sirkazhi, 50 KM from Chidambaram, and 268 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Mayiladuthurai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE











Agasthiyar and a King worshiping Lord Shiva

Arthanareeswarar

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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