This is the 77th Thevara
Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 23rd Sthalam on the north side
of the 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 நல்கோலம்பொழிந்தபுனல் பொன்னி மேவும் பினிதத் துருத்தி இரவில்தழும்பிய தன்மையும் கூடத் தண்தமிழ் மாலையில் பாடிக்கொழுந்து 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 the day and at Thiruthuruthi during nighttime in all his 10 hymns. Also, he covers both temples in this single hymn. What a coincidence!
Sundarar also sang the hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of temples at
Thiruvelvikudi and Thiruthuruthi in single hymns
ஓங்கிமேல் உழிதரும் ஒலிபுனல் கங்கையை ஒருசடைமேல்தாங்கினார் இடுபலி தலைகல னாக் கொண்ட தம்மடிகள்பாங்கினால் உமையொடும் பகலிடம் புகலிடம் பைம்பொழில் சூழ்வீங்கு நீர்த் துருத்திஆர் இரவிடத்து உறைவர் வேள் விக்குடியே------- திருஞானசம்பந்தர்மூப்பதும் இல்லை பிறப்பதும் இல்லை இறப்பதில்லைசேர்ப்பது காட்டாகத் தூரினும் ஆகச்சிந் திக்கினல்லால்காப்பது வேள்விக் குடிதண் துருத்திஎங் கோன்அரைமேல்ஆர்ப்பது நாகம் அறிந்தோமேல் நாம்இவர்க்(கு) ஆட்படோமே....... சுந்தரர் -“மன்னர்சுகவழ்விக்குடிகளடிமண் பாசலாலென்னும்வேள்விக்குடி யமர்ந்த வித்தகனே....... திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Gowthageeswarar, Sri Kalyanasundareswarar, Sri ManavaaleshwararConsort : 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 and, 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 the ardha mandapam, Agasthiyar,
Natarajar, and Vinayagar (Pillayar are doing a prayer for Lord Shiva's Velvi
Completion.
In the praharam, 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 INSCRIPTIONSSince Thirugnanasambandar has sung
hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before the 7th Century. It may have been reconstructed during the Parantaka-I period and
later contributed to by the 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 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 descendants to care for 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. 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 of land purchased
after paying gold and gifted to this temple for burning a 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, alias Karikala 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.
LEGENDSAs per archakar, all Navagrahas
attended the velvi, hence there is no separate sannadhi Navagrahas. During
velvi, Dakshan sent birds to disturb, but the dwarapalakas made them into rings and wore them in their ears, which is not available in any other temples.
As per another legend, since Parvati
was not attentive while Lord Shiva was 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 the Cow’s
hoof marks can be seen on the chest. At Thiruvaduthurai, Parvati worshiped Lord
Shiva in the form of a 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 CELEBRATIONSApart 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 TIMINGSThe temple will be kept open
from 08.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs, and from 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 the 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. The nearest Railway Station is
Mayiladuthurai.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Agasthiyar and a King worshiping Lord Shiva
Arthanareeswarar
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
Agasthiyar and a King worshiping Lord Shiva
Arthanareeswarar
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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