This is the 77th Thevara
Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 23rd Sthalam on the north side
of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. The Thiruvelvikudi is on the banks of river
Kaveri. This is one of the Temple
participates 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 has 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 the temples in this single hymns. What a coincidence..!.
Sundarar also Sung the hymns in praise if Lord Shiva of temples at
Thiruvelvikudi and Thiruthuruthi in a 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 is facing east with a 3
tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. The sanctum
sanctorum consists of 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 thorana 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, Kala Bhairava. There are two Bhairavas
facing Moolavar. Stucco images of Kalyanasundarar and Parvati are in a
separate Sannadhi, looks 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 been
existed before 7th Century. May be reconstructed during Parantaka-I period and
latter contributed by Vijayanagara Nayaks. As per the Inscriptions Lord Shiva
was called as 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 a 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, 11th
Century Chozha period inscription records that installation of 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
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, fire wood, etc,.
The Rajendra Chozha-II’s 4th
year reign inscription records that Koovandan Alavallan Pattan, established a
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 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 to be offered to Thevaradiyars also called as 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 gifted to this temple.
Koparakesarivarman ( Uthama Chozhan ) 12th
year reign inscription records the endowment of Thirumanjanam water of 15
kalam, channelled ( 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 Chathurvedi
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. For which a land was donated by
the Kurukkai nattu Murugavel mangalathu sabha. From the land donated dress and
food was 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
inscriptions records the installation of Dwarapalaka by name Mahakala by
Thenkarai Nattu Aniya mudayanKari Veppan aliasKarikala kanna Mooththa Velaan.
The sanctum entrance door frame was donated by Periya Kilavan Pattadevan of
income department by name 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 send birds to disturb, but dwarapalakas made them as ring 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 cow at Therazhundur.
Parvati in the form of 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 as “Kowthukapanthana kshethram”.
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 opened
between 08.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Vaidyanatha
Gurukkal may be contacted on land line 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.
Agasthiyar and a King worshiping Lord Shiva
Arthanareeswarar
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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