Sunday, 11 October 2020

Sri Velvidainathar Temple / Sri Velladai Eswar Temple / Velladainatha Swami Temple / Thirukkurukavur, Mayiladuthurai District ( Nagapattinam District ), Tamil Nadu.

This is the 67th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 13th Sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri, in Chozha Nadu. This place was called Velladai during the 7th Century and is now called Thirukurugavur and Velladai Thirukadaavur-திருக்கடாவூர்.


As per Sekkizhar’s Periya Puranam, Thirugnanasambandar Visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Mahendrapalli. This is the last temple of his second Pilgrimage. 

வைகும் அந்நாளில் கீழ் பால் மயேந்திரப் பள்ளி வாசம்
செய் பொழில் குருகாவூரும் திருமுல்லை வாயில் உள்ளிட்டு
எய்திய பதிகள் எல்லாம் இன்புற இறைஞ்சி ஏத்தித்
தையலாள் பாகர் தம்மைப் பாடினார் தமிழ்ச் சொல் மாலை

Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar ( Sundarar came to this temple after Visiting Sirkazhi ) and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.  

சுண்ணவெண்ணீறணி மார்பில் தோல் புனைந்து
என்ணரும் பல்கணம் ஏத்த நின்றாடுவர்
விண்ணமர் பைம்பொழில் வெள்ளடை மேவிய
பெண்ணமர் மேனி எம் பிஞ்ஞகனாரே
....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
பண்ணிடைத் தமிழ்ஒப்பாய் பழத்தினில் சுவையொப்பாய்
கண்ணிடை மணியொப்பாய் கடுவிருட் சுடரொப்பாய்
மண்ணிடை அடியார்கள் மனத்திடர் வாராமே
விண்ணிடைக் குருகாவூர் வெள்ளடை நீயன்றே
........ சுந்தரர்
                                                                    -“பார்காட்
டுருகாவூ ரெல்லாம் ஒளிநயக்க வோங்குங்
குருகாவூர் வெள்ளடை யெங்கோவே
......... திரு அருட்பா
Moolavar  : Sri Velvidai Nathar, Sri Vedhapureeswarar,
                  Sri Swetharishameswarar.
Consort    : Sri Kaviyanganni Ambal, Sri Nilothbhava Visalakshi.

Some of the important features of this temple are......
The temple faces east with an entrance arch and a stucco image of Shiva with Parvati on the top. Moolavar is of swayambhu, small in size. In koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In praharam Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Arumugar ( facing south and treated as Guru ), Kariya Manicka Perumal, Suryan, Bhairavar, Sri Mariamman, Sri Ayyanar, Sri Saneeswarar, Sri Maavadi Vinayagar, Sri Sivaloganathar, Sri Boologa Nathar, Vinayagar, Sri Viswanathar, Kasi Viswanathar and Nalvar.

Ambal is in a separate Temple, with a Rishabam as a vahana.   Ambal and Moolavar’s Vahana Rishabas are at a 90-degree angle.


HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the temple might have existed before the 7th Century. Later reconstructed during 10th Century Uthama Chozha and extended by Marathas. The inscriptions belong to Kulothunga-I, Rajendra Chozha-I, and Vikrama Chozha.

As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called Thirukurukavur Thiruvelladai Andar, Thirukurukavur Velladaiyappar, Kurugavur Velladaiyappan, and Velladai Mahadevar. The place was under Rajathiraja Valanattu Thiruvali Nattu Kurukavur. The Thiruvali Nadu was  called as Ethirili Chozha Chaturvedi mangalam during Maduraiyum Eezhamum Kondaruliya Rajakesarivarman Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Period.

Kulothunga Chozha’s 13th-year reign inscription records the idols installed for Chandrasekar by Manikonda Chozha Pattinathu, Sathanmandai for which an endowment was created for worship. The 15th year inscription records the installation of Moovar ( Thirugnanasambandar, Appar, and Sundarar ) in praharam.

Kulothunga Chozha’s 13th-year reign inscription records the idols installed for Chandrasekar by Manikonda Chozha pattinathu, Sathanmandai for which an endowment was created for worship. The 15th year inscription records the installation of Moovar ( Thirugnanasambandar, Appar, and Sundarar ) in praharam.

Kulothunga Chozha’s 13th-year reign inscription records the idols installed for Chandrasekar by Manikonda Chozha pattinathu, Sathanmandai for which an endowment was created for worship. The 15th year inscription records the installation of  Moovar ( Thirugnanasambandar, Appar, and Sundarar ) in praharam.

Vikrama Chozha’s 5th-year reign inscription records an endowment of feeding / annadhanam to the Maheswaras and Apoorvis ( may be sathus ) at Thiruchitrambalamudayan Madam / Mutt by Kulothunga Chozha Valanattu Piramboorudayan Thiruchitrambala Mudayan alias Vizhupparaiyan. 

Under one idol, “Vennayiludaiyan EezhathangkiLLai Aruran” is inscribed at the base.

Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 18th June 1986.


LEGENDS
It is believed that Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, Varuna, and Goddess Saraswati worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. It is further believed that Mahavishnu took the form white bull ( White means Vellai in Tamil ) and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple and hence called Velladai, also called Rishaba Puram. In Sanskrit Velladai means “Paramakayam”- this may be translated as “Abode of Deity”.

Lord Shiva asked Kubera to give a gift of gems ( Rathnam in Tamil ) and stones to a poor devotee. Hence Lord Shiva is called Rathnagireswarar.

In another legend, Agni wants to test Sibi. He later to regain his form created a river and offered it to this temple, Hence called Kurukavur. ( Kuruvi – means Pigeon ).   

A place called VarisaipaRRu / Idamanal is about 5. KM from this temple. Sundarar and disciples came to this temple from Sirkazhi. They were hungry and tired. Lord Shiva set up a “Thanneer Pandal”, and served annadhanam and water. When they were sleeping Lord Shiva disappeared with the Thanneer pandal. Hence, Sundarar has sung the hymns starts with ... ``இத்தனையாமாற்றை யறிந்திலேன்``. A Shiva Linga is also there at this place now.

Lord Shiva brought the Ganga in the form of “Pal Kinaru” ( Milk well ) to take a dip and get relieved of the sin at Kurukavur. The devotees are allowed to take a bath in the well on Thai Pournami Day and it will be closed for the rest of the year. During that time water will be in Milk Colour. 


POOJAS AD CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on  Pradosham, “Kattamuthu Thantha vizha’ – Lord Shiva gave food vizha during Chitra Pournami festival ( April – May ), Maha Shivaratri in Masi ( Feb- March ), Thaipoosam with Pancha murti procession. Thai Amavasya Day ( new moon day ), Thirugnanasambandar from Sirkazhi will be brought in procession to this temple and Pal Kinaru Theertham will be offered.   

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 08.30 hrs to 10.30 hrs only.

CONTACT DETAILS :
The Mobile number +91 92456 12705 and Muthu Mani Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile number at +9196555 23342 and +91 94892 53941 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 
On the bus route from Thirumullaivasal to Sirkazhi, get down at the place called Vadagal and the village is about 1 km off the main road.
The temple is 6.00 Km from Sirkazhi, 26 Km from Mayiladuthurai 25 KM from Chidambaram  243 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station is  Sirkazhi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE






---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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