Sri Ukthavedeeswarar Temple / Sri Uktha Vedeeswaraswamy Temple / Thiruthuruthi / Kuthalam, உக்தவேதீஸ்வரர் கோயில், குத்தாலம், Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 154^th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 37^th Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place was once called as Thiruthuruthi ( a protruding land between two rivers – like Thittai ) and now called as Kuttalam. This is one of the Nalvar Paadal Petra Shiva temples, ie Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar and Manickavasagar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

In Periyapuranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Therazhundur ( Mada Koil ..?).

திரைத்தடம் புனல்பொன்னி சூழ்திருத்துருத்தியினில்

வரைத்தலைப் பசும்பொன் எனும் வண்தமிழ்ப் பதிகம்

உரைத்து மெய்உறப் பணிந்து போந்து உலவும் அந்நதியின்

கரைக்கண் மூவலூர் கண்ணுதலால் கழல் பணிந்தார்

....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்

மேவுபுனல் பொன்னி இரு கரையும் சார்ந்து

        விடை உயர்ந்தார் திருச்செம்பொன் பள்ளி பாடிக்

காஉயரும் மயிலாடுதுறை நீள் பொன்னிக்

        கரைத்துருத்தி வேள்விக்குடி எதிர்கொள்பாடி

பாஉறு செந்தமிழ்மாலை பாடிப் போற்றிப்

        பரமர் திருப்பதி பலவும் பணிந்து போந்தே

ஆஉறும் அஞ்சு ஆடுவார் கோடிக்காவில்

....... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar, Manickavasagar, Ayyadigal kadavarkon and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Thirugnanasambandar and Sundarar has sung hymns combining both Thiruthuruthi and Thiruvelvikudi. In that they mentions Lord Shiva with Uma will be at Thiruthuruthi during day time and during night at Thiruvelvikudi. Sundarar in his hymns that, requests Lord Shiva to relieve him from a decease. Latter Sundarar had taken a dip in the temple tank and got relieved from the decease, as instructed by Lord Shiva. 

வரைத்தலைப் பசும்பொனோடு அருங்கலன்கள் உந்திவந்து

        இரைத்தலைச் சுமந்து கொண்டு எறிந்திலங்கு காவிரிக்

கரைத்தலைத் துருத்திபுக்கு இருப்பதே கருதினாய்

        உரைத்தலைப் பொலிந்துனக்கு உணர்த்துமாறு வல்லமே

ஓங்கிமேல் உழிதரும் ஒலிபுனல் கங்கையை ஒரு சடைமேல்

        தாங்கினார் இடுபலி தலைகல னாக் கொண்ட தம்மடிகள்

பாங்கினால் உமையொடும் பகலிடம் புகலிடம் பைம்பொழில் சூழ்

        வீங்கு நீர்த் துருத்திஆர் இரவிடத்து உறைவார் வேள்விக்குடியே

....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

பொருந்திய குரும்பை தன்னைப் பொருளெனக் கருத வேண்டா

இருத்தியெப் பொழுதும் நெஞ்சுள் இறைவனை யேத்து மின்கள்

ஒருத்தியைப் பாகம் வைத்தங்கு ஒருத்தியைச் சடியுள் வைத்த

துருத்தியம் சுடரி னானைத் தொண்ட னேன் கண்டவாறே

..... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

மின்னுமா மேகங்கள் பொழிந்திழிந்(து) அருவி

        வெடிபடக் கரையொடும் திரைகொணர்ந்(து) ஏற்றும்

அன்னமாய் காவிரி அகன்கரை உறைவார்

        அடியினை தொழுதெழும் அன்பராம் அடியார்

சொன்னவா(று) அறிவார் துருத்தியார் வேள்விக்

        குடியுளார் அடிகளைச் செடியனேன் நாயேன்

என்னை நான் மறக்குமா(று) எம்பெரு மானை

        என்னுடம்(பு) அடும்பிணி இடர் கெடுத் தானை

........ சுந்தரர்

உருத்தெரியாக் காலத்தே உள்புகுந்தென் உளம்மன்னிக்

கருத்திருத்தி ஊன்புக்குக்கருணையினால் ஆண்டுகொண்ட

திருத்துருத்திமேயானைத் தித்திக்குஞ் சிவபதத்தை

அருந்தியதனால் நாயடியேன் அணிகொள்வதில்லை கண்டேனே

....... மாணிக்கவாசகர்

வஞ்சியானை நுண்ணிடையார் வாள்தடங்கள் நீர்சோரக்

குஞ்சி குறங்கின் மேல்கொண்டிருந்து – கஞ்சி

அருத்தொருத்தி கொண்டுவா என்னாமுன் நெஞ்சே

திருத்துருத்தி யான் பாதஞ் சேர்

....... ஐயடிகள் காடவர்கோன்

                                                                        -:பேராங்

கருத்திருத்தி யேத்தங் கருத்தர்க்கருள் செய்

திருத்துருத்தி யின்பச் செழிப்பே

....... திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Ukthavedeeswarar, Sri Sonnavaaru Arivar.
Consort    : Sri Amirthamukizhambigai,
                 Sri Arumbannavanamulayal,
                 Sri Imruthamukulakujambigai.

Some of the important features of this temple are.......
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are near the sthala vruksham ( Ukthala maram ). In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar with Brahma and Maha Vishnu on both sides, Agasthiyar, Pichadanar, Brahma and Durgai.

In prakaram Thunaivantha Vinayagar, Arumugar sitting on his Vahana Peacock with his consorts Sri Valli Devasena, Valanchuzhi Vinayagar, Murugan, Natarajar, Viswanathar, Saptarishis, 63var, Nalvars ( In that Sundarar is with Paravai Nachiyar ), Pancha Lingas, Navagrahas, Mangala Saneeswaran, Bhairavar, Maha lakshmi ( stucco ) and Suriyan. Succo Images of Lord Shiva & Parvati’s marriage is on the back side of the sanctum Sanctorum.

The 15^th Century Saint Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord muruga of this temple.

சிலைக்கை முப்புர நீறெழ வேதிரு

            வுளத்தி லற்பமெ னாநினை தேசிகர்

            சிறக்க முத்தமி ழாலொரு பாவக               மருள்பாலா

    திருக் கடப்பலர் சூடிய வார்குழல்

            குறத்தி கற்புட னேவிளை யாடியொர்

            திருத் துருத்தியில் வாழ்முரு காசுரர்       பெருமாளே

ARCHITECTURE

Ambal is in a separate temple with separate 3 tier Rajagopuram. The sanctum Sanctorum is with sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and mukha mandapam.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS
Since Nalvar has Sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple was existed before 7^th Century. Latter the same was reconstructed with stone during Chozha period and expanded during Pandyas and Vijayanagaras period.

As per the inscriptions this place was mentioned as “Veenguneerthuruthi” and Kalyanalaya and Lord Shiva was called as Veenguneer Thiruthuruththiyudaya Mahadevar, Udayar Sonnavararivar, ThirukaRRali Mahadevar.

The Chozhas and Vijayanagarathar’s period inscriptions records the lands gifted as Irayili and purchase of lands, and gave permission to collect the taxes, etc. 

Rajendra Chozha-I’s, 5^th reign inscription records the endowment of feeding of Shiva devotees, to get victory in the war for which money was gifted to this temple Thiruvazhunthur Nattu Veenguneer Thiruthuruthi Sonnavararivar temple. The same King’s 15^th reign year inscription records a land was sold to construct a Thirumadam.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s period inscription records an order of KuRRalamudayan Ishbathevan Vikka Vinayagar alias Jayadarappallavaraiyar to a certain Kavanurudayan asking him to re enter the tax-remission register 4 veli of Land which had been included in the brahmadeya granted by him in to reallot the 2 veli land to the temple of Vikrama Sozhiswaramudayar and two to the brahmanas. Of the land found in excess in the survey, one Veli of land was to be allotted as Thirumanattukani to the same temple.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 9^th reign year inscription starts with his meikeerthi, records the sale of land and house site by the sabha, of Kanakkaiyur alias Kamakkamangalam, in Peravur Nadu in Uyyakondarvalanadu, to the temple of Mahadeva of Vingunir Thiruthuruthiin Thiruvazhundur nadu for 72 Kasu inclusive of the Capital, for the payment of Taxes by the sabha on behalf of the temple. The same Kings 8^th reign inscription records the sale of ½ veli land ( made tax free ), by the sabha to the Thirukkarrali Mahadevar of Thiruthuruthi, for 45 Kasu.

Rajendra Chozhas-I’s 5^th reign year inscription records the endowment of 25 Kasu by Venkadan Adavallan, a merchant of Gangaikonda Chozhapuram, for feeding the Sivayoginis during midday from the interest. The amount was deposited to the Siva brahmins of the temple. 

Rajendra Chozha-III’s  15^th year inscription records the sale of two adjacent house sites measuring 3 kol and 9 kol east to west, with a depth of 17 Kol situated in the north side of the Tirumadaivilakam of of the temple of TiruchchattimuRRam Udayar at Kil Pazhayari alias Rajarajapuram, in Kulothunga Chozha Valanadu to a matha / mutt at that place, belonging to the lineage of Meyanasivar for 700 Kasu by the temple of Sonnavararivar.  

The Vijayanagara King Krishna Devarayar period ( Saka 1440 ie 1518 CE ) inscription records the gift of taxes collected equivalent to 90 pon ( Gold ). The same was gifted on Mamangam / Maha magha. This records as Sarvamanya gift of the taxes Jodi, sulavari, Kallanai, Nattu Kaanikkai, rayavarttanai  and avasara varttanaiamounting to 90 pon, and due to the King from Merkaveri- Maganai in favour of the temple of Sonnavareeswarar at Tiruthururthi Kuthalam on a representation made to him by Karanikam Vasavarasar, son of Somarasar of ThiruppeyyaRRur in Eyil nadu, a division of Thondai mandalam. The amount was to be utilized for offering, Naivedyam and adornments, repairs and special festivals every month to the god. 

The Vijayanagara King Kampanna Udayar saka 1303 ie 1381 CE, inscription is found much damaged and records the taxes remission and draught prevailed at that time.

During 6^th to 7^th Century the river was flowing on both sides and on only one side. This is one of the 27 Temples which come under Administrative control of Dharmapuram Adheenam. Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 01^st February 1960.

LEGENDS: 
The Sthala Vruksham is Ukthala / Uththala maram/ tree, hence this place is called as Uthalavanam which changed to the present name of Kuthalam. Uma, Varunan, Kali, sages Kasiban, Angirasan, Gauthamar, Vasistar, Bharatha, Markandeyar, Pulathiyar, Agathiyar worshiped the Lord Shiva of this temple.

When Ambal came to this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva gave darshan and hold Ambal’s hand. Ambal prayed Lord Shiva and asked him to marry her with the permission of her father and mother so that they will be very happy. Lord Shiva replied that” we will abide the rules laid by us and marry you”. Hence Lord Shiva is called as “Sonnavaru arivar- சொன்னவாறு அறிவார்”. The form in which Lord Shiva came to Marry Ambal is called as “Manavala nathar – மணவாள நாதர்”.  Lord Shiva came with Vedas as Padukas – foot wear, Umbrella as Uthala Tree. So Lord Shiva’s Paduka is under the Sthala Vruksham Ukthala Tree. On the opposite is Ambal as “Narunsanthilamulai Ammai- நறுஞ்சாந்திள முலையம்மை”. The Vinayagar who came as escort to Ambal is called as “Thunaivantha Vinayagar”.  Stucco image is on back side of Sanctum.

When Sundarar was suffering from a skin decease, he was directed to take a dip in the Padmatheertham and worship Lord Shiva. After taking dip in the theertham, Sundarar was relieved from the decease. In, Another version, Sundarar was directed to consume the leaves of the Ukthala Tree. After consuming /eating sthala viruksha leaves, he was relieved from the decease. Sthala vruksham is Uthala tree/maram and it was told that there is no such tree available in the world. The tree has got lot of medicinal properties. 

Ambal ma Parvati’s marriage is associated with many places around this temple / place. At Therazhundur Lord Shiva cursed ma Parvati to become a Cow and Maha Vishnu to play the role of shepherd. At Thirukozhambam ma Parvati worshiped Lord Shiva, to get rid of the Curse as Cow. At Thiruvaduthurai also Ma Parvati worshiped Lord Shiva in the form of Cow. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Kokileswarar. At Thiruthuruthi ma Parvati came out of yagna conducted by the sage Bharatha. Ma Parvati was brought up by the sage. At Ethirkolpadi Lord Shiva was welcomed as bridegroom by his father-in-law sage Bharatha. The marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati took place at Thiruvelvikudi and at Thirumananjeri marriage darshan was given to all. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), Panguni Uthiram in the month Panguni ( March – April ), Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Aavani ( Aug – Sep ), On all Mondays ie Somavarams in the moth Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ) and on monthly pradoshams.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 09.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The Land line and mobile numbers +91 4364 235 225 and +91 94878 83800 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH :
This place Kuthalam is on the bus route from Kumbakonam to Mayiladuthurai.
The temple is about 1 KM off from Kumbakonam to Mayiladuthurai main road, 6 KM from Thiruvaduthurai, 11 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 27 KM from Kumbakonam, 66 KM from Thanjavur and 300 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Kuthalam ( 1.6 KM ) and Railway Junction is Mayiladuthurai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---