Friday, 19 February 2021

Sri Veezhinathar Temple, / Sri Nethrarpaneswarar Temple / அருள்மிகு வீழிநாதேஸ்வரர் கோயில் / Thiruveezhimizhalai / Thiruvizhimizhalai, திருவீழிமிழலை, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 178th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery and 61st  sthalam of Chozha Nadu. This is also one of the 44 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where the moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva.


In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that both Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal came to this temple together and requested Lord Shiva, for money to feed the needy.

வந்துதிரு வீழிமிழலை மறைவல்ல
அந்தணர்கள் போற்றிசைப்பத் தாமும் மணிமுத்தின்
சதமணிச்சிவிகை நின்று இழிந்து தாழ்ந்தருளி
உய்ந்த மறையோருடன் அணைந்து அங்குஉள்புகுவார்
...... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்
வீழி மிழலை தனைப்பணிந்து வேத முதல்வர் தாம் இருப்ப
ஆழிவலம் ஏந்திய அரியால் ஆகாசத்தின் நின்று இழிந்த
வாழி மலர்ந்த கோயில் தனில் மன்னும் பொருளைப் போற்றி இசைத்துத்
தாமும் நாளிற் பிறபதியும் பணியும் காதல் தலைநிற்பார்
...... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்
Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar Manickavasagar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

அரைஆர் விரிகோ வண ஆடை
நரைஆர் விடைஊர் திநயந்தான்
விரைஆர் பொழில்வீ ழிம்மிழலை
உரையால் உணர்வார் உயர்வாரே
....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
கரைந்து கைதொழு வாரையும் காதலன்
வரைந்து வைதெழு வாரையும் வாடலன்
நிரந்த பாரிடத் தோடவர் நித்தலும்
விரைந்து போவது வீழி மிழலைக்கே
....... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்
நம்பி னார்க்கருள் செய்யும் அந்தணர்
        நான்ம றைக்கிட மாய வேள்வியுள்
செம்பொ னேர்மடவா ரணி பெற்ற திருமிழலை
        உம்ப ரார்தொழு தேத்த மாமலை
யாளொ டும்முட னேயு றைவிடம்
        அம்பொன் வீழிகொண்டீர் அடி யேற்கும் அருளுதிரே
....... சுந்தரர்
பங்கயம் ஆயிரம் பூவினி லோர் பூக் குறையத்
தங்கண் இடந்துஅரன் சேவடிமேற் சாத்தலுமே
சங்கரன் எம்பிரான் சக்கரமாற்கருளிய வா(று)
எங்கும் பரவிநாம் தோணோக்கம் ஆடாமோ
...... மாணிக்கவாசகர்
                                                                -“முன்அரசும்
காழிமிழலை யருங்கண்டு தொழக் காசளித்த
வீழிமிழலை விராட்டுருவே
........ திருஅருட்பா
ஒழிவில் உயிர்கட்கு உயிராய்க் குணங்களின்றி
        உருவருவ மென்றின்றி மலமொன்றின்றி
அழிவில் வியாபகமா யானந்த ரூப
        மாய்விளங்கும் பரம் பொருள்தான் அருளினாலே
பழுதில் அரிபூசை கொள்வானருளு ருக்கொள் எந்தை
        பக்தியுடன் கமலம்போல் அவன் இடந்து சாத்தும்
விழி மருவும் வீழிமிழலை மேவும்
        விண்ணிழிந்த நாயகன் சீர் விளம்பி உய்வாம்
....... தலபுராணம்
Moolavar  : Sri Veezhi Natheswarar, Sri Nethrarpaneswarar,
                  Sri Vizhiazhageesar, Sri Vizhiazhagar.
Consort    : Sri Sundarakujambigai, Sri Azhagumalammai

Some of the salient features of this temple are.....
The temple is facing east with a three tier Rajagopuram. Rishabam, balipeedam are in front & back of the mandapam after Rajagopuram. In Sanctum on the back wall of moolavar, image of  Lord Shiva & Parvati’s marriage kolam.   There is no koshta murthis. Urchava murti is in Kalyana kolam, Lord Shiva and Parvati are with two hands and Maha Vishnu is also along with them.

In prakaram Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar and Chandikeswarar. In prakaram, Vinayagar, Murugan, Padikasu Vinayagar, Nataraja with Sivagami, Somaskandar, Pichadanar, Kala Samhara Moorthy, Thyagaraja, Dakshinamurthy, Nalvar, Rettai Vinayagar, Munni Vinayagar, Balaganapathy, Balasubramaniar, Selva Thiyagarajar, Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar, Few Shiva Lingas, Sri Muktha Devi, Somaskandar, Ekambareswarar, Arunachaleswarar, Vaidhyanathar, Kalahastheeswara, Mayuranathar, Chandikeswarar, Padhala Nandhi, Suriyan, Bhairavar, Meikandar and Shaniswarar, in a separate sannadhi. Thirumoolanathar as a Shiva Linga is near the Dwajasthamba. Ambal is in a separate temple with Murugan and Vinayagar sannathis.

Urchavar Lord Shiva is with a balance and Amal is with a Padi ( a measure ), hence Lord Shiva is called as Chettiappar, and Ambal is called as Padiyalantha nayagi. Alsi the Urchavars are Natarajar, Somaskandar, Chandrasekar, Chakradharanar, Pichadanar, Kalasamharar, Swarkaavathanesar and Nayanmars.

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

முருகா வெனவோர் தரமோ தடியார்
            முடிமே லிணைதா                                      ளருள்வோனே
முனிவோ ரமரோர் முறையோ வெனவே
            முதுசூ ருரமேல்                                            விடும்வேலா
திருமால் பிரமா வறியா  தவர்சீர்
            சிறுவா திருமால்                                          மருகோனே
செழுமா மதில்சே ரழகார் பொழில்சூழ்
            திருவீ ழியுல்வாழ்                                         பெருமாளே

ARCHITECTURE
The main temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a Mukha mandapam. A special Vimana is over the sanctum and is supported by 16 lions. An open pillared mandapam is around the sanctum. The temple looks like a mada Koil, built on a raised upana – platform.



HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva the original temple might have existed before 7th Century. Latter the same was reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozha period and further extended by Vijayanagaras.

As per the inscriptions, this place Thiruveezhimizhalai  was under Uyyakonda Chozha valanattu venattu Brahmadeya Thiruveezhimizhalai and Lord Shiva was called Veezhinathar, Veezhimizhalai.

Installation of Images with shrines of Nintraruliya Nayanar, Nerivar Kuzhali Nachiyar, Thiruvetteesvaramudaya mahadevar, Thiruvekambamudayar, Parvatheeswaramudayar, Thiruthandoondria Mahadevar, Ambal, Kamakottamudaya Nachiyar, Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and Manickavasagar are recorded in this temple. 

The inscriptions, belongs to Chozha Kings starting from Aditha Chozha’s son Parantaka Chozha-I, Pandya Kings Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan, Veerapandiya, Vijayanagara King Viruppanna Udayar and some inscriptions without Kings name, totally 68 inscriptions recorded from this temple. 

The inscriptions records that, Rajendra Chozha gifted land to Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal madam, Rajarajan-III‘s inscription records the installation of Manickavasagar’s shrine in the 3rd prakara, Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan’s inscription records that arrangements are made for reciting of Thirupathigam with clapping hands, Rajaraja-I period inscription records that endowment of feeding to the devotees who came for the  Aippasi , Thiruvona Thiruvizha, for which money / kasu was gifted, A Sword named as “Sri Kalakalan” was gifted to Sri Veemizhalai  Nathar by Arikulakesari Vizhuparaiyan.  Rajendra Chozha Anukkappallavaraiyar re-established / renovated the Urchavar Mappilai Swamy alias Kalyana Sundarar.

Rajaraja-I’s 12th reign year inscription records the endowment of land on the down stream side of an eri was handed over to the Sabha, which was in turn gifted to a temple servant.

The inscription believed to be of Arinjaya Chozha’s 1st reign year inscriptions records the endowments of a gift of a plate weighing 240 Kalanju used for daily pooja, by Udayar Tantonri, Tanichchevagar, may be the King himself.

The Vijayalaya Chozha’s 6th reign year inscription records the endowment of 120.25 gold for mid day feeding to  4 brahmins, by Amarabhujangan Muppuli alias Gandaru ganda Pallavaraiyan, a land was purchased for this purpose and after the demise of the donor the Charity was transferred to his son Amarabhujangan Vannapperaraiyan alias Vanavan Peraraiyan.

Uthama Chozha’s,15th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 96 sheeps / goats are gifted to the sabha by Muttan Edudayar, on behalf of his wife ( the name is not clear in the SII record ).    

Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 34th reign year  inscription records the establishment of Chandeswara’s shrine and gave gift for daily worship.

This is one of the Temples under the administrative control of Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam. Maha Kumbabishekam was conducted during recent years on 20th January 2000 and 11th September 2013.

LEGENDS
It is believed that Mahavishnu, sage Vasishta, Kamadhenu, Rathi, King Manu, King Sweda Kethu, Hunter Mizhazhai Kurumbar worshiped Lord Shiva of this Temple.

Lord Shiva and Parvati’s images are installed at the back of the moolavar. The images are not in usual form with 4 hands, but with 2 hands as humans. Lord Shiva is called as “Kalyana Sundareswarar” and also called as “Mappillai Swamy” locally.

In another legend Lord Maha Vishnu worshiped Lord Shiva and has got the Chakra- Chakrayutham. It is believed that Maha Vishnu used the same in the battle against Thatheesi. When the chakra touches the body of the sage it has become blunt. Worried Maha Vishnu consulted the Devas. They advised Maha Vishnu to pray Lord Shiva and request the Sudarsana Chakra, which he used to kill Jalandharan. Maha Vishnu came to this place, created a Vimana called “Vinnizhi Vimana” and worshiped Lord Shiva by placing him under the vimana.

Maha Vishnu worshiped Lord Shiva with 1000 lotus flowers every day. To test his devotion Lord Shiva made to disappear one lotus flower. Since Maha Vishnu is also called as Kamala Kannan – Lotus flower eyes -  immediately plucked his one of his eyes and offered to Lord Shiva. Please by the devotion, Lord Shiva gave him the Sudarshana Chakra. Both Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal mentioned this legend in their hymns on Lord Shiva of this temple.

“தன்றவம் பெரிய சலந்தரனுடலந் தடிந்த சக்கிரம் எனக்கருள் என்றுன்று வழிபட்டு இழிச்சிய விமானத்து இறையவன் பிறையணி சடையவன்””, is as per Thirugnanasambandar.

In another legend, Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal came to this temple together. During their visit this place was under heavy draught and people were starving out of food. Both saints prayed to Lord Shiva money to feed them. Lord Shiva gave them “Padikasu”, at two places in front of balipeedam. The mandapa where the padikasu was given is called as padikasu mandapam. Vinayagar is also called as Padikasu Vinayagar. With the Gold coins received from Lord Shiva through Vinayagar, they used to feed to the needy people. It is believed that the Padikasu given to Thirugnanasambandar, was less purity compared to Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal. This he mentions in this hymns as “Vaasi theerave Kasu nalkuver...”. Lord Shiva also gave the Sirkazhi Thoniappar darshan from the Vinnizhi Vimana.      

காரணகாரியங் கடந்த இபமுகன் பாரதத்தைக்
        கனககிரிதனில் வரைந்தகோடுடைய எந்தை
ஏருறு நற்றமிழ்வேத மாகிய பாமாலை
        இசையுள கொற்குருகி உளமிறைஞ்சி நின்றே சாத்திச்
சீருறு சம்பந்தருக்கும் அப்பருக்கும் மிரங்கித்
        தீவினைக் காலத்திவணுற் றின்புறுதிர் என்றே
பாரறிய அநுதினமும் வீழிநகர் தனின் முன்
        படிக்காசு வைத்த கணபதி யிருதாள் பணிவாம்
..... தலபுராணம்
After getting the Gold Thirugnanasambandar and Appar went to the street, sold the gold and purchased materials. The street is now called as Ayyanpettai. Lord Shiva at that temple is called as Chettiappar and Ambal is called as "Padiyalantha nayagi". Urchavar is with a balance and Amal is with a Padi ( a measure ).

In another legend a hunter named “Mizhalai Kurumbar” worshiped Lord Shiva every day with “Vilam” fruit. Pleased by the devotion, Lord Shiva gave a darshan and blessed him. The Hunter did a severe penance on Lord Shiva and attained Ashtama Siddhi with the grace of Lord Shiva. There is a separate shrine for him in the prakara. It is believed that this place has got its name from this hunter Mizhalai Kurumbar as – Thiruveezhimizhalai.

In another legend a King called Sweda kethu, who belongs to a country in north India came to this temple as advised by the astrologers, since it was predicted as 18 years as his life span. The King worshiped Lord Shiva and life span was extended.

Padikasu mandapam

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Aavani ( Aug – Sept ), Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb –March ) and every month pradosham.



TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :
The land line and mobile Phone numbers +91 4366 273050 & +91 9443924825 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 
Buses are available from Thiruvarur, Kumbakonam, Peralam, Aduthurai and Poonthottam.
This place Thiruveezhimizhalai is 4 Km from  Anniyur, 19 KM from Aduthurai, 26 KM from Kumbakonam,  29 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 25 KM from Thiruvarur and 317 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Aduthurai and Junction is Mayiladuthurai. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE






--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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