13. SRI AABATH SAHAYESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRUPPAZHANAM

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	67th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	13th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

Lord Mahavishnu is believed to have taken the form of a white bull (Rishabham) and worshiped Lord Shiva here, hence this place is called Velladai (“Vellai” means White in Tamil), Rishabapuram, and Vishnupuram.

Agni took the form of a pigeon to test King Sibi. Afterwards, in order to regain his original form, he created a river and offered its water as prayer to Lord Shiva. Hence this place is called “Kurukavur” (“kuruvi” means pigeon in Tamil). Velladai also means “Paramakayam” in Sanskrit.  This can roughly be translated to “abode of deity”. The historical name of this village is Kurukavur and that of the temple is Velladai. Now the village is known as Thirukkadaavur.

Sri Ratnagireswarar:

It is also believed that Lord Shiva instructed Kuberan to provide a poor devotee with a gift of gems; hence the lord here is also praised as “Sri Ratnagireswarar”. (“Ratnam” means gems in Tamil).

Saint Sundarar:

When Saint Sundarar was approaching Thirukkurukavur, he was quite hungry and tired. Lord Shiva came in the guise of an old man and made a small shelter and waited for him. He received Sundarar and his followers and offered them food and water. He also asked them to take rest there. After resting, Sundarar wanted to thank the old man but to his surprise both the old man and the tent were nowhere to be found. Sundarar realised that this was a play of Lord Shiva himself. With tears of thanks and affection, he rendered his Pathigam there. The place where Lord Shiva provided meals to his devotees is known as “Varisaipatru” or “Daddiyonnapuram”. 

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar:

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar fought the Jains who had waged a war against Saivism. Sambanthar overcame all the challenges that the Jains put forth and re-established the glory of Saivism in Tamil Nadu. As was agreed between Sambanthar and the Jains, the latter were hanged after Sambanthar emerged victorious in all the challenges. However, Sambanthar had to incur the sin of causing the death of the Jains and wanted to go to Kasi (Banaras) to seek respite from the sin. As Sirkazhi was his birthplace, he went to the Sirkazhi temple to seek Lord Shiva’s permission to proceed to Kasi. Lord Shiva appeared before Sambanthar and asked him to go to Kurukavur instead.

When Sambanthar came to this temple, the lord is believed to have brought the Ganges itself in a well near the temple. The Saint took a dip in the holy Ganges and got relieved of his sins. This well is known as “Pal Kinaru”. On the new moon day in the Tamil month of Thai, Theerthavari festival is celebrated here. During this time, the colour of the water in the well become while. Hence the name “Pal Kinaru” (“Pal” means milk and “Kinaru” means well in Tamil). Devotees are allowed to take a dip on this day only and the well remains closed during the rest of the year.

People who worshipped here:

It is believed that lords Mahavishnu, Brahma, Indiran, Varunan and Goddess Saraswathi have worshiped the lord of this temple.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·   The water in this temple’s well is believed to turn white on the new moon day in the Tamil month of Thai.
·        Traditionally, idols of Lord Murugan are east facing. However, in this temple Lord Murugan can be seen facing the south, a direction that is usually attributed to Lord Guru.
·        There is no shrine for Navagraham in this temple.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Velladai Eswarar, Sri Velvidai Nathar, Sri Ratnagireeswarar, Sri Swetha Rishabeswarar
Ambal	Sri Kaviyangkanni Amman, Sri Neelothpava Visalakshi
Theertham	Velvidai Theertham (a well) / Paalkinaru
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam tree

BELIEF:

Lord Murugan is revered as Dakshinamurthy in this temple. He graces with his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Special poojas are performed to him on Thursdays, a day considered to be auspicious for Guru.

Since Lord Shiva of this temple offered food to saint Sundarar, devotees believe that worshipping him here would ensure that they never face shortage of food.

The event of Lord Shiva blessing Sambanthar with water from the Ganges is celebrated on Thai Amavasai (new moon day) in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February). The water turns white on this day. On this day, the procession idol of Sambanthar is brought to this temple from the Sirkazhi Brahmmapureeswarar temple. The presiding deities of this temple - Sri Velladainathar and Goddess Kavianganni grants darshan to Sambanthar and give him the Theertham. Sambanthar returns to Sirkazhi in the evening. This event is celebrated in a grand manner.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Chithirai	April-May	Sundaramoorthy Nayanar with food is enacted on Chitra Pournami
Thai	Jan-Feb	Thai Poosam
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti

HOW TO REACH:

Thirukkurukavur is located at a distance of about 6 kms from Sirkazhi. Sirkazhi is on the Chidambaram to Mayiladuthurai route.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Velladai Eswarar Temple,
Thirukkurukavur,
Vadakal,
Sirkazhi,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu – 609115.

LOCATION: