Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 30th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 30th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
According
to legend that there was once a Demon King called Vakrasuran, who, being a
staunch devotee of Lord Shiva and had performed rigorous penance here. Pleased
by his penance, Lord Shiva granted him the boon of immortality. Empowered with
immortality, he started terrorizing the celestial gods (Devas). The Devas
pleaded with Lord Shiva to save them from Vakrasuran’s atrocities. Lord Shiva
asked Lord Mahavishnu to kill Vakrasuran, in the fight between Lord Vishnu and
Vakrasuran, as soon as Vakrasuran’s blood touched the ground; demons started
forming in its place. Vakkra Kali (Goddess Parvathi) was sent to drink the
blood without letting it drop to the ground. Mahavishnu used his Sri Chakra and
killed Vakrasuran. When Vakrasuran's sister Dhunmukhi came to the battle field,
she was pregnant. Goddess Parvathi took out the baby wore it in her ear as
earring and then killed Dhunmukhi. After killing Dhunmukhi, she stayed there in
the form of Vakrakali.
As
the Demon Vakrasuran worshipped Lord Shiva here, it is said that this place is
called Vakkarai. Other names associated with this place are Kundalivanam,
Dhukrapuri and Vakrapuripattinam. This place is known as “Thiruvakkarai”. The
temple is located on the banks of river Varaha.As per the information displayed
at the temple, it is more than 2000 years old and was built by King Adithya
Chola.
Dhanumalayan:
The
main deity in this temple, Chandramouleeswarar is in the form of a huge lingam
with 3 faces (Mukham) representing Shiva, Brahmma and Vishnu. This idol is
known as Dhanumalayan. (Dhanu -Shiva, Mal-Vishnu and Ayan- Brahma) The three
faces are facing three different directions - East, North and South. This is a
very rare form and it is said that Thiruvakkarai is the only place where you
can see a three faced Lingam (Mummukham). The face looking east is Thathpurusha
Lingam, the one facing north is the Vamadeva Lingam and the one facing south is
the Agora Lingam. Agora Lingam has two sharp teeth on sides, visible only
during abishekam.
Goddess Vakrakali:
The
Goddess Vakrakali is huge in size and is an example of excellent artistic
workmanship. Normally, Kali temples are present at the border areas of the
villages, whereas in this place, the Kali shrine is inside the Shiva temple
itself.
Vakralingam:
A
lingam known as “Vakralingam” which is believed to have been worshipped by
Demon Vakrasuran is present just opposite to Goddess Vakkrakali’s shrine.
It is said that during summer this lingam is cool to touch and during
winter water drops can be seen on top.
The vakram natures (contradictory)
are:
·
Unlike other
temples, Lord Varadharaja Perumal is having the Chakra in prayoka form (ready
to be hurled).
·
Usually one can
see the main deity from the entrance of the temple itself; however, in this
temple the main deity is not visible from the entrance because the Nandi, the
flag post and the Moolavar are not in a straight line and are slightly away
from each other.
·
Unlike other
temples the Sani Bhagavan’s Vahanam, the crow is facing the left side as
opposed to the normal right side.
·
On the right
side of lord Shiva shrine, you can see Kundalini Maharishi’s Jeeva Samadhi with
a Shiva Lingam installed on the top of it. Kundalini Maharishi was a Siddhar
and made many prayers to Lord Shiva here.
·
Here Lord Shiva
has three faces. It is said that there are only two famous Shiva temples that
have a Panchamukha Lingam (Lingam with five faces) - one in Nepal in the North
and the other in Srikalahasthi in Andhra Pradesh in the South. But a three
faced Lingam – Mummukha Lingam – can only be seen at Thiruvakkarai.
People Worshipped
lord shiva here:
Lord
Chandiran (Moon god) worshipped the Lord Shiva here.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
The main tower (Rajagopuram) has
7-tiers.
·
Although this is a Shiva temple, Goddess
Vakrakali is more prominent here.
·
Everything in this temple, including the
idols, the structures and the flag post are “Vakram” (Contrary / Unusual).
·
The Sri Chakra,
installed by Acharya Sri Sankara is present on the left side of Goddess
Vakrakali.
·
The mandapam
(hall) is called Vasantha Mandapam and it is built beautifully in the form of a
horse-driven chariot.
·
The Nandhi that
is present in front of the Vakra Lingam is half-submerged in water.
·
Natarajar has
his right leg lifted up and left leg placed on the ground, contrary to the
normal posture. Also, his hair is tied up and not flowing, like in other
temples. This posture is called “Vasantha Tandavam”.
·
The idol of Lord
Varadaja Perumal is about six feet tall and the lord can be seen in a standing
posture without his consorts.
·
In the outer
corridor, you can see the idols of 16 plate (pattai in Tamil) Shiva Lingam and
Veerabathrar with 8 hands. There is a separate shrine for Sakasra Lingam –
(1008 small lingams engraved on one larger lingam).
·
Valampuri
Ganapathi is rarely seen in Shiva temples.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Chandramouleeswarar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Amirthambikai, Sri
Vadivambikai |
|
Theertham |
Surya Pushkarini, Chandira
Pushkarini and Varaha River |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vilvam |
BELIEF:
Thiruvakkarai
is a famous Parihara Sthlam for all “Vakra Dhoshams”.
Those
experiencing Vakra Sani period in their horoscope, can pray here for relief
from its adverse effects.
There
is a small shrine for Deepalakshmi, next to the Goddess Parvathi’s shrine. It
is strongly believed by devotees that worshiping Deepalakshmi after lighting a
lamp and tying a Mangalsutra during Rahukalam, can help remove obstacles in
their marriage proposal.
Devotees
pray to Lord Shiva in this temple to seek mental peace and to seek absolution
from the sins of their previous lives.
Thousands
of devotees gather in this temple on Poornima (full moon) days at 12.00 p.m.
(midnight) and on Amavasya (new moon) days at 12.00 noon when Jyothi dharisanan
is offered to Goddess Vakrakali Amman. This dharisanam is considered very
auspicious.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Chithirai |
April-May |
Poornima day |
|
Aadi |
July-Aug |
Aadi
Kruthikai |
|
Thai |
Jan-Feb |
Thai
Kruthikai |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Vinayakar
Chathurthi |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Vijayadasami |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiruvakkari
is situated at a distance of about 25 kms each from Pondicherry, Tindivanam and
Villupuram. On the Pondicherry to Mayilam route, there is a village called
Perumbakkam. An arch (Entrance) of this temple is erected at Perumpakkam and
from here this temple is at a distane of about 6 kms.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Chandramouleeswarar
Temple,
Tiruvakkarai,
Vanur,
Villupuram,
Tamil Nadu-604 304.
LOCATION:
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