Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 11th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 11th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) |
HISTORY:
Lord
Mahavishnu is said to have been blessed with his “Discus” (Chakrayudam) upon
worshipping Lord Shiva in this temple. It is believed that in his battle
against Sage Thutheesi, Lord Mahavishnu had used his discus (Chakrayudam). When
the discus touched the sage’s body, it lost its sharpness and became defunct.
Worried, Lord Mahavishnu consulted with the celestial gods (Devas) who advised
him that Lord Shiva had the “Sudharsana Chakram” (discus) which he had created
to destroy demon Chalandaran.
Lord
Mahavishnu came to this place (Thirumalpur) and worshipped Lord Shiva here
every day by making an offering of a thousand lotus flowers. To test the
determination of Lord Vishnu, it is believed that Lord Shiva caused shortage of
one flower. To make up for this shortage, Lord Vishnu immediately plucked one
of his eyes out and offered it along with the flowers. Pleased by his
determination, Lord Shiva restored Lord Mahavishnu’s eye and blessed him by
saying that “since you offered your eye in place of a lotus flower, your eyes
will have the beauty of the lotus flower itself and you will be praised as
“Padumashan”. Lord Shiva also blessed him with the “Sudharsana Chakram”.
Because
Lord Mahavishnu was given the Chakra here, this place got the name
Harichakrapuram (in Sanskrit) and Thiru Malpuram (“Mal” meaning Mahavishnu and
“Puram” meaning village in Tamil). Similarly, Lord Shiva here is also praised
as “Sri Malvanangeeswarar” (“Mal” meaning Mahavishnu and “Vanangu” meaning worship
in Tamil).
Lord
Mahavishnu requested Lord Shiva that the devotees who offer their prayers here
to be given the benefits of having worshiped all Shiva temples in the world.
He also prayed that the devotees who visit the lord here may be granted
salvation. Acceeding to Lord Mahavishnu’s request, Lord Shiva informed him that
whoever chants his 1000 names or at least chants his eight names
(Theentachivanthar, Sadarubar, Manikandar, Dayanithiyar, Pavalamalaiyar,
Vattanthavirthar and Sakisanar), would be granted salvation.
This
ancient temple is located on the banks of Virudhasheera River (Palaru) and is
said to be more than 1500 years old. The temple is said to have been built by
King Paranthaka Chola-I.
Goddess Parvathi:
When
Goddess Parvathi was playing with her husband, Lord Shiva, she inadvertently
covered his eyes with her hands. She soon realized that because of this act,
all living beings in the world had come to a standstill. She immediately
removed her hands.
To
repent for the hardships caused due to her action and to seek absolution for
her sins, she decided to come to earth, make a lingam with sand, install it on
the banks of Viruthasheera River and start offering her prayers there. It is
believed that once, while she was offering her prayers, the river started
overflowing. To safeguard the lingam, she hugged it and prayed to her
brother Mahavishnu for help. He immediately took his reclining form
“Ranganathar” and acted as a dam to divert the flood. It is believed that this
lingam is the moolavar in the sanctum of this temple. The place where
Ranganathar diverted the river is called Thiruparkadal. It is near this temple
and there is a separate shrine for Lord Mahavishnu there.
Adhikara Nandhi’s idol:
Adhikara
Nandhi’s idol is in standing posture with a monkey’s face. It is believed that
one day Ravana came to this temple to pray to Lord Shiva and entered the
sanctum without Adhikara Nandhi’s permission. When he returned after his
prayers, Nandhi told him that he should have obtained his permission before
entering into the sanctum. Angered, Ravana told Adhikara Nandhi that being an
ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and having been blessed by the lord himself, he
did not need anyone’s permission to enter the sanctum santorum. He also cursed
the Nandhi to have monkey’s face. In retaliation, Nandhi cursed him that he
would be destroyed by a monkey. It is also believed that Moon God
(Chandran) had also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
It is believed
that the Moolavar of this temple is made of sand by Goddess Parvathi herself.
·
This lingam is
not touched by human hands, not even by the priests, as it is
“Theendathirumeni” and is always covered by a metal sheet (kavacham).
·
Lord Mahavishnu
got his discus (Sudarshana Chakaram) from Lord Shiva here.
·
This is an east
facing temple with main tower (Rajagopuram) with 5-tiers.
·
Lord Mahavishnu
is present in this temple as “Senthamarai Kanna Perumal”. His idol can be seen
worshipping Lord Shiva.
·
Although this is
a Shiva temple, since Lord Mahavishnu is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva
here, many Vaishnava traditions are also followed in this temple. Devotees are
given holi theertham along with the sacred ash (Viputhi). They are also blessed
with “Chatari”. Another interesting aspect is that “Garuda Seva” is observed in
this temple during the Brahmotsavam festival.
·
Many idols here
are depicted in a very unique form - the Dwarabalakas are huge in size;
Adhikara Nandhi is in a standing posture with a monkey’s face; Vinayakar can be
seen with ten hands (as “Vallabha Vinayakar”); Goddess Durga devi is with 8
hands; and Lord Mahavishnu is in a standing posture with folded hands in front
of Lord Shiva.
·
The procession
idol (Utsava Murthy) of Lord Mahavishnu is with a lotus flower in one hand and
an eye in the other hand.
TEMPLE
INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Manikandeswarar, Sri Dhayanitheeswarar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Anchanatchi Amman, Sri Karunai Nayaki |
|
Theertham |
Chakkara Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vilvam |
BELIEF:
It
is believed that devotees who pray to Lord Shiva here would have no threats
from enemies and will also see favourable outcome in litigation cases. It is
also believed that by worshiping the lord here, devotees can seek
salvation.
In
the Tamil month of Masi, Brahmotsavam
is celebrated in a grand manner. During this festival, Theerthavari dedicated
to Lord Shiva and Garuda Seva dedicated to Lord Mahavishnu is observed.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
10 days Brahmotsavam |
|
Aani |
June-July |
Aani
Tirumanjanam |
|
Adi |
July-Aug |
Aadi Velli
and Aadi Puram |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thirumalpur
is at a distance of about 14 kms from Kanchipuram on the Kanchipuram to
Arakkonam route. There is a Railway Station at Thirumalpur. The temple is 5 kms
away from this railway station.
From
Thiruvallur it is about 40 kms.
TEMPLE ADDRESS:
Sri Manikandeeswarar
Temple,
Thirumalperu,
Arakkonam,
Vellore,
Tamil Nadu – 631 053.
LOCATION:
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