Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 178th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - South |
Chola Naadu - South | 61st Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)
and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) |
HISTORY:
This
ancient temple is situated on the northern banks of the river Arisilaru. According
to legend, in ancient times, this region was a forest densely covered with
jackfruit, sandalwood, Shenbakam and Vila trees. This forest was called the
“Veezhi” forest. This ancient temple is believed to be more than 2000 years
old.
Sage Kathyayana:
Sage
Kathyayana and his wife Sumangalai had performed rigorous penance here to
obtain the blessings for a child. Pleased with their penance, Goddess Parvathi
herself was born to them. She was named “Karthyayini”. When she grew up and
attained the marriageable age, the sage prayed to Lord Shiva that he help him
find a suitable groom for her. Responding to his prayers, Lord Shiva appeared
and told him that he would marry his daughter on the “Magam” star day in the
Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May). The lord further told the sage that his
daughter is none other than Goddess Parvathy herself. As told by Lord Shiva,
their wedding took place here. The sanctum resembles a “Kalyana Mandapam”
(marriage hall) with two pillars – one is said to be “Arasanikkal” and the
other “Panthakkal”. This form of sanctum cannot be seen anywhere else. The sage
requested the lord to stay back in this temple in their wedding form and grant
darshan to all the devotees. Since then it is believed that the lord can be
seen in the sanctum sanctorum in their wedding form.
The
idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy that are placed behind the main lingam
are very special as both of them are in a human form with a height of about 12
feet. The lord is known as Sri Kalyanasundarar and is also colloquially called
as “Mappillai Swamy” (“Mappillai” means groom in Tamil). The inner tower is in
the shape of a chariot with Lord Indra as the driver and Lord Shiva seated
behind as the groom.
Lord Mahavishnu:
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 Thatheesi, Lord Mahavishnu had used his discus. 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
(Thiruveezhimizhalai) carrying a sanctum tower (“Vinnizhi Vimanam”) with him.
He placed the idol of Lord Shiva inside it and worshipped him every day by
making an offering of a thousand lotus flowers.
To
test Lord Vishnu’s determination, it is believed that one day, Lord Shiva
caused the shortage of one flower. To make up for this shortage, Lord Vishnu
immediately plucked out one of his eyes out and offered it along with the
flowers. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Shiva restored Lord Mahavishnu’s eye and
blessed him with the “Sudharsana Chakram”. Lord Shiva also named Lord
Mahavishnu as “Kamalakkannan” (“Kamalam” means lotus in Tamil).
In
his hymn, Saint Thirunavukkarasar mentioned about Lord Mahavishnu’s worship and
the way he offered his eye to the lord. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar also
mentioned in his hymn about Lord Mahavishnu’s worship and the sanctum tower
that he placed here.
Saint Thirunavukkarasar and
Thirugnanasambanthar:
Saint
Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) and Thirugnanasambanthar visited this place together,
there was a severe drought in this area. They prayed to Lord Shiva who gave one
Padikasu (“Padi” means allowance and “Kasu” means Gold coin in Tamil) every day
to both of them. This was done so that they could usethe Padikasu for offering
food to the needy people. Sambanthar got his padikasu at the Peedam in front
hall (Mahamandapam) near the flag post whereas Appar got his padikasu from the
Peedam at the west side corridor.
However,
the gold that Sambanthar received had less purity when compared to the gold
that Appar got. So Sambanthar prayed to the lord that he also be given the same
quality of gold so that he could feed his followers properly. This can be
inferred from his hymn which starts with the line “Vasi theerave kaasu
nalkuveer….. ”. Since it was a play of the lord, after Sambanthar’s hymn,
he also started getting good quality gold coins.
It
is also believed that Lord Shiva granted his darshan as “Sirkazhi Thoniyappar”
to Saint Thirugnanasambanthar from this temple’s sanctum tower “Vinnizhi
Vimanam”.
Mizhalai Kurumbar:
One
hunter by name of Mizhalai Kurumbar
visited this temple and worshiped the lord here by offering “Vilam” fruits
every day. Pleased with his devotion, it is believed that Lord Shiva blessed
him with his dharisanam and taught him the 8 great lessons called
“Ashtamasiddhi”. Kurumbar then performed rigorous penance here for a long time
and attained the status of a “Sidhar”. There is a separate shrine for him in
the corridors. This village gets the name “Thiruveezhimizhalai” (“Veezhi” the
forest name and “Mizhalai” the hunter’s name) and the lord here is also praised
as “Sri Veezhi Nathar”.
Swedakethu:
Swedakethu,
a king from the north. His court astrologers had informed him that his life
span was very short (18 years only). Swedakethu took advice from various sages
who had suggested him to go to Thiruveezhimizhalai and worship Lord Shiva. It
is believed that he was saved from Yama by Lord Shiva. In this temple, there is
an idol of “Sri Kalasamharamurthy” like in Thirukkadaiyur where Sage Markandeya
was saved from Yama.
People who worshipped here:
Sage
Vashistar, Kamadenu, Rathi Devi and king Manu have worshiped the lord
here.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
This is a famous
“Parihara Sthalam” to remove obstacles from marriage proposals.
·
This is one of
the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where the “Moovar” had rendered their Pathigams.
·
This east facing
temple with main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
·
This temple is
built like a fortress. It has a huge temple tank and there are many other
special structures to see here such as the halls, sculptures and towers. It
also looks like a “Madakkovil”, i.e., from the floor level, one has to climb a
few steps to reach the sanctum.
·
The sanctum
sanctorum’s tower looks very beautiful. It is sculpted in such a way that it
looks as if 16 lions are holding it. This is known as “Vinnazhi Vimanam” which
is believed to have been brought from the celestial world by Lord Mahavishnu.
·
It is believed
that there are six places where one can get relief from the fear of death (Lord
Yama being the lord of death). These are – Thirukkadayur, Thiruveezhimizhalai
(this place), Thiruvaiyaru, Thiruvenkadu, Thiruvaikavur and Thiruvanchiyam.
·
Both Appar and
Sambanthar stayed in this place for few days – Sambanthar stayed in a mutt in
the north street and Appar stayed in a mutt in the west street.
·
There is a
separate shrine for Nandhi which is located under the ground level to one side
of the sanctum. It is called “Padhala Nandhi”.
·
There is a hole
in the wall of the sanctum through which a parrot is believed to come every day
to worship the lord.
·
In this temple,
there is a magnificent building called “Vavval Nethi Mandapam”. This is a huge
hall (in the shape of a tomb) having curved roofs but without any pillars in
the middle. Another significance of this hall is that bats (vavval in Tamil)
cannot come and stay on the roof. This kind of architectural beauty is very
rare to see. In this hall, the wedding festival of Lord Shiva and Goddess
Parvathy is celebrated in the Tamil month of Chithirai every year.
·
Another
architectural beauty in this temple is the 100-pillared hall which has many
marvellous sculptures.
·
Saint Senthanar
rendered his “Thiru Isaippa” praising the lord of this temple.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Nethrarpaneswarar, Sri Veezhi Azhakeesar, |
|
Ambal |
Sri Sundarakujambigai, |
|
Theertham |
Vishnu Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Veezhi tree |
BELIEF:
This is considered to be a famous “Parihara Sthalam” to remove obstacles from marriage proposals.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Chithirai |
Apr-May |
10-day
"Chithirai Peruvizha" |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Vinayakar
Chaturthi |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Annabishekam |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiruveezhimizhalai
is situated at a distance of about 27 kms from Mayiladuthurai on the
Mayiladuthurai to Thiruvarur route. Frist travel to Poonthottam (20 kms) and
then to Thiruveezhimizhalai (7 kms). From Kumbakonam also this place is about
26 kms.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Nethrarpaneswarar
(Sri Veezhinathaswamy) Temple,
Thiruveezhimizhalai,
Kudavasal,
Thiruvarur,
Tamil Nadu – 609 505.
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