Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 17th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 17th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) |
HISTORY:
This
Shiva temple was situated on the banks of river Kusashthalai in a village
called Thiruvulampudur. During the year 1942, Tamil Nadu Government acquired
and took over many villages including Thiruvulampudur for construction of the
Poondi water dam. The Government provided alternative land at Thiruvenpakkam
(Poondi) for construction of a new temple in place of the old one at
Thiruvalampudur. The idols of deities except the moolavar, pillars and
sculptures were removed from the old temple of Thiruvulampudur and reinstated
at the new location. It is said that the idol of the main deity is newly
created as the original one had already been installed at Sri Gangadareswarar
temple at Purasapakkam, Chennai.It is further said that some portion of the old
temple’s main tower can still be seen from the banks of the Poondi Lake. At
this place, Lord Shiva replied to Saint Sundarar by saying “Ulom Pokeer”. It is
believed that this could be the reason why this place got its name “Thiru
vulam-pudur”.
Saint Sundarar:
Saint
Sundarar left Thiruvotriyur to proceed to Thiruvarur after abandoning his wife
Sangili Nachiyar and breaching the promise that he had made to her. On his way
to this temple, it is believed that he lost his eye sight due to his failure of
keep his promise to Sangili Naachiyar. While entering the temple, he asked the
lord in annoyance whether he was inside (Koilul ullayo?) and further argued
that if the lord cannot solve his devotees’ problems, then what is the reason
for his being there? He further pleaded to the lord to restore his vision for
which Lord Shiva politely replied “yes I’m inside” (Ulom Pokeer), but instead
of restoring his vision, he gave Sundarar a walking stick and asked him to
leave. Angered and dejected, Sundarar threw the stick back which hit the
Nandhi’s right horn and broke it. You can see the idol of Saint Sundarar with
closed eyes and a sad expression on his face and holding a stick in his left
hand. The idol of Nandhi can be seen with its right horn broken. Both
these idols are in front of Lord Shiva’s shrine. In Sundarar’s pathigam at this
temple, it is evident that Sundarar was heartbroken when the Lord Shiva refused
to restore his vision.
It
is said that Goddess Parvathy helped him reach Kancheepuram by providing him
light by the way of flashes of lightning. Hence, she is praised here as
“Minnoliyammai” (Minnal in Tamil means lightning). It is further said that
Goddess Parvathy consoled Sundarar by saying that life goes in accordance with
one’s good or evil deeds and assured him that he would get back his vision in
the due course of time. Hence, she is also praised as “Kanivai Mozhi Nayaki” –
the goddess who gave assurance.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
This temple is
constructed like a madakkoil with steps. Madakkoils are temples that are built
at an elevation and have a few steps to be climbed to see the Lord.
·
Lord Shiva gave
Sundararamurthy Nayanar a walking stick (Oontrukol), hence the lord here is
named “Oontreeswarar”.
·
A beautiful new
flag post (Dwajasthambam) was also erected here during this recent consecration
ceremony.
TEMPLE
INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Oontreeswarar, Sri Venpakkanathar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Minnoliyammai, Sri Kanivaimozhi Nayaki |
|
Theertham |
Kailaya Theertham, Kusashthalai river |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Ilanthai |
BELIEF:
Devotees
facing obstacles in marriage proposals can worship Lord Oontreeswarar and seek
his blessings.
People
with eye sight related problems can worship Goddess Minnoli Ammai for
remedy.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Aippasi |
Oct-Nov |
Annabishekam |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiruvenpakkam
(Poondi) is situated at a distance of about 12 kms from Thiruvallur on the
Thiruvallur to Neyveli Kuttu road en route Oothukottai. From the Neyveli Kuttu
road the temple is about one kilometre away. The temple is very near to the
Poondi dam. From Koyambedu, Thiruvallur is about 40 kms.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Oontreeswarar
Temple,
Poondi Neerthekkam,
Thiruvallur,
Tamil Nadu – 602023.
LOCATION:
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