Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 167th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - South |
Chola Naadu - South | 50th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
Due
to lack of monsoon, this area was severely affected by draught. The then ruler,
a Chola King, prayed to Lord Shiva to save the people from starvation. It is
believed that Lord Shiva came to this place in the guise of a farmer, ploughed
the fields and sowed paddy seeds. This fields yielded enormous harvest and the
people were freed from the clutches of starvation. As Lord himself sowed seeds
here, this place came to be known as “Thiru Theli Cherry” - “Theli” means to
sow, “Cheri” means place and “Thiru is a respectful prefix in Tamil.
Karaikkal
is one of the oldest port cities and business centres of South India. Now
Karaikkal is a part of Puducherry. It is believed that Lord Shiva here
has seen the pasage of four “Yugas”. As per the sthala purana, this place was
known as Brahma Vanam in Kretha Yugam, Sameevanam in Thretha Yugam, Ananda
Vanam in Dwapara Yugam and Mukthi Vanam in the present Kaliyugam. The
historical names of this place are – Mukthi Sthalam, Sivathalam, Suriyathalam,
Guhathalam and Gaurithalam.
Chaya Devi:
Lord
Suryan’s wife Chaya Devi was deeply saddened by the fact that her husband was
not affectionate to her. When Maharishi Narada informed her father about her
state, he was enraged and cursed Lord Suryan. Suryan lost his shining glory and
in order to seek relief from this curse he started visiting many temples. He
came to this place, created a spring and worshiped Lord Parvatheeswarar. The
lord answered his prayers and relieved him from the curse. As Lord Suryan is
also known as “Bhaskara”, the lord here is also praised as “Bhaskara Lingam”
and this place is known as Bhaskara Sthalam.
Lord Suryan:
Lord
Suryan worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam
for 10 days starting from 13th to 22nd in the Tamil month of Panguni
(March-April) every year.
Sri Parvatheeswarar:
Goddess
Parvathi, She was angry with her father, Dakshan, for not having given Lord
Shiva the respect that he deserves. For this reason, she no longer wished to be
called Dakshan’s daughter. Lord Shiva blessed her to born on earth as the
daughter of Sage Kathyayana in Thiruthelichery. She performed rigorous penance
here and when she attained the marriage age, she took her place at Lord Shiva’s
side. As she performed penance (“Thapas” in Tamil) here, she is praised as “Sri
Thapasvini”. As Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvathy here, he is also praised as
“Sri Parvatheeswarar”.
Saint Thiruganasambanthar:
After
worshipping Lord Dharbaranyeswarar in Thirunallaru, it is believed that Saint
Thiruganasambanthar passed through this place without noticing this temple.
Lord Vinayakar is then believed to have called the saint 10 times, made him
turn back and visit this temple. As Vinayakar called the saint, he is praised
as “Koovi Azhaitha Pillayar”. (“Koovi Azhaitha” means calling loudly in Tamil).
This place was also referred to as “Koovi Azhaitha” but over a period of time
it has changed to “Koil Pathu”.
When
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this place, he was intercepted at a place
called Bodhimangai by some people belonging to other religions. They started
harassing him and questioned the power of Lord Shiva. The saint appealed to
Lord Shiva for a solution. It is believed that by the command of the lord, a
thunder fell on them but they still argued that Saivism was not superior to
their religion. They challenged Sambanthar to a debate. Sambanthar accepted the
challenge and asked one of his disciples to attend the debate. The disciple
alone defeated them. It is believed that they accepted their defeat and
embraced Saivism.
Sri Phalguna Lingam:
This
place is that of Arjuna – Arjuna is believed to have visited this place and
worshiped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed him with his darshan in the form of a
hunter. Arjuna prayed to the lord that the lord and the theertham be named
after him. Lord Shiva agreed to fulfil his wish, hence the lord is known as
“Sri Phalguna Lingam” and the Theertham is known as Phalguna Theertham”.
Ambarisha:
Asadvised
by Sage Vashistar, a king called Ambarisha prayed to Lord Shiva here and was
blessed with a child. Thus, the lord here is also known as “Sri Raja Lingam”.
People who worshipped here:
Goddess
Parvathi, Lord Brahma, Lord Indra, Saint Markandeya, Arjuna and Lord Suryan
have worshiped Lord Shiva here.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
This west facing
temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
·
Karaikkal is the
birth place of saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar, one of the 63 revered Nayanmars.
·
The procession
idol of Lord Shiva here as “Sri Kirathamurthi” with Goddess Parvathy is very
beautiful and unique. Lord Shiva is in the form of a farmer with a plough over
his shoulders and Goddess Parvathy appears as a farmer’s wife.
·
In this temple,
there are some beautiful reliefs depicting the legends from “sthala puranam”
like Goddess Parvathy worshiping the lord who can be seen in the form of a
farmer; Lord Suryan and Saint Gnanasambanthar worshipping Lord Shiva and
Goddess Parvathy. There is another relief that depicts Arjuna worshiping
Lord Shiva who is seen in the form of a hunter.
·
This is the
birth place of Saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar and there is a separate temple for her
in Karaikkal. “Maangani Thiruvizha” is a very famous festival celebrated
every year here.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Parvatheeswarar, Sree Sameevaneswarar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Swayamvara Thapaswini, Sri Shakti Nayaki, Sri
Ampaduttakkannaal |
|
Theertham |
Surya Theertham and Guha Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vilvam / Vanni tree |
BELIEF:
It
is believed that those seeking “santhana prapthi” (child boon) can pray to
Goddess Parvathy here.
Devotees can pray to Goddess Swayamvara Thapaswini here for removal of obstacles from their wedding proposals.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Paddy sowing
festival |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Navarathri |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Thiruvadhirai |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Panguni |
Mar-Apr |
Panguni Uthiram |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiru
Thelicherry is located in Karaikkal on the Bharathiyar Road. It is right at the
entrance to the Karikkal town while coming from the Poraiyar route. There is a
railway station in Karaikkal.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Parvatheeswarar
Temple,
Thiruthelicherry (Kovil Pathu),
Karaikkal,
Puducherry - 609 602.
LOCATION:
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