29. SRI RATHNAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRUVAZHKOLIPUTHUR (THIRUVALAPPUTHUR)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	83rd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	29th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

When Arjuna visited this place, he was looking for water to quench his thirst. Lord Shiva appeared before him in the form of an old man, offered him a stick and asked him to strike the ground under the Vaakai tree to get water. Arjuna handed over his sword to the old man in order to strike the ground and drink the water. While Arjuna was drinking water, the lord hid his sword in a hole in the tree and disappeared.

When Arjuna returned and found that the old man was not there, he realised that the old man had been none other than Lord Shiva himself.   He followed the footsteps of the old man and found a snake hill with a Shivalingam near it. He also found his sword in a nearby tree. He worshiped the lord and took his sword from the tree.  Hence this place gets the name “Thiru Val Oli Putrur” (“Thiru” is a respectful prefix, “Val” means sword, “oli” means to hide and “putrur” means a snake hill in Tamil). However, now this name has been changed to Thiruvaalaputhur.

The historical name of this place is Thiruvazhkoliputhur. However, it is now changed to Thiruvalapputhur.

Serpent Vasuki:

Once upon a time, when the Devas and Asuras were churning the “Thiruparkadal” ocean to extract nectar, Serpent Vasuki was used as a rope and the Mandara hill as the churning rod. During this process, Vasuki was unable to bear the pain and spat out venom. This was consumed by Lord Shiva. Vasuki felt guilty that it had caused Lord Shiva to consume its poison. It is believed that he visited this place to worship Lord Shiva and seek his pardon. He also wanted to regain his strength. He stayed here under this temple’s “sthala viruksham” (Vaakai tree) in a snake hill (Putru). It is here that Vasuki was blessed to become an ornament of Lord Shiva. Since Vasuki stayed in a “putru” here, this place gets the name Putrur.

Lord Mahavishnu:

This temple is that of Lord Mahavishnu. It is believed that he worshiped his Maanikka (Ruby) lingam here. Hence Lord Shiva here is also praised as Sri Maanikkavannar and this place gets the name “Arathanapuram” (“Arathana” means to worship and “puram” means place in Tamil.

Goddess Durgai:

Goddess Durgai had slain the demon Mahishasuran at Kadaathalaimedu, a nearby place. After vanquishing the demon, Durgai, in the form of “Mahishasura Marthini”, came to this temple to calm down. For this reason, in this temple, Goddess Durgai is being worshipped first.

People who worshipped here:

Lord Mahavishnu, Indran, Vasuki, Pandavas and Draupadi have worshiped the lord of this temple.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This temple is famous for Goddess Ashtapuja Durgai.
·        This is east facing temple with a beautiful arch at the entrance.
·        The front hall (Mandapam) of this temple is designed to look like the forehead of a bat (“Vovval Nethi Mandapam”). This looks very beautiful.
·        There is also a shrine for Lord Vinayakar with 8 serprents – “Ashta Naga” Vinayakar. This shrine is under the Sthala Viruksham and it is designed to look like an anthill.
·        Behind the sanctum sanctorum, on either sides of Lord Lingothbavar, there are idols of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma in a worshipping posture. Devotees can enjoy the darshan of all the three lords (Trimurthys) – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This is considered to be very auspicious. 
·        The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (akazhi in Tamil).

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Rathnapureeswarar, Sri Maanikkavannar
Ambal	Sri Vandamar Poonguzhal Nayagi, Sri Brahma Kundhalambikai
Theertham	Brahma Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vaakai tree

BELIEF:

It is believed that those seeking “Santhana Prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here. 

Those who are facing adverse effects of “naga dosham” can worship Lord Shiva here for relief.

Special pooja is performed to Goddess Durgai on all full moon days (Pournami).

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chathurthi
Vaikasi	May-June	Vaikasi Visakam Brahmotsavam
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram

HOW TO REACH:

Thiruvazhkoliputhur is located at a distance of about 14 kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil on the Vaitheeswaran Koil to Thiruppananthal route. Thiruvalapputhur is situated after Ilanthoppu village. Atter Ilanthoppu, take the diversion road to reach this temple.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Rathnapureeswaraswamy Temple,
Thiruvalapputhu,
Mayiladuthurai,
Nagappattinam ,
Tamil Nadu – 609 205.

LOCATION: