Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 166th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - South |
Chola Naadu - South | 49th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
As Lord Shiva came to
this place in the guise of a hunter, this place is called Thiruvettakkudi
(“Thiru” is a respectful prefix, “Vedan” means hunter and “Kudi” means village
in Tamil). This place is also known as “Ambikapuram” because Goddess Parvathy
is believed to have been born in this place in a fisherman’s family (“Ambikai”
means goddess and “puram” means village in Tamil). The historical names of this
place are Punnagavanam, Devakodipuram and Ambikapuram but now it is known as
Thiruvettakkudi.
Goddess
Parvathy:
According to legend,
Arjuna is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva and performed rigorous penance
here during the Dwapara Yuga. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy are believed to
have given him dharisanam in the guise of a hunter and his wife.
As advised by Sage Veda
Vyasa, Arjuna came to this place “Punnagavanam” to meditate upon Lord Shiva to
obtain the “Pasupathasthiram” (an arrow) to fight the enemies when a war
between the Kauravas and Pandavas became imminent. When Duryodhana came to know
about this, he sent the demon Mookasura in the form of a boar to disturb
Arjuna’s penance. But the demon was shot down with an arrow by Arjuna.
Simultaneously, Lord Shiva came there as a hunter with Goddess Parvathy as a
hunter woman. Lord Vinayakar and Lord Murugan also accompanied them. The four
Vedas came as four dogs and the six Sastras came as the necklace on Lord
Shiva’s neck.
Lord Shiva claimed that
the boar was shot by him and tried to claim it. Arjuna refused to part with the
animal. A war of words took place between the two. The lord disclosed his
identity to Arjuna and blessed him with the arrow. However, Goddess Parvathi
raised a doubt about Arjuna’s eligibility for the boon. Lord Shiva told her
that Arjuna had the “Masya Rekha” - a lucky line in his palm, and he deserved
the boon. Arjuna showed his palm to Goddess Parvathy and satisfied her. Lord
Shiva blessed Arjuna with the “Pasupathasthiram” and that he would be born
again in the hunter community as “Kannappa Nayanar”. On Arjuna’s request, Lord
Shiva stayed in this place as a swayambumurthy to bless the devotees. This
event is commemorated during the Masi Maham festival in this temple.
Kadalaadu:
This temple is that
once during a conversation in Mount Kailash, Goddess Parvathi told Lord Shiva
that he alone could not protect the world without her contribution. Lord Shiva
felt that she was influenced by undeserved pride. Wanting to teach her a
lesson, he cursed her to be born in a fishermen community on Earth. Goddess
Parvathy was born in a fisherman family at Thiruvettakkudi and performed
rigorous penance to win back the lord’s trust. Pleased with her penance Lord
Shiva came to this place in the guise of a fisherman and married her. To
commemorate this event, the nearby fishermen community celebrates the
“Kadalaadu” festival in the Tamil month of Maasi when the procession idol of
Lord Shiva is taken to their village as if he was their son-in-law.
Saint
Thirugnanasambanthar:
Saint
Thirugnanasambanthar came to this place by sea. He found Shiva Lingam in each
and every particle of sand. Hence, he did not want to step foot on the sand and
disrupt its sanctity. He worshipped the lord and rendered his hymn from the sea
itself.
People who worshipped here:
Goddess Parvathy, the
celestial gods (Devas), Saint Vishvamitra, Iyadigal Kadavargkone Nayanar,
Arjuna and king Anavaratha Maharaj have worshiped the lord of this
temple.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
This east facing temple has a 5-tiers
main tower (Rajagopuram).
·
The procession idol of Lord Shiva as
“Vedamurthy” (Vedan means hunter) and Goddess Parvathy as a hunter woman is
very beautiful. When Lord Shiva came here as a hunter, he brought Lord Murugan
also with him. Both Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan are holding the bow and arrow.
It is unique to see here both Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan holding bow and
arrow.
·
The procession idol of Arjuna, who was
blessed with the “Pasupathasthiram”, holds a bow and arrow in his hands.
·
This temple has the reputation of Lord
Shiva gracing here in the forms of both a fisherman and a hunter.
·
This temple is considered to be
significant for its three important attributes – Moorthy, Sthalam and Theertham
- glory of Lord, sacredness of the land and the auspicious temple tank.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri
Thirumeniyazhagar, Sri Sundareswarar |
|
Ambal |
Sri
Soundara Nayaki, Sri Santha Nayaki |
|
Theertham |
Deva
Theertham, Chandra Pushkarini and Sea |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Punnai
tree |
BELIEF:
Devotees believe that
by worshiping the lord here they would get relief from the adverse effects of
the nine planets (Navagraham) and separated couples can pray to Goddess
Parvathy here for re-union.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Vinayakar
Chaturthi |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
3-day Maasi Magam |
HOW
TO REACH:
Thiruvettakkudi is
situated at a distance of about 9 kms from Karaikkal. On the Karaikkal to
Tharangampadi route, there is a village called Varichikkudi at a distance of
about 7 kms. From this village, take a diversion road and proceed further for
about 2 kms to reach Thiruvettakkudi.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Thirumeniyazhakar Temple,
Thiruvettakudi,
Puducherry - 609 609.
LOCATION:
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