40. SRI THURAI KAATTUM VALLALAR TEMPLE AT THIRU VILANAGAR

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	157th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	40th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

In ancient times, this region was densely covered by “Vizhal plants” (a type of grass). Because of this, this place is named Vizhal Nagar which has later been changed to Vila Nagar. The lord of this temple is also praised as “Sri Vizharkattu Nathar”.

This is one of the 27 temples which falls under the administrative control of Dharumapuram Aadheenam. However, the temple is in a very bad state. The main tower as well as the towers in the sanctum are in ruins and are covered with a lot of weeds and plants. Even the compound walls and shrines are in a dilapidated condition.

Arulvithan:

There was a brahmin boy called Arulvithan who used to worship the lord here. He would bring offerings of flowers every day without fail. He had to cross the river Kaveri in order to reach the temple. One day, the river got flooded making it very dangerous to cross.

Even then he decided to cross the river but got caught in the flood. Instead of trying to save his life he tried saving the flowers he had brought for the lord’s pooja. Pleased with his determination and devotion, Lord Shiva rescued him. Hence the lord here is praised as “Thurai Kaattum Vallal”. (“Thurai” means river bank, “Kaattum” means to show and “Vallal” means philanthropist in Tamil).

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar:

When he was on a pilgrimage to Kadaimudi and Mayiladuthurai, he could not proceed further due to heavy floods in the river Kaveri. The saint prayed to Lord Shiva seeking his help in crossing the river. It is believed that Lord Shiva came in the guise of a hunter and helped him reach the temple.

Kapithan:

As per the Sthala Purana, a demon called Kapithan worshiped the lord of this temple and got relieved from the “Brahmahathi Dosham”.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This east facing temple has a 5-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram).

·        Goddess Veyuru Tholi Amman is holding a discus in one hand and a conch in the other.

·        In his hymn, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar mentioned about the incident of crossing the river and praised the lord as “Cauvery Thurai Kattinar” (the lord who showed the way to reach the river bank).

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Thurai Kaattum Vallalar, Sri Uchira Vaneswarar
Ambal	Sri Thurai Kaattum Valli, Sri Veyuru Tholi Amman
Theertham	Cauveri river, Meygnana Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vizhal plants

BELIEF:

Devotees believe that worshiping the lord here would help in obtaining quick resolutions of their problems. It is also believed that worshiping the lord here would help devotees break away from the repetitive cycle of birth and re-birth.

The Sthala Viruksham of this temple is the Vizhal plant. Devotees tie its leaves in a knot in the hope that their prayers would be heard.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Annabishekam
Thai	Jan-Feb	Makara Sankranthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Vilanagar is situated at a distance of about 6 kms from Mayiladuthurai on the Mayiladuthurai to Sembanar Koil route. Vilanagar is also known as Arupathy.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Uchira Vaneswarar (Thurai Kattum Vallalar) Temple,
Thiruvila Nagar, Arupathy,
Mayiladuthurai,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu - 609 309.

LOCATION: