33. SRI VAIKALNATHESWARAR TEMPLE AT VAIKAL MAADAKKOIL

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	150th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	33rd Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

Vaikal is situated on the southern bank of the river Nattaru. This ancient temple is believed to have been constructed by the Cholas. Once this place was a forest full of Shenbaga trees.Hence this place gets the name Shenbagaranyam and the lord is praised as Sri Shenbagaranyeswarar. This place’s name “Vaikal” is derived from Vai-kuru-kal meaning a small hill in Tamil. The historical names of this place are Shenbagaranyam, Mummoorthy Sthalam and Nithyavasapuram.

Three Shiva temples in Vaikal:

There are three Shiva temples in Vaikal – they are Vaikal Maadakkoyil, Sri Kasi Viswanathar Koil and Sri Brahmapureeswarar Koil. These three temples are considered to be representing the three eyes of Lord Shiva (“Mukkan Kshetram” or “muntru kan kshetram”). “Muntru” means three, “kan” means eye and “kshetram means temple in Tamil. All these three temples are located in a radius of one kilometre only. They are as follows -

·        Kasi Viswanathar Koil is considered to be the right eye of Lord Shiva. Lord Mahavishnu is believed to have worshiped Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Sri Visalakshi there.

·        Brahmapureeswarar Koil is considered to be the left eye. Lord Brahma is believed to have worshiped “Sri Brahmapureeswarar” and Sri Periya Nayaki there.

·        Sri Vaikalnathar temple is said to represent the eye on Lord Shiva’s forehead. Sri Kombiyal Kothai is the goddess here. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar rendered his pathigam in this temple. This temple is counted as one of the Maadak Koils built by King Kochengat Cholan.

Bhoomidevi:

These three temples involves Bhoomidevi (Bhoodevi). It is believed that she requested Lord Mahavishnu to marry her. The lord accepted her request and married her. Angered by his marriage, Lord Mahavishnu’s wife Thirumakal (Sridevi / Lakshmi) left Vishnu and came to this place. She meditated on Lord Shiva and performed rigorous penance. Vishnu and Bhoodevi also came here in search of Lakshmi and prayed to Lord Shiva.

Lord Brahma:

Brahma also came to this place in search of Vishnu and worshiped Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva advised Lakshmi:

Lord Shiva advised Lakshmi to accept the marriage of Vishnu and Bhoodevi.

Young elephant:

This temple states that when an elephant was searching for its calf, it inadvertently damaged an anthill. The ants bit the elephant and killed it. It is believed that both the calf and the ants prayed to Lord Shiva. The young elephant was consoled for its loss and the ants were pardoned for their sins.

King Kochengat Chola:

King Kochengat Chola built about 70 “Madakkoils”. The distinguishing feature of a Madakkoil is that it is not easily approachable by an elephant. He built these temples at an elevation and there are a few steps that need to be climbed before seeing the lord. Also, the sanctum sanctorum’s (Karpagragam) entrance is narrow such that no elephant can enter it.

People who worshipped here:

Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, Brahma, Indira, Suryan, Devas and Agasthiyar have worshiped the lord here.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This temple is equivalent to Mount Kailash,

·        This temple was built by Kochenget Cholan,

·        This temple is on the western side of the village, and

·        He praised the Goddess as “Kombiyal Kothai”.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Vaikalnatheswarar
Ambal	Sri Vaikal Ambigai, Sri Kombiyal Kothai
Theertham	Shenbaka Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Shenbaka Plant

BELIEF:

Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, obstacles from their marriage proposals will be removed.

Devotees also believe that worshipping Lord Shiva here will bless them with wealth and prosperity. Further they believe that they can rid themselves of the fear of death. (fear of Lord Yama).

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Annabishekam
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Vaikal is situated at a distance of about 12 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam to Karaikkal route. After crossing Thiruneelakkudi, S.Pudur and Pazhiyanchiya Nallur, take the diversion road and proceed further for about 2 kms to reach Vaikal.

Vaikal is about 4 kms from Thiruneelakkudi as well as Konerirajapuram (Nallam).

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Vaikal Nathar Temple,
Vaikal Village, Melaiyur,
Aduthurai Via,
Tanjure,
Tamil Nadu – 612101.

LOCATION: