124. SRI VOIMOORNATHAR TEMPLE TIRUVAIMUR

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	241st Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	124th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

This Shivastalam is one of the 7 Saptavitanka shrines of Tyagaraja associated with the Mucukunda legend of Tiruvarur - Neelavitankar, Kamala Natanam. It is located near Tirunellikka and Tirukkolili, on the route between Nagappattinam and Tirutturaippundi at a distance of 24 km south east of Tiruvarur.

Ettukkudi, a shrine dedicated to Subramanya is located nearby. The seven vitankastalamare Tiruvarur, Tirukkuvalai, Tirukkaaraivaasal, Tirumaraikkaadu, Tiru Naagai, Tirunallaaru and Tiruvaimur.  

Surya is said to have worshipped Shiva here (the temple tank here is named Surya Theertham, and the sun’s rays strike the sanctum on two days in the Tamil month of Pankuni).

The image of Tyagarajar at Tiruvarur   is the foremost of the 7 from which Indra is believed to have asked Muchukunda Cholan to pick the original image of Somaskandar worshipped by Mahavishnu. . Muchukunda Cholan is believed to have picked the right one (the image at Tiruvarur) , and Indra is believed to have rewarded him with all of the 7 images, which the latter installed at 7 different places within his territory, and it is these 7 temples which constitute the 7 Vitankastalams.

The Vedaranyeswarar and Tyagarajar shrines are located to the North and to the south of the sanctum. The bronze image of Karaikkal Ammaiyar is of great workmanship.  There are seven forms of Bhairavar here; it is believed that 8 were in existence. Legend has it that Tirunavukkarasar was directed by Shiva in one of his visions to visit this shrine, Sambandar is believed to have visited this shrine with him.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This temple occupies an area of about 2 acres and it has a single prakaram and a beautiful 3 tiered Rajagopuram.

·        Across from the temple is the Surya Theertham.

·        The Navagrahams are in a single file as in Tiruvarur.

·        Nataraja's tandavam here, is known as Madhya Tandavam.

·        The sun's rays illuminate the sanctum on the 12th & the 13th days of the Tamil month of Pankuni.

·        The Rishabha Dakshinamurthy shrine here is of significance as in Kaichinnam neaby.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Vaimurnathar
Ambal	Sri Paalinum nan mozhiammai, Sri Ksheeropavachani
Theertham	Surya Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Palaamaram

BELIEF:

Praying here gives mental peace.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Vaikasi	May-June	Vasantotsavam
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

 

HOW TO REACH:

This paadal petra sthalam is located 13 Kms from Tirunellika and about 24 Kms from Tiruvarur.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Voimoornathar Temple,

Tiruvaimur,

Thiruvarur,

Tamil Nadu.

LOCATION: