23. SRI MANAVALESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE AT THIRU VELVIKUDI

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	77th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - North
Chola Naadu - North	23th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

Goddess Parvathi was cursed to be born on earth. She is believed to have appeared from the fire of Sage Bharatha’s “Kameshti yagna”. Sage Bharatha raised her as his own daughter. Goddess Parvathy performed rigorous penance for 16 consecutive Mondays to seek relief from the curse and to be taken back to the abode of Lord Shiva. She made a Lingam using sand for her penance. On the 17th Monday, lord appeared before her as “Manavaleswarar” (“Manavalan” means groom in Tamil) and promised to marry her. When she grew up and attained the marriageable age, the sage prayed to Lord Shiva that he help him find a suitable groom for her. Responding to his prayers, Lord Shiva appeared before him and told him that he would marry his daughter soon. The lord further told the sage that his daughter was none other than Goddess Parvathy herself. He also explained him that the reason for her appearance on earth was to grant her the wish of being married on earth.

The yagna (Velvi) of Lord Shiva’s earthly marriage to Goddess Parvathi was conducted here and hence the place gets the name “Thiruvelvikkudi”. Lord Brahma is believed to have conducted the rituals. Lord Shiva tied the “Ganganatharanam” (a thread that is tied on the left hand) to Goddess Parvathi and hence this place is also known as “Gouthugabandhana kshetram”. As Goddess Pavathy is believed to have taken a dip in this temple’s tank prior to her wedding, the tank is known as “Gouthugabandhana Theertham”.

Thiruvelvikudi:

·        Thiruvelvikudi enjoys a special place in mythology because it is linked to the legends of a few nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams.

·        At Therezhunthur, Lord Shiva cursed Goddess Parvathy which made her turn into a cow. Lord Mahavishnu played the role of a shepherd here.

·      At Thirukkozhambam, Goddess Parvathy, who was in the form of a cow, worshiped Lord Shiva. During the worship, as the cow’s leg hit Lord Shiva by mistake, its hoof made a mark on the lord’s chest.

·       At Thiruvaduthurai, again Goddess Parvathy (in the form a cow) worshiped Lord Shiva. It is here that Goddess Parvathy was relieved of her curse and got restored to her original form.

·    At Thiruthuruthi (Kuthalam), Sage Bharatha performed a yagna and it is believed that Goddess Parvathy came out of the fire in the form of a child.

·      At Ethirkolpadi, Lord Shiva was received as a groom by his father-in-law, Sage Bharatha.

·       At Thiruvelvikudi, the wedding ceremony including the yagna (“Velvi”) was performed. This is the great place where the earthly wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy took place.

·       At Thirumanancheri, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy granted their wedding darshan to everyone. 

Sri Kalyana Sundareswarar:

This place is that concerning a devout young prince. He was engaged to a girl but her parents died just before the marriage and her relatives denied the marriage. The prince prayed to Lord Shiva for help. The lord is believed to have asked his securities (the “Bhoodha Ganas”) to bring the girl and he is believed to have conducted their wedding ceremony. Hence the lord here is also praised as “Sri Kalyana Sundareswarar” (“Kalyanam” means wedding in Tamil).

Sage Agasthiyar:

Sage Agasthiyar worshiped the lord here and got relieved from the curse that he had accrued by killing “Vathapi”.

Saint Sundarar:

Saint Sundarar took a dip in this temple’s tank and got relieved of his ailments.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This is a “parihara sthalam” for doshas related to marriage.
·        This east facing temple has a 3-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram)
·        There is no shrine for Navagrahams in this temple as they are believed to have been attendees of the yagna performed by Lord Brahma.
·        The idol of Lord Arthanareeswarar can be seen with Goddess Parvathy on his right side.
·        The procession idols of Lord Kalyanasundarar and Goddess Parvathy can be seen in their wedding form. The lord is holding the goddess’ right hand that is on his right side.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Manavaleswara Swamy, Sri Kalyanasundareswarar
Ambal	Sri Parimala Sugantha Nayaki
Theertham	Mangala Theertham, Gaudhuka Panthana Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vilva tree

BELIEF:

It is believed that for removal of obstacles from marriage proposals, devotees can worship Goddess Parvathy here after taking a dip in the temple’s holy tank.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chathurthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram

HOW TO REACH:

Thiruvelvikudi is situated at a distance of about 14 kms from Mayiladuthurai on the Mayiladuthurai to Kumbakonam route (via Kuthalam). From Kuthalam, Thiruvelvikudi is about 3 kms and is near village Anjaru Varthalai. (Mayiladuthurai to Kuthalam is about 11 kms). From Kumbakonam, Thiruvelvikudi is on the Kumbakonam to Poombukar route.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Manavaleswara Swamy temple,
Thiruvelvikkudi,
Kuthalam,
Mayiladuthurai,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu-609801.

LOCATION: