the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

It is believed that after worshiping the lord Sri Pralaya Kaleswarar at Pennaagadam, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar stayed overnight at Maranpadi (Eraiyur). From there, the journey to this temple was tiring and exhausting. On knowing this, the Lord advised the local Vethiyars (Brahmins) to take the pearl palanquin (Muthu Chivigai), a pearl umbrella (Muthu Kodai) and other pearl-bedecked paraphernalia (Muthu Chinnam) to Eraiyur, offer them to Thirugnanasambanthar and bring him here. It is believed that the lord himself had arranged these items for Saint Thirugnanasambanthar. On the way to Eraiyur, they met Thirugnanasambanthar at a place called Kudalur and brought him to this temple in a procession in that palanquin. Lord Shiva bestowed him with the title of Achariyan (Teacher). From there on, Thirugnanasambanthar travelled to many places in this Muthu Chivigai. The distinctive feature of this temple is that the Nandhi’s head is lifted up and turned towards the right side. The story behind this that once there was a flood in the river Neeva and on the advice of Lord Shiva, Nandhi turned its head towards the river and prevented the water from causing any damage. It is believed that Lords Mahavishnu, Brahma, Adisheshan, Saneeswaran (planet Saturn), Angarakan (planet Mars) and sages Valmiki, Sanakar and Barathvasar have worshiped the lord here. It is also believed that king Janakar (Sita’s father) and the kings of Chera, Chola and Pandiya kingdoms have worshiped the lord here. It is believed that Lord Shiva helped the Saptha Rishis to perform their rituals in this place by calling the Vellaru river here (Nee Vaa meaning, you come here). Because of this the river is also called Nee Vaa. They worshiped Lord Shiva here and the fingerprints of all the seven sages can be seen on this lingam. They have worshiped Lord Shiva in a similar manner at seven holy places on the banks of river Vellaru /Nee Vaa. These are called the Thurai Temples and they are – Adi Thurai (Kaariyanoor); Thirumanthurai; Thiruvalanthurai; Su.Aduthurai; Thiruvathittathuri (Thittakudi); Thiruvattathurai (Thirunelvayil Arathurai), Thirukkaranthurai (Pelanthurai). Sage Vasishtar performed rigorous penance here and was blessed with the title of “Raja Rishi” by Lord Shiva. On the basis of this title, he was appointed as the Kula Guru (family teacher) for the royal families of Chola King Manu, Dasarath and Sri Ram. As the guru of Sri Ram, Vasishtar gave a collection of advices which was written down and codified as the ‘Gnana Vasishtam’. This is similar to the Bhagavad Geeta which contains dialogue between Arjuna and Lord Krishna.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 1st Shiva Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where the Moovar (the three saints - Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar was blessed with Muthu Pallaku, Muthu Kodai and Muthu Chinnam in this temple. Sage Vasishtar got the Raja Rishi title here from Lord Shiva. Of the seven Thurai temples, this is the sixth one. Thurai temples are the temples that are situated on the bank of a river and are associated with the Sapta Rishis. This temple’s main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers and has two corridors. This temple is situated on the southern bank of the river Neevaa / Vellaru. As serpent Adisheshan is believed to have worshiped the lord here, this place is known as Aravathurai (Aravam meaning snake in Tamil). Thirunelvayil Arathurai is the ancient name of this place. Now this village is called Thiruvattathurai. Behind the sanctum sanctorum, on either sides of Lord Lingothbavar, there are idols of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma in a worshipping posture. Devotees can enjoy the darshan of all the three lords (Trimurthys) – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This is considered to be very auspicious. Most of the idols are looking very beautiful in this temple, like Lingothbavar, Natarajar, Sarasvathy, Veerabadrar, Ardanareeswarar, Sivan-Parvathy, Pitchandavar and Durgai. Saint Arunagirinadhar has sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh. Saint Thirugnanasambanthar’s hymn of this temple contains a reference to the Neevaa river, which is nowadays known as Vadavellaru. There are three Kasi shetrams – Balakasi, Virudhakasi and Uzhikasi. This temple is considered to be as Uzhikasi. There is an entrance at the left side of the sanctum sanctorum known as Magam Vasal. This entrance exists due to a custom being followed here. Widows come to this temple one year after the demise of their husband. Custom mandates that they take a dip in the nearby river, enter the temple through this gate, worship the Lord and return from the same gate. Since Saneeswaran and Angarakan worshiped the lord here, devotees believe that worshiping the lord here would relieve them of the dosham related to these two planets. As Saint Thirugnanasambanthar got the pearl palanquin here which is considered to be a turning point in his life, devotees believe by worshiping the lord here will also bring changes to their life. Devotees also believe that worshiping the lord here will give them fame, recognition and a better position in life. The sacred tree of this temple is a banyan tree. This tree is believed to be representing the Maham nakshatram (Maham constellation). Due to this reason, this temple is famous with devotees born in the period of the Maham nakshatram.

10 days Brahmotsavam (Maasi Maham festival) in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar), Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), Makara Sankranthi in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb), Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr). Pradosham is also observed regularly.