Sri Velvidai Nathar Temple, Tirukkurukavur, Sirkazhi - 275 Shiva Temples

13. Sri Velvidai Nathar Temple, Thirukkarugavur (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Velvidai Nathar, Sri Vedhapureeswarar, Sri Swetharishameswarar
Name of Goddess : Sri Kaviyanganni Ambal, Sri Nilothbhava Visalakshi
Holy water (Theertham) : Paalkinaru.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Vilwa Tree.
Thevaram : Sambandar - 1 ; Sundarar - 1
District : Nagapattinam.
Location : Sirkazhi.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and from 05:00 p.m. to 07:30 p.m.

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This is the 13th sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Saint Sundarar and Thiruganasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This temple with a single prakaram covers an area of about an acre and a half. There is also a shrine to Vishnu - Kariamaanikka Perumaal here. This temple was rebuilt (of stone) in the 10th century, during the period of Uttama Chola. Niche images around the sanctum and the ardhamandapam here include those of Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhavar, Bhrama, Durga, Vishnu and Mohini. Inscriptions from the times of Uttama Chola, Raja Raja Chola, Rajendra Chola and Kulottunga Chola I are seen in this temple. The Theertham here is Velvidai Theertham (a well), whose waters are believed to turn white on the new moon day in the month of Thai (Capricorn).

Velladainathar graces as a Banalinga on a square Peeta in the sanctum sanctorum. River Ganga sprang in the well here on the New Moon day in the Thai month (January-February). Based on this story, the holy spring is opened for the use of devotees on this day only and will be closed during the rest of the year.

History / Legend:

Tirugnana Sambandar as a child devotee of Lord Shiva and blessed with a high degree of poetic abilities by Mother Parvathi, fought the Jains who waged a war against Saivism. According to the literary history of Tamilnadu, it was Child Sambandar and the ripe old Saivite saint, who had a first hand knowledge and experience of the Jain designs fought the war together. In the various challenges Sambandar was drawn, he defeated the Jains and re-established the glory of Saivism in Tamilnadu and almost eliminated Jainism from the Tamil soil.

As was agreed between Sambandar and the Jains, the latter were hanged after Sambandar won every challenge. However, Sambandar had to incur the sin of causing the death of the Jains and wanted to go to Kasi to make amends for the sin. He prayed for the permission of Lord Shiva in Sirkali to proceed to Kasi. Lord appeared before Sambandar and brought Ganga here itself. The child saint had a dip in holy Ganga and got relieved of the sin. A temple was erected here later.

The procession idol of Gnanasambandar is brought to this temple from the Sirkali Brahmmapureeswarar temple. The Presiding deity of this temple (Velladainathar) and Goddess (Kavianganni) grants audience to Sambandar and give him the Theertham. Sambandar returns to Sirkali in the evening. This is celebrated as grand festival.

During his pilgrimage, Saivite Saint Sundarar came to this place to worship Shiva, but could not find the temple as the place was a dense jungle then. He sadly continued his journey with his followers. When he felt very hungry, an old man came to him and said that he was feeding Shiva devotees at a nearby place and asked him to come there for a lunch. Sundarar and his followers enjoyed a good feast coupled with hospitality of the host. After the lunch, Sundarar slept for a while as he was very tired then. When he woke up, he found neither the feeding camp nor any sign of feeding event. He realized that it was Lord Shiva who quenched his hunger. Lord Shiva appeared before Sundarar and showed him the temple.

This Feeding event is celebrated as a great festival on the Full Moon Day of the month of Chithirai (April-May) in the temple. Devotees believe that worshiping the Lord here would ensure them a life free of hunger.

Lord Vinayaka in the temple is on a Lotus seat with an umbrella above Him and two fans called Samaram. Lord Muruga, against the tradition of facing East, is seen facing the South, a direction attributed to Guru. Lord Muruga is revered as Jupiter-Dakshinamurthy in this temple. He graces with His consorts Valli and Deivanai. Special pujas are performed in His shrine on Thursdays, a day attributed to Guru. There are shrines for Mother Durga with eight hands and Sattainathar. There is no shrine for Navagrahas – the 9 planets.

Those who had committed anything wrong unknowingly are blessed with mental peace if they sincerely pray to the Lord

Location: This temple is located at 1 Km from Vadakal which is situated on the Sirkazhi to Tirumullaivayil road. Travel by road (Bus) upto Vadakaal and walk 1 Km to reach the temple.