Visited on: September 17, 2016
Location
Thiruvakkari is situated at a distance of about 25 kms each from Pondicherry, Tindivanam and Villupuram. On the Pondicherry to Mayilam route, there is a village called Perumbakkam. An arch (Entrance) of this temple is erected at Perumpakkam and from here this temple is at a distance of about 6 kms.
General Information
- Moolavar
- Sri Chandramouleeswarar
- Ambal
- Sri Amirthambikai, Sri Vadivambikai
- Theertham (Holy water)
- Surya Pushkarini, Chandira Pushkarini and Varaha River
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Vilvam
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 30th Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.
- Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
- This temple has three corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 7-tiers.
- Although this is a Shiva temple, Goddess Vakrakali is more prominent here.
- Everything in this temple, including the idols, the structures and the flag post are “Vakram” (Contrary / Unusual).
History of the Temple
The temple is located on the banks of river Varaha.
As per the information displayed at the temple, it is more than 2000 years old and was built by King Adithya Chola.
Legend
According to legend that there was once a Demon King called Vakrasuran, who, being a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva and had performed rigorous penance here. Pleased by his penance, Lord Shiva granted him the boon of immortality. Empowered with immortality, he started terrorizing the celestial gods (Devas). The Devas pleaded with Lord Shiva to save them from Vakrasuran’s atrocities. Lord Shiva asked Lord Mahavishnu to kill Vakrasuran, In the fight between Lord Vishnu and Vakrasuran, as soon as Vakrasuran’s blood touched the ground, demons started forming in its place. Vakkra Kali (Goddess Parvathi) was sent to drink the blood without letting it drop to the ground. Mahavishnu used his Sri Chakra and killed Vakrasuran. When Vakrasuran's sister Dhunmukhi came to the battle field, she was pregnant. Goddess Parvathi took out the baby, wore it in her ear as earring and then killed Dhunmukhi. After killing Dhunmukhi, she stayed there in the form of Vakrakali.
As the Demon Vakrasuran worshipped Lord Shiva here, it is said that this place is called Vakkarai. Other names associated with this place are Kundalivanam, Dhukrapuri and Vakrapuripattinam.
It is also said that Chandiran (Moon god) worshipped the Lord Shiva here.
Salient Features
The main deity in this temple, Chandramouleeswarar is in the form of a huge lingam with 3 faces (Mukham) representing Shiva, Brahmma and Vishnu. This idol is known as Dhanumalayan. (Dhanu -Shiva, Mal-Vishnu and Ayan- Brahma) The three faces are facing three different directions - East, North and South. This is a very rare form and it is said that Thiruvakkarai is the only place where you can see a three faced Lingam (Mummukham). The face looking east is Thathpurusha Lingam, the one facing north is the Vamadeva Lingam and the one facing south is the Agora Lingam. Agora Lingam has two sharp teeth on sides, visible only during abishekam.
The Goddess Vakrakali is huge in size and is an example of excellent artistic workmanship. Normally, Kali temples are present at the border areas of the villages, whereas in this place, the Kali shrine is inside the Shiva temple itself.
A lingam known as “Vakralingam” which is believed to have been worshipped by Demon Vakrasuran is present just opposite to Goddess Vakkrakali’s shrine. It is said that during summer this lingam is cool to touch and during winter water drops can be seen on top.
The Sri Chakra, installed by Acharya Sri Sankara is present on the left side of Goddess Vakrakali.
Some examples of the vakram nature (contradictory) are -
Unlike other temples, Lord Varadharaja Perumal is having the Chakra in prayoka form (ready to be hurled).
Usually one can see the main deity from the entrance of the temple itself, however, in this temple the main deity is not visible from the entrance because the Nandhi, the flag post and the Moolavar are not in a straight line and are slightly away from each other.
Unlike other temples the Sani Bhagavan’s Vahanam, the crow is facing the left side as opposed to the normal right side.
On the right side of lord Shiva shrine, you can see Kundalini Maharishi’s Jeeva Samadhi with a Shiva Lingam installed on the top of it. Kundalini Maharishi was a Siddhar and made many prayers to Lord Shiva here.
Here Lord Shiva has three faces. It is said that there are only two famous Shiva temples that have a Panchamukha Lingam (Lingam with five faces) - one in Nepal in the North and the other in Srikalahasthi in Andhra Pradesh in the South. But a three faced Lingam – Mummukha Lingam – can only be seen at Thiruvakkarai.
The mandapam (hall) is called Vasantha Mandapam and it is built beautifully in the form of a horse-driven chariot.
The Nandhi that is present in front of the Vakra Lingam is half-submerged in water.
Saint Arunagirinathar has praised Lord Murugan of this temple in his Tirupugazh hymns.
Deities in the Temple
Natarajar has his right leg lifted up and left leg placed on the ground, contrary to the normal posture. Also, his hair is tied up and not flowing, like in other temples. This posture is called “Vasantha Tandavam”.
Amongst others, idols of Pichadanar, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Bairavar, Arthanareeswarar, Durgai, Kundalini Munivar, Nageswarar, Kalabairavar, Sandikeswarar, Agasthya Lingam can be seen in the second corridor.
The idol of Lord Varadaja Perumal is about six feet tall and the lord can be seen in a standing posture without his consorts.
Idols of Saptha Kanniyars (Seven virgin angels) namely Varaki, Indrani, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Brahmani, Maheshwari and Chamundi are also present in the temple.
In the outer corridor, you can see the idols of 16 plate (pattai in Tamil) Shiva Lingam and Veerabathrar with 8 hands. There is a separate shrine for Sakasra Lingam –(1008 small lingams engraved on one larger lingam).
Inside the sanctum sanctorum of Vakrakali, Yogeswara Lingam is in the right and Valampuri Ganapathi is in the left side. It is important to note that Valampuri Ganapathi is rarely seen in Shiva temples.
Greatness of this Temple
Thiruvakkarai is a famous Parihara Sthalam for all “Vakra Dhoshams”.
Those experiencing Vakra Sani period in their horoscope, can pray here for relief from its adverse effects.
There is a small shrine for Deepalakshmi, next to the Goddess Parvathi’s shrine. It is strongly believed by devotees that worshiping Deepalakshmi after lighting a lamp and tying a Mangalsutra during Rahukalam, can help remove obstacles in their marriage proposal.
Devotees pray to Lord Shiva in this temple to seek mental peace and to seek absolution from the sins of their previous lives.
Important Festivals
Thousands of devotees gather in this temple on Poornima (full moon) days at 12.00 p.m. (midnight) and on Amavasya (new moon) days at 12.00 noon when Jyothi dharisanan is offered to Goddess Vakrakali Amman. This dharisanam is considered very auspicious.
Other regular festivals being celebrated in this temple are - Poornima day procession of Goddess Vakrakaliamman in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May), Aadi Kruthikai (July-August), Thai Kruthikai (January-February), Vinayakar Chathurthi (August-September), Vijayadasami in (September-October), and Thiru Karthikai Deepam (November-December).
Temple Timings
07.00 AM to 08.30 PM
Temple Address
Sri Chandramouleeswarar Temple,
Tiruvakkarai Post, Vanur Taluk,
Villupuram District,
Tamil Nadu-604 304.
Tele: +91 - 413 2680870, 2688949, 94435 36652.
Note:
Other interests: In and around this village there are a number of fossilised tree trunks (wood becoming stone over millions of years). There is a huge National Fossil Wood Park in Thiruvakkarai that is maintained by the Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines, Government of India. Here they have displayed different varieties of fossilised wood. While visiting this temple, you can also plan to visit this park since it is rare to see fossilised wood elsewhere.
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