Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
Venjamangudalur, photograph 1 of 5

Venjamangudalur Sri Kalyanavikirtheswarar Temple 5th of 7 in Kongu Nadu · Temples near Karur

Darshan today6:30 am – 12:00 noon, 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Moolavar
Kalyanavikirtheswarar / Vikirthanatheswarar
Ambal
Mathurabhashini / Panner Mozhi Ammai /Vikirthanayaki
Theertham
Vilva Theertham/ Vikrita Theertham.
Sthala vriksham
Vilvam
Pathigam by
Sundaramurthy Nayanar (Sundarar)

Temple

Visited on: November 1, 2015

Location

About 22 km from Karur. Route: Karur - Aravakkurichi - Venjamangudalur. Town bus route: Karur to Atrumedu. Nearest railway station is at Karur. Nearest airport is at Trichy which is 80 km away from this place.

General information

Moolavar
Sri Kalyanavikirtheswarar / Sri Vikirthanatheswarar
Ambal
Sri Mathurabhashini / Sri Panner Mozhi Ammai /
Sri Vikirthanayaki
Theertham (Holy water)
Vilva Theertham / Vikrita Theertham.
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Vilvam
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar (Sundarar)
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 5th Shiva Sthalam in Kongu Nadu.
  • It is believed that the Lord Vigirtheeswarar is a Swaymbumurthy (self-manifested).
A view inside the temple near the main shrine

History of the temple

This east facing temple is located at the junction of rivers Sitraru and Kudakanaru and a tributary of river Amaravathy (also called Manimutharu). Hence, this place gets the name Koodalur (confluence).

A hunter king by the name of Venjaman, who ruled this place, is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here. Hence, this place is also called Venjamaakoodal.

A view of the temple buildings at Venjamangudalur

The temple was washed away by severe floods in the river Kudakanaru. It was rebuilt in the year 1982. However, this temple is still 10-12 feet below the road level, which shows the possible impact of the damages done during the flood.

Legend

The legend is that when Saint Sundarar came to this place, he was left with no money (gold coins) and prayed to Lord Shiva to give him some money. Lord Shiva wanted to play with him and said that he also had no money to give Sundarar. Saint Sundarar said that the Lord cannot be without money and pressed his demand. Lord said that he would have to pledge something to give money to Sundarar. The Saint simply said that he did not care about his problem and stuck to the demand. Lord Shiva made Goddess Parvathi come to the earth as an old lady. When she came, Lord Shiva appeared in the guise of an old man and pledged his two sons to her in exchange for money. Then he blessed Sundarar with gifts of gold for the songs he had sung here. The story emphasizes the kindness that Lord Shiva shows to his friend and ardent devotee, Sundarar.

Another legend associated with this temple is that Indiran, the king of the Celestial Gods (Devars), developed a desire for Akalya, wife of Maharshi Gautama. He entered into his hermitage in the guise of a rooster and cried indicating the breaking of dawn. Innocent Maharshi left the hermitage for the river to have his morning bath. Then, Indiran entered into the hermitage in the guise of the Maharishi.

Akalya thought the entrant was her own husband. Meantime, the sage found that there was more time for the dawn and returned home sensing some mischief. Seeing the Rishi, Indiran tried to escape in the guise of a cat but was cursed to have eyes on his whole body. Reeling in confusion, Indiran began to visit various Shiva temples to seek relief from this curse. Venjamangudalur is the temple where Lord Shiva finally heard his pleas and absolved him from his sins.

Deities in the temple

In the outer corridor, idols of Suryan, Chandran, Pancha lingams, Lord Vinayakar and Lord Murugan with his consorts - Valli and Devasena can be seen.

In the inner corridor of the sanctum sanctorum (prakaram), shrines of Navagrahas, Bairavar, Nambiyandar Nambikal, Sekizhar, 63 Nayanmars and Natarajar can also be seen.

Salient features

On the doors of Lord Shiva’s sanctum sanctorum, depictions of all the seven Devara Padal Petra Sthalams in Kongu Nadu are beautifully engraved.

Carved figures on the doors of the sanctum sanctorum
A closer view of the carved doors of the sanctum sanctorum

Saint Arunagirinadhar has also sung in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.

Greatness of this temple

It is believed that worshipping Lord Murugan here will result in the re-union of estranged couples.

Lord Shiva of this temple also goes by the name of “Vikirtheeswarar”, which means the lord who grants us all that is good. Devotees can seek absolution of sins by worshipping Lord Shiva here.

Important festivals

The significant festivals celebrated are – 10 day Brahmmotsavam in Masi (February-March), Tiruvadhirai in Margazhi (December-January), Annabishekam in Aipasi (October-November), Tirukarthikai in November-December and Mahashivrathri in February-March.

Temple timings

06.30 AM to 12.00 Noon and 04.00 PM to 07.30 PM.

Temple address

Sri Kalyana Vigirtheeswarar Temple,
Venjamangudalur,
Aravakkurichi Taluk,
Karur District, Tamil Nadu – 639 109.
Tele: +91-4324-262 010.

*
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Today6:30 am – 12:00 noon, 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Phone+91-4324- 262 010

Highlights

What makes this temple special

* Cards drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. “Read more” takes you to the full passage.

Greatness

Where rivers meet, and the Lord grants good

The temple stands at the junction of rivers, and its Lord is known as Vikirtheeswarar, who grants all that is good.

  1. A confluence of riversThe east facing temple is at the junction of the rivers Sitraru and Kudakanaru, so the place is named Koodalur.
  2. The lord who grants all that is goodThe name Vikirtheeswarar means the lord who grants us all that is good.
  3. Doors engraved with Kongu sthalamsOn the doors of the sanctum, all the seven Devara Padal Petra Sthalams in Kongu Nadu are engraved.
Significance

A sthalam sung by Sundarar

One of the 276 Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalams, and the fifth Shiva Sthalam in Kongu Nadu.

  1. Pathigam of SundararThe Pathigam of this temple was rendered by Saint Sundarar.
  2. Gold for his songsLord Shiva blessed Sundarar with gifts of gold for the songs he had sung here.
  3. Indiran's relief from a curseVenjamangudalur is where Lord Shiva finally heard Indiran's pleas and absolved him from his sins.
  4. Praised by ArunagirinadharSaint Arunagirinadhar sang in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in the Thirupugazh.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come to seek absolution of sins, the re-union of estranged couples, and to join the festivals.

  1. For absolution of sins: Lord ShivaDevotees can seek absolution of sins by worshipping Lord Shiva here.
  2. For estranged couples: Lord MuruganIt is believed that worshipping Lord Murugan here will result in the re-union of estranged couples.
  3. For the festivals: Brahmmotsavam and AnnabishekamThe significant festivals include the Brahmmotsavam in Masi, Tiruvadhirai in Margazhi and Annabishekam in Aipasi.
The Moolavar shrine area of the temple
276Paadal Petra Sthalams

One of 276 Sthalams

Legends of Venjamangudalur

Lord Shiva pledged his two sons to an old lady, who was Goddess Parvathi, and gave Sundarar gold.

Indiran was cursed to have eyes on his whole body and was absolved by Lord Shiva here.

The hunter king Venjaman is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here, so the place is also called Venjamaakoodal.

Brahmmotsavam, Tiruvadhirai and Mahashivrathri

    Festivals include a 10 day Brahmmotsavam in Masi, Tiruvadhirai, Annabishekam, Tirukarthikai and Mahashivrathri.

    Deities

    The deities of this temple

    * Drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. Where there is no photograph, the card shows the name.

    From the sanctum to the corridors
    Moolavarசி
    Moolavar

    Sri Kalyanavikirtheswarar

    Also called Sri Vikirthanatheswarar.

    Ambalஅ
    Ambal

    Sri Mathurabhashini

    Also called Sri Panner Mozhi Ammai and Sri Vikirthanayaki.

    Shrine in the corridorசூ
    Shrine in the corridor

    Suryan

    In the outer corridor, an idol of Suryan can be seen.

    Shrine in the corridorசந்
    Shrine in the corridor

    Chandran

    In the outer corridor, an idol of Chandran can be seen.

    Shrine in the corridorப
    Shrine in the corridor

    Pancha lingams

    In the outer corridor, idols of Pancha lingams can be seen.

    Shrine in the corridorவி
    Shrine in the corridor

    Lord Vinayakar

    In the outer corridor, an idol of Lord Vinayakar can be seen.

    Shrine in the corridorமு
    Shrine in the corridor

    Lord Murugan

    Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devasena can be seen in the outer corridor.

    Shrine in the corridorந
    Shrine in the corridor

    Navagrahas

    In the inner corridor, shrines of Navagrahas can be seen.

    Shrine in the corridorந
    Shrine in the corridor

    Natarajar

    In the inner corridor, a shrine of Natarajar can also be seen.

    Visit & map

    Sacred geography
    Venjamangudalur Karuvur Thiruppandi Kodumudi Thiru Kodimada Chenguntrur
    You are hereThis temple

    Schematic. Distances as recorded on the visit; directions approximate.

    12a6a12p6p
    Darshan today6:30 am – 12:00 noon, 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
    6:30 – 12:004:00 – 7:30 pm

    Hours as recorded on the visit. Festival days can differ.

    Plan the day around it

    Address and phone

    Sri Kalyana Vigirtheeswarar Temple, Venjamangudalur, Aravakkurichi Taluk, Karur District, Tamil Nadu – 639 109.

    +91-4324- 262 010

    *

    A day of darshan nearby

    One more sthalam within reach, 18.5 km away in a straight line.

    Map of Venjamangudalur and the sthalams nearby, in route order: Karuvur. Venjamangudalur 1 Karuvur 5 km N
    Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.

    Temple plan

    Venjamangudalur, photograph 1 of 5
    01

    Suryan and Chandran

    In the outer corridor, idols of Suryan, Chandran and Pancha lingams can be seen.

    1 / 5

    Summary written with AI help from the temple write-up.

    Pathigam

    Saint Sundarar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

    Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

    V. Muthukumaraswamy

    Sundarar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam. Verse 1 of 10.

    Eṟikkuṅg kathirvē yuthirmuth thamodu
    milavaṅkanth thakkōlam iñchi
    seṟikkum puṉalud peythukoṇdu maṇṭith
    thiḷaithetṟu sitṟāṟathaṉ kīzhkkaraimēl
    muṟikkunth thazhaimā mudappuṉṉai gnazhal
    kurukkathikaḷ mēṟkuyil kūvalaṟā
    veṟikkuṅg kalaimā veñchamāk kūdal
    vikirthā adiyēṉaiyum vēṇduthiyē

    The verse describes the Sitraru river, carrying pearls, cloves, takkolam and ginger in its dense waters, rushing along its lower bank. Along that bank grow leafy trees and creepers where koels call without ceasing, and stags roam. In this setting stands Venjama Koodal. The singer calls on Vikirtha to desire him, his servant, too.

    Tap any Tamil word for its meaning

    Verse text and transliteration as given in the write-up. Word meanings and the English meaning are AI-assisted drafts.

    All ten verses

    1. 01

      எறிக்குங் கதிர்வே யுதிர்முத் தமொடுமிலவங்கந் தக்கோலம் இஞ்சிசெறிக்கும் புனலுட் பெய்துகொண்டு மண்டித்திளைத்தெற்று சிற்றாறதன் கீழ்க்கரைமேல்முறிக்குந் தழைமா முடப்புன்னை ஞாழல்குருக்கத்திகள் மேற்குயில் கூவலறாவெறிக்குங் கலைமா வெஞ்சமாக் கூடல்விகிர்தா அடியேனையும் வேண்டுதியே

      Eṟikkuṅg kathirvē yuthirmuth thamodu / milavaṅkanth thakkōlam iñchi / seṟikkum puṉalud peythukoṇdu maṇṭith / thiḷaithetṟu sitṟāṟathaṉ kīzhkkaraimēl / muṟikkunth thazhaimā mudappuṉṉai gnazhal / kurukkathikaḷ mēṟkuyil kūvalaṟā / veṟikkuṅg kalaimā veñchamāk kūdal / vikirthā adiyēṉaiyum vēṇduthiyē

    2. 02

      குளங்கள் பலவுங் குழியுந் நிறையக்குடமாமணி சந்தனமும் அகிலுந்துளங்கும் புனலுட் பெய்துகொண்டு மண்டித்திளைத்தெற்று சிற்றாறதன் கீழ்க்கரைமேல்வளங்கொள் மதில்மா ளிகைகோ புரமும்மணிமண்டபமும் இவைமஞ்சு தன்னுள்விளங்கும் மதிதோய் வெஞ்சமாக் கூடல்விகிர்தா அடியேனையும் வேண்டுதியே

      Kuḷaṅkaḷ palavuṅg kuzhiyun niṟaiyak / kuṭamāmaṇi santhaṉamum akilun / thuḷaṅkum puṉaluṭ peythukoṇṭu maṇṭith / thiḷaithetṟu sitṟāṟathaṉ kīzhkkaraimēl / vaḷaṅgkoḷ mathilmā ḷikaikō puramum / maṇimaṇdapamum ivaimañchu thaṉṉuḷ / viḷaṅgkum mathithōy veñchamāk kūdal / vikirthā adiyēṉaiyum vēṇduthiyē

    3. 03

      வரைமான் அனையார் மயிற்சாயல் நல்லார்வடிவேற்கண் நல்லார்பலர் வந்திறைஞ்சத்திரையார் புனலுட் பெய்துகொண்டு மண்டித்திளைத்தெற்று சிற்றாறதன் கீழ்க்கரைமேல்நிரையார் கமுகும் நெடுந்தாட் டெங்குங்குறுந்தாட்பலவும் விரவிக் குளிரும்விரையார் பொழில்சூழ் வெஞ்சமாக் கூடல்விகிர்தா அடியேனையும் வேண்டுதியே

      Varaimāṉ aṉaiyār mayiṟchāyal nallār / vaṭivēṟkaṇ nallārpalar vanthiṟaiñchath / thiraiyār puṉalud peythukoṇṭu maṇṭith / thiḷaithetṟu sitṟāṟathaṉ kīzhkkaraimēl / niraiyār kamukum neṭunthāṭ ṭeṅkuṅg / kuṟunthāṭpalavum viravik kuḷirum / viraiyār pozhilchūzh veñchamāk kūdal / vikirthā adiyēṉaiyum vēṇṭuthiyē

    4. 04

      பண்ணேர் மொழியா ளையோர்பங் குடையாய்படுகாட்டகத் தென்றுமோர் பற்றொழியாய்தண்ணா ரகிலுந் நலசா மரையும்அலைத்தெற்று சிற்றாறதன் கீழ்க்கரைமேல்மண்ணார் முழவுங் குழலும் இயம்பமடவார் நடமாடு மணியரங்கில்விண்ணார் மதிதோய் வெஞ்சமாக் கூடல்விகிர்தா அடியேனையும் வேண்டுதியே

      Paṇṇēr mozhiyā ḷaiyōrpaṅg kudaiyāy / paṭukāṭṭakath theṉtṟumōr patṟozhiyāy / thaṇṇā rakilunth nalasā maraiyum / alaithetṟu sitṟāṟathaṉ kīzhkkaraimēl / maṇṇār muzhavuṅg kuzhalum iyampa / madavār nadamādu maṇiyaraṅkil / viṇṇār mathithōy veñchamāk kūdal / vikirthā adiyēṉaiyum vēṇṭuthiyē

    5. 05

      துளைவெண் குழையுஞ் சுருள்வெண் டோடுந்தூங்குங்காதிற் றுளங்கும் படியாய்களையே கமழும் மலர்க்கொன் றையினாய்கலந்தார்க்கருள் செய்திடுங் கற்பகமேபிளைவெண் பிறையாய் பிறங்குஞ் சடையாய்பிறவாதவனே பெறுதற் கரியாய்வெளைமால் விடையாய் வெஞ்சமாக் கூடல்விகிர்தா அடியேனையும் வேண்டுதியே

      Tuḷaiveṇ kuzhaiyuñj churuḷveṇ dō dunth / thūṅkuṅgkāthiṟ ṟuḷaṅgkum paṭiyāy / kaḷaiyē kamazhum malarkkoṉ tṟaiyiṉāy / kalanthārkkaruḷ seythiṭuṅg kaṟpakamē / piḷaiveṇ piṟaiyāy piṟaṅgkuñj chaṭaiyāy / piṟavāthavaṉē peṟuthaṟ kariyāy / veḷaimāl vidaiyāy veñchamāk kūdal / vikirthā aṭiyēṉaiyum vēṇṭuthiyē

    6. 06

      தொழுவார்க் கெளியாய் துயர்தீர நின்றாய்சுரும்பார் மலர்க்கொன்றை துன்றுஞ்சடையாய்உழுவார்க் கரிய விடையேறி ஒன்னார்புரந்தீயெழ ஓடுவித்தாய் அழகார்முழவா ரொலிபா டலோடா டலறாமுதுகாடரங்கா நடமாட வல்லாய்விழவார் மறுகின் வெஞ்சமாக் கூடல்விகிர்தா அடியேனையும் வேண்டுதியே

      Thozhuvārk keḷiyāy thuyarthīra niṉtṟāy / surumpār malarkkoṉtṟai thuṉtṟuñchadaiyāy / uzhuvārk kariya vidaiyēṟi oṉṉār / puranthīyezha ōduvithāy azhakār / muzhavā rolipā dalōdā ṭalaṟā / muthukāṭaraṅgkā nadamāda vallāy / vizhavār maṟukiṉ veñchamāk kūdal / vikirthā aṭiyēṉaiyum vēṇṭuthiyē

    7. 07

      கடமா களியா னையுரித் தவனேகரிகாடிடமா அனல்வீசி நின்றுநடமா டவல்லாய் நரையே றுகந்தாய்நல்லாய் நறுங்கொன்றை நயந்தவனேபடமா யிரமாம் பருத்துத்திப் பைங்கண்பகுவாய் எயிற்றோடழ லேஉமிழும்விடவார் அரவா வெஞ்சமாக் கூடல்விகிர்தா அடியேனையும் வேண்டுதியே

      Kadamā kaḷiyā ṉaiyurith thavaṉē / karikāṭidamā aṉalvīsi niṉtṟu / naṭamā ṭavallāy naraiyē ṟukanthāy / nallāy naṟuṅgkoṉtṟai nayanthavaṉē / padamā yiramām paruthuthip paiṅkaṇ / pakuvāy eyitṟōdazha lē'umizhum / vidavār aravā veñchamāk kūdal / vikirthā aṭiyēṉaiyum vēṇṭuthiyē

    8. 08

      காடும் மலையுந் நாடு மிடறிக்கதிர்மாமணி சந்தனமும் அகிலுஞ்சேட னுறையும் மிடந்தான் விரும்பிதிளைத்தெற்று சிற்றாறதன் கீழ்க்கரைமேற்பாடல் முழவுங் குழலு மியம்பப்பணைத்தோளியர் பாடலோ டாடலறாவேடர் விரும்பும் வெஞ்சமாக் கூடல்விகிர்தா அடியேனையும் வேண்டுதியே

      Kādum malaiyun nādu midaṟik / kathirmāmaṇi santhaṉamum akiluñj / chēda ṉuṟaiyum midanthāṉ virumpi / thiḷaithetṟu sitṟāṟathaṉ kīzhkkaraimēṟ / pādal muzhavuṅg kuzhalu miyampap / paṇaithōḷiyar pādalō dādalaṟā / vēdar virumpum veñchamāk kūdal / vikirthā aṭiyēṉaiyum vēṇṭuthiyē

    9. 09

      கொங்கார் மலர்க்கொன் றையந்தா ரவனேகொடுகொட்டி யோர்வீணை யுடையவனேபொங்கா டரவும் புனலுஞ் சடைமேற்பொதியும்புனிதா புனஞ்சூழ்ந் தழகார்துங்கார் புனலுட் பெய்துகொண்டு மண்டித்திளைத்தெற்று சிற்றாறதன் கீழ்க்கரைமேல்வெங்கார் வயல்சூழ் வெஞ்சமாக் கூடல்விகிர்தா அடியேனையும் வேண்டுதியே

      Koṅgkār malarkkoṉ tṟaiyanthā ravaṉē / kodukoṭṭi yōrveeṇai yudaiyavaṉē / poṅgkā daravum puṉaluñj sadaimēṟ / pothiyumpuṉithā puṉañjchūzhn thazhakār / thuṅkār puṉalud peythukoṇdu maṇṭith / thiḷaithetṟu sitṟāṟathaṉ kīzhkkaraimēl / veṅkār vayalchūzh veñchamāk kūdal / vikirthā aṭiyēṉaiyum vēṇṭuthiyē

    10. 10

      வஞ்சிநுண் ணிடையார் மயிற்சாய லன்னார்வடிவேற்க ணல்லார்பலர் வந்திறைஞ்சும்வெஞ்சமாக் கூடல் விகிர்தா அடியேனையும்வேண்டுதி யேயென்று தான்விரும்பிவஞ்சியா தளிக்கும் வயல்நா வலர்கோன்வனப்பகையப்பன் வன்றொண்டன் சொன்னசெஞ்சொற்றமிழ் மாலைகள் பத்தும் வல்லார்சிவலோகத் திருப்பது திண்ணமன்றே

      The last verse says that those who master these ten Tamil garlands of Sundarar will surely reach Sivaloka.

      Vañchinuṇ ṇidaiyār mayiṟchāya laṉṉār / vadivēṟka ṇallārpalar vanthiṟaiñjchum / veñchamāk kūdal vikirthā aṭiyēṉaiyum / vēṇṭuthi yēyeṉtṟu thāṉvirumpi / vañchiyā thaḷikkum vayalnā valarkōṉ / vaṉappakaiyappaṉ vaṉtṟoṇṭaṉ choṉṉa / cheñjchotṟamizh mālaikaḷ pathum vallār / sivalōkath thiruppathu thiṇṇamaṉtṟē

    Photos

    Photographs

    5 photographs, in the order they appear in the write-up. Captions are AI-assisted.

    Venjamangudalur, photograph 1 of 5
    A view inside the temple near the main shrine
    A view of the temple buildings at Venjamangudalur
    Carved figures on the doors of the sanctum sanctorum
    A closer view of the carved doors of the sanctum sanctorum