The entrance arch of the east-facing temple

Swayambu

Thiruvazhkoliputhur Sri Rathnapureeswarar Temple 29th of 63 on the north bank of the Kaveri · Chola Nadu · Temples near Mayiladuthurai

Darshan today7:30 am – 11:30 am, 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Moolavar: Rathnapureeswarar, Maanikkavannar
Ambal: Vandamar Poonguzhal Nayagi, Brahma Kundhalambikai
Theertham: Brahma Theertham
Sthala vriksham: Vaakai tree
Pathigam by: Thirugnanasambanthar-2, Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)-1

By V. MuthukumaraswamyVisited 24 July 20161,000 words · 5 min

Visited on: July 24, 2016 and November 25, 2017.

Location

Thiruvazhkoliputhur is located at a distance of about 14 kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil on the Vaitheeswaran Koil to Thiruppananthal route. Thiruvalapputhur is situated after Ilanthoppu village. After Ilanthoppu, take the diversion road to reach this temple.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are – Vaitheeswaran Koil, Thirukkannar Koil, Thirunintriyur, Thiruppunkur, Thiru Karuppariyalur, Thiru Needur, Thiru Pazhamannippadikkarai, Thiru Kurakkuka, Thiru Kurukkai, Mayiladuthurai and Thiru Anniyur.

General Information

Moolavar: Sri Rathnapureeswarar, Sri Maanikkavannar
Ambal: Sri Vandamar Poonguzhal Nayagi, Sri Brahma Kundhalambikai
Theertham (Holy water): Brahma Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Vaakai tree
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by: Saint Thirugnanasambanthar-2, Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)-1

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 29^th Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai).
Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
This temple is famous for Goddess Ashtapuja Durgai.
This east facing temple has no main tower (Rajagopuram) but it has a beautiful arch at the entrance.
There is no Flag post (Kodimaram) here.
The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place on 08.09.2005 and prior to that on 01.09.1985.

History of the Temple

The historical name of this place is Thiruvazhkoliputhur. However, it is now changed to Thiruvalapputhur.

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).

A yellow-walled shrine hall with arched openings, tower behind

The inner courtyard wall and corridor, with the tower beyond

Legend

Once upon a time, when the Devas and Asuras were churning the “Thiruparkadal” ocean to extract nectar, Serpent Vasuki was used as a rope and the Mandara hill as the churning rod. During this process, Vasuki was unable to bear the pain and spat out venom. This was consumed by Lord Shiva. Vasuki felt guilty that it had caused Lord Shiva to consume its poison. It is believed that he visited this place to worship Lord Shiva and seek his pardon. He also wanted to regain his strength. He stayed here under this temple’s “sthala viruksham” (Vaakai tree) in a snake hill (Putru). It is here that Vasuki was blessed to become an ornament of Lord Shiva. Since Vasuki stayed in a “putru” here, this place gets the name Putrur.

Another legend is that when Arjuna visited this place, he was looking for water to quench his thirst. Lord Shiva appeared before him in the form of an old man, offered him a stick and asked him to strike the ground under the Vaakai tree to get water. Arjuna handed over his sword to the old man in order to strike the ground and drink the water. While Arjuna was drinking water, the lord hid his sword in a hole in the tree and disappeared. When Arjuna returned and found that the old man was not there, he realised that the old man had been none other than Lord Shiva himself. He followed the footsteps of the old man and found a snake hill with a Shivalingam near it. He also found his sword in a nearby tree. He worshiped the lord and took his sword from the tree. Hence this place gets the name “Thiru Val Oli Putrur” (“Thiru” is a respectful prefix, “Val” means sword, “oli” means to hide and “putrur” means a snake hill in Tamil). However, now this name has been changed to Thiruvaalaputhur.

Another legend associated with this temple is that of Lord Mahavishnu. It is believed that he worshiped his Maanikka (Ruby) lingam here. Hence Lord Shiva here is also praised as Sri Maanikkavannar and this place gets the name “Arathanapuram” (“Arathana” means to worship and “puram” means place in Tamil.

It is also believed that Goddess Durgai had slain the demon Mahishasuran at Kadaathalaimedu, a nearby place. After vanquishing the demon, Durgai, in the form of “Mahishasura Marthini”, came to this temple to calm down. For this reason, in this temple, Goddess Durgai is being worshipped first.

It is believed that Lord Mahavishnu, Indran, Vasuki, Pandavas and Draupadi have worshiped the lord of this temple.

Deities in the temple

Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Natarajar, Gajalakshmi, Saraswathi, Nalvar, Vasuki, Suryan, Chandran and Bairavar can be seen in the corridors.

There is a separate shrine for Sri Gurusthana Mudaiyar and Saneeswarar. Also, Saint Meikanda Nayanar has a shrine in this temple.

There are no Navagraham and Dwarabalakars in this temple.

In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Narthana Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Ashtapuja Vishnu Durgai and Chandikeswarar can be seen.

A vaulted corridor leading towards an inner doorway

A shrine doorway with a name board above it

The Gurusthana Mudaiyar shrine, with its name board

A garlanded standing figure in a niche, with brass lamps

Three carved figures in niches along a plastered wall

Salient Features

The front hall (Mandapam) of this temple is designed to look like the forehead of a bat (“Vovval Nethi Mandapam”). This looks very beautiful.

There is also a shrine for Lord Vinayakar with 8 serpents – “Ashta Naga” Vinayakar. This shrine is under the Sthala Viruksham and it is designed to look like an anthill.

A pillared corridor under a vaulted ceiling

A large tree beside a small shrine in the courtyard

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.

The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (akazhi in Tamil).

Greatness of this temple

It is believed that those seeking “Santhana Prapthi” (child boon) can pray to the lord here.

Those who are facing adverse effects of “naga dosham” can worship Lord Shiva here for relief.

Important Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated in the temple are –

Vaikasi Visakam Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June),

Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept),

Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct),

Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec),

Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan),

Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) and

Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr).

Special pooja is performed to Goddess Durgai on all full moon days (Pournami).

Temple Timings

From 07.30 AM to 11.30 AM and from 04.30 PM to 08.00 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Rathnapureeswaraswamy Temple,
Thiruvalapputhur Post,
Mayiladuthurai Taluk,
Nagappattinam District,
Tamil Nadu – 609 205.
Tele: +91-4364 - 254 879, 98425 38954.

The temple priest Sri A.Mohana Sundaram Gurukkal can be contacted at 95854 50057.

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Today7:30 am – 11:30 am, 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Phone+91-4364 - 254 87998425 38954

A long corridor wall with arched openings, tower behind

A courtyard with an arched passage and a pillared corridor

Corridor roofs and towers seen across the courtyard

A domed hall with arched doors and a tower behind

A small blue-painted shrine in the courtyard, tower behind

A shrine with a domed roof beside the courtyard passage

What makes this temple special

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

Greatness

A bat-forehead hall and a serpent Vinayakar

The temple is marked by unusual forms: a front hall shaped like a bat's forehead and a sanctum shaped like a semi-circular tank.

Vovval Nethi MandapamThe front hall is designed to look like the forehead of a bat, and looks very beautiful.
Ashta Naga VinayakarThe shrine of Vinayakar with serpents stands under the Sthala Viruksham and is designed to look like an anthill.
Darshan of the TrimurthysBehind the sanctum, Mahavishnu and Brahma worship on either side of Lingothbavar; this is considered very auspicious.
Semi-circular sanctumThe sanctum is in the form of a semi-circular tank (akazhi in Tamil).

Significance

Its place in the tradition

A Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam, famous for Goddess Ashtapuja Durgai and sanctified by legends.

Devara Paadal Petra SthalamThis is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams, on the northern bank of the Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.
Goddess Ashtapuja DurgaiThis temple is famous for Goddess Ashtapuja Durgai.
Vasuki's penanceVasuki stayed here under the Vaakai tree and was blessed to become an ornament of Lord Shiva.
Arjuna and the swordLord Shiva appeared as an old man before Arjuna, and the place is named for the hidden sword.

Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come to seek a child, relief from naga dosham and the blessings of Goddess Durgai.

For a child: santhana prapthiThose seeking Santhana Prapthi (child boon) can pray to the lord here.
For naga dosham: reliefThose facing adverse effects of naga dosham can worship Lord Shiva here for relief.
For Durgai's blessings: Pournami poojaSpecial pooja is performed to Goddess Durgai on all full moon days.

276Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams

Legends of Thiruvazhkoliputhur

After spitting out venom at the churning of the ocean, Vasuki came here to worship Lord Shiva and seek his pardon.

Arjuna found his sword hidden in a tree by the lord and worshiped him.

Lord Mahavishnu worshiped his Maanikka lingam here, so Lord Shiva is praised as Sri Maanikkavannar.

After slaying Mahishasuran, Durgai came here to calm down, so she is worshipped first.

What devotees pray for

A childThose seeking Santhana Prapthi (child boon) can pray to the lord here.
Relief from naga doshamThose facing adverse effects of naga dosham can worship Lord Shiva here for relief.

Saints connected with this temple

ThirugnanasambantharRendered Pathigams on this temple.
Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)Also rendered a Pathigam on this temple.
Meikanda NayanarSaint Meikanda Nayanar has a shrine in this temple.

Festivals

The Vaikasi Visakam Brahmotsavam and Panguni Uthiram are among the festivals celebrated through the year.

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

Moolavarர

Moolavar

Sri Rathnapureeswarar

Lord Mahavishnu is believed to have worshiped his Maanikka lingam here, so Lord Shiva is also praised as Sri Maanikkavannar.

Ambal

Sri Vandamar Poonguzhal Nayagi

The Ambal is also known as Sri Brahma Kundhalambikai.

Goddess in this templeது

Goddess in this temple

Goddess Ashtapuja Durgai

This temple is famous for Goddess Ashtapuja Durgai, who is worshipped first here.

Shrine in the corridor

Sri Gurusthana Mudaiyar

There is a separate shrine for Sri Gurusthana Mudaiyar and Saneeswarar.

Shrine under the Sthala Virukshamவி

Shrine under the Sthala Viruksham

Ashta Naga Vinayakar

This shrine is under the Sthala Viruksham and it is designed to look like an anthill.

Shrine in the corridorமெ

Shrine in the corridor

Saint Meikanda Nayanar

Saint Meikanda Nayanar has a shrine in this temple.

Behind the sanctumலி

Behind the sanctum

Lord Lingothbavar

On either side of Lord Lingothbavar there are idols of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma in a worshipping posture.

Sacred geography

You are hereThis temple

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

Darshan today7:30 am – 11:30 am, 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm

7:30 – 11:304:30 – 8:00 pm

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

Plan the day around it

Address and phone

Sri Rathnapureeswaraswamy Temple, Thiruvalapputhur Post, Mayiladuthurai Taluk, Nagappattinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609 205. The temple priest Sri A.Mohana Sundaram Gurukkal can be contacted at 95854 50057.

+91-4364 - 254 879

A day of darshan nearby

5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 23.3 km in straight lines.

Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.

Open this route in Google Maps →

The front hall

The front hall (Mandapam) of this temple is designed to look like the forehead of a bat. This looks very beautiful.

1 / 5

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

Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

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

V. Muthukumaraswamy

Thirugnanasambandar sang this Pathigam at Thiruvazhkoliputhur. Verse 1 of 11.

Sākai āyira muṭaiyār sāmamum ōthuva thuṭaiyār

īkai yārkaṭai nōkki yirappathum palapala vuṭaiyār

thōkai māmayi laṉaiya thuṭiyiṭai pākamum uṭaiyār

vākai nuṇthuḷi vīsum vāzhkoḷi puththū ruḷārē

The Lord has the branches of the Vedas and chants the Saamam. He begs at the doors of the generous, and has many more forms. He shares his form with the slender-waisted Goddess, graceful as a peahen. He is at Vaazhkoli Puthur, where the Vaakai trees scatter fine drops.

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 eleven verses

01
சாகை ஆயிர முடையார் சாமமும் ஓதுவ துடையார்ஈகை யார்கடை நோக்கி யிரப்பதும் பலபல வுடையார்தோகை மாமயி லனைய துடியிடை பாகமும் உடையார்வாகை நுண்துளி வீசும் வாழ்கொளி புத்தூ ருளாரே

Sākai āyira muṭaiyār sāmamum ōthuva thuṭaiyār / īkai yārkaṭai nōkki yirappathum palapala vuṭaiyār / thōkai māmayi laṉaiya thuṭiyiṭai pākamum uṭaiyār / vākai nuṇthuḷi vīsum vāzhkoḷi puththū ruḷārē
02
எண்ணில் ஈரமும் உடையார் எத்தனை யோரிவர் அறங்கள்கண்ணும் ஆயிரம் உடையார் கையுமோ ராயிரம் உடையார்பெண்ணும் ஆயிரம் உடையார் பெருமையோ ராயிரம் உடையார்வண்ணம் ஆயிரம் உடையார் வாழ்கொளி புத்தூ ருளாரே

Eṇṇil īramum uṭaiyār eththaṉai yōrivar aṟaṅkaḷ / kaṇṇum āyiram uṭaiyār kaiyumō rāyiram uṭaiyār / peṇṇum āyiram uṭaiyār perumaiyō rāyiram uṭaiyār / vaṇṇam āyiram uṭaiyār vāzhkoḷi puththū ruḷārē
03
நொடியோ ராயிரம் உடையார் நுண்ணிய ராமவர் நோக்கும்வடிவும் ஆயிரம் உடையார் வண்ணமும் ஆயிரம் உடையார்முடியும் ஆயிரம் உடையார் மொய்குழ லாளையும் உடையார்வடிவும் ஆயிரம் உடையார் வாழ்கொளி புத்தூ ருளாரே

Noṭiyō rāyiram uṭaiyār nuṇṇiya rāmavar nōkkum / vaṭivum āyiram uṭaiyār vaṇṇamum āyiram uṭaiyār / muṭiyum āyiram uṭaiyār moykuzha lāḷaiyum uṭaiyār / vaṭivum āyiram uṭaiyār vāzhkoḷi puththū ruḷārē
04
பஞ்சி நுண்துகி லன்ன பைங்கழற் சேவடி யுடையார்குஞ்சி மேகலை யுடையார் கொந்தணி வேல்வல னுடையார்அஞ்சும் வென்றவர்க் கணியார் ஆனையின் ஈருரி யுடையார்வஞ்சி நுண்ணிடை யுடையார் வாழ்கொளி புத்தூ ருளாரே

Pañchi nuṇthuki laṉṉa paiṅkazhaṟ sēvaṭi yuṭaiyār / kuñchi mēkalai yuṭaiyār konthaṇi vēlvala ṉuṭaiyār / añchum veṉtṟavark kaṇiyār āṉaiyiṉ īruri yuṭaiyār / vañchi nuṇṇiṭai yuṭaiyār vāzhkoḷi puththū ruḷārē
05
பரவு வாரையும் உடையார் பழித்திகழ் வாரையும் உடையார்விரவு வாரையும் உடையார் வெண்டலைப் பலிகொள்வதுடையார்அரவம் பூண்பதும் உடையார் ஆயிரம் பேர்மிகவுடையார்வரமும் ஆயிரம் உடையார் வாழ்கொளி புத்தூ ருளாரே

Paravu vāraiyum uṭaiyār pazhiththikazh vāraiyum uṭaiyār / viravu vāraiyum uṭaiyār veṇṭalaip palikoḷva / thuṭaiyār'aravam pūṇpathum uṭaiyār āyiram pērmika / vuṭaiyārvaramum āyiram uṭaiyār vāzhkoḷi puththū ruḷārē
06
தண்டுந் தாளமுங் குழலுந் தண்ணுமைக் கருவியும் புறவில்கொண்ட பூதமும் உடையார் கோலமும் பலபல வுடையார்கண்டு கோடலும் அரியார் காட்சியும் அரியதோர் கரந்தைவண்டு வாழ்பதி யுடையார் வாழ்கொளி புத்தூ ருளாரே

Thaṇṭun thāḷamuṅ kuzhalun thaṇṇumaik karuviyum puṟavil / koṇṭa pūthamum uṭaiyār kōlamum palapala vuṭaiyār / kaṇṭu kōṭalum ariyār kāṭchiyum ariyathōr karanthai / vaṇdu vāzhpathi yuṭaiyār vāzhkoḷi puththū ruḷārē
07
மான வாழ்க்கைய துடையார் மலைந்தவர் மதிற்பரி சறுத்தார்தான வாழ்க்கைய துடையார் தவத்தொடு நாம்புகழ்ந் தேத்தஞான வாழ்க்கைய துடையார் நள்ளிருள் மகளிர்நின் றேத்தவான வாழ்க்கைய துடையார் வாழ்கொளி புத்தூ ருளாரே

Māṉa vāzhkkaiya thuṭaiyār malainthavar mathiṟpari saṟuththār / thāṉa vāzhkkaiya thuṭaiyār thavaththoṭu nāmpukazhn thēththa / ñāṉa vāzhkkaiya thuṭaiyār naḷḷiruḷ makaḷirniṉ tṟēththa / vāṉa vāzhkkaiya thuṭaiyār vāzhkoḷi puththū ruḷārē
08
ஏழு மூன்றுமோர் தலைகள் உடையவன் இடர்பட அடர்த்துவேழ்வி செற்றதும் விரும்பி விருப்பவர் பலபல வுடையார்கேழல் வெண்பிறை யன்னகெழுமணி மிடறுநின் றிலங்கவாழி சாந்தமும் உடையார் வாழ்கொளி புத்தூ ருளாரே

Ēzhu mūṉtṟumōr thalaikaḷ uṭaiyavaṉ iṭarpaṭa aṭarththu / vēzhvi setṟathum virumpi viruppavar palapala vuṭaiyār / kēzhal veṇpiṟai yaṉṉakezhumaṇi miṭaṟuniṉ tṟilaṅka / vāzhi sānthamum uṭaiyār vāzhkoḷi puththū ruḷārē
09
வென்றி மாமல ரோனும் விரிகடல் துயின்றவன் தானும்என்றும் ஏத்துகை யுடையார் இமையவர் துதிசெய விரும்பிமுன்றில் மாமலர் வாசம் முதுமதி தவழ்பொழில் தில்லைமன்றி லாடல துடையார் வாழ்கொளி புத்தூ ருளாரே

Veṉtṟi māmala rōṉum virikaṭal thuyiṉtṟavaṉ thāṉum / eṉtṟum ēththukai yuṭaiyār imaiyavar thuthiseya virumpi / muṉtṟil māmalar vāsam muthumathi thavazhpozhil thillai / maṉtṟi lāṭala thuṭaiyār vāzhkoḷi puththū ruḷārē
10
மண்டை கொண்டுழல் தேரர் மாசுடை மேனிவன் சமணர்குண்டர் பேசிய பேச்சுக் கொள்ளன்மின் திகழொளி நல்லதுண்ட வெண்பிறை சூடிச் சுண்ணவெண் பொடியணிந் தெங்கும்வண்டு வாழ்பொழில் சூழ்ந்த வாழ்கொளி புத்தூ ருளாரே

Maṇṭai koṇṭuzhal thērar māsuṭai mēṉivaṉ samaṇar / kuṇṭar pēsiya pēchchuk koḷḷaṉmiṉ thikazhoḷi nalla / thuṇṭa veṇpiṟai chūṭich chuṇṇaveṇ poṭiyaṇin theṅkum / vaṇṭu vāzhpozhil chūzhntha vāzhkoḷi puththū ruḷārē
11
நலங்கொள் பூம்பொழிற் காழி நற்றமிழ் ஞான சம்பந்தன்வலங்கொள் வெண்மழு வாளன் வாழ்கொளி புத்தூரு ளானைஇலங்கு வெண்பிறை யானை யேத்திய தமிழிவை வல்லார்நலங்கொள் சிந்தைய ராகி நன்னெறி யெய்துவர் தாமே

The last verse names Thirugnanasambandar of Kazhi as the singer and says that those who recite these Tamil verses will gain a pure mind and reach the good path.

Nalaṅkoḷ pūmpozhiṟ kāzhi natṟamizh gñāṉa sambanthaṉ / valaṅkoḷ veṇmazhu vāḷaṉ vāzhkoḷi puththūru ḷāṉai / ilaṅku veṇpiṟai yāṉai yēththiya thamizhivai vallār / nalaṅkoḷ sinthaiya rāki naṉṉeṟi yeythuvar thāmē

Photographs

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