Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
Weathered gateway with seated stone figures; a stone tower stands among trees to the right.
Swayambu

Thiru Vilanagar Sri Thurai Kaattum Vallalar Temple 40th of 129 on the south bank of the Kaveri · Chola Nadu · Temples near Mayiladuthurai

Darshan today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Moolavar
Thurai Kaattum Vallalar, Uchira Vaneswarar
Ambal
Thurai Kaattum Valli, Veyuru Tholi Amman
Theertham
Cauveri river, Meygnana Theertham
Sthala vriksham
Vizhal plants
Pathigam by
Thirugnanasambanthar

Temple

Visited on: 28th September, 2016 and 17th November, 2016.

Location

Vilanagar is situated at a distance of about 6 kms from Mayiladuthurai on the Mayiladuthurai to Sembanar Koil route. Vilanagar is also known as Arupathy.

Other Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are –

Mayiladuthurai, Needur, Anniyur, Thiruppariyalur Veerattanam, Sembanar koil, Thiru Nintriyur, Vaitheeswaran Koil, Thiruppunkur, Thirukkannar Koil, Sirkazhi, Thirukkolakka, Therazhunthur and Kuththalam.

General information

Moolavar
Sri Thurai Kaattum Vallalar, Sri Uchira Vaneswarar
Ambal
Sri Thurai Kaattum Valli, Sri Veyuru Tholi Amman
Theertham (Holy water)
Cauveri river, Meygnana Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Vizhal plants
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 40th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
  • Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
  • This east facing temple has a 5-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 2 corridors.
  • The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place on 02.02.1959.

History of the temple

According to legend, in ancient times, this region was densely covered by “Vizhal plants” (a type of grass). Because of this, this place is named Vizhal Nagar which has later been changed to Vila Nagar. The lord of this temple is also praised as “Sri Vizharkattu Nathar”.

This is one of the 27 temples which falls under the administrative control of Dharumapuram Aadheenam. However, the temple is in a very bad state. The main tower as well as the towers in the sanctum are in ruins and are covered with a lot of weeds and plants. Even the compound walls and shrines are in a dilapidated condition.

A tall painted arch with deity figures spans a village road, with a palm tree and trees behind.
A tiered stone tower with figures on every level and green plants growing from the top, under a blue sky.

Legend

According to legend, there was a brahmin boy called Arulvithan who used to worship the lord here. He would bring offerings of flowers every day without fail. He had to cross the river Kaveri in order to reach the temple. One day, the river got flooded making it very dangerous to cross. Even then he decided to cross the river but got caught in the flood. Instead of trying to save his life he tried saving the flowers he had brought for the lord’s pooja. Pleased with his determination and devotion, Lord Shiva rescued him. Hence the lord here is praised as “Thurai Kaattum Vallal”. (“Thurai” means river bank, “Kaattum” means to show and “Vallal” means philanthropist in Tamil).

Another similar legend associated with this temple is that of Saint Thirugnanasambanthar. When he was on a pilgrimage to Kadaimudi and Mayiladuthurai, he could not proceed further due to heavy floods in the river Kaveri. The saint prayed to Lord Shiva seeking his help in crossing the river. It is believed that Lord Shiva came in the guise of a hunter and helped him reach the temple.

As per the Sthala Purana, a demon called Kapithan worshiped the lord of this temple and got relieved from the “Brahmahathi Dosham”.

Deities in the temple

Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Lords Vinayakar, Murugan, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, Arunachaleswar, Somaskandar, Gajalakshmi, Durgai, Saneeswarar, Navagraham, Suryan, Chandran, Naalvars and Bairavar can be seen in the corridors.

A dark stone doorway between pillars, with a Tamil name board above it and lamps glowing inside.
A shrine doorway between stone pillars with a Tamil name board above; a woman walks past in the corridor.
A domed shrine tower decorated with many sculpted figures above a brick and stone wall with a small doorway.
A dark stone figure with a white cloth stands in a wall niche; above it a figure sits on a coiled serpent.
Four small black stone figures with white and pink cloths stand in a wall niche under a Tamil inscription.
A clump of tall green grass grows in a brick planter next to a black stone figure in a wall niche.
A small deity image covered in flower garlands sits on a stand under a coloured canopy, with oil lamps nearby.

Salient features

Goddess Veyuru Tholi Amman is holding a discus in one hand and a conch in the other.

In his hymn, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar mentioned about the incident of crossing the river and praised the lord as “Cauvery Thurai Kattinar” (the lord who showed the way to reach the river bank).

Greatness of this temple

Devotees believe that worshiping the lord here would help in obtaining quick resolutions of their problems. It is also believed that worshiping the lord here would help devotees break away from the repetitive cycle of birth and re-birth.

The Sthala Viruksham of this temple is the Vizhal plant. Devotees tie its leaves in a knot in the hope that their prayers would be heard.

Important festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are –

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

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

Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov),

Makara Sankranthi in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb), and

Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar).

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple timings

From 07.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 05.30 PM to 08.00 PM.

Temple address

Sri Uchira Vaneswarar (Thurai Kattum Vallalar) Temple,
Thiruvila Nagar, Arupathy Post,
Mayiladuthurai Taluk,
Nagapattinam District,
Tamil Nadu - 609 309.
Tele: +91 4364 282 129.

*
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Today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone+91 4364 282 129
A wide brick-paved courtyard with several stone shrines and domed towers, trees and sky behind.
An old gateway with stone figures on top beside a yellow-stained wall; a stone tower stands among trees.
A dark stone domed shrine tower with carved figures, and a long pillared corridor across a brick courtyard.
An inner gateway in a weathered wall across a brick-paved courtyard, with trees and a small shrine to the right.

Highlights

What makes this temple special

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

Greatness

What makes this temple great

Devotees believe worship of the lord here brings quick resolutions of their problems and frees them from the cycle of birth and re-birth.

  1. Quick resolutionsWorshiping the lord here is believed to help in obtaining quick resolutions of problems.
  2. Break away from birth and re-birthIt is also believed to help devotees break away from the repetitive cycle of birth and re-birth.
  3. The lord who showed the river bankThe lord is praised as Thurai Kaattum Vallal, the one who showed the way to the river bank.
  4. Ambal with discus and conchGoddess Veyuru Tholi Amman holds a discus in one hand and a conch in the other.
Significance

Its place in the tradition

This is one of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams, sung by Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, and the lord here is a Swayambumurthi.

  1. A Devara Paadal Petra SthalamIt is the 40th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the Cauveri in Chozha Nadu.
  2. Sung by Saint ThirugnanasambantharThe saint praised the lord in his hymn for showing the way across the river.
  3. The saint's crossing of the KaveriIt is believed that Lord Shiva came in the guise of a hunter and helped the saint reach the temple.
  4. Self-manifestedLord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come for quick relief from their problems and with the hope that their prayers will be heard.

  1. For quick resolutions of problemsDevotees believe worshiping the lord here helps in obtaining quick resolutions of their problems.
  2. For release from birth and re-birthThey believe worship here helps them break away from the repetitive cycle of birth and re-birth.
  3. For prayers to be heardDevotees tie the leaves of the Vizhal plant in a knot in the hope that their prayers would be heard.
  4. For Pradosham and festivalsPradosham is observed regularly, and festivals such as Navarathri and Annabishekam are celebrated here.
The main tower, with plants growing on its upper tiers.
276Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

Among the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

How the place got its name

  1. விழல்Vizhal, a type of grass
  2. விளநகர்The later form of Vizhal Nagar

Vizhal plants once covered the region, so the place was named Vizhal Nagar, later changed to Vila Nagar.

Vizhal Nagar; also known as Arupathy

    Legends of the temple

    A boy crossing the flooded river saved his flowers for the lord before himself, and Lord Shiva rescued him.

    Stopped by floods in the Kaveri, the saint prayed, and Lord Shiva came as a hunter to help him.

    According to the Sthala Purana, the demon Kapithan worshiped the lord and was relieved of the Brahmahathi Dosham.

    Festivals through the year

      Vinayakar Chaturthi, Navarathri, Annabishekam, Makara Sankranthi and Maha Shivrathri are celebrated, and Pradosham is observed regularly.

      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
      A dark stone doorway between pillars, with a Tamil name board above it and lamps glowing inside.
      Moolavar

      Sri Thurai Kaattum Vallalar, Sri Uchira Vaneswarar

      Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). The lord is also praised as Sri Vizharkattu Nathar.

      A shrine doorway between stone pillars with a Tamil name board above; a woman walks past in the corridor.
      Ambal

      Sri Thurai Kaattum Valli, Sri Veyuru Tholi Amman

      Goddess Veyuru Tholi Amman is holding a discus in one hand and a conch in the other.

      Shrine in the corridorவி
      Shrine in the corridor

      Vinayakar

      Shrines and idols of Lords Vinayakar can be seen in the corridors.

      Shrine in the corridorமு
      Shrine in the corridor

      Murugan

      Shrines and idols of Lords Murugan can be seen in the corridors.

      Shrine in the corridorந
      Shrine in the corridor

      Natarajar

      Shrines and idols of Lords Natarajar can be seen in the corridors.

      Shrine in the corridorத
      Shrine in the corridor

      Dakshinamurthy

      Shrines and idols of Lords Dakshinamurthy can be seen in the corridors.

      Shrine in the corridorவி
      Shrine in the corridor

      Vishnu

      Shrines and idols of Lords Vishnu can be seen in the corridors.

      Shrine in the corridorநா
      Shrine in the corridor

      Naalvars

      Shrines and idols of Naalvars can be seen in the corridors.

      Visit & map

      Sacred geography
      Thiru Vilanagar Thiru Parialur Thiruchemponpalli Thiru Nanipalli Thiru Needur Thiru Aakkur Thirukannaar Koil Thiruchaikkadu Thalaichangadu Thiruppunkur Thirukkalikkamur Thiru Anniyoor Thiru Valampuram
      You are hereThis temple

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

      12a6a12p6p
      Darshan today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
      7:00 – 12:005:30 – 8:00 pm

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

      Plan the day around it

      Address and phone

      Sri Uchira Vaneswarar (Thurai Kattum Vallalar) Temple, Thiruvila Nagar, Arupathy Post, Mayiladuthurai Taluk, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu - 609 309.

      +91 4364 282 129

      *

      A day of darshan nearby

      5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 11.7 km in straight lines.

      Map of Thiru Vilanagar and the sthalams nearby, in route order: Thiru Parialur, Thiruchemponpalli, Thiru Nanipalli, Thiruchaikkadu, Thalaichangadu. Thiru Aakkur · 8.6 km Thirukkalikkamur · 10.4 km Thiru Valampuram · 11.7 km 1 Thiru Parialur 2 Thiruchemponpalli 3 Thiru Nanipalli 4 5 2 km N
      Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.

      Temple plan

      A tiered stone tower with figures on every level and green plants growing from the top, under a blue sky.
      01

      East gate and main tower

      This east facing temple has a 5-tiered main tower (Rajagopuram) and it has 2 corridors.

      1 / 5

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

      Pathigam

      Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

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

      V. Muthukumaraswamy

      Sung here by Thirugnanasambandar, who visited this temple. Verse 1 of 11.

      Oḷiriḷampiṟai seṉṉimēl uṭaiyar kōvaṇa'āṭaiyar
      kuḷiriḷam'mazhai thavazhpozhiṟ kōlanīrmalku kāviri
      naḷiriḷampuṉal vārthuṟai naṅkaigaṅgaiyai naṇṇiṉār
      miḷiriḷampoṟi araviṉār mēyathuviḷa nakarathē

      He wears the bright young crescent on his head and a loincloth as his garment. He took the lady Ganga, born of the cool, fresh floods, into his hair. He wears a gleaming serpent. The town where this lord dwells is Vilanagar, beside the Kaveri, rich with water and cool rain-fed groves.

      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

      1. 01

        ஒளிரிளம்பிறை சென்னிமேல் உடையர் கோவணஆடையர்குளிரிளம்மழை தவழ்பொழிற் கோலநீர்மல்கு காவிரிநளிரிளம்புனல் வார்துறை நங்கைகங்கையை நண்ணினார்மிளிரிளம்பொறி அரவினார் மேயதுவிள நகரதே

        Oḷiriḷampiṟai seṉṉimēl uṭaiyar kōvaṇa'āṭaiyar / kuḷiriḷam'mazhai thavazhpozhiṟ kōlanīrmalku kāviri / naḷiriḷampuṉal vārthuṟai naṅkaigaṅgaiyai naṇṇiṉār / miḷiriḷampoṟi araviṉār mēyathuviḷa nakarathē

      2. 02

        அக்கரவ்வணி கலனென அதனொடார்த்ததொர் ஆமைபூண்டுக்கவர்சுடு நீறணிந் தொளிமல்குபுனற் காவிரிப்புக்கவர்துயர் கெடுகெனப் பூசுவெண்பொடி மேவியமிக்கவர்வழி பாடுசெய் விளநகரவர் மேயதே

        Akkaravvaṇi kalaṉeṉa athaṉoṭārththathor āmaipūṇ / ṭukkavarsuṭu nīṟaṇin thoḷimalkupuṉaṟ kāvirip / pukkavarthuyar keṭukeṉap pūsuveṇpoṭi mēviya / mikkavarvazhi pāṭusey viḷanakaravar mēyathē

      3. 03

        வாளிசேரடங் கார்மதில் தொலையநூறிய வம்பின்வேய்த்தோளிபாகம் அமர்ந்தவர் உயர்ந்ததொல்கடல் நஞ்சுண்டகாளமல்கிய கண்டத்தர் கதிர்விரிசுடர் முடியினர்மீளியேறுகந் தேறினார் மேயது விளநகரதே

        Vāḷisēraṭaṅ kārmathil tholaiyanūṟiya vampiṉvēyth / thōḷipākam amarnthavar uyarnthatholkaṭal nañchuṇṭa / kāḷamalkiya kaṇṭaththar kathirvirisuṭar muṭiyiṉar / mīḷiyēṟukan thēṟiṉār mēyathu viḷanakarathē

      4. 04

        கால்விளங்கெரி கழலினார் கையிளங்கிய வேலினார்நூல்விளங்கிய மார்பினார் நோயிலார்பிறப் பும்மிலார்மால்விளங்கொளி மல்கிய மாசிலாமணி மிடறினார்மேல்விளங்குவெண் பிறையினார் மேயதுவிள நகரதே

        Kālviḷaṅkeri kazhaliṉār kaiyiḷaṅkiya vēliṉār / nūlviḷaṅkiya mārpiṉār nōyilārpiṟap pum'milār / mālviḷaṅkoḷi malkiya māsilāmaṇi miṭaṟiṉār / mēlviḷaṅkuveṇ piṟaiyiṉār mēyathuviḷa nakarathē

      5. 05

        பன்னினார்மறை பாடினார் பாயசீர்ப்பழங் காவிரித்துன்னு தண்டுறை முன்னினார் தூநெறிபெறு வாரெனச்சென்னி திங்களைப் பொங்கராக் கங்கையோடுடன் சேர்த்தினார்மின்னுபொன்புரி நூலினார் மேயதுவிள நகரதே

        Paṉṉiṉārmaṟai pāṭiṉār pāyasīrppazhaṅ kāvirith / thuṉṉu thaṇṭuṟai muṉṉiṉār thūneṟipeṟu vāreṉach / cheṉṉi thiṅkaḷaip poṅkarāk gaṅgaiyōṭuṭaṉ chērththiṉār / miṉṉupoṉpuri nūliṉār mēyathuviḷa nakarathē

      6. 06

        தேவரும்மம ரர்களுந் திசைகள்மேலுள தெய்வமும்யாவரும்மறி யாததோர் அமைதியால்தழ லுருவினார்மூவரும்மிவ ரென்னவும் முதல்வரும்மிவ ரென்னவும்மேவரும்பொரு ளாயினார் மேயதுவிள நகரதே

        Thēvarum'mama rarkaḷun thisaikaḷmēluḷa theyvamum / yāvarum'maṟi yāthathhōr amaithiyālthazha luruviṉār / mūvarum'miva reṉṉavum muthalvarum'miva reṉṉavum / mēvarumporu ḷāyiṉār mēyathuviḷa nakarathē

      7. 07

        சொற்றரும்மறை பாடினார் சுடர்விடுஞ் சடைமுடியினார்கற்றருவ்வடங் கையினார் காவிரித்துறை காட்டினார்மற்றருந்திரள் தோளினார் மாசில்வெண்பொடிப் பூசினார்விற்றரும்மணி மிடறினார் மேயதுவிள நகரதே

        Sotṟarum'maṟai pāṭiṉār suṭarviṭuñ chaṭaimuṭiyiṉār / katṟaruvvaṭaṅ kaiyiṉār kāviriththuṟai kāṭṭiṉār / matṟarunthiraḷ thōḷiṉār māsilveṇpoṭip pūsiṉār / vitṟarum'maṇi miṭaṟiṉār mēyathuviḷa nakarathē

      8. 08

        படர்தருஞ்சடை முடியினார் பைங்கழல்லடி பரவுவார்அடர்தரும்பிணி கெடுகென அருளுவார்அர வரையினார்விடர்தரும்மணி மிடறினார் மின்னுபொன்புரி நூலினார்மிடல்தரும்படை மழுவினார் மேயதுவிள நகரதே

        Paṭartharuñchaṭai muṭiyiṉār paiṅkazhallaṭi paravuvār / aṭartharumpiṇi keṭukeṉa aruḷuvār'ara varaiyiṉār / viṭartharum'maṇi miṭaṟiṉār miṉṉupoṉpuri nūliṉār / miṭaltharumpaṭai mazhuviṉār mēyathuviḷa nakarathē

      9. 09

        கையிலங்கிய வேலினார் தோலினார்கரி காலினார்பையிலங்கர வல்குலாள் பாகமாகிய பரமனார்மையிலங்கொளி மல்கிய மாசிலாமணி மிடறினார்மெய்யிலங்குவெண் ணீற்றினார் மேயதுவிள நகரதே

        Kaiyilaṅkiya vēliṉār thōliṉārkari kāliṉār / paiyilaṅkara valkulāḷ pākamākiya paramaṉār / maiyilaṅkoḷi malkiya māsilāmaṇi miṭaṟiṉār / meyyilaṅkuveṇ ṇītṟiṉār mēyathuviḷa nakarathē

      10. 10

        உள்ளதன்றனைக் காண்பன்கீ ழென்றமாமணி வண்ணனும்உள்ளதன்றனைக் காண்பன்மே லென்றமாமலர் அண்ணலும்உள்ளதன்றனைக் கண்டிலார் ஒளியார்தருஞ்சடை முடியின்மேல்உள்ளதன்றனைக் கண்டிலா வொளியார்விளநகர் மேயதே

        Uḷḷathaṉtṟaṉaik kāṇpaṉkī zheṉtṟamāmaṇi vaṇṇaṉum / uḷḷathaṉtṟaṉaik kāṇpaṉmē leṉtṟamāmalar aṇṇalum / uḷḷathaṉtṟaṉaik kaṇṭilār oḷiyārtharuñchaṭai muṭiyiṉmēl / uḷḷathaṉtṟaṉaik kaṇṭilā voḷiyārviḷanakar mēyathē

      11. 11

        மென்சிறைவண் டியாழ்முரல் விளநகர்த்துறை மேவியநன்பிறைநுதல் அண்ணலைச் சண்பைஞானசம் பந்தன்சீர்இன்புறுந் தமிழாற் சொன்ன ஏத்துவார்வினை நீங்கிப்போய்த்துன்புறுந்துய ரம்மிலாத் தூநெறிபெறு வார்களே

        The last verse names Sambandhan, who sang in joyful Tamil, and says that those who praise the lord with it are freed of their past deeds and come to a path free of sorrow.

        Meṉsiṟaivaṇ ṭiyāzhmural viḷanakarththuṟai mēviya / naṉpiṟainuthal aṇṇalaich chaṇpaigñāṉasham banthaṉsīr / iṉpuṟun thamizhāṟ soṉṉa ēththuvārviṉai nīṅkippōyth / thuṉpuṟunthuya ram'milāth thūneṟipeṟu vārkaḷē

      Photos

      Photographs

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

      Weathered gateway with seated stone figures; a stone tower stands among trees to the right.
      A tall painted arch with deity figures spans a village road, with a palm tree and trees behind.
      A tiered stone tower with figures on every level and green plants growing from the top, under a blue sky.
      A dark stone doorway between pillars, with a Tamil name board above it and lamps glowing inside.
      A shrine doorway between stone pillars with a Tamil name board above; a woman walks past in the corridor.
      A domed shrine tower decorated with many sculpted figures above a brick and stone wall with a small doorway.
      A dark stone figure with a white cloth stands in a wall niche; above it a figure sits on a coiled serpent.
      Four small black stone figures with white and pink cloths stand in a wall niche under a Tamil inscription.
      A clump of tall green grass grows in a brick planter next to a black stone figure in a wall niche.
      A small deity image covered in flower garlands sits on a stand under a coloured canopy, with oil lamps nearby.
      A wide brick-paved courtyard with several stone shrines and domed towers, trees and sky behind.
      An old gateway with stone figures on top beside a yellow-stained wall; a stone tower stands among trees.
      A dark stone domed shrine tower with carved figures, and a long pillared corridor across a brick courtyard.
      An inner gateway in a weathered wall across a brick-paved courtyard, with trees and a small shrine to the right.