Visited on: 12th March, 2017.
Location
Thirukkurukavur is located at a distance of about 6 kms from Sirkazhi. Sirkazhi is on the Chidambaram to Mayiladuthurai route.
It is very near to Thirumullaivasal temple. Other Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams near this place are – Sirkazhi, Thirukkolakka, Achalpuram, Mahendrapalli, Thirumullaivasal, Thiruvenkadu, Chayavanam and Poompukar.
General Information
- Moolavar
- Sri Velladai Eswarar, Sri Velvidai Nathar, Sri Ratnagireeswarar, Sri Swetha Rishabeswarar
- Ambal
- Sri Kaviyangkanni Amman, Sri Neelothpava Visalakshi
- Theertham (Holy water)
- Velvidai Theertham (a well) / Paalkinaru
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Vilvam tree
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 13th 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 east facing temple has a single corridor. Although it has no main tower (Rajagopuram) or dwajasthambam (Flag post), there is a beautiful arch at the entrance.
- The water in this temple’s well is believed to turn white on the new moon day in the Tamil month of Thai.
- The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place on 18.06.1986.
History of the Temple
The historical name of this village is Kurukavur and that of the temple is Velladai. Now the village is known as Thirukkadaavur.
The stone inscriptions available in this temple are from the periods of Kings Rajendra Cholan, Kulottunga Cholan-I, Vikrama Cholan, Parakesari Varman and Rajathirajan. The temple was rebuilt in stone in the 10th century during the period of King Uttama Cholan.
Legend
It is believed that lords Mahavishnu, Brahma, Indiran, Varunan and Goddess Saraswathi have worshiped the lord of this temple.
Lord Mahavishnu is believed to have taken the form of a white bull (Rishabham) and worshiped Lord Shiva here, hence this place is called Velladai (“Vellai” means White in Tamil), Rishabapuram, and Vishnupuram.
Velladai also means “Paramakayam” in Sanskrit. This can roughly be translated to “abode of deity”.
It is also believed that Lord Shiva instructed Kuberan to provide a poor devotee with a gift of gems, hence the lord here is also praised as “Sri Ratnagireswarar”. (“Ratnam” means gems in Tamil).
It is believed that Agni took the form of a pigeon to test King Sibi. Afterwards, in order to regain his original form, he created a river and offered its water as prayer to Lord Shiva. Hence this place is called “Kurukavur” (“kuruvi” means pigeon in Tamil).
Another legend is that when Saint Sundarar was approaching Thirukkurukavur, he was quite hungry and tired. Lord Shiva came in the guise of an old man and made a small shelter and waited for him. He received Sundarar and his followers and offered them food and water. He also asked them to take rest there. After resting, Sundarar wanted to thank the old man but to his surprise both the old man and the tent were nowhere to be found. Sundarar realised that this was a play of Lord Shiva himself. With tears of thanks and affection, he rendered his Pathigam there. The place where Lord Shiva provided meals to his devotees is known as “Varisaipatru” or “Daddiyonnapuram”.
Another legend associated with this place is that Saint Thirugnanasambanthar fought the Jains who had waged a war against Saivism. Sambanthar overcame all the challenges that the Jains put forth and re-established the glory of Saivism in Tamil Nadu. As was agreed between Sambanthar and the Jains, the latter were hanged after Sambanthar emerged victorious in all the challenges. However, Sambanthar had to incur the sin of causing the death of the Jains and wanted to go to Kasi (Banaras) to seek respite from the sin. As Sirkazhi was his birthplace, he went to the Sirkazhi temple to seek Lord Shiva’s permission to proceed to Kasi. Lord Shiva appeared before Sambanthar and asked him to go to Kurukavur instead.
When Sambanthar came to this temple, the lord is believed to have brought the Ganges itself in a well near the temple. The Saint took a dip in the holy Ganges and got relieved of his sins. This well is known as “Pal Kinaru”. On the new moon day in the Tamil month of Thai, Theerthavari festival is celebrated here. During this time, the colour of the water in the well becomes white. Hence the name “Pal Kinaru” (“Pal” means milk and “Kinaru” means well in Tamil). Devotees are allowed to take a dip on this day only and the well remains closed during the rest of the year.
Deities in the temple
Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of lords Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Kasi Viswanathar and Vishalakshi, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Durgai, Vishnu and Mohini, Nalvar, Gajalakshmi, Sivalokanathar, Bhulokanathar, Sage Dhurvasar, Bairavar, Suryan Iyyanar and Mariamman can be seen in the corridors.
Here Lord Vishnu is named Kariamaanikka Perumal and his consort is Sri Bumi Devi. Lord Saneeswaran graces from a separate shrine.
Salient Features
Traditionally, idols of Lord Murugan are east facing. However, in this temple Lord Murugan can be seen facing the south, a direction that is usually attributed to Lord Guru.
There is no shrine for Navagraham in this temple.
Greatness of this temple
Lord Murugan is revered as Dakshinamurthy in this temple. He graces with his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Special poojas are performed to him on Thursdays, a day considered to be auspicious for Guru.
Since Lord Shiva of this temple offered food to saint Sundarar, devotees believe that worshipping him here would ensure that they never face shortage of food.
Important Festivals
The event of Shiva blessing Sundaramoorthy Nayanar with food is enacted on Chitra Pournami (full moon day) in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May).
The event of Lord Shiva blessing Sambanthar with water from the Ganges is celebrated on Thai Amavasai (new moon day) in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February). The water turns white on this day. On this day, the procession idol of Sambanthar is brought to this temple from the Sirkazhi Brahmmapureeswarar temple. The presiding deities of this temple - Sri Velladainathar and Goddess Kavianganni grant darshan to Sambanthar and give him the Theertham. Sambanthar returns to Sirkazhi in the evening. This event is celebrated in a grand manner.
Thai Poosam, Skanda Sashti and monthly Pradosham are also celebrated here.
Temple Timings
From 08:30 AM to 10:30 AM only.
Temple Address
Sri Velladai Eswarar Temple,
Thirukkurukavur,
Vadakal Post,
Sirkazhi Taluk,
Nagapattinam District,
Tamil Nadu – 609115.
Temple priest Sri Muthu Mani Gurukkal can be contacted at: +91 96555 23342 and 94892 53941.
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