
THIRUVALANCHUZHI SRI VALANCHUZHINATHAR TEMPLE
Sri Valanchuzhi Nathar Templemis 25th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.
Temple History - An Overview
Lord Vinayaka idol is made of the foam of Milk ocean (Tiru Parkadal), hence praised as Swetha Vinayaka – Vellai Vinayaka. Vellai in Tamil means white. According to legend, story of churning the amudha from ocean , with Mandara mount as the churning stick and Vasuki snake as the churning rope is popular among Hindu believers. Unable to bear the speed and weight during this operation, Vasuki spit its venom threatening total destruction of all worlds. Devas surrendered to Lord Shiva , As lord advise that they began the work without worshiping Lord Vinayaka and advised them to correct the error. Devas returned to milk ocean, made an idol of Lord Vinayaka with ocean foam and prayed to him and succeeded. Vinayaka thus made of the foam is praised as Swetha Vinayaka. He is the Ishta Devatha of the Devas.
Birth story of River Cauvery :
With the graceful blessings of Lord Swetha Vinayaka, Mother Cauvery River began to flow towards Chola region from the Kamandalam of Sage Agasthya. Knowing that Mother Cauvery is flowing towards his kingdom, Chola king Haridwajan went with his men to receive her with all honors. While entering this place, respectfully called Shakti Vanam, She circulated Lord Shiva and entered through a hole in the northeast.
Despite all efforts, the king could not bring out Cauvery. He surrendered at the feet of Sage Heranda performing penance in Kottayur. The sage came to Thiruvalanchuzhi and prayed to Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva through his voice said that Cauvery would not come out unless a sage with Jadamudi-thick and long hair- or a king with such Jada entered into the hole. The king was ready to do this. But the sage himself entered the hole and made Mother Cauvery come out to benefit a huge number of people in the state. Mother Cauvery came out from the hole at a place called Melacauvery near Kumbakonam. As Cauvery came up, the place is named Melacauvery and Tiruvalanchuzhi as She came circulating Lord Shiva. The river re-appeared, and flowed in a semi-circle around the temple. Since the river curves towards the right, this place came to be known as Thiruvalanchuzhi .
Sage Durvasa’s Yagna:
It is believed that Sage Durvasa once performed a yagna here, and 22 Maharshis who attended the yagna installed lingams that they prayed to, in this temple. Thus, there are several lingams in this temple, associated with several sages.
Indra’s relief from curse due to wrong behaviour towards Agalya:
Devendra (Indira) came down to earth with Swetha Vinayaka seeking relief from the curse caused by his wrong behaviour towards Agalya. He came to this place finally after worshipping various Shiva temples. Lord Swetha Vinayaka, till then with Indira, wished to stay in this place for ever and prayed to Lord Shiva for the purpose. Lord Shiva came before Indira as a little boy. Indira asked the boy to keep his Vinayaka till he came back after worshipping Lord Shiva.
The boy simply put the Vinayaka on the floor and disappeared. Indira could not find either the boy or his Vinayaka. He finally found his Vinayaka under the Bali Peeta in the temple but could not lift despite all his efforts. Indira brought Deva Shilpi (sculptor of great skills), made a Rath – car covering the surroundings of the Bali Peeta and tried to pull Vinayaka to his place, but in vain.
A voice said that if Indira worships Vinayaka in this place on each Vinayaka Chathurthi day (occurring in August-September), he would reap the benefit of worshipping him each day.It is believed that Indira visits the temple on each Vinayaka Chathurthi to worship Lord Swetha Vinayak. Lord Swetha Vinayaka is made from sea water foam. Hence, no abishek is offered nor flowers, vastras or sandal placed on Him. Only powdered Borneol (Pachai Karpooram) is sprayed on the idol without hand touch.
Vinayaga marrying Indiradevi Kamalambal & Buddhi Devi:
Lord Vinayaka married here Indiradevi Kamalambal born of the eyes of Lord Maha Vishnu and Buddhi Devi born of the speech of Lord Brahmma in this sacred place, hence, those facing obstacles and problems in their marriage efforts worship Lord Swetha Vinayaka for reliefs.
Temple Name |
SRI VALANCHUZHINATHAR TEMPLE / SRI SWETHA VINAYAGAR TEMPLE SRI KARPAGANATHAR TEMPLE / SRI VELLAI VINAYAKAR KOVIL |
Opening Time | 6.00 to 12.00 a.m. I 4.00 to 8.00 p.m |
Sthala | PAADAL PETRA |
STHALA DETAILS |
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Praised By | THIRUGANASAMBANDAR,THIRUNAVUKARASAR |
Thala Virutcham | VILWA |
Thala Theertham | CAUVERY,ARASALARU, JADA |
Fall of sunrise on LORD | NO |
AGAMA /POOJA VIDHI | SHIVA AGAMA WITH 6 TIMES |
ARCHITECTURE |
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Construction Btw (AD) | 1000 -1100 |
Architecture Type | THIRUMURAI KOVIL |
RAJAGOPURAM | 2 WITH 5 TIERS |
PRAGHAM | 3 |
DIRECTION |
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GOD | EAST |
GODDESS | EAST |
GRABHAGRIHA |
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Moolavar (GOD) | SRI SADAIMUDINATHAR, THIRUVALANCHUZHINATHAR,VALANJUZHINATHAR KABARDEESWARAR /KABARTHEESWAR |
TYPE and FORM | SWAYAMBHU WITH SELF MAGNIFICATION |
GODDESS | SRI PERYIANAYAKI |
GODDESS POSTURE | RIGHT (WEEDING) |
GOSTHAM DEITIES |
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RIGHT | LORD GANESHA |
LORD NATRAJA | |
LORD BIKSHANDAVAR | |
LORD DAKSHINAMOORTHY | |
BACK | LORD LINGOTHBAVA MOORTHI |
LEFT | LORD BRAHMA |
LORD ARTHA NAREESWARAR | |
LORD KALA BHAIRAVAR | |
GODDESS DURGA | |
LORD CHANDIKESWARAR | |
ALL PRAKARAM DEITIES |
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ENTRANCE (SPECIAL) | VELLAI VINAYAGAR (SWAYAMBHU) |
SPECIAL | MAHA ASTA PUJA KALI LORD SANISWEERA |
GENERAL | LORD GANESHA |
LORD MURUGAN | |
IRADAI /TWIN GANAPATHY (EXIT FROM LORD WAY) | |
GODDESS LAKSHMI (ENTRANCE) | |
LORD VISHNU | |
SAPTHA KANI | |
LORD VALAMPURI / EDAMBURI VINAYAGAR | |
MURUGAN,VALLI,DEIVASENA(LEFTPEACOCK) | |
GODDESS GAJALAKSHMI | |
64 SITHARGAL LINGA & 31 RISHI'SLINGA'S | |
LORD KALA BHAIRAVAR (ENTRANCE PARHARAM) | |
LORD CHANDRAN | |
LORD SHIVA SKATHI | |
LORD KASI VISWANATHAR | |
LORD SARASWATHI | |
NAVA GRAGHA |
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PRESENCE | NO |
PRADISHTA | -- |
CONTROL by | -- |
PRAYERS FOR KARMA RELIEF |
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REMEDIES / NIVARDHI CURE / RELIEF |
MARRIAGE -INITIATION |
SELF DEVELOPMENT - OBSTACLES REMOVAL | |
DOSHA - SANI | |
SELF DEVELOPMENT - VICTORY FROM ENEMIES | |
FESTIVALS |
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MAHA SIVA RATHIRI |
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THIRUKARTHIKAI |
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CHATHURTH /SANKATAHARA CHATHURTH |
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PRADHOSAM |
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KEY ASPECT ABOUT TEMPLE |
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1)Interesting celebration : Yearly once Utsavar of Swaminatha Swami is brought her.Valli Kalyanam episode from Skanda Purana is enacted here ,where Ganesha comes as an elephant to scare Valli. |
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2) Yearly once temple is closed at mid day and Priest are lays out.It is believed that Indra himself performs Pooja on day for boon granted to him. |
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3)Separate shrine for Sani Bhagwan and Mother Ashta Buja Kali,where goddess is very furious and very anger. King Raja Raja Cholan workship here. |
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WORKSHIPPED by |
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LORD INDRA, KING RAJA RAJA CHOLAN, SAGE DURVASA, KING HARIDWAJAN |
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PRAISED by |
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THIRUNAVUKARASAR,APPAR |
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HOW TO REACH? |
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Geo Location (GOOGLE) | |
Devara Pathigam Name | THIRUVALANCHUZHI |
Present Name | THIRUVALANCHUZHI |
Bus Route (kumbakonam) | BETWEEN THANJAVUR KUMBAKONAM |
Contact Person / Number | www.tirikala.com |
Team -Tirikala