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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.

Team -Tirikala