the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

It is believed that Lord Murugan came to this place, created a pond and worshiped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed him with a Vel (a weapon). Hence this place gets the name Velur and the theertham is known as Saravana Poikai (Saravana refers to Lord Murugan). It is believed that Lord Mahavishnu prayed to Lord Shiva here so that he could shed his Mohini form and come back to his original form. There is a separate shrine for Lord Mahavishnu with Goddesses Sreedevi and Poodevi in this temple. In this shrine, Lord Mahavishnu is seen in a sitting posture. It is also believed that Lord Murugan, River Ganges, Sages Gowtama and Birungi and Saints Thirugnanasambanthar and Thirunavukkarasar have worshiped Lord Shiva here.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 92nd 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 is a parihara sthalam for planet Sukran. This is the place where Lalitha Trisathai originated. This temple is counted as one of the Maadak Koils built by Chola King Kochenganan. It is believed that this temple is built on top of a small piece of Mount Kailash that had fallen down during a fight between Aadhisheshan and Vayu. The historical names of this place are Katturainpettai and Kattur Iyampettai. Now it is known as Manakkal Iyampettai. There are three Bairavars in a single shrine – Kala Bairavar, Bairavar and Vaduka Bairavar. These three Bairavars are known as Thrikala Bairavars. Special pujas are performed to these Bairavars during Ashtami days. There are six Shivalingams in the corridors - Dharmapureeswarar, Ramalingeswarar, Tharakeswarar, Saraswatheeswarar, Jambukeswarar and Ayiravadeswarar. Goddess Parvathy’s shrine is in the ground floor facing the east. Goddess Parvathy here is in a sitting posture (Veerasanam) with four hands (Abhayavaradham). There are only three places where Goddess Parvathy can be seen in sitting posture, the other two being Kanchepuram and Thirumeichur.As per Sthala Puranam, once there was a mute boy who was brought by his parents to the shrine of Sri Saraswatheeswarar. They prayed to the lord and it is believed that Lord Shiva blessed the child with the gift of speech.A beautiful banyan tree carved out of granite can be seen behind Lord Dakshinamurthy’s idol. The idol of Vinayakar is made of white stone. In this temple, there are two Durgai and two Chandikeswarar.Another uniqueness of this temple is that the idols of Saints Nammazhvaar, Thirumangai Aazvar and Ramanujar are placed in a row in the main hall.It is believed that Chola King Kochenganan built about 70 Madakkoils. The distinguishing feature of a Madakkoil is that it is not easily approachable by an elephant. He built these temples at an elevation and there are a few steps that need to be climbed before seeing the lord. Also, the sanctum sanctorum’s (Karpagragam) entrance is narrow such that no elephant can enter it. In this temple, there are 18 steps to reach the sanctum. Saint Arunagirinadhar has sung songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh. It is believed that the Trinity of Carnatic music, also known as the three Jewels of Carnatic music (Sangeetha Mummoorthigal) - Syama Sastri, Tyagarajar and Muthuswami Dikshitar have worshiped the lord here. This is a parihara sthalam for planet Sukran. Devotees with debt burden worship the lord here for relief. Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, obstacles from their marriage proposals will be removed. In this temple, Chandikeswarar is known as Yoga Chandikeswarar. He is seen along with his wife which is quite rare. It is also believed that couples who are facing problems in their relationship can worship this Chandikeswarar for relief. Those having speech impairment (e.g. stammering) can pray to Lord Saraswatheeswar to seek relief.

Poojas are performed here six times every day. The annual Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai (Apr-May). During this time, the Rishabha vaahana utsavam and the Sapta Sthana utsavam are important festivals that are celebrated in a grand manner. Some of the other important festivals celebrated in this temple are – Aani Thirumanjanam in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July), Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug), Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai and Somavaram in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), Makara Sankranthi in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb), Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr). Pradosham, Pournami and Sankatahara Chaturthi are also observed regularly.