Shri Uktha Vedeeshwararaswamy Temple at Kuthalam (Thiruthruthi)

Kuthalam is at a distance of 12 kms from Mayiladuthurai on the Mayiladuthurai-Kumbhakonam route. This padal petra sthalam on the southern bank of Kaveri was revered by Shaiva saints Appar, Sundarar and Sambadhar. The puranik name of this place was Uthapavanam. In the carvings on the wall of the temple, the place is referred to as Choleeswaram and Thiruthruthi (means island). In olden days, this was an island on Kaveri. This place existed even before the 5th century. It was renovated by Chola, Pandya and Vijaynagar kings. 

Moolavar: Shri Uktha Vedeeshwarar, Shri Sonnavaaru Ariva
Devi: Shri Amruta Mukhambika, Shri Parimalnayaki, Shri Arumpanavalamulaiyal
Kshetra teertha: Sundara teertha, Padma teertha, Vadakulam and Kaveri river
Kshetra vruksha: Kayilai tree/ Putthala tree (Audumber in Marathi)
Puranik name: Thiruthruthi, Choleeshwararm

Kshetra purana: 

1. According to puran, Goddess Parvati was once cursed to be born as a cow at Thirukkozhambam. This we have mentioned in our earlier blogs. At Thiruvadudurai, she worshipped Lord Shiva as a cow and restored to her original form. At Kuthalam, she was born as a female child from the yagnya kunda as a daughter to sage Bharata. At Ethirkolpadi, Lord Shiva was received as bridegroom by Sage Bharata. At Thiruvelvikudi the yagna for marriage ceremony took place. At Thirumanancheri, Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva gave darshan in their wedding form. Goddess Parvati was born from yagnya kunda as mentioned above. She wanted to marry Lord Shiva. Hence she installed a Shiva linga on the bank of river Kaveri and worshiped him. Lord Shiva appeared before her and promised her to marry as it was destined. Hence Lord Shiva is praised here as Sonnavaaru Ariva i.e. who kept his word. When she attained marriageable age, the sage prayed to Lord Shiva to find a suitable groom for her. Lord Shiva graced him and told him that he will be marrying his daughter soon as she was none other than Goddess Parvati. He also explained to him the reason for her birth. It is believed that the betrothal ceremony took place here.

2. According to Sthala Purana, the celestial vruksha Ukthala tree was brought from the celestial world to this place at the time of marriage. Since that time, the kshetra vruksha has been at this place. Since the betrothal ceremony is believed to have taken place under this tree, the padukas that are present under the tree are believed to have been left behind by Lord Shiva. It is believed that this kind of Ukthala tree is not found anywhere. 

3. According to kshetra purana, when Shaiva saint Sambandhar came to this place, he was very weak due to some illness. He prayed to Lord Shiva for relief. Lord Shiva directed him to take a dip in the Padma teertha (temple tank). After taking a bath, Sundarar was cured of his illness. Hence the tank is named after him. There is a shrine at this place for Shaiva saint Sundarar. 

4. A devotee named Rudirasarma started for Kashi to attain Mukti. In order to show this place is equal to that of Kashi he directed one of his Ganas named Gundodhar to take the form of a serpent and obstruct Rudhirasarman from reaching Kashi. When Gundodhar obstructed Rudrasarma, he recited Garuda mantra and made the serpent unconscious. To save the serpent, Lord Shiva took the form of a snake charmer. When Rudrasarma realized that the snake charmer was none-other than Lord Shiva he sought his blessings. Lord Shiva explained to him about the importance of this place and how it was equal to Kashi and also how by worshiping at this place one gets the same benefits that of Kashi. 

Those who worshiped here: 

Goddess Parvati, Goddess Kaali, Sages – Kashyapa, Angirasa, Gautama, Markandeya, Vashistha, Poolasthi and Agastya, Lord Agni, Lord Varun, a Shivacharya, Lord Kadiravan (Lord Surya)

Special features: 

1. Shiva linga is swayambhoo linga.

2. Idol of Lord Muruga is unique as his mount is in front of him. 

3. Sanctum sanctorum tower is very beautiful with a lot of sculptures.

4. Kshetra vruksha is believed to be only one of that kind in the world.

5. The padukas under the kshetra vruksha are believed to have been left behind by Lord Shiva.

6. Agni worshiped at this place to get rid of the blame. 

7. Lord Surya stayed at a nearby place named Kadirmangalam and worshiped Lord Shiva at this place. Hence Lord Surya is known as Kadiravanam.

About the temple:

This is an east facing temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram. The dwajastambha, Nandi and Balipeeth are near the kshetra vruksha. Shiva linga is a swayambhoo linga. Kosthamoortis are Lord Ganesha, Lord Dakshinamoorti, Lord Lingothbhavar with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu on either side, sage Agastya, Lord Bikshadanar, Lord Brahma and Goddess Durga. In the prakaram, we come across Thunaivantha-Vinayaka (Vinayaka who came as escort), Shanmukha with his consorts on a peacock, Valampuri Vinayak (Vinayaka with trunk turned towards right), Lord Muruga, Lord Nataraja, Lord Vishwanatha, Saptarishis, Shaiva saints 63 Nayanmars, Panchabhoot lingas, Navagrahas, Mangal Shanishwarar, Lord Bhairava, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Lord Surya. Behind the sanctum sanctorum, there is a stucco image of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in wedding attire. It is believed that Goddess Parvati appeared as a child from the yagnya kunda for Sage Bharata. Hence this place is associated with other nearby places which are connected to the wedding of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva. In this temple she has a separate shrine where she is praised as Arumpanavalamulaiyal Ammai. In the prakaram, there is a small shrine where she is praised as Parimalnayaki. 

Prayers: 

Devotees worship for removal of marriage obstacles.

Devotees take a dip in the sacred tank and worship Lord Shiva for getting rid of skin problems

Poojas: 

Daily rituals, Monthly poojas, fortnightly poojas and Pradosha pooja are performed regularly

Some important festivals:

Maasi (Feb-Mar): Mahashivratri

Panguni (Mar-April): Panguni Uttiram

Aavani (Aug-Sept): Ganesh Chaturthi

Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Somvar puja

Temple Timings: 9 am to noon; 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm

Address: - Shri Uktha Vedeeshwararaswamy Temple at Post Kuthalam, District Mayiladudurai, TN 609801

Phone number: +91-4364235225; 9487883800

Courtesy: Various blogs and websites