Shri Thuraikattum Vallalar at Thiruvillanagar

This temple is at a distance of about 5 kms from SembanarKovil on the Mayiladuthurai-SembanarKovil route, 12 kms from Mayiladuthurai and 23 kms from Tharangabadi. This place is also known as Arupathy. This is one of the Ballal temples of Mayiladuthurai, one of the Pancha-Dakshinamurti sthalams of Mayiladuthurai. This is a Padal-Pethra sthalam on the southern bank of Kaveri revered by Shaiva saint Sambandar. Hence this temple must have existed even before the 6th century. It was reconstructed later by Chola kings. The extensions were done by Pandya king and Tanjore Nayaks. There are three stone inscriptions in the temple. At present, this temple is one of the 27 temples under the control of Shri Dharmapura Adheenam. During ancient times, this region was densely covered by a type of grass known as Vizhal (in Tamil). Hence the place was known as VizhalNagar which later became VillaNagar.

Moolavar:  Shri Thuraikattum Vallalar, Shri UchiraVaneeshwarar, Shri VajraVaneeshwarar.
Devi: Shri Thuraikattum Valli, Shri Veyuru Tholi Amman.
Sacred Teertha: Kaveri river, MeiGyan teertha.
Kshetra Vruksha: Vizhal plants.
Puranic name: VizhalNagar.
Present name: VillaNagar.

Kshetra Purana:

1. The Kshetra purana states that, during ancient times, there was a staunch Shiva devotee named Arulvithan. He used to bring a basket full of flowers for the first morning ritual to the temple daily. For this purpose, he had to cross the river Kaveri. Once, Lord Shiva decided to test his devotion. One day, as Arulvithan was crossing the river, Lord Shiva caused a flash-flood. Arulvithan did not bother about this safety, but was bent upon saving the flower basket while crossing the river. He was desperately trying to reach the other bank and at the same time he was afraid of not reaching the temple in time for the morning ritual. He prayed to Lord Shiva to help him to reach the temple on time. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Shiva helped him reach the other bank safely and reach the temple on time. As Lord Shiva helped his devotee, he is praised as Thuraikattum Vallalar (in Tamil, Thurai means bank, Kattum means show/help and Vallalar means Lord Shiva).

2. Another similar sthala purana is attributed to Shaiva saint Sambandar. Once, Shaiva saint Sambandar was on a pilgrimage to Mayiladuthurai and KadaiMudi. When he reached this place, he could not proceed further due to flooding of Kaveri. He prayed to Lord Shiva for help. It is believed that Lord Shiva came in the disguise of a hunter and helped Sambandar to reach the temple. As soon as the hunter got into the river, the river gave way for them to reach the other bank safely. After reaching the other bank, when Sambandar looked around for the hunter to thank him, he was nowhere to be seen. Then Sambandar realized that the hunter was none other than Lord Shiva.

3. According to sthala purana, a demon named Kapithan worshiped Lord Shiva at this place and was relieved of this Brahma Hatya dosha.

Those who worshiped here:

Shaiva saint Sambandar, Arulvithan and demon Kapithan. 

Salient features:

1. The ShivaLinga is a swayambhu-linga.

2. Shri Veyuru Amman is depicted with a conch and a chakra in her hands.This is a very unique and rare depiction of Goddess Parvati.

3. This place is full of grass known as Vizhal (in Tamil). Even now, we can find this grass around the temple.

About temple:

The temple covers an area of about 2.5 acres. This is an east facing temple with a 5-tiered RajaGopuram and 2 prakarams. There is also a southern entrance. There is an entrance arch with stucco images of Goddess Parvati along with Goddess Sarawati and Goddess MahaLakshmi. There is also another entrance arch with stucco images of Goddess Pravati and Lord Shiva on Nandi, Lord Vinayaka and Lord Karthikeya. The sanctum-sanctorum consists of sanctum, Antarala, Ardha-Mandap and Maha-Mandap. There is a 2-tiered Vimanam over the sanctum. After the RajaGopuram, Balipeeth and Nandi are facing the sanctum. There is a Asthana-Mandap immediately after the RajaGopuram to its left. The sanctum is in the shape of a Linga. The ShivaLinga is a Swayambhu-Linga. The Kostha murtis are Lord DakshinaMurti, Lord MahaVishnu (instead of Lord Lingodbhavar), Lord Brahma and Goddess Durga. In the prakaram, we come across the shrines and idols of Lord Vinayaka, Lord SomaSkandar, Lord Arumuganar, Nalvar, Arunachaleshwarar, Goddess GajaLakshmi, Lord Shanieeshwarar, NavaGraha, Lord Surya, Lord Chandra and Lord Bhairav. Shrine of Ambika is in the MahaMandap to the left of the sanctum. She is facing the south in a standing posture. She has a conch and a chakra in her hands. Shrines of Lord Nataraja and the NavaGraha are to the left of the 2nd entrance.  

Poojas:

Daily rituals are held according to Kameeya Agama. Pradosha pooja is performed regularly. 

Festivals:

Avani (Aug-Sept): Ganesh Chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct): NavaRatri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov): AnnaAbhishek

Thai (Jan-Feb): Makar-Sankranti

Masi (Feb-Mar): MahaShivaRatri.

Aadi (July-Aug): Puram, Perukku, Karthigai, ThiruKarthigai

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): ArudraDarshan.

Prayers:

Devotees believe that they will get a lasting solution for their problems by praying to Lord Shiva at this temple.

Devotees pray for child boon and to attain salvation.

Temple timings: 7am-12pm, 5:30pm-8pm.

Address: Shri Thuraikattum Vallalar / Shri Uchiravaneeshwarar Temple, ThiruvillaNagar, At post - Arupathy, TN, 609309.

Phone: +91-4364282129

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs