This Shiva temple is at a distance of 27 kms from Mayiladuthurai on Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur route, at a distance of about 10 kms Poonthottam, 14 kms from Peralam, 36 kms from Karaikkal, 30 kms from Kumbhakonam and 7 kms from Thirupampuram. This is a Padal Pethra Sthalam on the southern bank of Kaveri. This is a parihaar sthala for marriage obstacles. Shaiva Saints Sambandhar, Appar and Sundarar have sung sacred hymns on Lord Shiva of this temple. This is on the northern bank of River Arisilaru which is a tributary of Kaveri. In the good old days, this place was abundant with jackfruit, sandalwood, champak and wood apple trees. Hence this place was known as Veezhi forest. This temple is about 2000 years old. The temple must have existed even before the 7th century. It was reconstructed as a stone structure by Chola king and extensions were made by Vijayanagar kings. There are 68 stone inscriptions, from the period of the Chola King Kulothungan-I. They give an account of endowments and gifts made by Chola and Vijayanagar kings.
Moolavar: Shri Nethrapaneshwarar, Shri Veezhinatharswami, Shri Veezhiazhagesar, Shri Kalyansundar Moorti
Devi: Shri Sundarbhujanmbika, Shri Kathyayani
Sacred Theertha: Vishnu Theertha, Damodar Theertha and 25 others
Kshetra Vruksha: Veezhi tree
Kshetra Purana:
1. Pleased with the severe penance of Sage Kathyayana and his wife for a child, Goddess Parvati was born as their daughter Kathyayani. When she became eligible for marriage, Sage Kathyayana prayed to Lord Shiva to marry her. Heeding to the prayer of the Sage, Lord Shiva married her on a day of Magha nakshatra in the Tamil month of Chitrai. The Sage requested the Lord to give darshan to one and all on that day in the wedding attire at this place. Hence Lord Shiva appeared with Goddess Parvati at this place in their wedding attire.
2. According to the Sthala Purana, once this place was abundant with wood apple, champak and jackfruit trees and was known as Veezhivanam. A hunter Mizhalai used to worship the Lord by offering a wood apple daily. Pleased with his devotion Lord gave him darshan and blessed him with Ashtamahasiddhi. He performed penance and attained the status of Siddhamuni. There is a separate shrine for him in the parikrama. The place got the name ThiruVeezhimizhalai. Lord Shiva is praised here as Thiruveezhinathar.
3. According to the Purana, Lord Mahavishnu had used his discus in his battle against Sage Dhadhichi. The discus lost its power on coming into contact with Sage’s body. Lord Mahavishnu consulted other gods so that his discus could regain the lost power. They advised him to approach Lord Shiva as he has a discus with him which he had used against demon Jalandhar to destroy him. Lord Mahavishnu came to this place carrying a Sanctum Tower. He placed Lord Shiva’s idol (Shiva Linga) inside it and worshiped him daily, by offering 1000 lotus flowers. To test Lord Mahavishnu’s devotion, one day Lord Shiva caused the shortage of one lotus flower. To compensate for the loss of one lotus flower, Lord Mahavishnu plucked one of his eyes and offered it as the 1000th flower. Pleased by his devotion Lord Shiva restored Lord Mahavishnu’s vision and gave him his Sudarshan Chakra. Hence Lord Mahavishnu is named as Kamalkannan (Lotus eyed). This incident finds mention in the sacred hymns of Shaiva Saint Appar and Sambandhar.
4. According to the Kshetra Purana, there was a severe drought when Shaiva Saint Appar and Sundarar once came to this place. They prayed to Lord Shiva for relief. He gave them daily one Padi-kasu (Padi – allowance; Kasu = gold coin) so that they could use it for granting relief to the people. Sambandhar got this gold coin in the Mahamandap near the flag post while Appar got it near the peetha near the west parikrama. The gold coin received by Sambandhar was less pure who prayed to Lord Shiva to grant him the same sort of gold coin as that of Appar. He granted him his darshan as Sirkazhi Thoniappar at this place.
5. A King named Shwetaketu from the north was informed by his astrologers that he had a span of only 18 years. He took the advice of various sages who advised him to praise Lord Shiva at this place. He came to this place to worship Lord Shiva and was saved from Lord Yama. Hence we come across the idol of Kaalsamharmoorthi at this place.
Those who worshiped at this place: Sage Vashistha, Sage Agastya, Kamadeva, Rati Devi, King Manu, Shaiva Saint Sambadhar, King Shwetaketu, Siddhamizhiali, Sage Kathyayana and Lord Mahavishnu.
Special Features:
1. The temple is built like a fort.
2. The temple resembles a Maada Kovil.
3. The Sanctum Sanctorum is very beautiful.
4. This is one of the 6 places where one can get relief from the fear of death (the others are Thirukadayur, Thiruvaiyaru, Thiruvenkadu, Thiruvaikavur, Thiruvanchiam).
5. There is a hole in the sanctum through which a parrot is believed to come every day to worship Lord Shiva.
6. The entrance of the main hall is shaped like the forehead of a bat. Bats cannot enter the temple and stay on the roof.
7. There is a 100 pillared mandap.
8. This is a Parihar sthala for marriage obstacles.
9. This is one of the 44 Padal Pethra Sthalam where the three Shaiva Saints (Moovar) have sung sacred hymns.
10. In this temple there is no Koshta murti.
11. The Vimaanam over the sanctum is supported by sixteen lions.
12. The Utsav Moorti is holding a balance while Goddess Partvati is holding a measuring vessel (known as Padi in Tamil, Payali in Marathi).
About the temple:
The temple is facing the east and is spread over 4 acres. The main temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, Antarala, Ardhamandap and Mukhamandap. It has a 5 tiered Rajagopuram and 3 parikramas. The balipeeth is on the east and west side of the temple. There is a separate Shiva Linga near the Dhwajastambha praised as Thirumoolanathar. The temple is built like a fort. It resembles a Maada Kovil. The Sanctum Sanctorum tower is sculptured in such a way, it looks as if 16 Lions are holding it. This is known as Vinnazhivimanam believed to have been brought from the celestial world by Lord Mahavishnu. The Shiva linga is a Swayambhoo Linga. There is a nandi below the ground level known as Patalnandi. It appears as if the whole temple is built on the Nandi. There is a mandap which resembles the bat head with a 100 pillared hall. It has a lot of beautiful sculptures. There are no Koshtha moorties in this temple. The entrance path to the sanctum has a few steps. The pillars at the entrance resemble a marriage hall without banana trees. Apart from Shiva Linga there is an idol of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (in human form) which is 15 feet tall. They are present as a newly wedded couple (known as Mappillai Swami in Tamil). The inner gopuram is in the shape of a chariot with Lord Shiva seated on it and Lord Indra as his charioteer. On the southern side there is a shrine of Lord Ganesha praised as Lord Padikasuvinayaka (Padi – a measure, payali in Marathi, Kasu means coins). On the west side we come across the shrines of Lord Somaskanda, Lord Muruga and Goddess Mahalaxmi. On the northern side we have the shrines of Lord Chandikeshwarar and Lord Nataraja with Goddess Shivagami. Besides these we come across shrines and idols of Bhikshadanar, Kaalsamharmoorthi, Tyagaraja, Lord Dakshinamoorti, Shaiva Saint Naalvar, Lord Thundi Vinayaka, Lord Baal Ganapati, Lord Baal Subramanyam, Shiva lingas, Goddess Mukta devi, Lord Ekambareshwarar, Lord Arunachaleshwarar, Lord Vaidyanadar, Lord Mayurnadar, Lord Surya, Lord Bhairava in the parikrama.
Goddess Parvati is in a separate shrine with a separate parikrama. At the entrance of the shrine, we have idols of Lord Muruga and Lord Ganesha. The procession of Lord Kalyansundareshwarar can be seen with Lord MahaVishnu offering his eye.
Prayers:
1. Devotees pray here for removal of marriage obstacles as this is a parihaar sthala for marriage obstacles.
2. Devotees worship at this place for child boon, knowledge and excellence in education.
Pooja: 5 times a day and pradosha puja
Festivals:
Chitrai (April-May): 10 days Chitrai festival
Aadi (July-Aug): Puram (Pooja on Poorva Phalguni nakshatra day)
Aavani (Aug-Sept): Shri Ganesh Chaturthi, Pooja on Mula nakshatra day
Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri
Aaipassi (Oct-Nov): Annabhisheka, Skanda Shashthi
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukarthigai
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai
Maasi (Feb-Mar): Mahashivaratri
Timing: 8am -12 noon and 5pm - 8pm
Address:
Shri Nethrapaneshwarar (Shri Veezhinadar) Temple,
at Post Thiruveezhimizhilai,
Taluka Kudavasal,
Tamil Nadu 609505
Temple phone number: 04366-273050; 9443924825
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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