Vazhuvoor Veerateshwarar Temple

This Shiva temple is the 6th of the Ashtaveerat sthalam. At this place Lord Shiva killed the rogue elephant (Gajasur). This place is located on Mayiladuthurai – Thiruvarur highway. The temples in which the Nayanmars (Shaiva saints) visited and sung secret hymns are known as Padal Petra sthala. The temples which find a mention in the hymns of Shaiva saints are known as THEVARA VAIPPU STHALAMS. Of the sapta matrikas, Varahi worshipped Lord Shiva at this place as per the directive of Lord Shiva.

The place got the name Vazhuvoor as the place was not submerged during the pralaya (great deluge). This Veerata sthala is believed to be surrounded by Pippli Vanam, Shami Vanam, Daruka Vanam & Badri Vanam. 

Moolavar: Veerateshwarar, Kruthivasar, Gajasamharar, Gajari, Gyansaban

Devi: Balambika, Bala-gujambika, Elankilyai nayaki

Kshetra Vruksha: Shami, Deodhar (India teakwood), Kapuri madura (jadi)

Sacred Teertha: Patala-ganga, Panchamukha teertha

Place: Thiru Vazhuvoor

District: Nagapattinam (TamilNadu)

Puranik Name: Daruka Vanam

The temple has 5 tiered Rajagopuram. The structure of this temple differs from others. There is a tank between Nandi and Sanctum-sanctorum. Lord Shiva in this temple is a swayambhu linga. We can have the darshan of Lord’s feet only at this place. The sacred teertha has 5 wells in it and is known as Panchamukha kinaru well in Tamil. The sacred Teertha is also known as Pancha brahma teertha. The temple is about 1500 years old.

Idols and other shrines:

Lord Ganesha in this temple is known as Selva-Vinayaka. In this kshetra the special feature is the idol of Gaja-samhara Moorthy. It’s a huge one-off Lord Shiva. The Lord has one leg on the elephant's head. He is in the act of skinning the elephant and wearing its skin. Near this idol we find Goddess Parvati carrying infant Lord Muruga on her waist. Her face expresses fear and she is about to turn away from the scene. The infant Muruga is pointing to her towards his father with finger. Just like in Chidambaram temple, here also we have a yantra behind Gaja-samhara Moorthy. The mandap in which Gaja-samhara Moorthy is located is known as Gyansaba. Lord Shiva did a tandav at this place which is known as Urdhwa tandava. There is a separate shrine for Lord Shanishwar. He is standing with a bow in his hand. The teertha in front of the sanctum sanctorum is known as Patal ganga or Eshan teertha. The moolavar has a Nagabhooshan and is very attractive and beautiful. On the walls of sanctum, the ashtaveerat stories are depicted as paintings (murals). There are more than 10 stone carvings carrying various details. At this place Lord Veerabhadra has a dog as his mount. It is believed that he came here to protect Lord Ayyappa who was born to Lord Vishnu in Mohini avatar and Lord Shiva.  The temple has a dhwaja stambha. 

There are idols of 63 Nayanmars, in a mandap. The shrines of Gajalaxmi, Lord Muruga with Valli and Deivanai. Idols of Surya, Chandra, Shani and Bhairava are found in the corridor. There is a separate Navagraha shrine. 

Kshetra Purana:

Once sages of Daruka vanam started feeling that they are greatest and their good deeds are sufficient for them to attain salvation. With this ego, they started feeling that there was no need for grace of the Lords for salvation. Their ego reached a point of no return and their wives also got the same feeling. In order to teach them a lesson, Lord Vishnu as Mohini (a beautiful enchanting woman) and Lord Shiva as Bikshadanar came to Daruka vanam. At the sight of Mohini, the sages were enchanted and captivated. In the same manner their wives lost their sanity at the sight of Bikshadanar. Lord Vishnu disappeared after the manifestation of Lord Ayyappa. This made sages more jealous and angry towards Lord Shiva. They performed a yagnya (homa or Welvi) and created magical (maya) agni, tiger, deer, Mazhu (battle axe), serpent and a demon known as Muyalagan and tried to kill Lord Shiva. But none of them could harm Lord Shiva. Finally they created a rogue elephant (Gajasur) and sent him to kill Bikshadanar. Bikshadanar entered into the belly of the rogue elephant and emerged from its stomach by tearing it. He came out performing a tandava known as Urdhwa tandava. The sages realized their mistake and asked for forgiveness. Lord Shiva is known as Gaja-samhar Moorthy as he vanquished the rogue elephant. 

According to another purana, Lord Shanishwar rages a war in Surya Mandal against king Vikram raja. The king lost the war and he fell into the teertha at this place. He took a bath in the teertha and worshipped Lord Shiva who graced him. When Shani came to know that king Vikram raja was a devotee of Lord Shiva, he asked for forgiveness to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva forgave him but made him lame in the 2nd leg. 

According to kshetra purana, 48000 sages did penance at this place and obtained gyan. 

Festivals and worship: 

Masi (Feb-Mar):10 days festival on Magha nakshatra known as Gaja-samhara utsav. Daily both in morning and evening, worship is held and the procession of the deities is taken off. On the 9th day procession of Gaja-samhar Moorthy is taken out. On the 10th day, the festival known as “Teerthavaari” where the deity are taken to the mandap in temple tank for worship.

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Ardhra festival for 3 days is held. 

Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navratri festival

Karthigai (Oct-Nov): On Somwar, special worship is done at night and yantra pooja of yantra in sanctum sanctorum. 

Aadi (July-August): Pooram festival

Panguni (Mar-April): Uthiram festival, Mahashivaratri, New Moon Pradosha pooja

Special worship is held on the Pongal, Tamil New year and English New year. 

People pray here for child boon and marriage. It is believed by worshiping the yantra at this place the effect of black magic and evil spirits are removed. People worship Kruthivasar for mental peace. 

Courtesy: https://temple.dinamalar.com/