Shri Devapureeshwarar Temple at Thevur

This Shiva temple is at Thevur near Keezhvalur in Thiruvarur district. This temple is at a distance of 5 kilometers from Keezhvelur, 18 kilometers from Thiruvarur and 18 kilometers from Nagapattinam. This is on Nagapattinam - Thiruvarur route via Keezhvelur. This is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam on southern bank of Kaveri revered by Shaiva Saints Appar and Sambandhar. Hence this temple must have existed even before the sixth century. This is one of the Mada Kovil built by Kochengat Chola king. There are stone inscriptions in the temple belonging to Pandya and Vijaynagar kings. This temple was reconstructed as stone structure by early Chola kings and extensions were done by Vijayanagar kings, Nayaks and Nagarathars. 

Moolavar: Shri Devapureeshwarar, Shri Devagurunathar, Shri Kadalivaneshwarar, Shri Adideekshiram Udayar
Devi: Shri Thenmohzhiyal, Shri Pannilaviyamozhiumai, Shri Madhurbhashini
Sacred Theertha: Deva Theertha, Sanjeevani Theertha, Marud Theertha, Varuna Theertha, Gautam Theertha
Sacred Vruksha: Kadali (a type of plantain which grows on rocks without water, Kalvazhi  in Tamil)
Puranik Name: Thiruthevoor, Devanoor
Present Name: Thevur

Kshetra Purana:

1. According to the Puran, Lord Kubera was a treasurer of Deva Loka. He was the step brother of Ravana. He lost all his wealth including Sanganidhi and Padmanidhi to Ravana in a battle. He went to various temples praying for restoration of his position and wealth. Devaguru Brihaspati advised Lord Kubera to worship at this place during Shukra Hora on Fridays (6 am to 7 am and 12 noon to 1 pm) with a red lotus flower. Lord Kubera worshiped Lord Shiva as directed by Brihaspati. Lord Shiva helped to get back his position and wealth. 

2. According to the Puran, Gods (Devas) along with Lord Indra worshiped Lord Shiva to get rid of the sin that they had attained by killing Vruddhasur. Hence Lord Shiva is praised as Devapureeshwarar and the place got the name Thevur. And also all the Gods are worshiped with the prefix Deva. A Kshetra Vruksha came along with the Gods. This vruksha, Gods and Lord Indra worshiped Lord Shiva. This vruksha stayed back at this place near the Moolavar. It grows on the rock without water.

3. During the Mahabharat war, Virat and his daughter Uthhara stayed at this place and worshiped Lord Shiva. 

4. According to the Sthala Puran, when there was famine in the world for twelve years, Sage Gautama stayed at this place. He made a Shiva Linga, installed it and did penance on Lord Shiva. Pleased by his worship, Lord Shiva gave him darshan. He gave him wealth and food for providing relief to the people. 

5. According to the Sthala puran, King of Magadha named Kulavardhana performed a Yagnya at this place.  

Those who worshiped here: Sage Gautama, Lord Indra, Lord Kubera, Kadali plant, Lord Brihaspati, King Virata and his daughter Utthara, King Kula Vardhana, Lord Surya, Shaiva Saint Sambandhar and Appar.

Special Features:

1. Kshetra vruksha is a special type of plantain which grows on rock without water. It is believed to have been brought from Devaloka.

2. This is a Somaskandha sthalam. 

3. There is no Mulayagan at the feet of Lord Dakshinamurti. 

4. Lord Brihaspati worshiped Lord Shiva at this place and got the title of Guru. Hence Lord Dakshinamurti is praised as Devaguru.

5. Goddess Durga is depicted as Shiva Vishnu Durga which is rare and not found anywhere. 

6. All the deities are addressed with the title Deva.

7. It is believed that the Kshetra Vruksha came along with Devas and worshiped Lord Shiva along with them. It stayed back at this place.

8. Sun’s rays fall on the Shiva Linga on Sundays of Tamil month Karthigai.

9. This is a parihara sthala for Jupiter dosha. 

About Temple:

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, Antarala, Ardha Mandap and Mukha Mandap. This is an east facing temple with a three tiered Rajagopuram with five parikramas. This place finds mention in Mahabharat and Ramayan. The Shiva Linga is a Swayambhu Linga on a big square avudayar. Sun’s rays fall on Shiva Linga on Sundays of Tamil month Karthigai. Balipeeth, Nandi and Dhwajastambha are on the ground level after Rajagopuram. Nandi is to the left of Rajagopuram at the entrance. 

Koshtha Murtis: Lord Vinayaka, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Mahavishnu, Lord Bhairav, Goddess Durga. Lord Mahavishnu is in the koshtha instead of Lord Lingodbhavar.

Since Lord Brihaspati had worshiped in this temple, there is no Mulayagan under the feet of Lord Dakshinamurti. 

In all Shiva temples we find a Shiva Durga or Vishnu Durga depending on Ambika. In this place we find Goddess Durga sculptured in a different way. Here she is depicted with both conch (like Vishnu) and mazhu (a kind of battle axe associated with Lord Shiva) which is very rare. 

This is one of the Ashtavinayaka temples. 

The shrine of Lord Muruga is in between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This portrays Somaskanda murti sthalam.

Idols and shrines in ground level: Sixty three Nayanmars, Lord Valampuri Vinayaka, Shiva Linga worshiped by Ahalya, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Shiva linga worshiped by Sage Gautama, Navagraha, Lord Indra, Lord Muruga, Lord Ganesha, Lord Bhairav.

Idols and shrines in upper level: Nataraja Sabha, Lord Somaskandar, Lord Ammayappar, Lord Chandra and Lord Surya.

In the prakaram we come across Lord Bala Ganapati, Lord Bala Murugan, Indra Linga, Shiva Linga worshiped by Manikavachagar praised as Atma Linga and Lord Nataraja. Kshetra Vinayaka is praised as Lord Brahma Varadar. He is a Valampuri Vinayaka. 

Goddess Ambika is in a separate south facing shrine and she is depicted in standing position.   

Prayers:

1. This is a parihar sthala for planet Jupiter.

2. Devotees worship Kadali on Mondays for removal of wedding obstacles and child boon. 

3. Devotees worship Lord Shiva for regaining lost wealth, prosperity, excellence in education and knowledge

Pooja:

Daily rituals, pradosha pooja, special pooja on Monday, Thursday and Friday.

Festivals:

Vaikasi (May-June): Brahmotsav

Kaththigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukarthigai

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai

Thai (Jan-Feb): Makar Sankranti

Masi (Feb-Mar): Mahashivaratra

Temple Timings: 6 am to 12 noon, 4 pm to 8 pm

Address:

Shri Devapureeshwarar Temple at Thevur,
District Thiruvarur,
Tamil Nadu 611109

Phone: +91-4366276113, +91-9468278810

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs