Friday, December 23, 2016

Velladainatha Swami Temple, Thirukarugavur, Nagapattinam

Velladainatha Swami Temple, Thirukarugavur, Nagapattinam
Velladainatha Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the village of Thirukarugavur in the Nagapattinam district of Tamilnadu. This Shivastalam is also known as Velladai is located close to Sirkali. It is one of the 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalams. This is the 67th Deavaram Paadal Petra Sthalam and 13th Sthalam one the north side of River Cauvery in Chozha Naadu. Sundarar and Thiruganasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This place is called as Kurukkavoor. 

Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The Temple
Presiding Deity is called as Velvidai Nathar / Vedhapureeswarar / Swetharishameswarar. Velvidai Nathar graces as a Banalinga on a square Peeta in the sanctum sanctorum. The Procession deity deity is Somaskanda. The goddess is Kaviaganni / Nilothbhava Visalakshi. There are shrines to GaneshaDurgaMurugan and his consorts Valli and Deivayanai. Lord Vinayaka in the temple is on a Lotus seat with an umbrella above him and two fans called Samaram.  Lord Muruga, against the tradition of facing east, is seen facing the south, a direction attributed to Guru. Lord Muruga is revered as Jupiter-Dakshinamurthy in this temple. He graces with his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Special pujas are performed in his shrine on Thursdays, a day attributed to Guru. 

There are shrines for Mother Durga with eight hands and Sattainathar. There is no shrine for Navagrahas – the 9 planets. Presiding deity is known as Velladaiyappar, Velvidainathar, Ratnankureswarar, Swetha Rishabaeswarar & Ambal is Kaaviyankanni and Neelotpala Visalakshi. The temple has a single prakaram and has a shrine for Vishnu (Kariyamanicka Perumal) also. The temple was rebuilt (of stone) in the 10th century, during the period of Uttama Chola.

Niche images around the sanctum and the ardhamandapam here include those of Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhavar, Brahmma, Durga, Vishnu and Mohini. Inscriptions from the times of Uttama Chola, Raja Raja  Chola, Rajendra Chola and Kulottunga Chola I are seen in this temple. Velvidai Theertham (a well), where the water, is believed to turn white on the new moon day in the month of Thai (Capricorn).
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Festivals
Four worship services are offered each day here. New Moon day in the month of Thai (January-February) and Full Moon day in the month of Chithirai (April-May) are the festivals grandly celebrated in the temple. The event of Shiva blessing Sambandar with water is enacted on Thai Amavasai. The water turns white on this day. On this day, the procession idol of Gnanasambandar is brought to this temple from the Sirkali Brahmapureeswarar temple. The Presiding deity of this temple (Velladainathar) and Goddess (Kaviaganni) grants audience to Sambandar and give him the Theertham.  Sambandar returns to Sirkali in the evening.  This is celebrated as grand festival. The Feeding event is celebrated as a great festival on the Full Moon Day of the month of Chithirai (April-May) in the temple. The event of Shiva blessing Sundaramoorthy Nayanar is enacted on Chitra Pournami. Skanda Sashti is also celebrated here.
Prayers
Those who had committed anything wrong unknowingly are blessed with mental peace if they sincerely pray to the Lord. Devotee performs Abishek and vastras to lords and Ambal.
Contact
Sri Velladainathaswami Temple,
Pillayar Koil Street, Thirukarukavoor,
Vadakal post, Sirkali Taluk,
Nagapattinam District
Mobile: +91- 9245 612 705
Connectivity
Thirukarukavoor is 5 kms far from Sirkali. Bus facilities are not convenient. The devotee has to get down at the Vadakal stop from Sirkali and can reach the temple from there at a distance of one kilometer. Auto facility is available. Nearest Railway Station is located at Mayiladuthurai and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.