Friday, March 31, 2017

Irudhayeelswarar Temple, Veerakeralampudur, Thirunelveli

Irudhayeelswarar Temple, Veerakeralampudur, Thirunelveli
Irudhayeelswarar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Veerakeralampudur Village in Thirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. The village is surrounded by two rivers Chittar River and Hanumanathi. Both Hanumanathi and Chittar River merges rightly exactly in this village thus forming the major tributary to Thamirabarani River.

Legends
Pusalar was a Shaiva, a devotee of the god Shiva. He wanted to create a grand temple for Shiva, but did not have the money to do so. Thus, Pusalar decided to build a temple to Shiva in his mind with his imagination. He followed the rituals of temple-building, sanctified the ground and laid the first stone of his mind temple on an auspicious day. Over course of time, he completed his mind temple and selected a holy day for the Kumbabishekam ceremony, when the temple is consecrated and the image of God installed in the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanatorium).

The Pallava king Kadavarkon had just completed a grand Shiva temple in the capital Kanchipuram and selected the same day for consecration of his temple. Shiva appeared in the king's dream and instructed him to postpone the date of consecration as he would be journeying to Thiruninravur for the consecration of his devotee Pusalar's temple on the same day. The king postponed the date as per the divine decree and hastened to see the magnificent temple of Pusalar, which Shiva favored over his own. However, on reaching Thiruninravur, the king could find any stone temple visible in the town and was perflexed.

He reached Pusalar's house and informed Pusalar about his dream. The saint revealed that the temple existed in his heart. The king was astonished by Pusalar's devotion and bowed down to him and worshipped him. Pusalar consecrated the temple on the ordained day and continued his worship until his death, when he is said to have attained Kailash, the abode of Shiva. Pallava King fulfilled the Pusalar wish by building this Temple and consecrated Shiva Linga and named it as Irudhayeelswarar.
The Temple
Presiding Deity is called as Irudhayeelswarar or Mana Aalaya Easwarar. Mother is called as Meenatchi. Thala Vriksham is Vilvam. Theertham is Chitraru. The Temple is believed to be around 1500 years old. Lord is facing east and Amman is facing south and are gracing from separate shrines. Vimanam of this temple is of Gajabrushta Style. Shrines of Vinayaga, Nandhi Deva and Natarajar are located in the prakaram.

Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 7.30 AM to 9.30 AM in the mornings and 5.30 PM to 7.00 PM in the evenings.
Festivals
Maha Shivaratri and Pradosham are the festivals celebrated in this temple with much fanfare.
Connectivity
Veerakeralampudur is located at about 22 Kms from Tenkasi, 30 Kms from Courtrallam, 30 Kms from Sengottai, 48 Kms from Thirunelveli, 170 Kms from Madurai and 130 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Tenkasi. Nearest Airport is located at Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram.