Vandurai Nathar Temple, Thiruventhurai, Thiruvarur
Vandurai Nathar Temple is a Hindu
temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva located at Thiruventhurai (Cherivadi Vaikal) in the Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is also called as Brahmmareswarar Temple.
Presiding Deity is called as Vandurai Nathar / Brahmmareswarar. Mother is
called as Vel Nedunganni / Bragadambal. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa and Theertham
is Brahmmapureesa Theertham. The historical name of the place is Tiruventhurai
/ Thiruvanduthurai. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the
early medieval Thevaram. This is the 229th Devaram Paadal Petra
Shiva Sthalam and 112th Shiva Sthalam on the south side of River
Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.
Legends
Thiru
Vandu Thurai:
According to Hindu
mythology, the sage Brungi worshipped
Shiva at this place. When Shiva's consort Parvati angry with Brungi for not having given importance
to her, cursed him and tried to stall his worship, Brungi took the form of
a bee (Vandu) and entered the ear of Shiva's idol. Sage
Brungi in the form of bee-Vandu in Tamil-worshipped Lord in this temple, hence
the name of the place as Tiru Vandu Thurai - Thiruvandurai. It is said
that the sound of a Vandu is still heard in Lord’s shrine.
Posture
of Nandhi facing north:
Nangai, a woman Sage saw all particles of sand as Linga in
this place and did not want to place her legs here and worshipped Lord facing
north. Based on this story, Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord is facing
north in the front mandapam.
Value of
Shiva Puja:
Lord Vishnu established the value of Shiva Puja in this
temple.
Brahmma
worshipped Shiva here:
When Brahmma the Creator faced trouble in his job, he
prayed to Lord Shiva in this temple to overcome the obstacles.
People
worshipped Shiva here:
King Dhruva, Angavan, Harichandra, Thyaga Cholan son of Muchukunda
Cholan had worshipped Lord in this temple.
The
Temple
The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram with
Palipeedam and Nandhi. There is no Kodimaram. Lord in the temple is a
Swayambumurthy. Presiding Deity is called as Vandurai Nathar / Madhuvaneswarar
/ Brahmmareswarar. Mother is called as Vel Nedunganni / Bragadambal / Sathyathaayathakshi
and is facing south. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa and Theertham is Agasthya
Theertham and Brahmmapureesa Theertham. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy,
Arthanareeswarar (hand on Rishabam) in place of Lingodhbava, Brahma and Durgai
are located in Koshtas.
Sound of Vandu can be heard by placing the ear on the
Komugam in the Sanctum. Lords Vinayaka, Muruga, Arthanareeswara,
Dakshinamurthy, Brahmma, Bhairava, Viswanatha, Bhikshatana, Chandikeswara,
planets Sun and Moon and Sani Bhagwan, Mother Durga, and Navagrahas have
their shrines around the prakara.
Temple Opening
Time
The temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from
6.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Festivals
Tamil New Year Day falling almost on April 14; Vaikasi
Visakam in May-June; Aadi Pooram and Fridays in July-August; Vinayaka Chaturthi
in August-September; Navarathri in September-October; Skanda Sashti in October-November;
Tirukarthikai and Mondays in the month in November-December; Tiruvadhirai in
December-January; Shivarathri in February-March; Panguni Uthiram in
March-April, Monthly Pradoshams are the festivals of the temple with special
pujas.
Singers
The Lord of the temple is praised by Saint Thirugnana Sambandar
in his Thevaram hymns. This is the 229th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva
Sthalam and 112th Shiva Sthalam on the south side of River Cauvery
in Chozha Nadu.
Prayers
Devotees seek solution for the delays faced in their endeavors.
People perform abishek and offer vastras to Lord and Mother.
Contact
Vandurai Nathar Temple,
Thiruventhurai Post – 614 717,
Thiruvarur District
Phone: +91 – 4367 – 294
640
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 10 Kms from Mannargudi,
22 Kms from Thiruthuraipoondi, 6 Kms from Thiruvarur, 7 Kms from Irulneeki, 13
Kms from Senthangudi, 9 Kms from Thirukollikadu and 103 Kms from Trichy. Cherivadi
Vaikal is 9 Kms far from Mannargudi on the Thiruthuraipoondi road. The devotee
should get down at this stop. The temple is about a km east of Cherivadi Vaikal.
Town bus from Mannargudi to Veeraki passes through this place. Also Town bus
from Mannargudi to Senthangudi passes through this place. Nearest Railway Station
is located at Thiruvarur and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.
