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.