Vaithya Lingam Temple, Aladipatti, Thirunelveli
Vaithya
Lingam Swami temple is located at Aladipatti at about 33 kms (20 mi)
from Thirunelveli on the way to Tenkasi. The temple's sanctum has Vaithya
lingam swami and goddess yogambigai. The other deities of the temple for
various castes of people are Sudalai
Madan Samy and Karuppa
Samy. Sri Vaithya Lingam Swami is worshipped as Kula Deivam by various groups
of people.
Legends
Initially
the temple deity was found in Kallal also known as Koolaiyan Koondu near
Kurumbur. This temple did not have any proper buildings. Poojas for the deity
was performed by 60 families of Karkatha Pillaimar. There was a huge treasure
hidden inside the temple. Once, a man with mystical power comes to know about
the treasure and he informed about it to the 60 families. They all wanted to
take out the treasure. They approached an astrologer, who was also a Siddhar to
come and visit the temple. When he came to the temple he realized why he has
been called.
Initially
he refused to take out the treasure but later he accepted, realizing that the
right time has come for taking out. The astrologer told that there are 21
Parivara Thevathaikal protecting and guarding the treasure and the temple.
During Maasi Thiruvizha in Tiruchendur all the Parivara Thevathaikal go there
except the Chappani Madan. Only, when they can tie the Chappani Madan with
mystical powers and offer pregnant goat, pregnant pig and pregnant lady and do
the pooja, then only they can dig out the treasure and they have to do it
before the Parivara Thevathaikal returns.
They
gathered all the things required for pooja and waited till the 7th day of Maasi
Thiruvizha. But till the late evening they were not able to find out a pregnant
lady and they have to do the offering in the night. They were worried. Suddenly
they found a pregnant woman crossing their village on her way to her mother's
place for delivery. They stopped her, enquired about her. With evil intention
in their mind they used honey coated words to conceive her and made her stay in
the night.
They
told her that it is not advisable for a full-term pregnant lady to travel late
night and they will take care of her and she can leave in the next morning. Late
night they did all the pooja rituals and offered the goat, pig one by one. When
the lady's turn came, she realized that she was in big trouble and how the
villagers deceived her. When they were ready to offer her, she with immense
anger cursed at the astrologer, "for 7 generations you will not have any
girl child." (It happened and for 7 generations there were no female
children in the family.)
At last
they took the treasure made 61 shares including the astrologer and shared among
them. Astrologer refused to take the share, he then buried his share there
itself and released the Chappani Madan. Chappani Madan rushed to Tiruchendur
and explained what had happened to all the Parivara Thevathaikal. They got
really angry, came back, locked all the 60 houses and burnt them. All the
members of the 60 families died, except a lady who went to her mother's family
for delivery. She delivered a boy baby whose generation still lives in that
place.
Festivals
The
festival will be carried twice a year. A ten days festive for Sri Vaithya
lingam swami and Yogambigai in the month of Avani (Tamil
month) and another festive for
the deity in the month of Chithirai (Tamil month), which is more popular around
the village.
Avani Thiruvizha:
Aavani Thiruvizha is
celebrated during the Tamil month Aavani (mid-August to mid-September). It is an
11 day festival. In these 11 days the deity's idol is taken out in a
procession on the four car street, the devotees whose homes fall on the way
make offerings.
Day 1:
|
The flag was hoisted on Panguni Uthiram to mark the
beginning of the 11-day Avani festival.)
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Day 2:
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In the evening around 8.00 pm, the deities were taken
in procession on Swami in Singa Vaaganam and Ambal in Parrot Vaaganam
|
Day 3:
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Swami in Arakkan (Saint) Vaaganam
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Day 4:
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Swami and Ambal in Rishaba Vaaganam
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Day 5:
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Swami and Ambal in Mani chapparam
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Day 6:
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Shanmugar in Mani chapparam, Swami
in Elephant Vaaganam and Yogambigai in Kaaram Pasu Vaaganam
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Day 7:
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Natarajar in Mani Chappram, Vaithiyalinga Swami
in Horse Vaaganam, and Yogambigai in Annam Vaaganam
|
Day 8:
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Pari Vettai (the holy hunt) is symbolic of Lord
Vaithiyalinga Swami hunting down the demon of evil in a forest. The
procession is usually very colorful and attracts devotees in large
crowds.
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Day 9:
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Swami Raavanan Vaaganam (one of the biggest vaaganams)
and Ambal in Parrot Vaaganam.
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Day 10:
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The famous Thiru Ther (Car or Chariot Festival)
is celebrated at the 10th day of the festival. People from around the place
gathered to worship god Sri Vaithiyalinga Swami and Annai Yogambigai. After
that the Vahana would be replaced by a "chariot" filled with
various flowers.(Poom pallakku)
|
Day 11:
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The god and goddess reached river for a holy dip in
the morning of the day. Amid chanting of hymns, Lord Vaithiyalinga Swami
and goddesses Yogambigai were given a ritualistic bath in the river and
taken back to the temple to inspect the holy car.
Evening Vaithiyalinga Swami and Annai Yogambigai
in Rishabha Vaaganam.
|
Margali Maha Utsavam:
Margazhi
Maha Utsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month Margazhi (mid-Dec to mid-Jan). In
this month temple opened at 3 am every day and poojas are taken place. Around 6
am Utsavar Moorthy is decorated and kept ready to be taken around the streets
with everyone including school children's joining in the procession
participating in the Bhajan singing.
From Dec
23rd to Jan 1st the 10 day festival "Thiruvenbavai Utsava Thirunaal"
takes place. During these 10 days people will be singing the Thiruvenbavai
songs. On the 10th day special poojas starts at 3am and Natarajar Thandava Deeparadhana
at 6 am.
Thirukalyanam:
It is
celebrated in the Tamil month of Aippasi (mid-Oct to mid-Nov).
Panguni Thiruvizha:
Panguni Thiruvizha is
celebrated in Tamil month Panguni (mid-March to mid-April). It is also an 11
day festival and almost same like Aavani Thiruvizha.
Kodai Thiruvizha:
Every
year last Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Chithirai month (usually 1st or 2nd
week of May) a 3 day festival called Kodai Vizha is celebrated in this
temple. People from all over places come here during this time. It is the
festival for God Sudalai Madan.
Other Festivals:
·
Soora Samharam
·
Nava Raathiri
·
Maha Siva Raathiri
·
Thiru Karthigai
Connectivity
Vaithya
Lingam Swami temple is located at Aladipatti at about 33 kms (20 mi)
from Thirunelveli on the way to Tenkasi. Aladipatti is located at
about 3 Kms from Alangulam. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Thirunelveli. Nearest Airport is located
at Madurai & Thiruvananthapuram.