Agora Veerabhadrar Temple, Veeravadi, Thiruvarur
Agora Veerabhadrar Temple is located in Veeravadi
Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Agora
Veerabhadrar and Mother is called as Bhadrakali. Theertham is Arasalaru River.
Legends
Devas in the celestial world surrendered to Lord Shiva
seeking protection from the harassments of demon brothers Amban and
Ambasura. Lord Shiva sent Lord Vishnu and Mother Parvathi to destroy
them. Lord Vishnu came to the place as an aged man accompanied by Mother
Parvathi as his daughter. Both demon brothers were enticed by the alluring
beauty of Parvathi and expressed their desire to marry her. The old man
said that the one who is powerful over the other will have his daughter’s
hand. In the battle between the brothers, Amban killed Ambasura. Mother
Parvathi took her Bhadrakali form and killed Amban. Due to this killing, she
incurred the Brahmahatti Dosha (sin of killing). Lord Shiva sent Veerabhadra
and drove away the Dosha from Mother Parvathi. The temple is built for Veerabhadra
and Lord Shiva as Maakalar based on this story.
The
Temple
The temple is facing east with a Rajagopuram. Lord Veerabhadra
is holding bow, arrow, sword and danda in his hands. The crown has a
Linga. Kali, who destroyed the demons, looks furious. Before proceeding to
wed Mother Parvathi, Lord Shiva left Mother Ganga in the custody of Sri Veerabhadra.
The place where Mother Ganga stayed here is a little away from this place
called Rudra Ganga. Lord Shiva graces in this place as Abathsahayeswarar. As
a rule, devotees worship Lord Abathsahayeswarar first before their prayer to
Sri Veerabhadra.
Lord Varasiddhi Vinayaka graces the devotees in the
temple. The tower above the sanctum sanctorum is of a three tier design.
On Shivarathri day, 4 time puja is dedicated to Veerabhadra and Maakalar in the
front mandapam. Lord Vishnu who came here for destroying demons appears with
his discus. There is also a shrine for Lord Srinivasa and Mother
Mahalakshmi. The place is named Veeravadi as Sri Veerabhadra placed his
steps here first.
River Arasalaru is flowing northward. Women come to
temple with their father, offer Vilwa and betel leaf garlands to Veerabhadra on
Tuesdays with curd rice Nivedhana. When Ashtami day coincides with Tuesday,
they offer garlands made of 8 varieties of flowers and perform pujas.
Temple
Opening Time
The temple is open from 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. Those
desiring to visit the temple during other hours have to inform the priest in
advance to avoid disappointment.
Festivals
Shivarathri in February-March; Tirukarthikai in
November-December and Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November are the festivals
celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Devotees pray here for safety of women and those facing
troubles in wedding talks due to Mars (Sevvai) adverse aspects pray
here. Women, after realizing their wishes come to the temple with their
father on Tuesdays, offer betel leaf and Vilwa garlands to Lord Veerabhadra and
also offer curd rice as Nivedhana. When Tuesdays coincide with Ashtami – eighth
day of new moon or full moon fortnights – they offer garlands made of flowers
of eight varieties and perform special pujas.
Contact
Sri Agora Veerabhadrar Temple,
Veeravadi, Rudra Ganga – 609 503,
Poonthottam Post,
Thiruvarur district
Phone: +91 – 4366 – 239
105
Connectivity
Poonthottam is located at about 21 Kms from Thiruvarur, 20
Kms from Mayiladuthurai, 40 Kms from Kumbakonam and 135 Kms from Trichy. The
Temple is located about 2 Kms away from Poonthottam. Buses from Poonthottam to Karaikkal
pass through the temple. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thiruvarur
and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.