Theerthapureeswarar Temple, Thirunelvayil Arathurai – Religious
Significance
Saint
Thirugnanasambanthar’s hymn of this temple contains a reference to the Neeva
river, which is nowadays known as “Vadavellaru”. Saint Arunagirinathar has sang
songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh. There are three Kasi Kshetrams – Balakasi, Virudhakasi
and Uzhikasi. This temple is considered to be as Uzhikasi. The sacred tree of
this temple is a banyan tree. This tree is believed to be representing the
“Maham Nakshatram” (Maham constellation). Due to this reason, this temple is
famous with devotees born in the period of the Maham Nakshatram.
There is an entrance at the left side of the sanctum
sanctorum known as Magam Vasal. This entrance exists due to a custom being
followed here. Widows come to this temple one year after the demise of their
husband. Custom mandates that they take a dip in the nearby river, enter the
temple through this gate, worship the Lord and return from the same gate.
Saptha Rishis worshiped Lord Shiva here and the fingerprints of all the seven
sages can be seen on this lingam. They have worshiped Lord Shiva in a similar
manner at seven holy places on the banks of river Vellaru /Nee Vaa.
These are called the Thurai Temples and they are –
1. Adi Thurai (Kaariyanoor);
2. Thirumaanthurai;
3. Thiruvalanthurai;
4. Su. Aduthurai;
5. Thiruvathittathuri (Thittakudi);
6. Thiruvattathurai (Thirunelvayil Arathurai),
7. Thirukkaranthurai (Pelanthurai)