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Saturday, March 17, 2018

Theerthapureeswarar Temple, Thirunelvayil Arathurai – Religious Significance

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)