Veerattaneswarar Temple, Thiruvathigai – Religious Significance

Veerattaneswarar Temple, Thiruvathigai – Religious Significance

Ashta Veeratta Sthalams:

As per legend, Shiva is believed to have destroyed eight different demons namely Andakasuran, Gajasuran, Jalandasuran, Thirupuradhi, Kaman, Arjunan, Dakshan and Taaragasuran. Shiva is usually described to have used bow & arrow, trident and spear. There are eight temples built signifying each of his victories in the war, and as places where he is believed to have performed with fury. These places are called as Ashta Veeratta Sthalams / Atta Veerattana Sthalams. Thiruvathigai is the place where Lord Shiva vanquished the Thiripura demons (Thiripura Samharam).

The list of these eight temples are:

1.    Thiruvathigai Veerattaneswarar Temple

2.    Tirukoyilur Veeratteswarar Temple

3.    Thirukkadaiyur Amritaghateswarar Temple  

4.    Vazhuvur Veeratteswarar Temple

5.    Korukkai Veeratteswarar Temple

6.    Keelaparasalur Veeratteswarar Temple 

7.    Thirukkandiyur Kandeeswarar Temple

8.    Tiruvirkudi Veerataneswarar Temple

Many Firsts:

The temple has many firsts. Thevaram hymns were uttered first here. All Shivagama puja codes were formulated from this temple. Car festival and design of cars were drafted from this place. This is the only temple that is adored in great number of Thevaram hymns, the divine Tamil hymns of three saints – Gnanasambandhar, Appar and Sundarar. The tradition of breaking the coconut in the ground (Sitharu Thengai) has come from this temple only.

Paadal Petra Sthalam:

Thirugnana Sambandar, a 7^th century Tamil Saivite poet, venerated Veeratteswarar in 46 verses in Thevaram, compiled as the First Thirumurai. Appar, a contemporary of Sambandar, also venerated Veeratteswarar in seventeen verses in Thevaram, compiled as the Fourth Thirumurai, Fifth Thirumurai and Sixth Thirumurai. Sundarar, a contemporary of Sambandar, also venerated Veeratteswarar in one verse in Thevaram, compiled as the Seventh Thirumurai. As the temple is revered in Thevaram, it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 275 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon. It is also noteworthy that the Thevaram hymns of the three saints contain more mention about Tripura Samhara episode. Lord of the temple purifies all his devotees from the three great basic evils polluting the human mind.

Uzhavaram:

Saint Thirunavukkarasar made his Uzhavaram, an instrument with a sharp edge fixed with a stick for removing the bushes on the way to Shiva temples in this sacred land.

Marriage Parihara Sthalam:

This is also the land where Lord granted darshan to Appar in Wedding form, hence weddings are conducted in the temple.