Velayudha Swamy Temple,
Thandanthottam, Thanjavur
Velayudha Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to village deity
Ayyanar located at Thandanthottam Village in Kumbakonam Taluk in Thanjavur
District of Tamil Nadu. This Temple is actually dedicated to Village deity,
Ayyanar but the villagers consider him as Lord Murugan.
Legends
The village is mix of Hindus and
non-Hindus living peacefully abiding the main deity Velayudaswami. In recent
years a house in the Agraharam was sold to a non-Hindu. During 3rd day
of the Utsavam, when the Swamy was passing by his residence, he performed
disrespectful activities. The moment Swamy passed by his residence, he fell
down with stroke and was shouting for help. People helped him and educated him
about the power of Velayudaswami. He vacated the house the same night and went
to his home town. People in the village still remembers this afresh and abides
by Swamy for every act.
The
Temple
This is a small east facing
Temple. Usually Ayyanar, the village deity is used to be placed at outskirts of
Village. But here at Thandanthottam, Ayyanar is present in the middle
of the village. He is called as Velayudha Swamy / Malayala Sastha by the
villagers. Even though the presiding deity is Sastha, people worship him as
Muruga (Velayudha Swamy) accompanied by Valli & Deivanai. Villagers have
kept a spear on his hand & a peacock at the base to relate Sastha to Lord
Murugan. Sastha right hand is showing Abhaya Hastha.
An elephant and Balipeedam, base
for offering sacrifices are located in front of the sanctum. There is another Ayyanar
is present along with Poorna & Pushkala outside the Mandapam. He keeps a
whip at his right arm. Idumbam and Saptha Mathas are present in this temple. Stucco
idol of a horse is located outside the temple facing the sanctum.
Festivals
10 days Annual Chithira festival
is most famous festival celebrated here.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
1.5 Kms from Murukkangudi, 3 Kms from Poundarigapuram, 3.5 Kms from Ayyavadi, 4
Kms from Nachiyar Koil, 5 Kms from Thirunageswaram, 9 Kms from Kumbakonam
Railway Station, 10 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 11 Kms from Kumbakonam, 53
Kms from Thanjavur and 113 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple can be reached
from Kumbakonam via Thirunageswaram, Ayyavadi and Murukkangudi. There is also
another route from Nachiyar Koil to reach this Temple.
Location
References
