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Kalyanasundareswarar Temple, Tiruvelvikudi, Nagapattinam
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Kalyanasundareswarar |
| Architectural style: | Dravidian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | Tiruvelvikudi |
| District:: | Nagapattinam |
| Address: | Sri Kalyana Sundareswarar Temple,Tiruvelvikudi, Kuthalam Post-609 801, Nagapattinam District |
| Phone | +91-4364-235 462 |
Tiruvelvikudi was also the place where Shiva granted half of his body to Parvathi making Tiruvelvikudi the birthplace of the Ardhanarisvara cult. This is the 77th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 23rd sthalam on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.
The Lord in this temple is facing east and is in the form of Suyambu Linga (formed of its own). As this place has the reputation of being the wedding venue of Lord, it is called as Tiruvelvikudi. The ritual Kanganatharanam was performed to Eswari, this place is also called as Kouthuka Bandhana Shetram. This temple was built 1500 years before. This is a small temple closely associated with Tiruthuruthi, about 3 kilometers away. This Shivastalam is at a distance of 5 km from the Kuthalam railway station near Mayiladuthurai.
Dwarabalagars are seen with 4 hands at the entrance of Artha mantapam. In the first courtyard, Lord Thenmuga, Valanchuzhi Vinayagar, Subramaniar with valli and Deivanai, Kothandaramar, Gajalakshmi, Vishnu, Durgai, Sangeswarar are present.
Goddess is facing south in the first courtyard. This place has the reputation of being the wedding venue of Lord, so there is no shrine for Navagrahas and no temple tree. Lord himself is sitting in the Easanya – north east corner. This temple has 3 tiers Gopuram (Tower) with 2 prakarams.
The images of Ganapathi, Agasthiar, Nataraja, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhavar, Chandrasekhara and Ardhanareeswarar adorn the outer walls of the main sanctum. Inscriptions from the period of Sembian Mahadevi and Rajaraja Cholan and Parantaka Cholan have been found in this temple.
The temple is facing east. In artha mandapam Sculptures of Agasthiyar, Natarajar and Pillayar (Pillayar is doing prayer for Lord Shiva’s Velvi Completion) are located. Sudhai Sirpam of Kalayana Sundareswarar and Parvathy are located in a separate Sannadhi, looks very beautiful. There are two Bairavars facing Moolavar.
During Velvi, Thakkan send birds to disturb, but dwarapalakars made them as ring and wear as ear ring which is not available in any other temples. Theerthams associated with this temple are Mangala Theertham and Gouthugabandhana (Ganganam) theertham.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Four worship services are offered each day here; Arudra Dharisanam, Maha Shivrathri in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
Those facing delays in marriage due to planetary adversities, pray here lighting 48 lamps for relief. A yajna is conducted in the temple on full moon days from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. especially for those facing delays in marriage. Men and women having this problem are advised to participate in the proceedings. Realizing their wish, they perform abishek and archanas and express their gratitude to Lord and Mother.
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
Brahma conducting marriage rituals of Shiva and Parvathi here:
Mother Parvathi was born to Sage Bharatha in Kuthalam near Tiruvelvikudi. She performed penance for 16 Mondays on Lord Shiva to have his hand as her Lord. Mother made a Linga of sand for the penance. On the 17th Monday, Lord appeared before Parvathi as Manavaleswarar and promised to marry her. Accordingly, the rituals (Velvi in Tamil) were conducted with Brahmma being the head priest for this divine marriage. Hence, the place is named Tiru Velvikudi. No poet can describe the beauty of smiling mother in the temple. Lord Shiva blesses all men and women granting their wedding boon.
Shiva helping a prince to get married:
The wedding of a princess was fixed to a prince here, but her parents died before the event. The bride side cancelled the marriage. The prince begged the Lord to get him the princess. Lord sent a Bhooda (something like a ghost but used for good purpose), brought the princess and solemnized their wedding.
Sundarar got cured of his disease here:
This is also the place where saint Sundarar had a bath in the Agni theertham and got his disease cured.
Birth place of Ardhanareeswarar:
It also has the reputation of Lord Shiva offering half of himself to Shakti and took the form of Ardhanareeswarar.
Etymology:
The earthly marriage of God Shiva and goddess Parvati was celebrated at Thirumananjeri but the Vedic and religious rituals leading to that marriage were held at this Sthalam, hence the name Tiruvelvikudi. Since the early homams were performed by the divine couple at this place, it is considered beneficial to perform homams here for early marriage. The prayers and rituals are similar to those carried out at Thirumanancheri, except that some special homams are performed on every full moon day, and those whose marriages are delayed are advised to participate.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
This temple is located near Thirumananjeri, another Paadal Petra Sthalam. It is situated at a distance of 3 Kms from Kuthalam which is on the Mayiladuthurai – Kumbakonam road. Bus services to Tiruvelvikudi and Thirumananjeri are available from Mayiladuthurai. By engaging an auto at Kuthalam, one can visit all the 4 temples viz., Tiruthuruthi, Tiruvelvikudi, Tiruedhirkolpadi and Thirumananjeri easily within half a day.
Reach Anjaru from Kuthalam and then travel ½ km to reach Tiruvelvikudi. Bus services are available between Kumbakonam and Kuthalam, bus services and share auto services are available between Kuthalam and Anjaru. Tiruvelvikudi is 1.5 km from Kuthalam near Mayiladuthurai. The place can be reached from Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam also. Nearest Railway Station is located at Kuthalam and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy
Contact Details
Sri Kalyana Sundareswarar Temple,
Tiruvelvikudi, Kuthalam Post-609 801,
Nagapattinam District
Phone: +91-4364-235 462