Contents
Veeratteswarar Temple, Vazhuvur, Nagapattinam
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Veeratteswarar |
| Architectural style: | Dravidian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | Vazhuvur |
| District:: | Nagapattinam |
| Address: | Sri Veeratteswarar Temple,Vazhuvur-609 401, Nagapattinam District |
| Phone | 04364 – 253029 |
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.
Prayers
Majority of the devotees seek wedding and child boons from the Lord. People use to bathe in the holy spring in Lord’s shrine on new moon days and pray for removal of evil effects on their children. Lord Gaja Samhara Murthi is the special Lord of the temple. A Yantra is installed behind this shrine where people pray for total release from spells and witchcrafts and other such evil magic. People praying to presiding deity Kruthivasar are blessed with mental peace. People also pray for employment, progress in trade and profession, promotions also.
Devotees perform archanas to Lord after having a bath in the holy spring on new moon day – Amavasya. Those seeking wedding boon offer Kalyana Malai with conch and Kalasa abisheks. They also cover Lord with sandal paste. Abisheks are offered in rice flour, turmeric, cosmetic powder, oil, milk, curd, green coconut, panchamirtha, lime fruit juice, honey and sandal mixtures. Some devotees arrange Annadhana-feeding, distribute nivedhana offered to Lord to other devotees and perform usual abishek and aaradhanas.
Festivals
10 day Masi Magam festival with procession twice a day with Gaja Samhara on the 9th day and Theerthavari on the 10th day in February – March which is the special festival of the temple drawing huge devotee crowd. 3 days Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January; 10 days Purattasi Navarathri in September – October and Mondays of Karthikai month in November – December are the other festivals celebrated in the temple. Besides the above, Yantra Prathista puja is performed each day. Theertha Prasad is offered to devotees on new moon days.
Poornima – full moon day pujas, Aadi Pooram in July-August, Skanda Sashti in October-November, Maha Shivrathri in February-March, Panguni Uthiram in March-April and monthly Pradosha pujas Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New Year days are also the festive events in the temple drawing huge crowd. The Gajasamhara festival in the months of February-March (Maasi) is very grand. It is a three day (on the Pusam, Ayilyam and Magha Nakshatras) celebration, with the actual Gajasamhaaram taking place on the evening of the second day.
Festivals
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
Legend of Bitchadanar:
In the legend of Bitchadanar, once the rishis of Tharukavanam thought penance itself will provide everything and there is no superior God and their ladies were also equally egoistic. Shiva took the form of a beautiful full-nude beggar as Bitchadanar accompanied by Vishnu as Mohini with all their sheen to teach them a lesson. On getting furious over their ladies getting attracted towards this nude beggar, the rishis did different things like creating a snake, tiger, elephant etc., through yagnas, sending mantras and vedas to fight Bitchadanar but nothing could stand in front of him. It is believed that the heroic feat of vanquishing the rogue elephant that came from the Yagna was staged at Vazhuvur and Shiva is being portrayed as Gajasamhara Moorthy in this act. When the elephant approached Shiva, He assumed a miniscule form and jumped into the trunk of the elephant. He then took his Viswaroopa inside the elephant’s body and came out explosively bursting through the stomach of the rogue elephant and wore its skin as a garment. Therefore, this aspect of Shiva is also known as “Kirthivasa” or “one who wears an elephant skin as garment”. Shiva finally revealed his true identity and did a furious dance in front of them. On knowing their mistake, the rishis at once surrendered to Bitchadanar. The rishis learnt hard way that learning all the mantras and vedas are only to promote the human lives and to do good to the society.
Jyestha Devi & Saptha Mathas worshipped Shiva here:
The temple has been visited by Jyeshta Devi and the Sapthamadhas, and the Lingas that they had worshiped can be seen even today.
Shiva saved Vikrama Chola from Sani Bhagavan:
Sani Bhagwan in the temple appears fighting with King Vikrama Raja. Defeated by Sani, the king fell in the Theertha the holy spring. Bathing in the spring, the king worshipped Lord for relief. Sani Bhagwan sought the pardon of Lord. His leg got damaged. There is a separate shrine for Sani in the temple holding a bow.
Etymology:
As the place eluded (Vazhuvudhal in Tamil) destruction by pralaya floods, the place is called Vazhuvur.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
Vazhuvur is 7 km from far Mayiladuthurai and 25 km from Tiruvarur. It is on the Mayiladuthurai – Manganallur bus route. The visitor has to get down at Neikuppai Vazhuvur Kaikatty stop near Elanthangudi. The temple is near this stop. It can also be reached from Kumbakonam via Aduthurai, Komal and also Peralam. The place is easily reached from Mayavaram on the Peralam road in about 7 kms. Nearest Railway Station is located at Mayiladuthurai and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.
Contact Details
Sri Veeratteswarar Temple,
Vazhuvur-609 401,
Nagapattinam District
Phone: 04364 – 253029
Mobile: 91 – +99437 98083