Saturday, January 28, 2017

Therazhundur Vedapureeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Therazhundur Vedapureeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam
Therazhundur Vedapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Therazhundur in Nagapattinam district of Tamilnadu. The historical name of the place is Thirunedungalam. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Vedapureeswarar. His consort is known as Soundara Ambigai. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Sambandar. This is the 38th sthalam on the southern side of river Cauvery.



Vedapureeswarar temple is situated is located on the eastern side of the Tiruvazhundur village. It is located right across a temple for Lord Vishnu which is one of the Divya Desam shrine. The shrine for female deity Soundara Ambikai is situated outside the main Siva temple. Sage Agasthiyar, Markandeyar and Kaveri are said to have obtained salvation at this sthalam. The famous poet Kambar, who authored Kamba Ramayanam, was born at this place. Four worship services are offered each day.



Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The Temple
The presiding deity is Vedapureeswarar facing west and the Ambal Soundara Nayaki. There are two sacred temples here; the Shiva temple is one of the 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalams and the Perumal temple, one of the 108 Divya Desams. An interesting fact is that, Perumal and Shiva are facing each other directly. The Shiva temple is at the east end of the road facing west and the Perumal temple is at the west end of the road facing east. This is the birth place of the great Tamil poet Kambar, the author of Kamba Ramayana in Tamil. There is a memorial for Kambar here.



On the 23rd, 24th and 25th days of Maasi month from 5.55 pm to 6.05 pm ‘Sooriya Pooja’ (Sun Worship) is performed. The shrine for female deity Soundara Ambikai is situated outside the main Siva temple. It is one of the 78 Maadakovils built at an elevation by King Kochengata Cholan. The Shivalingam is decorated with the Rudraksha roofing and there is a Rudraksha tree also behind the temple. The Sokkataan mandapam has beautiful paintings. Agasthiar and Cauvery are having separate shrines here.



Sthalavruksham is Sandalwood and Theertham is Siddhamirtham. Sannadhi for Subramaniyar, Navagrahas, Shethra Lingam, Kadambavaneswarar, Valanchuzhi Vinayagar, Cauvery and Agasthiyar are located in this Temple. Thisaibalagar’s paintings and Sudhai Dwarabalagar can be found in this Temple. In koshtam Vinayagar, Thenmugakadavul Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Sathur puja Durgai can be seen. In Navagrahas except Suryan others are facing Suryan and Suryan is facing west. Dhakshinamoorthy is called as Metha Dhakshinamoorthy.



Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.00 am to 11.30 am and from 5.00pm to 8.30 pm.
Festivals
The annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai. Other festivals include Karthikai Deepam, Soorya Pooja in the month of Maasi, Navarathri, Aadipperukku, Aavani Moolam, Vinayaka Chathurthi etc. Flag is hoisted 10 days before Chitra Pournami day and ends with Car festival.
Literary Mention
It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar. This is the 38th holy place in the southern banks of Kaveri consecrated by Thevaram. Tirugnanasambandar describes the feature of the deity as:
பெரியாய் சிறியாய் பிறையாய் மிடறு
கரியாய் கரிகா டுயர்வீ டுடையாய்
அரியாய் ஒளியாய் அழுந்தை மறையோர்
வெரியார் தொழமா மடம்மே வினையே
Prayers
Those, who desire their beauty should be appreciated by others, pray to Ambal. When their prayer is granted, they perform Abhishekam for Swami and Ambal, and offer new clothes.
Contact
Arulmigu Vedapureeswarar Tirukkovil,
Therazhundur Post – 609 808
Mayiladuthurai Taluk,
Nagapattinam District
Phone: +91 – 4364 – 237 650
Connectivity
This Shivasthalam temple is located at Therazhundur, 11 Kms from Mayiladuthurai. Bus facilities from Mayiladuthurai are available. From Mayiladuthurai proceed towards Kumbakonam via Kuthalam. After about 8 kms, there will be a diversion on the left side to Komal. (At the junction, you will find a Vinayagar temple. It seems when Thirugnana Sambandhar visited this place he was confused on which way to proceed and this Vinayagar guided him. So he is called as Vazhikatti Vinayagar). Proceed further towards Komal for around 3 kms and you will reach Therazhundhoor. Nearest Railway Station is located at Mayiladuthurai and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.