Vazhuvur Vazhikaraiyan Temple, Mayiladuthurai

Address

Vazhuvur Vazhikaraiyan Temple, Mayiladuthurai

Vazhuvur – 609 401, Kuthalam Taluk,

Nagapattinam District

Phone: +91 4364 253 227

Moolavar

Lord Veerabhadra

Introduction

• Dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra.
• Located in Vazhuvur Village, near Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu.
• Situated on the northern banks of the Veera Chozhan River.
• Vazhuvur is regarded as the birthplace of Sastha.
• Temple is 3 km from Elanthangudi and 1 km from the nearest bus stop. Auto services are available.
• Accessible from Kumbakonam via Aduthurai, Komal, and Peralam.

Puranic Significance

• Sages in Darukavana forgot Samkhya (Supreme Knowledge) and became lost in extreme austerities.
• Lord Shiva, as Bikshadana (handsome mendicant), entered the forest to enlighten the sages.
• Mohini (Vishnu disguised as a woman) accompanied Bikshadana, captivating the sages.
• The sages performed black magic and sent Gajasura (elephant demon) to attack Lord Shiva.
• Shiva entered the elephant’s trunk, exploded out, and wore its skin, earning the name Gaja Samhara Moorthy.
• Sastha was born to Bikshadana (Shiva) and Mohini (Vishnu).
• Veerabhadra was appointed to protect and raise Sastha.

Beliefs

• Devotees pray for children’s safety, health, and education.
• Special abishek performed with sweet pudding nivedhana.

Special Features

• Temple is over 1,000 years old and faces east.
• Presiding deity Veerabhadra is in a sitting posture, also called Vazhi Thunayan / Vazhi Karaiyan.
• Veerabhadra here has a dog mount, unlike the usual Bhairava representation.
• Sacred ash (Viboothi) and Vishnu symbol (Nama) are offered as prasad.
• Separate shrines for Bala Sastha and a standing Veerabhadra.
• Front Mandapam of Bala Sastha’s shrine has idols of Vinayaka, Chandikeswara, and Agora Veerabhadra.
• Shrines for guardian deities like Thoondiveeran, Vagaiadiyan, Ladasannasi, Uthandarayar, and Betharanaswami.

Festivals

• The 10-day Masi festival (February-March) is celebrated grandly.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com

Century/Period

1000 Years Old

Nearest Bus Station

Elanthangudi

Nearest Railway Station

Manganallur Railway Station

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Location on Map

lightuptemple