Kuthalam (Tiruthuruthi) Sri Uthavedeeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Kuthalam (Tiruthuruthi) Sri Uthavedeeswarar Temple, Kuthalam (Tiruthuruthi), Nagapattinam District Phone: +91 – 4364 – 235 225 Mobile: +91 – 94878 83800

Diety

Uthavedeeswarar Amman: Amirthamugizhambigai

Introduction

Ukthavedeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kuthalam Town inKuthalam Taluk in Mayiladuthurai District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Ukthavedeeswarar/ Sonnavaaru Arivaar and Mother is called as Mukizhambikai / Amirthamukizhambigai / VanamulaiNayaki / Arumpanna Valamulaiyal / Imruthamukulakujambigai & Parimala Sugandha Nayaki. This Temple is considered as one of the Pancha Krosha Sthalams of Thirumanancheri. This Temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram hymns. This Temple is the 154th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 37th sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. This Temple is considered as one of the 44 Paadal Petra Sthalams where the Moovar (Thirugnana Sambanthar, Appar and Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams. This temple is considered as one of the Thiruvasaga Sthalams. Thala Virutcham : Uddhala tree Theertham : Padma, Sundara and Cauveri theerthams

Puranic Significance

Kuthalam: As per legend, Sage Bharatha had his hermitage at this place. He desired to have Mother Parvathi his daughter. To realize his wish, he performed Putra Kameshti Yagna and Mother Parvathy came out of the Homa Gunda (fire pit) as a small child. Sage Bharatha brought her up as his own daughter. She grew and attained marriageable age. She desired to marry Lord Shiva. To realize her wish, she made a Shiva Linga from the sand on the banks of river Cauvery and performed penance on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was pleased with her prayers, appeared before her and agreed to her proposal. She requested Lord Shiva to approach her parents to make the necessary arrangements. Lord Shiva sent Nandi with the marriage proposal to Sage Bharatha, Sage Bharata readily accepted the proposal. The marriage day was fixed for the wedding. Lord Shiva came to this place from Kailasa on his mount Nandi. Uddhala tree from heaven accompanied Lord Shiva in order to provide shadow on his journey. The betrothal ceremony of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathy happened at this place. After the ceremony, Lord Shiva left his sandals and the Uddhala tree in this place, as remembrance of the ceremony. The Uddhala tree can still be seen in the temple and sandals wore by Lord Shiva can be seen under the tree. As Lord Shiva left behind the Uddhala tree here, the place came to be called as Uddhalam. Over a period of time, it got corrupted to Kuthalam.As Lord Shiva kept his promise that he would marry Parvati, he came to be called as Sonnavaaru Arivaar (the one who kept his promise). Sundarar Theertham: Saint Sundarar married Paravai Nachiyar in Tiruvarur. Later, he also married Sangili Nachiyar in Thiruvottriyur, an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Sundarar promised her that he won’t leave her. Lord Shiva was witness to the marriage and the promise. Sundarar breached his promise and proceeded to Thiruvarur to see Paravai Nachiyar. While he crossed the borders of Thiruvottriyur, he lost his vision. He understood that he was punished for violating his promise. Realizing his mistake, he prayed to the Lord Shiva of Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar Temple and regained a sight in one eye. Lord Shiva, then directed him to visit Thoovanayanar Thoovainathar Temple at Arur Paravayunmandali for regaining his eyesight in another eye. He was very weak and suffering from some illness due to the tedious journey from Kanchipuram to Thiruvarur,He visited this temple during journey and prayed to Lord Shiva of this temple for relief. Lord Shiva instructed him to take a dip in the Padma Theertham and consume the leaves of Uddhala Tree. He visited this temple during journey and prayed to Lord Shiva of this temple for relief. Lord Shiva instructed him to take a dip in the Padma Theertham and consume the leaves of Uddhala Tree. Sundarar followed the instructions of Lord Shiva and got relief from his illness and regained his physical fitness. Thus, Padma Theertham came to be called as Sundarar Theertham after his holy dip. A separate shrine for Sundarar can be seen near this theertham. Equivalent to Kasi: As per legend, a pious brahmin named Rudrasarma was going to Kashi to attain salvation. Lord Shiva wanted to test his devotion and also make him to understand the greatness of this place. Lord Shiva sent a Bhoodagana named Gundodhara to stop his journey. He took the form of a snake and intercepted his journey. The pious brahmin chanted the Garuda Mantra. The snake fell unconscious. Lord Shiva took the form of a snake charmer and brought back the snake to life. He realized that Lord Shiva only could break the spell of the Garuda Mantra. He fell at the feet of Lord Shiva. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before him and informed Rudrasarma that he would attain salvation in this place itself. He further informed him that this place is equivalent to Kasi. Origin of Homam: As per legend, Lord Agni, the god of fire, had a curse that anything touched by him would get destroyed. He was very sad that his name was associated only with destruction. He prayed to Lord Shiva here for relief. Lord Shiva decreed that Agni would continue to destroy evil things and also blessed him to be one of the prime elements, without which the universe cannot function. He further directed that Agni would carry all the offerings made in homams to the heaven for being presented to the Lord. Thus, the practice of Homam originated at this place.

Beliefs

Devotees pray to Lord Shiva for removing obstacles in wedding proposals, for relief from Sani doshas and for relief from eye & skin ailments.

Special Features

The presiding deity is Sonnavaar Arivar, Uktha Vedeeswarar and the Ambal Mukizhambikai / Parimala Sugandha Nayaki. Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy in the temple. As a token of his wedding event in this place, Lord Shiva had left his Sandals (Padukas) and the Uddhala tree that accompanied him from Mount Kailas to offer him shadow on the way. The devotee can have the darshan of the Padukas in the temple. Sthala Vriksham is Uthala tree is said to have come from Indhra lokam and is standing as a testimony for the Lord’s betrothal with Parvathi Devi. The Holy River Cauvery takes its way to Bay of Bengal through the town.According to Hindu belief Cauvery will purify the soul from sins.Theertham related to this temple are Thamarai Theertham/Sundara Theertham, Padma Theertham, and Cauvery Theertham. Sannidhis for Ganesha, Nandikeswara, Subramanya with his consorts Valli & Deivayanai, 63 Nayanmars, Dakshinamurthi, Navagrahas, Saptharishiswarar, Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, Pancha Lingas, and Serpent Gods are located in this Temple. This is a beautiful temple, with exquisite work on the gopurams. While one facade of the gopuram depicted the child Parvati with her foster parents – the rishi and his wife, another depicted the marriage, while another showed various forms of Dakshinamoorthy. There was also one of Parvati praying to a lingam.

Festivals

Masi Maha Shivrathri & Magam (Feb-Mar), Panguni Uthiram (Mar-Apr), Avani Vinayakar Chaturthi (AugSep), Purattasi Navaratri (Sep-Oct), Aippasi Annabishekam (Oct-Nov), Karthigai Somavaram (NovDec) and Margazhi Thiruvadhirai (Dec-Jan) are the festivals celebrated in this temple with much fanfare. Utsava (processional) idols from the temple will be taken around the streets of the temple till the river Cauvery front and poojas are performed. Kada Muzhukku is celebrated on the last Sunday of the month in very grand manner. Monthly Pradoshams are also observed regularly