Therazhundur Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Diety: Vedapureeswarar Amman: Soundaranayagi
Temple Address: Therazhundur Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple, Therazhunthur Post, Kuthalam Taluk, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609 805. Tele: +91- 4364-237 650.
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Thiruvazhundur is situated at a distance of about 12 kms from Mayiladuthurai. From Mayiladuthurai proceed towards Kumbakonam via Kuthalam. Therazhundur Vedapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Therazhundur in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India. The historical name of the place is Thirunedungalam.[1] The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Vedapureeswarar. His consort is known as Soundaraambigai. At the right side of the temple, Madesvarar shrine is found.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. Theertham (Holy water): Veda Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Vilvam

Puranic Significance

There are six stone inscriptions in this temple which relate to the period of Chola Kings Kulothungan-III and Rajarajan. According to legend, in ancient times, this region was densely covered with Sandalwood trees. Hence the historical name of this place is “Santhanaranyam” (“Santhanam” means sandalwood and “Aranyam” means forest in Tamil). As per the Sthala Puranam of this temple, once Lord Shiva and Lord Mahavishnu played a game of dice. Goddess Parvathi was chosen to be the mediator. During the course of the game, there was a doubt regarding the numbers. It is believed that Goddess Parvathi supported her brother, Lord Mahavishnu. Angered by her act, Lord Shiva cursed her to become a cow. Lord Vishnu also felt guilty about it and regretted the fact that she was punished because of him. So, he decided to take the form of a shepherd to protect her. Goddess Parvathi prayed to Lord Shiva to pardon her. Lord Shiva told her that she would be relieved from this curse and restored to her original form in due course of time at a place called Thiruvaduthurai. It is believed that after cursing Goddess Parvathy to become a cow, Lord Shiva stayed in this place as a brahman and taught Vedas under the sandal tree, this temple’s sacred tree. Hence the lord is known as “Sri Vedapureeswarar”. It is also believed that Devas, Vedas, Ashtadikpalakars (Directional Gods) Sage Agasthiyar and River Kaveri have worshiped the lord here. Another legend associated with this place is that of Mazhavanadu King Oorthuvaradhan. The king was a devotee of Lord Brahma. Pleased with his worship, Lord Brahma gifted him a chariot which could fly in the sky. Once the king was flying on his chariot when it got stuck and got grounded in this place. He found that Sage Agasthiyar was worshipping Lord Shiva here. He realised that this was the reason why his chariot could not move any further. He apologised to the sage and worshiped the lord here. Hence this place gets the name Therazhundur (“Ther” means chariot, “azhundhiya” means “getting stuck” and “Oor” means village in Tamil). There is a Vinayakar temple on the way to this temple. It is believed that when Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this place, he was stuck at a crossing and was not sure on which way to proceed. This Vinayakar guided him and hence he is praised as Vazhikaati Vinayakar (“Vazhikaati” means guide in Tamil).

Beliefs

It is believed that those seeking wedding boon can pray to the lord here. Couples with strained relations can pray to the lord here for relief and reunion.

Special Features

At Therezhunthur, Lord Shiva cursed Goddess Parvathy which made her turn into a cow. Lord Mahavishnu played the role of a shepherd here. At Thirukkozhambam, Goddess Parvathy, who was in the form of a cow, worshiped Lord Shiva. During the worship, as the cow’s leg hit Lord Shiva by mistake, its hoof made a mark on the lord’s chest. At Thiruvaduthurai, again Goddess Parvathy (in the form a cow) worshiped Lord Shiva. It is here that Goddess Parvathy was relieved of her curse and got restored to her original form. At Thiruthuruthi (Kuthalam), Sage Bharatha performed a yagna and it is believed that Goddess Parvathy came out of the fire in the form of a child. At Ethirkolpadi, Lord Shiva was received as a groom by his father-in-law, Sage Bharatha. At Thiruvelvikudi, the wedding ceremony including the yagna (“Velvi”) was performed. This is the great place where the earthly wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy took place. At Thirumanancheri, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy granted their wedding darshan to everyone. This is the birth place of the great Tamil poet Kambar, the author of Kamba Ramayanam. He is popularly known as “Kavichakravarthi”. The house where he lived is known as “Kambar Medu”. It is a memorial now and it is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India.

Festivals

10-day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Chithirai is celebrated in a grand manner. Other important festivals celebrated : Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct – Nov), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec) and Shivrathri and Surya Pooja in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar). Pradosham is also observed regularly.