Thirupariyalur Sri Veerateswarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Thirupariyalur (Keezhap Parasalur) Sri Veerateswarar Temple, Thiru Parialur Post, Tharangambadi Taluk,Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609 309 Tele: +91-4364- 205555, 287 429

Diety

Sri Veerateswarar, Sri Dakshapureeswarar, Sri Yaga Samharamurthi Amman: Sri Ilamkombanayal.

Introduction

Veerateswarar Temple (also called Dakshapureeswarat temple) is a Shiva temple located at Keelaparasalur in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India. The historical name of the place is Tirupparialur. The presiding deity is Shiva in the form of Veerateswarar and his consort is known as Ilam Kobanayal. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, the 276 temples that find mention in it. As per Hindu legend, Shiva is believed to have destroyed eight different demons and the eight Ashta Veeratanam temples are built signifying each of his victories. The temple is counted one of the eight where Shiva is believed to have punished Daksha. Theertham (Holy water): Uthiravedhika, Homa Kundam, Chandra Pushkarani Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree): Paarijadam (Pavazha Malli) tree

Puranic Significance

The legend of this temple revolves around Dakshan, also known as “Dakshaprajapathi”, the son of Lord Brahma. His daughter Dhaakshayani was married to Lord Shiva. Dakshan was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva and gained lot of boons. He became over pride and arrogance and intentionally not invited Lord Shiva to his yagam, which he was organized in a grand manner. In spite of this, he intentionally failed to invite Lord Shiva for this grand Yagna that he performed in Thiru Pariyal Veerattam. But he invited other Devas. Goddess Dhaakshayani decided to visit the Yagna against the wishes of her husband. Instead of participating in the yagna, she intent to go there and ask her father to correct his mistake. But clouded by arrogance and pride, Dakshan not only humiliated her, he also disrespected Lord Shiva. Furious Dhaakshayani cursed her father that his Yagna would not be successful. She came back to Lord Shiva and requested him to disrupt the Yagna. It is believed that Lord Shiva created Veerabadrar and Badrakali and sent them to destroy Dakshan and the yagna. Veerabadrar beheaded Dakshan and put his head in the fire. Veerabadrar also punished the guests by making them handicapped for accepting Dakshan’s invitation knowing that he had erred in ignoring Lord Shiva. The guests who wre punished included lords Vishnu, Brahma, Indiran, Suryan and Chandran. Dakshan pleaded to Lord Shiva for his life. Thereafter Lord Shiva appeared at the yagna, pardoned the guests and reverted all the punishment meted out by Veerabadrar. He also pardoned Dakshan and saved his life by placing a goat’s head in place of his original head. Dakshan realised his mistake and started praying to Lord Shiva. He also composed a long poem. Since Dakshan’s head had been replaced with that of a goat, his prayer sounded like the bleating of a goat. These prayers are called “Chamakam” and each line ends with syllable “may”. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Shiva told him that his prayer poem will be added to the “Rudram” and will be recited together in future. Dakshan then performed a pooja here with the new Rudram. This was called “Sri Rudra Homam” / “Rudra Abhishekam” for the first time. It is believed that the Rudra Homam/ Rudra Abhishekam started from this temple. As Dakshan selected this place to conduct his yagna, this place gets the name “Daksha Puri”. Since Lord Shiva withdrew (“Parithal” in Tamil) the boons granted to Dakshan, this place also gets the name “Thiru Pariyalur”. It is believed that Vishnu, Lakshmi, Brahma, Saraswathi, Indran, Agni, Yama, Niruthi, Varunan, Vayu, Kuberan, Saptharishis and all other celestial gods have worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.

Beliefs

Since “Rudra Abhishekam” started from this temple, performing this pooja to Lord Shiva here is considered to be very auspicious. By performing this pooja, devotees will be relieved from all kinds of “doshas”. This temple is also famous for celebrating one’s 60th and 80th birth anniversaries.

Special Features

This temple is famous for performing “Rudra Abhishekam” to Lord Shiva. It is believed that this is the first temple for Lord Veerabadrar. Veerabadrar is also praised as “Akasa Bairavar”, “Aghora Veerabadrar”, “Periyandavar” and “Pethandavar”. It is believed that due to the punishment by Veerabadrar, Suryan, the Sun God lost a tooth. He has a separate shine in this temple and he is thought to be worshipping Lord Shiva every day for the wrong that he has committed. There is no Navagraham in this temple. Behind the sanctum sanctorum, on either sides of Lord Lingothbavar, there are idols of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma in a worshipping posture. Devotees can enjoy the darshan of all the three lords (Trimurthys) – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This is considered to be very auspicious. There is a sculpture in the outside wall of the sanctum depicting demon Dakshan worshiping Lord Shiva.

Festivals

On the Tamil new year (April-May) 6-time abhishekam and special poojas are performed to the procession idol, Yaga Samharamurthi. Rudrabishekam is performed thrice in a year in the Tamil months of Aani (Aswathi star day), Iyppasi (Ashtami day) and Thai (new moon day). Some of the other festivals celebrated here are – Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), Purattasi Chaturthi (Sept-Oct), Makar Sankranthi (14th January) and Vaikasi Thiruvonam (May-June). Pradosham is also observed regularly.