Tirukkollampudur Sri Vilvaranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Diety: Vilvavaneswarar, Amman: Soundaranayagi
Temple Address: Tirukkollampudur Sri Vilvavaneswarar Temple, Thirukollam Pudhur,Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu India PH:04366-262239
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Vilvaranyeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Thirukollampudhur in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Vilvaranyeswarar / Vilva Nathar. Lord Shiva blesses devotees as a Swayambu Murthy in the temple. Mother is called as Soundaranayagi / Azhakunachiyar. The historical name of the place is Koovilambur. It is considered as one of the Pancha Aranya Sthalams. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Thirugnana Sambandar. This is the 230th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 113th Sthalam on the south side of River Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Thala Virutcham : Vilwa Theertham : Agni, Ganga Theerthams Agamam / Pooja : Kameekam

Puranic Significance

OdaiThiruvizha: When Saint Thirugnana Sambandar reached this place during his pilgrimage with his followers, he could reach the other side of the river to worship Lord Shiva. Vettaru River was in full flow. The boatmen left the boat on the bank and went away. Child saint Sambandar determined not to leave the place without Lord’s darshan here took a boat and used his devotional verse as the tool to run the boat and reached the other side with the grace of Lord. He completed the Pathigam – 10 verses then. He worshipped Lord and stayed in the place that night. This event ‘Odai Thiruvizha’ is held even now on Deepavali New Moon Day when the idol of Sambandar is taken to the other side of the river and then brought to the temple where the Deities of Vilwavaranyeswara and Soundara Nayaki give Dharshan to him. Pancha Aranya Sthalam: It is considered as one of the Pancha Aranya Sthalam known to be “Vilvavanam” the Fifth in order. Arthajamam (Puja performed in the Night) is very famous in this Sthalam. “Koovilam” is the Tamil name for Vilva Tree and the name Koovilampudur is said to have transformed as Kollampudur. The Vilva trees are said to be the splashes of the celestial nectar Amritam, and this Sthalam is considered on par with Kasi. Brahmma worshipped Shiva here: Among the various Shiva places Brahmma worshipped for relief from the Brahmahatti Dosha (a sin of committing a brutal murder- capital Dosha), this is one. Sage Durvasa got vision of Shiva’s Cosmic Dance: Shiva is said to have blessed Sage Durvasa with a vision of his Cosmic Dance here. Arjuna worshipped Shiva here: It is believed Arjuna worshipped Shiva here.

Beliefs

Those mentally confused are advised to bathe in the Brahmma Theertha and pray to Lord Shiva for relief. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and offer vastras.

Special Features

The east facing temple has a 75 feet tall 5 tier Rajagopuram and two prakaras. According to epigraphic evidences, the temple could have been built during the reigns Kulothunga III or Rajaraja III. The Temple is also called a Gnanasambandhar Temple (Nambar Koil). Presiding Deity is called as Vilvaranyeswarar / Vilva Nathar. Lord Shiva blesses devotees as a Swayambu Murthy in the temple. Mother is called as Soundaranayagi / Azhakunachiyar. In first praharam, shrines for Vinayagar and Subramanyar are seen. The east facing temple has a 75 feet tall 5 tier Rajagopuram and two prakaras. According to epigraphic evidences, the temple could have been built during the reigns Kulothunga III or Rajaraja III. The Temple is also called a Gnanasambandhar Temple (Nambar Koil). Presiding Deity is called as Vilvaranyeswarar / Vilva Nathar. Lord Shiva blesses devotees as a Swayambu Murthy in the temple. Mother is called as Soundaranayagi / Azhakunachiyar. In first praharam, shrines for Vinayagar and Subramanyar are seen.Gangaiamman, Dhakshinamoorthy, Saraswathi, Panchalingams, Visalakshi, Arumuga Swamy, Adhi Viswanatha, Mahalakshmi, Bairavar, Navagrahas, Sani Bhagavan and Suryan Shrines are there. Narthana Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta Moorthys. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam and Theerthams associated with this temple are Brahma Theertham, Agasthiyar Theertham, Kandiba Theertham and Vettaru. Stucco images for Vrishabarudar,Vinayagar and Subramaniyar can be seen in the front side of Rajagopuram Stucco images of 12 Rasis can be seen in the roof of Ambal Mandapam. There are Urchavar Idols for Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Brahma Chandrasekharar, Lingothbavar and Durgai in this temple. One should not miss the beautiful eyes of the Rishaba vahanam here.

Festivals

Chithirai Brahmmotsavam and Panchamurthy procession on Chitra Poornima – full moon day in AprilMay; Lord’s procession on Karthikai Pradosham day and special pujas on Mondays of the month in November-December; Saint Tirugnanasambandar festival on the new moon day and Skanda Sashti in Aipasi-October-November; Mother Soundara Nayaki procession during Navarathri in SeptemberOctober; Margazhi Dhanur Puja in December January and Thai Poosam in January-February are the festivals celebrated in the temple.