Tiruvelvikudi Sri KalyanaSundarar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Sri KalyanaSundareswarar Temple,Tiruvelvikudi, Kuththalam Post, Mayiladuthurai Taluk, Nagapattinam District,PIN 609801 PH:04364-235462

Diety

KalyanaSundareswarar Amman: Parimalasugandanayagi

Introduction

Kalyanasundareswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Thiruvelvikudi in the Kuthalam taluk of Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Shiva. The presiding deity is Kalyanasundareswarar and the consort is Parimala Sugantha Nayaki. This is the 23rd Shiva temple on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns. The Lord in this temple is facing east and is in the form of Suyambu Linga (formed of its own). As this place has the reputation of being the wedding venue of Lord, it is called as Thiruvelvikudi. The ritual Kanganatharanam was perfomed to Easwari, this place is also called as Kouthuka Bandhana Shethram. This temple was built 1500 years before. This temple wass praised by saints Sambandar and Sundarar in their Thevaram hymns. In Kuthalam Tiruthuruthi hymn there were 17 songs sung about this temple. It was written that this God resides in Thiruvelvikudi in the morning and in Kuttalam in the evening. This temple is located in the center of the city with four discriminations like Sanctum, Artha mantap, Maha mantap, Yeduthukatti mantap and two courtyards. Three tier Tower welcomes us first.In the entrance of Artha mantap , Dwarabalgars are seen with 4 hands. In the first courtyard, Lord Thenmuga, Valanchuzhi Vinayagar, Subramaniar with valli and Dheivanai, kothandaramar, Gajalakshmi, Vishnu, Durgai, Sangeswarar are present. Goddess Amman is facing south in the first courtyard. This place has the reputation of being the wedding venue of Lord, so there is no shrine for Navagrahas and no temple tree. Lord Himself is sitting in the Easanya – north east corner. Those facing delays in marriage due to planetary adversities, pray here lighting 48 lamps for relief. A yagna is conducted in the temple on full moon days from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. especially for those facing delays in marriage. Men and women having this problem are advised to participate in the proceedings. Realizing their wish, they perform abishek and archanas and express their gratitude to Lord and Mother. Theertham (Holy water) Mangala Theertham, Gaudhuka Panthana Theertham Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree) Vilva tree

Puranic Significance

Thiruvelvikudi enjoys a special place in mythology because it is linked to the legends of a few nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams. 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. It is believed that once Goddess Parvathi was cursed to be born on earth. She is believed to have appeared from the fire of Sage Bharatha’s “Kameshti yagna”. Sage Bharatha raised her as his own daughter. Goddess Parvathy performed rigorous penance for 16 consecutive Mondays to seek relief from the curse and to be taken back to the abode of Lord Shiva. She made a Lingam using sand for her penance. On the 17th Monday, lord appeared before her as “Manavaleswarar” (“Manavalan” means groom in Tamil) and promised to marry her. When she grew up and attained the marriageable age, the sage prayed to Lord Shiva that he help him find a suitable groom for her. Responding to his prayers, Lord Shiva appeared before him and told him that he would marry his daughter soon. The lord further told the sage that his daughter was none other than Goddess Parvathy herself. He also explained him that the reason for her appearance on earth was to grant her the wish of being married on earth. The yagna (Velvi) of Lord Shiva’s earthly marriage to Goddess Parvathi was conducted here and hence the place gets the name “Thiruvelvikkudi”. Lord Brahma is believed to have conducted the rituals. Lord Shiva tied the “Ganganatharanam” (a thread that is tied on the left hand) to Goddess Parvathi and hence this place is also known as “Gouthugabandhana kshetram”. As Goddess Pavathy is believed to have taken a dip in this temple’s tank prior to her wedding, the tank is known as “Gouthugabandhana Theertham”. Another legend associated with this place is that concerning a devout young prince. He was engaged to a girl but her parents died just before the marriage and her relatives denied the marriage. The prince prayed to Lord Shiva for help. The lord is believed to have asked his securities (the “Bhoodha Ganas”) to bring the girl and he is believed to have conducted their wedding ceremony. Hence the lord here is also praised as “Sri Kalyana Sundareswarar” (“Kalyanam” means wedding in Tamil). It is believed that Sage Agasthiyar worshiped the lord here and got relieved from the curse that he had accrued by killing “Vathapi”. It is believed that Saint Sundarar took a dip in this temple’s tank and got relieved of his ailments.

Beliefs

Those facing delays in marriage due to planetary adversities, pray here lighting 48 lamps for relief.

Special Features

There is no shrine for Navagrahams in this temple as they are believed to have been attendees of the yagna performed by Lord Brahma. The idol of Lord Arthanareeswarar can be seen with Goddess Parvathy on his right side. A beautiful relief depicting Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy’s wedding can be seen above the idol of Lord Natarajar. The procession idols of Lord Kalyanasundarar and Goddess Parvathy can be seen in their wedding form. The lord is holding the goddess’ right hand who is on his right side. It is believed that for removal of obstacles from marriage proposals, devotees can worship Goddess Parvathy here after taking a dip in the temple’s holy tank.

Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr). Pradosham is also observed regularly.