Vazhuvur Vazhikaraiyan Temple, Mayiladuthurai

Address

Vazhuvur – 609 401, Kuthalam Taluk,

Nagapattinam District

Phone: +91 4364 253 227

Moolavar

Lord Veerabhadra

Introduction

Vazhikaraiyan Temple is dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra located in Vazhuvur Village near Mayiladuthurai in Kuthalam Taluk in Mayiladuthurai District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is situated on the northern banks of Veera Chozhan River. Vazhuvur is considered as the birthplace of Sastha. The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Elanthangudi. The temple is situated at about 1 Km from this Bus stop. Auto facility is also available from this Bus stop. It can also be reached from Kumbakonam via Aduthurai, Komal and Peralam.

Puranic Significance

As per legend, once the sages of Darukavana were engrossed in Dharma (righteousness) and extreme austerities but had forgotten the Samkhya (Supreme Knowledge). Lord Shiva took the form of Bikshadana (handsome mendicant) to dispense the ignorance of sages and lead them to true knowledge. He entered Darukavana, begging for alms from the sages wives. They were so enamored of him that while granting alms, they allowed their clothes to fall off and followed him, dancing and singing, love-sick. Bikshadana was accompanied by Mohini (Vishnu disguised as Bikshadana enchanting wife). Seeing Mohini, the sages simply stopped the yajna half way and began following Mohini. The Rishis recovered from the illusion and not knowing the stranger was but Lord Shiva, sent Agni, tiger, deer, snakes and a battle axe called Mazhu. Lord Shiva defeated and made them his ornaments. The sages performed a black magic sacrifice to create an elephant-demon called Gajasura to attack Lord Shiva.

When the elephant approached Lord Shiva, he assumed a miniscule form and jumped into the trunk of the elephant. He then took his Viswaroopa inside the elephant’s body and came out explosively bursting through the stomach of the rogue elephant and wore its skin as a garment. Lord Shiva finally revealed his true identity and did a furious dance in front of them. Realizing their mistakes, the sages surrendered to Bikshadana. It is said that the heroic feet of vanquishing the elephant demon happened in Vazhuvur and Lord Shiva came to be called as Gaja Samhara Moorthy. Sastha was born to Bikshadana (form of Lord Shiva) and Mohini (form of Lord Vishnu). Lord Shiva appointed Veerabhadra for the safety and upbringing of Sastha. Thus, Vazhuvur is considered as the birthplace of Sastha. Both Veerabhadra and Bala Sastha grace devotees in this temple.

Beliefs

Parents pray for the safety, health and educational progress of their children. Devotees perform special abishek to Lord with sweet pudding nivedhana.

Special Features

The temple is said to be more than 1000 years old. This Temple is facing towards east. The sanctum enshrines a stucco image of the presiding deity, Veerabhadra, in sitting posture. He is also called as Vazhi Thunayan / Vazhi Karaiyan (an escort in journeys) in Tamil. Normally, Bhairava has the dog mount, but here Veerabhadra has it. Lord Sastha is considered as son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in the Mohini Avathara. As Lord Veerabhadra came here to protect Sastha, he is sported with Nama (the Vishnu symbol) in his forehead and sacred ash (Viboothi) associated with Lord Shiva is given as prasad for the devotees. There is also a shrine for another Veerabadra in a standing posture. There is a separate shrine for Bala Sastha in the temple premises. Idols of Vinayaka, Chandikeswara and Agora Veeerabadhra can be seen in the front Mandapam of Bala Sastha shrine. There are shrines for guardian deities Thoondiveeran, Vagaiadiyan, Ladasannasi, Uthandarayar and Betharanaswami in the temple premises.