Veerakeralampudur Irudhayeelswarar Temple - Thirunelveli

Address

Veerakeralampudur Irudhayeelswarar Temple – Thirunelveli

Veerakeralampudur, Thirunelveli district,

Tamil Nadu – 627861

Moolavar

Irudhayeelswarar

Introduction

The Irudhayeelswarar Temple in Veerakeralampudur Village, Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Lord Shiva, holds a unique and heartwarming story of devotion and divine intervention.

Historical and Geographical Significance:

Veerakeralampudur Village is located in the Thirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, surrounded by two rivers, the Chittar River and Hanumanathi, which merge in this village to form a major tributary of the Thamirabarani River.
The village is situated approximately 22 kilometers from Tenkasi.

Devotee’s Story:

The temple is associated with the profound devotion of a Shaiva devotee named Pusalar. He wished to construct a grand physical temple for Lord Shiva but lacked the resources to do so.
Instead, Pusalar decided to build a temple for Shiva in his mind, following all the rituals of temple construction, sanctifying the ground, and even laying the first stone in his mental temple on an auspicious day.
Over time, Pusalar completed the construction of his mental temple and scheduled a holy day for the Kumbabishekam ceremony, during which the temple is consecrated, and the deity’s image is installed in the sanctum sanctorum.

Divine Intervention:

The Pallava king, Kadavarkon, had also constructed a grand Shiva temple in Kanchipuram and set the same date for its consecration.
However, Shiva appeared in the king’s dream and instructed him to postpone the consecration because he would be traveling to Thiruninravur to attend the consecration of his devotee Pusalar’s temple on the same day.
The king obeyed Shiva’s divine order and journeyed to witness Pusalar’s temple, which Shiva had favored over his own.
Upon reaching Thiruninravur, the king was unable to find any visible stone temple and was perplexed. He eventually reached Pusalar’s house and learned the truth. Pusalar revealed that the temple existed in his heart, which deeply moved the king.

Consecration and Temple Creation:

Pusalar consecrated the temple on the ordained day in his heart and continued his worship until his death, at which point he is believed to have attained Kailash, Lord Shiva’s divine abode.
In fulfillment of Pusalar’s devotion and wish, the Pallava king built the Irudhayeelswarar Temple and consecrated the Shiva Linga, naming it Irudhayeelswarar.

Special Features of the Temple:

The presiding deity is known as Irudhayeelswarar or Mana Aalaya Easwarar, and the goddess is called Meenatchi.
The temple’s Thala Vriksham (sacred tree) is Vilvam, and it is associated with the Theertham (sacred water source) called Chitraru.
The temple is believed to be around 1,500 years old and follows the Gajabrushta Style for its vimanam (tower over the sanctum).
Shrines dedicated to Lord Vinayaka, Nandi Deva, and Lord Nataraja are located in the temple’s prakaram (outer precincts).

Festivals:

The temple celebrates the Maha Shivaratri and Pradosham festivals with great enthusiasm.

The Irudhayeelswarar Temple stands as a testament to the incredible devotion of Pusalar and the divine grace he received from Lord Shiva. It is a place of deep spiritual significance and historical importance.