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Tiruvetkalam Temple, Chidambaram
Tiruvetkalam is a 1000 to 2000 year old seaside Sthalam. Lord Shiva is known here as Paasupathanathar. Tiruvetkalam is the 2nd in the series of Tevara Stalangal on the northern banks of the river Kaveri in the Chola region of Tamilnadu.
Tiruvetkalam Temple, Chidambaram
Tiruvetkalam is a 1000 to 2000 year old seaside Sthalam. Lord Shiva is known here as Paasupathanathar. Tiruvetkalam is the 2nd in the series of Tevara Stalangal on the northern banks of the river Kaveri in the Chola region of Tamilnadu.
Engravings from the Nayaka period (16th century) are seen in this temple. The temple faces the east and has a Naagalinga tree and a temple tank in its facade. There are shrines to Siddhi Vinayakar and Somaskanda in the outer circumambulatory passage. There are also shrrines to Sundareswarar, Murugan and Mahalakshmi.
In the mandapam in front of the shrine, there are sculptural portrayals of Shiva and Parvati in the semblance of a hunter and a huntress convoyed by hounds, the battle between Shiva and Arjuna etc.
The antiquity of Tiruvetkalam dates back to over 2000 years. It is here Lord Shiva granted the Pasupatha missile to Arjuna. Mother Nallanayaki graces the devotees with four hands holding Lotus and Neelotpala flowers in two hands. There is a Nandhi in Her shrine also.
The temple was built by Pallava kings strictly following the temple architecture rules with bricks. In the year 1914, this was renovated with stones by Peddha Perumal Chettiar of Kanadukathan. Sun and Moon are next to each other. Worshipping the planets during eclipse times is devotionally followed in the temple.
History:
Arjuna was advised by Lord Krishna to perform penance on Lord Shiva to get the Pasupatha missile to win the Kurukshetra war though he got many such from his father Indira. Obeying this, he came to this place dense with bamboo trees. Duryodhana sent demon Mookasura as a wild pig to spoil Arjuna’s penance. Knowing his strategy, Lord Shiva set out with Mother Parvathi as a hunter. Mother Parvathi grew angry on Arjuna when he struck on the Lord but Lord stopped Her saying that a Mother should only be loving and addressed Her ‘Sarguna’ meaning a person with calm traits. Arjuna had the benefit of the touch of Lord’s feet when He tossed him. Lord granted darshan to Arjuna with Mother Parvathi and the Pasupatha he desired. The bow-blow wound on the Shivalinga is noticeable even now.
Festivals:
- Chithirai : mostly on 14th April
- Vaikasi Visakam in May-June;
- Aani Tirumanjanam in June-July;
- Vinayaka Chaturthi in August-September;
- Purattasi Navarathri in September-October;
- Deepavali in October-November;
- Maha Shivrathri in February-March
- Panguni Uthiram in March-April
The annual festival in this temple is celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaikashi on the Vishaka asterism where the stalapuranam of the temple is enacted.
Rituals performed:
The kameeyam pooja or agmam is performed here. Thillai Chidambaram is the first of sacred Shiva Sthalas praised in Thevaram hymns followed by Tiruvetkalam. Those facing stammering problems and delays in their wedding worship here. The devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer vastras.
The deity:
Lord shiva is worshipped here in the form of Pasupateshwar. The female deity is known as Nallanayagi, Sargunambal.
Temple timings:
The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on all days.
Tiruvetkalam Temple, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
How to reach:
The Tiruvetkalam temple is located in the complex of Annamalai University at Chidambaram in Cuddalore district. The nearest railway station is Chidambaram and the nearest airport is Chennai, Chidambaram.
One has to enter the University Campus through the front entrance and the temple is located near the music college on the back side of the campus.
6 thoughts on “Tiruvetkalam Temple, Chidambaram”
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Since this temple was located in the Annamalai University it was quite easy to locate .It is said that in this temple Lord Shiva disguised himself as a hunter and blessed Arjun with a Paasupatham. This temple is a beautiful stone edifice surrounded by coconut trees and garden all around.Moreover this temple has proved be extremely powerful especially to those who have difficulty in their speech and even if they find a certain delay in their marriage proposal.
A beautiful temple strictly following the ancient architectural pattern and is nearly 1000 to 2000 years old. There was not much rush and the temple remained open for a long time .A lot of festivals are celebrated here with great enthusiasm and we were lucky to witness the vaikasi vishakam in the month June couple of years ago .
I was quite worried as my daughter was not getting any good alliance. We spoke to a couple of our friends and they suggested that we go and visit this temple. With great hope I came here along with my daughter . It was very quite and peaceful . We performed abhishekas to the Lord and poojari helped us with the entire procedure. And to my surprise exactly after 1 week my daughter got a very good proposal and today she is a happily married wife. I truly feel god has blessed my daughter immensely.
I have visited this temple at least 7 to 8 times in the last 5 years. Being a strong devotee of Lord Shiva i always look forward to come to this temple. The Tiruvetkalam temple is situated near the sea shore and the gopuram in front of the temple is truly imposing . The agmam puja is performed here quite frequently.
From my true experience in life i can say that this temple is very powerful and has helped my family during tough time. We visit this temple at least twice a year.
A very old temple , still well maintained . The temple reverberates positive energy all around. Various festivals are conducted in this temple through out the year and devotees from different parts of the world come here and offer their prayers. The temple remains open for a long time and is very easy to reach here. A must visit .