Tiruvetkalam Temple

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:

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.

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.