Arulmigu Natuthariappar Tirukkoil

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Overview

The Arulmigu Natuthariappar Tirukkoil is located in Valivalam and is dedicated to God Arulmigu Natuthariappar.

About the Deity

The temple complex consists of two large temples, one for Lord Shiva (Nellaiappar temple) and the other for his consort Parvathi (Kanthimathi Ammai temple).

Legend and stories

Once, God shiva with Uma Devi was in Mount Kailash. The Devas with God Brahma were carrying on their job of creation. At that time, Sudhavalli, a vidhyadara girl, dressed as Uma Devi, performed before the God and made Him happy. However, the Goddess Uma seeing Sudhavalli taking Her form, became angry and cursed her to be born on this earth. Sudhavalli who in all her innocence had performed without knowing the consequences felt very sad. Seeing her distress Goddess Uma then blessed her with the boon that she could worship God shiva on the earth and then reach their abode. Sudhavalli likewise reached southern Tamil Nadu and in this sacred place on the southern part of Thevoor was born in the hereditary Saiva Vellala lineage. She was known as Kamalavalli and had abundant Sivajnana. She was brought up in the Saiva tradition, constantly worshipping God shiva in continuance of her devotion from previous birth. When she attained marriageable age, her parents gave her in marriage to a suitable man. They also made them live in a separate home nearby. Like Karaikkaal Ammaiyar, Sudhavalli was living as a beloved to her husband. However, she would also devoutly perform all the poojas for God shiva, praying to the Shiva Lingam. Kamalavalli's husband not realizing the true worth of his wife and because of his annoyance with her constant Shiva pooja, threw the Shiva Lingam into a well. Kamalavalli was confused whether to continue the worship of God Shiva against the wish of her husband. She decided to carry on the shiva pooja without his knowledge, by acknowledging the wedge to which the calf of her home was tied, as a Shiva Lingam. The angry husband came to know that Kamalavalli was going against his wish and cleaved the wedge with an axe. Blood oozed out of the wedge. In order to make every one including her husband know about Kamalavalli's bhakti God shiva manifested as a Lingam in that wedge. Both Kamalavalli and her husband attained mukti and reached the abode of God shiva. Since the wedge of the calf became a Lingam, this holy place was called "Kanraappur". Though the Lingam appeared as a Swayambumurthy, the God came to be known as Natutharinaathar as he came out of the wedge. The place the calf's wedge was, is where the Natutharinaathar temple now. Even today we can see the ax - injury on the head of the presiding deity. An Asura, Idumban, who worshipped Nathutharinaathar at this holy place, was blessed. In the inside paved corridor the shrines of God Vinayaka, God Sundareswarar, six types of Vinayakar, God Muruga, Durgai, Lingodhbhavar, Karpakanaathar are seen. Of the Naalvar adjacent to Sani Bhagawan, two appear to be Thirugnanasambandar and two as Appar.

Festivals

1) Navaratri, Tirukkalyanam in Aippasi, (Oct 15 - Nov 15) and Arudra Darisanam are some of the important festivals here.Arudra Darisanam attracts huge crowds here.
2) The Bhrammotsavam here lasts for an extended period of time during the Tamil month of Aani (June 15 - July 15).
3) Also, A Golden Temple Car will run during important festivals like Thirukalyanam, Kaarthigai, Aaruthra Festival
4) During Thaipoosam Festival in Thai, Lord Shiva and Parvathy are taken to the banks of Thamirabarani River in Tirunelveli junction called "Thaipoosa Mandapam". Special rituals are undertaken there and the Lord return to the temple at night.
5) Prathosam Pooja
6) Masi Magam
7) Thiruvathira
8) Karthigai Vazhipadu
9) Chitra Pournami

Address

Arulmigu Natuthariappar Tirukkoil,
Valivalam,
Thiruvarur,
Thanjavur,
Tamil Nadu