Kalyanasundareswarar Panchavarneswarar Temple

Overview

Velvikudi or Thiruvelvikudi is where the vedic rituals were performed before the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Since the early homams were performed by the divine couple at this place, it is considered beneficial to perform homams here for early marriage. The prayers and rituals are similar to those carried out at Thirumanancheri, except that some special homams are performed on every full moon day, and those whose marriages are delayed are advised to participate.

This temple has 3 tier Gopuram (Tower) with 2 prakarams. The images of Ganapathi, Agasthiar, Nataraja, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhavar, Chandrasekharar and Ardhanaareeswarar adorn the outer walls of the main sanctum. Inscriptions from the period of Sembian Mahadevi and Rajaraja Cholan and Parantaka Cholan have been found in this temple.

The earthly marriage of God Shiva and goddess Parvati was conducted at Tirumananjeri but the vedic and religious rituals leading to that, marriage were held at this Sthalam, hence the name Tiruvelvikudi.

About The Temple

The temple is praised by saints Sambandar and Sundarar in their Thevaram hymns., This is the 23rd Shiva temple on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns. This place is sung by Saivite saints along with the praise of Kuthalam in their hymns also known as Tiruthuruthi.,

The wedding of a princess was fixed to a prince here, but her parents died before the event., The bride side cancelled the marriage., The prince begged the Lord to get him the princess., Lord sent a Bhoodha (something like a ghost but used for good purpose), brought the princess and solemnized their wedding. This is also the place where saint Sundarar had a bath in the Agni theertham and got his disease cured., It also has the reputation of Lord Shiva offering half of Himself to Shakti.

Struture of The Temple:

Arulmigu Uthvaganathasamy Temple is a holy shirine of Lord Kalyanasundarar. This temple is facing East. As soon as we enter the Sanctum after leaving Rajagopuram Lord Ganapathi has embodied himself. Then we can see Thuvajasthambam, Balipeedam, Mahanandhi and Mandapam(Great Hall)

After leaving Kattagopuram Varasihi Vinayagar bestow his good will infront of Vinayagar Shobana Manadpam.

Inside the sanctum Arulmighy Sri Uthvaganathar (Arulvallanathat) bestows his Goodwill in a beautiful manner in Thuvara Mandapam with Thuvara Balagar and Nandhi.

In Niruththa Mandapam Sherr Natarajar Bestows his goodwill in a dancing exposure. In front of Natarajar in the south Praharam Lord Kalyanasundarar stands by embodied the Goddess Ambigai with a laughing expose facing east.

After getting their good wishes shree Kokilambal Ambigai Sitting in Suhasanam poisture as a bride in the wedding platform. It is a great feast to our eyes to look after and worship the Goddess.

When we enter to the Inner Praharam we can see the sanctum of four dieties of Samayakkuravar’s who propagate salvate in this country in front of the Natarajar Sabai.

In the South side of the Devakushtam Pichadanar, Balaganapathi, Natarajar, Dakshinamoorthi in a yoga poisture were found. In the west side Lingothpavar, and in North side Brahman, RaghuBhagan and Sri Durga have been installed in a seperate sanctum.

In the Kannaimoolai a beautiful Lord vinayagar sannadhi in the western side Karuvarai along with Upaya Nachiar Lord Mahavishnu, Lakshmi sannadhi and also the Idols of Baharatha Maharishi, Sembian Madevi, Mallappa Naicker were installed in the four directions of Karuvarai.

In the east Thirumalai row the following Idols were installed they are Shree Saneeswara Bhagavan Pachaiyappa Nathar, Rudravaneswarar, Pachaiammai and Nayagi Rudravaneswari.

In general this temple has so many immortal and rare deities to worship and pray for the grant of mercy and blessings of Lords for the Good will of devotees in all aspects in fulfill their ambition.

Singers:

The Lord of the temple is praised by Saint Tirunavukkarasar in his Thevaram hymns. This is the 20th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in hymns.

Temple's Speciality:

Lord Panchavarneswara appearing in five different colours is a Swayambumurthy.

General Information:

Mother Tirupurasundari blesses the devotees from a separate shrine. There is a shrine for Lord Nataraja with 8 hands in a dancing posture with Lord Kasi Viswanatha, Sage Agasthya, Lord Gananatha and three Saivite Saints Tirugnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar.

Greatness of Temple:

According to scriptures, the devotee will derive equal benefits by having a bath in the tank of this temple as having one in the Mahamagam tank in Kumbakonam. Kundhidevi mother of Pandavas incurred dosha as she had children with Panchaboodhas. She approached Maharshi Naradha for a solution. Naradha suggested that she should bathe in seven oceans for relief. When Kundhi Devi pleaded her inability to do so as women, Narada suggested that she should worship Lord Kalyana Sundareswarar and he would offer the next suggestion then. Before Kundhi finished her prayers here, Narada brought the waters of the seven oceans (Saptha Sagaram) to the tank in the temple. Kundhi belonging to Magam Star bathed in the tank and was relieved of her dosha. Thus the Nallur temple tank derived equal importance as that of the Kumbakonam Mahamagam tank offering high benefits to the devotees, according to scriptures.

Lord Kalayana Sundareswarar appears in five different colours each day - copper, pink, golden, emerald green and one that could not be named or recognized. Hence, is praised as Panchavarneswarar – God of five colours.

Lord granted His Feet Darshan (Pada darshan) to Saint Tirunavukkarasar. Hence, the tradition of Sadari blessing as in Vaishnavite temple came into practice here too. Mother Ashtabuja Makali – Mother with eight hands blesses the devotees in the temple. Somaskanda Murthy of the temple is a replica of the one in Tiruvarur temple. During Masi Magam day in February-March, He comes in procession in the prakara. During the procession, though devotees Him for the heat, we may observe pearls of sweat on the idol.

It is said that the Vilwa tree of the temple is the first one on earth, hence called Aadhi Tree. It would be a unique luck of those praying the Lord with the leaves of this tree.

Lord Gana Natha blesses here in the form of a Balipeeta at the entrance of West Tower. It is only in this temple and in Kasi-now Varanasi, Gana Natha graces in this form. A special puja is celebrated annually for Gana Natha. People of this place and those around offer the one time milk they get from their cows for abishek. But devotees cannot see this puja. Amarneedhi Nayanar one among the celebrated 63 Nayanmars was granted salvation by Lord in this temple.

About The Deity

The Presiding Deity is Arulmighu Arulvallanathar swamy, also called as "Arulmighu Uthvaganathar". Ambigai is Sri Gokilambal; also called as "Yazhinum menmozhiyaal".

It is said that if we perform special poojas for Gokilambal sametha Sri Kalyana sundar by offering him with the Garland, all the hurdles in the marriage gets cleared and the marriage takes place very quickly; there were so many incidents for the bhakthas that has happened here after they come and offer the garland to perumaan and Ambal.

As soon as you enter the temple bow down towards the Kodi maram followed by Sri Selva Ganapathy and then lise 5 deepam on the ghee deepa mandapam and sit inside the marriage prarthanai mandapam.

Another speciality of this temple is by offering the milk payasam towards mangala Raghu on every no moon day (amavasai) will gives the puthra baghyam.

So, marriage is one of the special occasion that has to happen on time for every bride and groom, so, people visit this temple atleast once and get the swamy and Ambal's blessings.

Legends And Stories

Shiva is said to have blessed the marriage ceremony of a devout prince here, hence the name Kalyanasundareswarar. Shiva is said to have married Parvati here keeping his promise to her (Sonnavaararivaar). Several colorful legends link many of the shrines in the vicinity. Parvati is said to have been born as a daughter to Bharata Muni, and worshipped Shiva at Tirutturutti (Kutralam); the vedic rituals for the divine marriage performed at Tiruvelvikkudi , and the marriage is believed to have happened at Tirumanancheri.

A shrine by name Kurumulaippaalikai is also said to be connected with the series of events above. All of these are also linked to Tiruvaavaduturai, where Parvati in the form of a cow is believed to have worshipped Shiva. This legend in turn is associated with the legend of Terazhundur where Shiva and Parvati are believed to have played a game of dice with Vishnu (Aamaruvipperumaal) as the refree.

Temple History:

During the divine Shiva-Parvathi wedding in Mount Kailash, the place went down due to the heavy weight of the presence of all the beings to have this darshan. To balance the level of the earth, Lord Shiva sent Sage Agasthya to South. The sage had to sacrifice his wish of witnessing the wedding. Lord assured him that He would grant the wedding darshan to him in this holy place. Enjoying the divine darshan here, Sage Agasthya installed a Linga right of the Sundaralingam for his worship. That Linga is behind the presiding Linga.

Historical / Religious Importance:

10th Century Chola Temple.

There is a moat around the temple.

Once upon a time, Parvathy wanted to marry Shiva in an earthly marriage with all religious rites on the earth; Brahma, Vishnu and Indira came to earth as acharya in Thiruvaduthurai; while playing chokkattan (similar to Thaayam), Vishnu won and his sister Parvathy laughed aloud; Lord Shiva was angry and said “Ada pasuve!” and Parvathy was born as a cow on earth; Vishnu became her herder at Therazhundur; Barathamuni had no children and he prayed the Lord; he was given permission to remove her curse and so he converted her cow shape to a feminine figure at Thiruvavaduthurai; she grew up at Kuthalam alias Thiruthuruthi in Bharathamuni’s house; Lord Shiva came to marry her as promised earlier and Barathamuni received him at Ethirkolpadi; Shiva performed all the marriage rites / velvi at Velvikkudi before marriage; then he married Parvathy at Thirumanancheri. Shiva hence gets the name ‘Pasupathy’.

Six Kalyana sthalams, all around Mayurm / Mayiladuthurai are:

1. Therazhundur (Vedhapureeswarar – Soundaryanayagi) – 11km from Mayuram.
2. Thiruvaduthurai
3. Kuthalam.
4. Ethirkolpadi.
5. Velvikkudi.
6. Thirumanancheri.

The following story also keeps floating around: Two girls promised each other that their son and daughter would marry in future; one got a beautiful girl while the other gave birth to a turtle-shaped boy; former refused the marriage; the latter appealed to the Lord; he converted the turtle to a handsome young man; marriage went off well; so goes the story; hence the belief is that the physical disabilities of the spouse will be either corrected by the Lord or overlooked by the other spouse; hence the marriage obstacles would be removed once you come and pray here.

To bless the devout multitude on earth Lord Shiva and Parvathi got married in five different types. The celestial wedding that took place in this sacred spot was performed according to the sastras followed by human beings.

The wedding of Shiva and Parvathi

When Shiva and Parvathi were in a happy mood in their abode in MT Kailash a strange idea struck Parvathi. Instead of the usual fight that separates the couple after which they unite in wedlock , Parvathi thought it correct and logical to request Shiva to marry her another time.

Parvathi Requests Shiva To Marry Her

Parvathi requested Shiva to marry her again which he accepted with joy and also informed the time of their wedding. Parvathi became impatient as there was a fairly long time for the marriage. She became callous, cold and shouldered Shiva.

Shiva Gets Angry

Shiva watched her behavior and in a fit of anger cursed her to be separated from him and take the form of a cow. Parvathi incarnated as a cow and roamed in the jungle. She was always thinking of her spouse while loitering in Asukadau( forest) the divine cow -Parvathi spotted a Lingam and showered it with milk from its udder. Shiva was overjoyed to see the devotion of his consort.

Mukti at Thiruvavadurai

Shiva happy with Parvathi’s (cow) deeds and granted Mukthi to her at Thiruvavaduthurai. He was contemplating as to how Parvathi could be born on earth so that he can marry her quickly.

Bharatha Maharishi was conducting a yaga and Shiva thought it was apt to make Parvathi appear from the yaga kundam. Thus a divine damsel emerged from the yaga kundam and the sage Bharatha was happy to see her and considered as a holy girl. He was worried about finding a suitable groom for her. The Lord appeared in his dream and assured him that Shiva would marry her as she is none other than Parvathi. Shiva also wished that the sage should perform the wedding in a grand manner

Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of Sage Bharatha, that he will enter into wedlock with the celestial who appeared from Sage Kundam.

Thus the Sage meticulously looked after the wedding arrangements. The divine wedding took place in Thirumananjeri which was witnessed by celestial beings. Since the Thirumanam (Wedding) took place , this place is called Thirumananjeri.

Praying For Marriage

There is a popular belief that unmarried men and women will get married by worshipping the Lord and his consort. All the pooja items which are required to propitiate the deities are available inside the temple. But there are shops adjoining the temple who sell the pooja items.

There are many unmarried men and women who are grouped to propitiate the deities. The priests conduct the rituals precisely and the pooja with the reverence. Rathi and Manmadhan were united in wedlock in Thirumananjeri. One should visit Thirumananjeri only after completing their visits to other places. This temple should be the last leg in their tour. Faith can move mountains. Reposing faith in the deities will do wonders. Unmarried men and women who prayed for their wedding should compulsorily visit Thirumanajeri after their wedding and follow the ritual as ordained by the priests.

There is a separate shrine for Rahu of the Navagraha. The childless will get a progeny if they worship him thus called Mangale Rahu and worshipping him consecutively on three New Moon days will remove the malefice effects of Navagraha.

Important Festivals Occasions

Pournami, Arudra Darisanam, Maha Shivaratri, Karthikai, Vijayadashami, Navaratri, Chithirai Brahmostavam.

Festivals at Sri Kalyana Sundareswarar Temple, Velvikudi

Maha Shivrathri in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple. In the Tamil month of Chithirai on Poosam star; Shiva’s Thirumana Mahotsavam.

Daily Pooja:

Daily six poojas takes place in this temple namely Ushakkalam, Kalai Santhi, Uchikalam Sayaratchai, Irandam Kalam, and Artha Jamam.

Weekly Poojas

Due to the welfare of the world every Tuesday and Friday Sahasranamam and Lalitha Thiruchathi Archanas will take place. Common prayers also will be conducted.

Monthly Poojas

Every 1st day of Tamil month 'Karthigal' and during Pradosham special Abisheham will be done. During 'Sangadahara Sathurthi' and 'Pooja Natchathiram' special Abisheham along with 'Umamaheswara Homam' will be done to Kalyana Sundarar.

Annual Poojas

Navarathiri, Vijayadasami, Thirukkarthigai, Aruda Dharshanam, Festivals takes place. Every year during Tamil month 'Chithirai' Thirukkalyanam Festival will be celebrated in a grand manner.

The devotees can offer 'Ashtothram' and 'Sahasranama Archanais' from 6 a.m to 8.30 p.m every day.

Prayers

Those born in Magam star pray here to realize their wishes. Also pregnant women pray here by conducting the baby shower for safe delivery.

Thanks giving:

Devotees repay their commitment by tonsuring and performing sandal abishek to Lord and Mother.

Best time to visit

Least crowded on weekdays especially during exam times.

Rare Facts

A Very interesting feature of this temple is that the Shiva Lingam here change colour every six nazhigai ( nazhigai is 24 minute) or 2 hours and 24 minute. From 6am to 8.24am the Lingam is Copper Coloured, between 8.25am to 10.48am the Lingam is red in colour, between 10.49am to 1.12 pm, between 1.13pm and 3.36pm the colour changes to emerald green. Awe struck!!! wait till you read this,the Lingam will appear in colour that the devotee wishes to see, between 3.37pm and 6pm.

Significance

Kalyanasundareswarar Temple – Removing obstacles in marriage.

Marriage is an auspicious event that takes place in one's life at a particular time and it is said, without marriage a man's life is incomplete. For those people who are facing difficulty in getting married can make a visit to a temple called kalayanasundaresewarar temple in thiruvelvikudi in nagapattinam district. The temple is said to be 1000 years old.

Those who are facing navagraga dosha can light 48 lamps to lord shiva here to get married soon. On full moon day from the morning 10 to evening 4, special yagna is held in this temple and any one can make archanai to get married soon. The temple is situated at a distance of 2 kms from kuttalam which is near mayiladuthurai.

Devotees might also like to visit

Vedapureeswarar Temple - For Unmarried People

Utthavedeeswarar Temple - Get love marriage with parents blessings.

Thirumanancheri

Worship of Lord Kalyana Sundareswarar and his consort Goddess Sri Parimalasugandha Nayaki removes delay in marriages and provides good physical & mental health.

Provides good physical & mental health.

Do’s and Don’ts:

Vibuthi, kumkum (plus manjal for girls) are to be used, after prayers, for one mandalam (45 days or till they last) by the boys/girls only and NOT by others in the family.

Lemon should be drunk, without adding salt or sugar, by the boys/girls only and NOT by others; the next morning after bathing the boy/girl should pray wearing this garland and then drink the lemon juice with a little water.

Then retain the garland in a cloth bag (manjal pai), not in plastic bag, till marriage is over and come again with spouse; the same garland is finally put in the temple tank here.

Coconuts can be used by the entire family for cooking.

Step-4: After these rituals at the Kalyana sundareswarar sannithi, go and pray Shiva again. Normally no separate archana is done here.

Step-5: The kalyana melam/Nadhaswaram party collects Rs.10/boy or girl while coming out of the sanctum sanctorum, though not compulsory.

Step-6: Pray Raagu. Mangala Raagu here in the north of inner praharam is special for puthira dosha nivarthi; normal ghee dheepam (5 for Rs.10) available near Raagu, should be lit only by the boy or the girl or one of the parents if the boy/girl has not come;

Full procedure for Puthira dosha pariharam:: take bath in the thirukkulam nearby on amavasai day and take paal payasam for puthira bagyam; childless couple should offer ghee which is returned as prasadam which is to be taken at night for 48 days by both.

Accessibility

Location:

Tamilnadu; Thanjavur District; 10 km west of Mayuram (Mayiladuthurai) as the crow flies.

Car Route:

Cabs are available in almost all places like Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayuram, Seerkazhi, Chidambaram and even in small towns like Kuthalam.

Mayuram to Thirumananjeri Direct route:

10km without going to Kuthalam (saves 10km since Mayuram-Kuthalam-Thirumananjeri is about 20 km): enter from east/Thirukkadaiyur, take right at Y-Jn (for Kuttalam/Kumbakonam Rd take left here) – go thru bazaar 2km – take left adjacent to the HP Petrol Bunk – take right at T-Jn 300 M away – take left at T-Jn 200 M away – drive 7-8 km straight till you reach a vaaikkal (this is a good tar road 20 feet wide)- when you see a board “Thirumananjeri Temple route’ take right – drive in 8-feet tar/gravel road for 2 km – cross aathuppalam [30 feet wide bridge 50 feet long] – 1 km- enter Thirumananjeri; if you miss the right near the board, proceed straight and join the Kuthalam-Thirumananjer Road where you can take the right.

From Kumbakonam :

Take SH64 towards Mayuram, go 16km to Aduthurai, 11 km to Kuthalam, take left 8km to Thirumananjeri = 35 km approx. Faster route but cannot visit Suryanar Temple if you want to.

Another route from Kumbakonam : Take SH64 towards Mayuram, go 16km to Aduthurai, take left 4 km to Suryanar kovil, 6 km to Kanchanur, 9km to Thirumanancheri = 35 km approx.

How to reach:

This temple is located near Tirumananjeri, another padal petra sthalam. It is situated at a distance of 3 Kms from Kutthalam which is on the Mayiladuthurai - Kumbakonam road. Bus services to Tiruvelvikkudi and Tirumananjeri are available from Mayiladuthurai. By engaging an auto at Kuththalam, one can visit all the 4 temples viz., Tiruthuruthi, Tiruvelvikudi, Tiruedhirkolpadi and Tirumananjeri easily within half a day.

Address:

Sri Kalyana Sundareswarar (Panchavarneswarar) Temple,
Tirunallur-614 208,
Valangaiman Taluk,
Kumbakonam,
Thanjavur district.