Sri Tirumeniazhagar Temple

Overview

The Tiruvettakkudi Sundareshwarar is situated in Tiruvettakudi in Pondicherry, India. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanars}Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar This temple is located at Vettakudi, 6 Kms from Karaikal. Travel by Karaikkal - Poraiyaar road for about 3 Kms. and you will reach a place called Varichakudi. Travelling for about 3 Kms. by the branch road from here with an ornamental arch at the entrance of the road indicating the way to the temple leads you to this sthalam.

About the Temple

During a conversation in Kailash, Mother Parvathi said to Lord that He alone could not protect the beings on earth individually without Her contribution. Lord felt that Mother was growing proud. He cursed her to born in the fishermen community in Earth. Born as ordained, Mother performed penance and got Her Lord back in marriage. Celebrating this event during the Masi festival, Lord is invited to the fishermen colony here, welcoming Him as their Mappillai-Son-in-law. Those facing problems in wedding proposals pray to Lord for happy ends. The place has the reputation of Lord gracing here both in the forms of a Shivalinga and of a hunter. In the Linga form Lord Graces in the sanctum sanctorum on a square peeta under a Rudraksha roof. Arjuna, who was blessed with the Pasupatha Missile, holds a Trident and bow as a procession deity. Pujas are performed to Arjuna during festival days. Mother graces from a separate shrine with a blessing look in the name of Shantanayaki. Couples separated in life, pray to Mother for a re-union offering pujas and vastras. When Saint Tirugnanasambandar came to this place by sea, he found every particle of the sand as Shiva Linga and hence did not place his steps on the sand, worshipped the Lord from sea itself. As Lord came to this place as a hunter-Vedan in Tamil, the place is called Vettakudi. Also it has the name Ambicapuram, as Mother was born there in a fisherman family. Lord Sundara Vinayaka is the Sthala Vinayaka of the temple. It has a five tier Rajagopuram.

About the Deity

The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Sundareshwarar. His consort is known as Shantha Nayaki.

Legend and Stories

When war between the Kauravas and Pandavas became imminent, Sage Veda Vyasa advised Arujuna to meditate upon Lord Shiva to get the Pasupatha Missile to fight the enemies. Arjuna came to this place and performed penance on Lord Shiva. Duryodhana sent demon Mookasura in the guise of pig to disturb Arjuna’s penance but was shot by an arrow by Arjuna. A hunter came there with his wife and claimed the pig was shot by him and tried to take it. Arjuna refused to part with the animal. A war of words took place between the two. Lord disclosed His self to Arjuna and blessed him with Pasupatha he required to defeat the enemies in the war. Mother Parvathi raised a doubt about Arjuna’s eligibility for the boon. Lord told Ambica that Arjuna had the Matsya Rekha-a lucky line in the palm and deserved the boon. Arjuna obediently showed his palm to Mother and got Her approval too. Arjuna begged the Lord that He shall be there to bless the devotees.

Festivals

Three day Masi Magam and Shivarathri in February-March and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Significance

Devotees pray for faithful friends, freedom from opponents and conquering ego. Devotees perform special abhishek to Lord offering vastras.

Nearby Place To Visit

Lakshmi Hayagrivar Temple
Yazh Moori Nathar Temple
Pancha Nadeeswarar Temple
Parvatheeswarar Temple
Sengazhuneer Amman Temple
Prithiyangara Devi Temple

Accessibility

Tiruvettakudi is 6 km from Karaikal on the Porayar road. The temple is about a km from the bus stop. The closest railways are in Nagapattinam, and airport is in Chennai.

Temple Address

Sri Sundareswarar Temple,
Tiruvettakudi,
Puducherry.
Pincode -609 609.