Vilvavananathar Temple

Overview

This Shivastalam is located 5 kilometres south of Kodavasal and Koradacheri on the Tiruvarur Thanjavur railroad. Koovilamputhur the original name became Kollampudur. Koovilam stands for Vilvam, hence Vilvavanam. This shrine is regarded as a Muktistalam. This shrine is regarded as the 113rd in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola Region south of the river Kaveri. One of the 276 Thevara Paadal petra sthalams. One of the “Pancha Aranya Sthalams”. Chithirai Brahmmotsavam and Panchamurthy parade on Chitra Poornima-full moon day in April-May; Lord's parade on Karthikai pradosham day and extraordinary pujas on Mondays of the month in November-December; Saint Tirugnanasambandar celebration on the new moon day and Skanda Sashti in Aipasi-October-November; Mother Soundara Nayaki parade amid Navarathri in September-October; Margazhi Danur Puja in December-January and Thai Poosam in January-February are the celebrations celebrated in the temple. Different Shiva places Brahma adored for help from the Brahmahati Dosha (a transgression of conferring a merciless homicide capital dosha), this is one. The consecrated tree is Vilwa. Koovilam in Tamil implies Vilwa, henceforth the name Koovilampudur which later changed as Kollampudur. Thirukkollambudur, one of the Pancha Aranya Sthalams represents Vilva Aranyam, “Koovilam” is the Tamil name for Vilva Tree and the name Koovilambudur is said to have transformed as Kollambudur. The Vilva trees are said to be the splashes of the celestial nectar Amritam, and this stalam is considered on par with Kasi. The Avimukteswarar temple nearby is also associated with this legend as is the Sivastalam at Kudavasal. Shiva is said to have blessed Sage Dhurvasar with a vision of His Cosmic Dance here.

About The Temple

The east-bound temple has a 75 feet tall 5 level Rajagopuram and two prakaras. Holy places for Lords Poyyadha Vinayaka, Valampuri Vinayaka, Muruga, Adhi Viswanatha, Gajamuktheeswarar, Panchalingas and Mother Gajalakshmi are in the inward prakara. Ruler Brahma, Arjuna had revered in the temple. As per epigraphic confirmations, the temple could have been constructed amid the rules Kulothunga III or Rajaraja III. One should not miss the beautiful eyes of the Vrishaba vahanam here. There are several inscriptions here, and the Cholas have made immense contributions here. To this temple which was built during the time of Kulottunga Chola I. This temple occupies an area of over 2 acres, and its second prakaram has a 5 tiered rajagopuram.  The Vinayakar in this temple is also of great significance.

Legend and Stories

At the point when Saint Tirugnana Sambandar came to this spot amid his journey with his adherents, he could achieve the opposite side of the stream to love Lord Shiva. Vettaru River was in spate. The boatmen departed the vessel on the bank and went away. Kid holy person Sambandar decided not to leave the spot without Lord's darshan here, took a pontoon and utilized his reverential verse as the device to run the vessel and came to the next side with the beauty of Lord. He finished the Pathigam-10 verses then. He loved Lord and stayed in the spot that night.

Significance

Lord Shiva blesses devotees as a swayambumurthy in the temple. Those mentally confused are advised to bathe in the Brahma Theertha and pray to Lord Shiva for relief. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and offer vastras.

Accessibility

Town bus services to Tiruvaikavur are available from Kumbakonam. This sthalam is situated on the south bank of river Kollidam. One can also reach this sivasthalam from another paadal petra sthalam Tiruppurambiyam.

Temple Address

Arulmighu Vilvavananathar Temple,
Tiruvaikavur, Tiruvaikavur Post
Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur District, PIN 612304.