275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thiru Vetkalam Sri Pasupatheeshwarar Temple !!



Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!



 
 
 
 


Thiru Vetkalam is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva sitatuated in Thiru Vetkalam, which is 4.4kms away from Chidambaram, Cuddalore District.  The presiding deity of this temple Lord Pasupatheeshwarar is worshipped in the form of a self- manifested Linga.This is one of the oldest temples built by the Pallava Kings located on the Annamalai Nagar Street and very close to Annamalai University.

 

Presiding deity – Lord Pasupatheeshwarar with his consort Goddess Nalla Nayaki /Sadgunambikai

 

Mangalasasanam –  Arunagiri Nathar sung praising the glories of Lord Muruga.   Appar and  Sambandhar sung praising the glories of Lord Pasupatheeshwarar. Thiru Gnana Sambandhar lived here for quite some time on his way back after worshipping Lord Chidambaranathar and Thillai Nayaki in Chidambaram.

 

Appar sung in his beautiful verses of Thevaram:


‘Nandru Nalthorum Namvinai Poyarum
Yendrum Inbam Thazhaikka irukkalam

Sendru Neer Thiruvetkalath Ullurai

Thundru Porchadayanai Thozhuminey

Thiruvetkalath Sadayanai Thouzhuminey

Sadayanai Thozhuminey - Sadayanai Thozhuminey ’
 


Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Dakshinamurthy, Goddess Sadgunavalli, Lord Surya and Lord Chandra, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Subramanya
 

Sthalavruksham – Moongil (Bamboo)
 


Theertham – Krupa Theertham

 

Worshipped by – Maharishi Narada, Arjuna
 


Festivals – Vaikasi Visakam, Thrikarthikai, Thiruvathirai, Chithirai Utsavam, Ani Thirumanjanam, Navaratri, Vinayaka Chathurthi, Deepavali, Panguni Uthiram and Maha Shivaratri.

 


The legend has that Pandavas during their exile from their Kingdom Hasthinapur, Lord Krishna visited them and advised Arjuna to follow strict austerities praying to Lord Shiva to obtain the fierce weapon ‘Pasupathastra’ that would provide immense help to win over the battle at Kurushektra.  As per the instructions of Lord Krishna, Arjun arrived at this place of dense bamboo forest and underwent severe penance praying to Lord Shiva.   While Arjuna was on meditation, there appeared a demon Mookasura to create an obstacle.  Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati disguised in the form of a hunter couple with the four Vedas followed them as four dogs.   Lord Shiva shot an arrow at Mookasura, Arjuna also shot an arrow against the demon simultaneously that killed him instantly.  Consequently, a heated argument rouse between Lord Shiva and Arjuna about whose arrow was killed the demon?  Finally, the argument turned into fight between the two.  Arjuna hit the Lord with his bow and its collision reverberated on the living beings in the Universe.  Lord Shiva with mounted anger tossed Arjuna with his toe into the Tank (Krupa Theertham). Goddess Parvati was furious at the shocking act of Arjuna. Lord Shiva consoled Parvati and calmed the situation.  Arjuna had the miraculous blessings of Lord at the touch of Lord’s feet.  Arjuna had the dharshan of the divine couple Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati and the most compassionate Lord offered him with ‘Pasupathastra’ as a boon. 





This temple remains open from 6.30 AM to 11.30 PM in the morning and 5.30 PM to 8.30 PM in the evenings.


 
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Jai Sriman Narayana !!

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