This temple is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam and One of Atta veeratta sthalam. The place is about 10 Kilometres SE of Nanilam on the banks of RiverVettaru.Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arul migu Veerattaneswarar and his consort, known as Elavar Kuzhali ammai. The temple’s master is lauded by Saint Tirugnanasambandar in his Thevaram psalms.
Shrine’s History
Indira the king of Devas went to Mount Kailash to have Shiva darshan with the pride of a king. In the guise of a watchman, Lord Shiva prevented him from proceeding further. Proud Indira struck Shiva with His vajrayutha when Lord opened His forehead eye. Realizing the watchman was Shiva, Indira fell at His feet and sought His pardon. Lord Shiva spilt a drop of His sweat in the milk ocean from where a demon child was born. The child pulled the beard of Lord Brahma who cried in pain. His tears also fell on the child. The child wets with Shivas sweat, Brahma’s tears and the drop of the milk ocean was named Jalandarasura. When He grew, he demanded Brahma a life without death and the ruler of the three worlds. Brahma denied it. He got the boon that he would be alive until such time his chaste wife Brindhai was found mentally tainted. His atrocities grew in leaps and bounds and finally decided to kill Lord Shiva Himself. Lord came before the demon in the guise of an aged person, drew around line as a chakra. He asked the demon to take the Chakra, place it on his head and said that it would destroy him.
Arrogant demon challenged that the Chakra could not kill him as his wife was a chaste woman. Shiva called Lord Vishnu and asked Him to appear before Brinda as Jalandarasura. Not knowing that the visitor was not her husband, she called him in with the respect of a husband and thus got tainted mentally. Lord Shiva placed the Chakkara on demons head which chopped off his head. Knowing the design of Lord Vishnu, Brinda immolated herself cursing Lord Vishnu that He would have to suffer separation from His wife. To come over the curse, Lord Vishnu had to take the Ramavathara later, goes the story. Due to the curse of Brinda, Lord Vishnu became mentally retarded. To cure Him, Lord Shiva sowed a seed at the place where Brinda burnt herself. Tulsi plant grew. A garland was made of the Tulsi leaves and placed on Lord Vishnu. He was cured completely. Lord Vishnu asked Lord Shiva to gift Him the Chakra-discus. He worshipped Lord Shiva with thousand lotus flowers. When He found that the number was short by two, He unhesitatingly took His eyes for the puja. Pleased Shiva rewarded Lord Vishnu with the Chakra
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
The visitor has to get down at Thangalancherry on the Tiruvarur-Mayiladuthurai road to reach the temple. Buses from Tiruvarur to Aamur and Tirumarugal pass through this place.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Tiruvarur.
By Air
The nearest airport is Trichy
Shrine Timings
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Shivaratri