The Swetha Vinayagar Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the village of Thiruvalanchuzhi near Swamimalai in Kumbakonam taluk of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is Kapardiswarar, a form of the Hindu god Shiva and his consort Brihannayaki.
Shrine’s History
The story of churning the milk ocean to get nectar with Mandara mount as the churning stick and Vasuki snake as the churning rope is popular among Hindu believers. Unable to bear the speed and weight during this operation, Vasuki spits its venom threatening the total destruction of all worlds. Devas surrendered to Lord Shiva. He said that they began the work without worshipping Lord Vinayaka and advised them to correct the error. Devas returned to milk ocean, made an idol of Lord Vinayaka with ocean foam and prayed to him and succeeded, thus goes the Sthala Purana. Vinayaka thus made of the foam is praised as Swetha Vinayaka. He is the Ishta Devatha of the Devas.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
The temple is associated with a sage called Herandar, who, according to legend, is believed to have gone through an underground passage to the netherworld and brought the Kaveri River to the earth to flow into the Bay of Bengal.Since the river took a convoluted direction in its flow, the place is called Tiruvalanjuzhi. There is an image of Herandar in the temple and the trunk of the elephant-headed god, Ganesha (Vinayagar) swirls towards the right.The presence of Buddhist images from the Chola period in the temple show influence of Buddhist tradition in the region
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
The nearest bus stop is Kumbakonam
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Kumbakonam
By Air
The nearest airport is 77 km away Civil Airport,108 km away Pondicherry Airport (PNY), Puducherry, Pondicherry
Shrine Timings
6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Maha Shivrathri in February-March; Tirukarthikai in November-December and Vinayaka Chaturthi in August-September are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Extra Information About this Shrine
Lord Valanchuzhi Nathar is a swayambumurthi. Lord Vinayaka idol is made of the foam of Milk ocean, hence praised as Swetha Vinayaka ? Vellai Vinayaka. Vellai in Tamil means white.