Thonda Nadu Temple 30. Thiruvakkarai

 

 

 

OM NAMASIVAYA

 

 

 

THIRUVAKKARAI

 

 

 

 

 

LOCATION:

 

This temple is in Tindivanam-Pondicherry route. Those coming by bus shold alight at Perumbakkam, and travel south for 7 km to reach this place or board a Villupuram-Pondicherry bus, alight at Thirukanur and travel north for 5 km on the river banks of Shankarabarani / Varaha nadhi. This is the 30th temple in Thondai Naadu region praised in the Thevaram hymns.  In the Thevaram hymns of saint Thirugnanasambandar had sung one song (பதிகம்) about this temple.

 

 

Reason for the name:

 

As the demon Vakkarasuran worshiped Lord Siva and as Thirumal destroyed the demon Vakkarasuran as per the instruction of Lord Siva this place is known as Thiruvakkarai

 

Nandhi

 

Swamy:   Arulmigu Chandramouleeswarar

Ambal :   Arulmigu Vadivambigai

Theertham:  Chandra Theertham

Sthala Viruksham:  Vilvam

 

 



Arulmigu Chandramouleeswarar

Arulmigu Vadivambigai



TEMPLE:

This temple is situated on 3 acres of land, was built by Kochenkat Chozhan about 2000 years back. It has two pragarans with high compound wall in all the four side facing east. It has 85 Ft Kopuram on the east side with 7 tiers. The Moolavar Chandramoliswarar is Syuambu Lingam on a round Avudiyar with three faces (மும்முகம்) is beautiful and gigantic. This is a very rare form.  This kind of three faced Lingam – Mummukha Lingam – is only at this temple at Tiruvakkarai. The Mukham looking east is Tathpurusha Lingam, the one facing north is the Vamadeva Lingam and the one facing south is the Agora Lingam. Agora Lingam has two sharp teeth on the sides, visible only during abishekam. Pooja is done for the Thatpurudam with turmeric smeared on the face at dawn; at noon, sandal is smeared on the face of Vaamadevam, and in the evening, the face of Agoram is smeared with saffron powder (kungumam).

The Athma Lingam is on the western side of Vakkra Kali Amman Shrine also known as Kanda Lingam worshipped by demon Vakkarasuran. This Lingam is very cool during summer. Water pearls stay on the Lingam during monsoon.

 

In the inner pragaram Suryan, Nalvar, Vinayagar, Dakshnamurthy, Lakshmi, Arumugar, Durgai, Bairavar and Chandran are there. In the second pragaram Sage Kundaly's seperate shrine facing east, Maha Vishnu who killed the demon Vakkarasuran is tn standing posture facing west. He appears with Prayoga Chakaram and the conch. This Vigraham is six feet high with blessing hand (அபயஹஸ்தம்). The Chakaram of Perumal is differently seen in this temple.

Sahasara Lingam, Arumugar shrine, Navagraham are there.

 

Ambal Vadivambigai is facing south in a separate shrine in the second pragaram. When we come out through the three tier kopuram, Nandhi, Palipeedam, 100 pillar mandapam are there in the front. Near the Rajakopuram Vakkara Kalli Amman shrine facing north and a huge Vakkara Lingam facing west are there.The Sri Chakra, Installed by Sri Sankarachariyar is on the left of Mother Vakrakali.On the Full Moon day, Kaali is adorned with Sandal wood paste (சந்தனகாப்பு) and worshipped here. It is believed that if one visits this temple consecutively for three Full Moon days, their wishes would be fulfilled. Though this is a Siva temple, Mother Vakrakali is all prominent in the shrine. Mother Vakrakali graces in the temple in a smiling face (Shanta Svarupi).



Vakkara/ Kanda  Lingam and Vakkara Kali Amman

Lord Muruga in the temple is praised in the Tirupugazh hymns of saint Arunagirinathar. Lord Chandramouleeswarar is also praised as Chandrasekharar, Piraisoodia Peruman. Mother is praised as Amirthambikai, Vadivambikai.

 

On the south of the temple the temple tank is there.

There are many things in this temple that are vakram in nature-contradictory to tradition.The flag post is slightly on the north side.Generally, one can have the darshan of the deity from the main entrance under the main tower.None of main features in the temple-the Rajagopuram, flag post, Nandhi are on a straight line and are found away from one another. The crow, being the vahanam of Sani Bagwan is on the left against the right facing south.Those facing Vakra Sani period (some times planets use to move retrograde called Vakra), pray here for relief from its effects. The Natarajar in this temple changes the lifting leg and raised above the hip. This is called Vakkara Thandavam

 

There is a cremation ground is just opposite Mother’s shrine.

 

This is the place where Kundalini Sithahar attained Samadhi which is within the temple itself.

 

Sthala Puranam:

 Vakkarasuran, a demon, placed Lord Siva Linga embedded inside his throat and worshipped him. Impressed by his devotion, Lord Siva appeared before him and granted him his wish – an eternal life. The demon became arrogant and cruel, tortured the Devars and Rishis, who then went to Lord Siva to complain. Lord Siva then asked Lord Vishnu to kill the demon. Vishnu did so using his Chakraayudham. Vakkarasuran’s sister Dhunmukhi was equally cruel and it was left to Goddess Parvathi to destroy her. Since Dhunmukhi was carrying a child in her womb, there was a small issue in killing her. According to the sasthram, it is a sin to kill a pregnant woman or a baby. So, Parvathi tore the demoness’ stomach, took the baby out and wore it as her earring (kundalam) on her right ear. Thus, as Vakrakaali, she sits majestically in this sacred place. Because of Vakkarasuran’s vatham and Parvathi appearing as Vakrakaali, the place is called Thiruvakkarai.

 



 

 

Pathigam:

கறையணி மாமிடற்றான் கரிகாடரங் காவுடையான்
பிறையணி கொன்றையினான் ஒருபாகமும் பெண்ணமர்ந்தான்
மறையவன் தன்றலையிற் பலிகொள்பவன் வக்கரையில்
உறைபவன் எங்கள்பிரான் ஒலியார்கழல் உள்குதுமே.

                                                                 ------------------ 3rd Thirumurai திருஞானசம்பந்தர் 

Timings: 

                          6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.




Contact:        E.O  0431-2688949


Address:

                Sri Chandramouleeswarar Temple,
                Tiruvakkarai Post-604 304,
                Villupuram district

 THIRUCHITRAMBALAM