Venjamakudal
Temple of Thevaram Hymns - 4
Venjamakudal
Venjamakudal also called Venjamankudalur is one of the 'Kongu Yezhu' (seven temples of Kongu region) Shiva temples that have received the Thevaram hymns.
Venjamankudalur is a holy place where the king of the Devas - Indra, the four Saivite saints - Appar, Sundarar & Gnanasambandhar, the divine sage Sekkizhar who gave us the Periyapurana, Arunagirinathar who sang Thiruppugazh, Ramalinga Adigal, Tirupati Swami, and Thirumuruga Kripananda Variyar worshipped.
It is one of the most important duties of a spiritual seeker to visit the Venjamankudalur temple, which is filled with divine grace and spiritual beauty, at least once in his/her lifetime.
Come, let us worship the Lord Kalyana Vikirtheeswarar and the Goddess Panner Mozhiyammai and reap the benefits of our births.
Kongu Nadu
Kongu means 'honey'. It is named Kongu Nadu because it is a region where honey is found.
Kongu Nadu had distinguished itself as a separate kingdom during the Sangam period, the golden age of the Tamils.
At that time, the Kongu kingdom was divided into 24 kingdoms. Vengala kingdom was one of them. Venjamankudalur was a part of that kingdom.
Venjamankudalur
During the dark period of Tamil Nadu, when the Kalabhras ruled, Saivism declined and Jainism began to flourish.
After the Kalabhras defeated the Chera, Chola, and Pandya kings, they fought against the hunter king Venjaman, who was ruling to promote Saivism and who always ensured the supremacy of Saivism.
A study suggests that the Kalabhras may have been Jains. Therefore, historical information suggests that Venjaman won this Saiva-Jain war and drove the Kalabhras back.
The place was named 'Venjamankudalur' because of the good governance of the king 'Venjaman', who was full of courage, wisdom, and devotion to Shiva.
The name 'Kudal' was coined because the place is located at the confluence of the Kudaganaru River, a tributary of the Amaravati River, and the Chitraru River(also called 'Kuzhavanaru').
This town also has the names Venjai Maanagar, Vikirtha Maanagar, named after the Lord Vikirtheeswarar and Vikirthaiyam Perur.
Kalyana Vikirtheeswarar temple
The Kalyana Vikirtheeswarar temple at Venjamankudalur was built by King Venjaman who performed special pujas with devotion to Lord Shiva is located on the eastern bank of Kodaganaru river. It is an expression of divine power.
Lord Kalyana Vikirtheeswarar graces the devotees as a Self-manifested Swayambu Linga. The name of the Goddess is Panner Mozhi Ammai.
Vikirtheeswarar means one who gives benevolence. Goddess Panner Mozhi Ammai is the one who speaks music like sweet language and blesses the devotees.
Vikirtheeswarar also has the names Vikirtha Natheeswarar and Kalyana Vikirtheeswarar.
Goddess Vikirtha Nayaki is worshipped by the names Vikirtheswari, Vikirtha Natheswari, and Madhurabashini.
The Thiruppugazh songs sung by Arunagirinathar in praise of Lord Murugan at this place are pleasing to the ears. In that sense, this place also has the pride of being called 'Thiruppugazh Thalam'.
History of the temple
Ahalika is the Rishi pathni of Gautama Maharishi. A beautiful celestial woman who make even the most zealous sages tremble.
Lord Indra, who is the king of devas, lusted after Ahalika. He tried many ways but failed. He resorted to scheming to get her at any cost.
Gautama Maharishi used to wake up early in the morning to the crowing of the rooster, go to the river bank, bathe, pray to God, perform puja and puja rituals, and then begin the day's work.
One day, Indra crowed like a rooster and sent sage Gautama to the riverbank. At the same time, he entered the Parnasala (the hermitage) in the form of Gautama Rishi and approached Ahalika.
Ahalika asked suspiciously. "Why, Swami...did you return so soon?"
"I wanted to go to the riverbank. But lust overtook me. It is not good to begin the service of God with lust. That is why I turned back", Gautama Maharishi replied.
Isn't it the duty of a good woman to satisfy her husband's lust?
At that moment, Ahalika began to yield to the infatuation of Indra who had taken Gautama Rishi's form.
At that moment, a real rooster crowed loudly.
Gautama Rishi, realizing everything that had happened through his penance, angrily rushed to the hermitage.
The sight that befell Gautama Rishi who entered the house further fuelled the flames of his anger. Curses erupted in his words.
He cursed Ahalika, saying, "Turn into stone."
It was a curse placed on her for not feeling the touch of a man other than her husband, or if she could have been like a stone when the incident took place.
Ahalika turned into a stone.
Upon seeing Indra, who tried to escape in the form of a cat, he flew into a rage and cursed, "May whatever you came to see become the same all over your body."
Vaginal form eyes appeared all over Indra's body.
Venjamankudalur Vikirtheeswarar Temple is the place where Indra, who was unable to show his head outside, came to worship in shame and crouched down to seek relief from his curse.
Even though the Lord was angry, He forgave and mercifully relieved Indra's suffering. He removed the curse of Gautama Maharishi and made him free from the curse.
The Kalyana Vikirtheeswarar Temple has the greatness of being the temple that freed Indra from his curse.
This is a historical story. Although it is not in the Thala Purana, it is a story that has been believed over time.
Therefore, it is believed that the Lord Vikirtheeswarar is the one who can remove any kind of curse.
Temple of Thevaram Hymns
Saint Sundarar had visited Kongu region thrice for the darshan of Lord Shiva. For the first time, he visited Venjamankudalur and worshipped Lord Shiva and sang songs in praise of him.
At that time, Shiva had nothing to give in return. But, Sundarar would not leave the place without receiving gold and wealth.
Lord Shiva made Goddess Parvathi come in the guise of an old woman. He also came there in the guise of an old man.
Lord Shiva, in order to give gifts to Sundarar, exchanged His sons, Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga who were children, with Goddess Parvathi, who was in the guise of an old woman. Lord was pleased to give away the gifts He received to Sundarar.
Sundarar, who received the gifts, sang Thevaram hymns in praise of God.
In this way, this holy place has become a place of Thevaram hymns and continues to bestow blessings upon the devotees who come to visit.
Structure of the temple
The temple is grand with a five-tiered Rajagopuram.
The black stone lamp post, which is unique to the Kongu region, is in the front.
Even though the temple is at the same ground level as the town, the kalasa kumbha (metal or stone spire, used to top the domes of Hindu temples) in the temple pit is visible at eye level. One can enter the temple and have darshan of the deities only after descending 18 steps from the Rajagopuram.
The entrance of the temple has the lime-plaster sculptures of Sundaramurthy Nayanar on the left and that of Arunagirinathar on the right. In addition, there is an inscription that has holy verses on Venjamankudalur.
In the sanctum, Lord Vikirtheeswarar appears as a swayambu murti (self-manifested linga) facing east under the snake ornament.
The entrance doors of the main shrine are beautifully carved with images and statues of Kongu temples. These visually pleasing doors are worth worshipping.
Goddess Panner Mozhi Ammai is seen in a standing position, showering her blessings.
The depiction of Lord Muruga with Goddess Valli resting His feet on a peacock is unique.
Inside the temple, there is a statue of saint Appar near the five lingas.
In general, sculptures of all the deities, including Bhairava who is always present in a Shiva temple, Shaniswarar in a separate shrine, and Lord Dakshinamurthy & Goddess Durga on the alongside walls of the sanctum sanctorum, are worth worshipping.
The sacred tree
The sacred tree of this temple is vilvam.
Theerthas
Kudakanaru river & Vikirtha Theertham.
Remedies
(Parikaram)
Venjamankudalur is also a place of atonement. Since the curse of Indra was removed, millions of devotees perform special worship to Vikirtheeswarar here to get rid of all kinds of curses, especially the curse of women. Worship is also performed for marital problems.
Unmarried people bring three garlands and offer prayers, offering two garlands to Lord Vikirtheeswarar and one garland to the Goddess.
Of the two garlands offered to the Lord, one garland is taken back and worn by the man or woman who is about to get married. They keep the garland safe after returning home until they get married.
Once the wedding is over, they bring the garland to the temple, place it there, and worship with joy.
Votive offering
If the desired boon is fulfilled, the devotees do milk abhisekam to the Goddess and worship Her.
They also perform a divine wedding ceremony to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi as a votive offering.
Significance of the temple
When you return from visiting the temple after worshipping the Lord, you must climb 18 steps to the top. Wise people say that by ascending in this way, all sufferings will be removed and you will achieve progress in life.
Festivals
The important festivals are the Margazhi Arudhra Darshan, Annabhishekam in the tamil month Aipasi (Oct-Nov), Karthigai Deepam, Masi Maham Festival & Maha Shivaratri.
Kumbabhishekam
The temple was badly damaged by a major flood in the Kudaganar River in 1977. Sculptures were washed away for about 2 kilometers.
Erode Araneri Thirukoottam, Arupathu moovar Vizha Kuzhu, Kovai Siravai Aadheenam Thavathiru Sundara Swamigal, Thirumuruga Kripananda Variar and many religious scholars took great efforts to renovate the temple and with fine make over of the temple like what it is today, the kumbabhishekam was performed in the year 1986.
Location of the temple
Venjamankudalur is located near the cities of Karur and Dindigul in Tamilnadu.
You can reach the temple by traveling 13 km on the road from Karur to Aravakurichi and going 8 km in the Six Road division.
Nandhi Thevaram
The Venjamankudal Nandhi Thevaram, bestowed by Lord Nandhi, through Swami Sidhaguruji of Sri Nandheeswarar Gnanapeedam flows like the nectar of devotion.
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பண்ணாயிà®°à®®் கொண்டு பாடி பாதம் பற்à®±
à®®ுன்னாயிà®°à®®் வினை à®…à®´ித்து பதம் à®…à®°ுளுà®®்
விண்ணாயிரத் தேவர் வேண்ட வரம் ஈந்த
பண்ணேà®°் à®®ொà®´ியம்à®®ை பாதியுடல் கொண்ட
மண்ணோà®°் இடம் வெஞ்சமாக்கூடல் விகிà®°்தீசா .
Meaning
The verse speaks of Lord Shiva who is seen with "a thousand eyes" and worshipped with folded hands.
It mentions about singing praises with "a thousand tunes" and holding onto His feet.
Lord Shiva is described as the one who destroys "a thousand past karmas" and bestows salvation.
It also refers to Lord Shiva as "Vikirtheesa" of "Venjamankudal," who granted boons desired by "a thousand celestial beings."
The verse concludes by mentioning Lord Shiva having "the sweet-speaking Mother" (Goddess Parvathi) as half of His body, residing among the people of the earth.
Google map location
Address
Sri Kalyana Vikirtheeswarar temple,
Venjamankudalur,
Karur disctrict - 639109,
Tamilnadu, India.
Nearby Railway station & Airport
Karur railway junction
Tiruchirappalli International Airport
May the noble Saiva (Shaivite) Dharma flourish throughout the world.
Om NamaSivaya!
Reviewer
Prof. R. Pandiaraj
Prof. M. R. Rajasekara Thangamani
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