Tirukameswarar, Velur, Tiruchirappalli

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Tirukameswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Sivakamasundari
Deity:	Vaippu Sthalam	Historical name:	Vilvaranya Kshetram
Vriksham:	Vilvam	Teertham:	Iswarya Teertham
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	8 to 11 & 6 to 7.30	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Vaippu Sthalam	–
Sung by:		Temple set: Thaipoosam 7
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Velur	District:	Tiruchirappalli
Maps from (click):	Current location	Tiruchirappalli (33 km)	Karur (55 km)
	Namakkal (58 km)	Perambalur (68 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

During the churning of the ocean, Vishnu took the form of Mohini and distributed the celestial nectar to the Devas. After this, Mohini and Siva united which resulted in the birth of Hariharan. When Lakshmi came to know of this, and finding Vishnu missing, she prayed to Siva to get to know the whereabouts of Vishnu. But Siva did not respond. So Lakshmi left her celestial abode and came to Velur, worshipping Siva here to seek justice. Even then, Siva did not respond, and so Lakshmi changed her form into that of a Vilvam tree, and began raining vilvam leaves on the Siva Lingam. Pleased by this, Siva appeared, and after explaining the sequence of events, reunited Vishnu with Lakshmi. He also gifted Her an Aishwarya Makutam embossed with the Srivatsam, making Her the Goddess of wealth, as well as a Lingam for her worship. In the north-western part of the temple, one can see the Vilvam tree (also the temple’s sthala vriksham) and a murti of Lakshmi seated below in abhayamudra.

At this place, the king Muchukunda was given the title Chakravarti, and Bhairavar was deputed to fight under his leadership, against Valasuran. So the place got the name Valur, which over time has been corrupted to Velur.

It is believed that many siddhars have been and continue to be in meditation at this temple, and so worshipping here is said to be extremely powerful, and wish-fulfilling.

Sati immolated herself at Daksha’s yagam, for the insult rendered by Her father to Her husband Siva. As a result of this, the universe and all creation came to a standstill. When the gods asked Kama to get Siva interested in the universe, the Lord burnt Kama to ashes, and the fire from His third eye was headed towards the meditating Parvati. Realising Her purpose, She presented Herself as Sivakamasundari, and joined Siva (most of this sthala puranam except the last part, is similar to the one at the Veeratteswarar temple at Korukkai).

Rati, the wife of Kama, worshipped Siva to get her husband back. The ever-benevolent Siva willed it to be so, after which He gifted Kama the latter’s banam (sugarcane-bow). Bhairavar – in the form of Gnana Bhairavar – taught Kama to use the banam on humans. Siva is known as Tiru Kameswarar here as He revived and blessed Kama.

The temple is from the Chola period and dated to the 10^th century. The temple was in a rather dilapidated condition but has been renovated in the last 5 years. There are two entrances – the main one to the east, and another entrance to the south that leads to the Amman shrine. Unusually as Chola temples go, this temple is devoid of much of their famed architecture.

Other information for your visit

This temple is one of 7 in the region, associated with the Thai Poosam festival. These seven temples jointly organise and celebrate this festival every year. These are: