Vilvaranyeswarar, Tirukollampudur, Tiruvarur

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Vilvaranyeswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Soundara Nayaki
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	Kollamputhur
Vriksham:	Vilvam	Teertham:	Brahma Teertham, Agni Teertham, Ganga Teertham
Agamam:	Kamika	Age (years):	1000-2000
Timing:	7 to 11.30 & 6 to 8.30	Parikaram:	Mental illness
Temple group:	Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kaveri Then Karai)	–
Sung by:	Sambandar	Temple set: Pancha Aranya Kshetram 1
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Tirukollampudur	District:	Tiruvarur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Kumbakonam (21 km)	Tiruvarur (23 km)
	Thanjavur (44 km)	Mayiladuthurai (45 km)

Location

Tirukollampudur is located about 22km south of Kumbakonam, near Nidamangalam and Koradacheri

Sthala puranam and temple information

This is one of the Pancha Aranya Kshetrams (or five forest temples) near Kumbakonam, and according to sthalam puranam, the recommended route is to start a pilgrimage in the morning, and visit the 5 temples on the same day, in the following order (for pujas): Tirukarukavur (ushatkala puja, early morning), Avalivanallur (kalasandhi puja, morning), Haridwaramangalam (uchikala puja, midday), Alangudi (sayaratchai, evening) and Tirukollampudur (arthajamam, night). However, in today’s terms, these temples are within a total driving distance of about 36km, and can quite easily be completed in about 4-5 hours, including the temple visit time.

Sambandar reached this place but could not cross the Vettaru river as it was in spate and the boatmen could not take him across the river. Sambandar therefore took the boat himself, rowing it with the power of his devotion and songs, completing a pathigam as he reached the other bank. He spent the night at the temple before returning the following day. This is also celebrated as part of the boat festival in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October-November) every year.

It is said that the order followed by Sambandar was the same as the one stated above in terms of visiting, and hence this is the recommended order.

The nearby Abhimukteeswarar temple at Abivirutheeswaram and the Koneswarar temple at Kudavasal are also associated with the legend of this temple.

This is said to be one of the places where Lord Brahma worshipped to get rid of Brahmahathi dosham.

Lord Siva blessed Sage Durvasa with a display of his tandavam here.

Praying at this temple and having a dip in the temple tank is said to be helpful in curing mental illnesses.

The temple’s sthalam virksham is vilvam, known in Tamil as koovilam. This gave the place its original name – Koovilampudur – which was later modified to Kollampudur.

Vilvam leaves are considered to be drops / splashes of amritam.

Epigraphical evidence suggests that the temple may have been constructed / renovated by Kulothunga III or Raja Raja Chola III.