Kalarmulai Natheshvarar Temple

Overview

The District of Tiruvarur was carved out as a separate district by detaching Valangaiman Taluk from Thanjavur District and Thiruvarur, Nannilam, Kudavasal, Needamangalam, Mannargudi, Thiruthuraipoondi Taluks from Nagappatinam District on 01.01.1997. There are 2 Revenue Divisions, 7 Taluks, 10 Blocks, 4 Municipalties and 7 Town Panchayats in Thiruvarur District.

About The Temple

The Tirukalar Temple is located at Tirukalar in Tamil Nadu and it is dedicated to God Shiva. The front of this temple faces the East direction and it boasts of a 80 feet high Rajagopuram. The God Shia and Goddess Parvati in this temple have separate shrines from where they give blessings to the devotees. Other than these main deities, the temple has sub shrines of Gods Valampuri Vinayaka, Somaskanda, God Viswanatha, Chandrasekhara, Muruga, Dakshinamurthy and Chandikeswara. Other small shrines include that of Goddesses Gajalakshmi, Mahalakshmi, Durga 63 Saivitie Nayanmars and Sage Agasthya. The idol of Goddess Durga is quite splendid as she sits in a sitting position on her lion vehicle. There is another shrine of God Akora Veerabhadra which faces towards the West direction. This temple has been praised by saints like Tirugnana Sambandar and Tirunavukkarasar in their Thevaram hymns. According to those hymns, this temple is the 105th God Shiva Temple to be situated on the southern bank of the River Cauvery. The main deity of the temple is in the form of a swayambumurthy. According to the Hindu mythology, the mantra of five letters or Panchakashara mantra (Na Ma Shi Va Yah) was transferred to the 60000 sages including the sage Durvasa by God Subramanya from this very place. The consorts of God Subramanya cannot be seen with him in this temple. He is in the form of a Guru in this temple. It is known that God Shiva performed his Ananda dance in various places like Chidambaram and Perur, Gnana Sundara in Madurai, Oordhva in Avinashi, Aajaba in Tiruvarur and he did Brahmma Thandava in Tirumuruganpoondi. At this place also, The Brahmma Thandava darshan were given by the great God Shiva to the sage Durvasa which is also portrayed in this temple. The statue of Sage Durvasa is in such a form that his hands are folded as if he is worshipping to God Shiva. According to the scriptures of the temple, it was Sage Duravasa who was the hand behind the first consecration of this great temple.

Legend and Stories

In close proximity to the temple, there is a monument of the Kovilur pontiff and also a Jeeva Samadhi of His Holiness Veerasekhara Gnana Desika Swami. This Swami had done a lot of renovations in this temple. He is also known as Tirukalar Andavan. Prayers in this temple are offered by Sage Parasara and also by Kalava. According to the long term devotees, if one family member will pray in this temple that will be good for the entire family and every member of the family will achieve salvation. People who suffer from the negative effects of the serpent planet Ketu also worship her to get rid of them. According to the mythological legend, Sage Durvasa went through severe penance so that he could get to see the Ananda Thandava Darshan of God Shiva. Sage Durvasa carried the Parijatha flowers which are very unusual.

He brought them from the heavenly world and made the place full of trees of this flower. Under the tree, he installed a Shivlinga and also formed a spring. This place is also called as Parijatha Vanam, Karpaga Vanam, Tharu Vanam etc. God Shiva was very glad to see his penance and hence he granted him what he wanted – the Brahmma Thandava darshan. In the language of Tamin, Kalarai is also dance which is why the name of Kalari was later changed to Tirukalar. God Shiva is also praised as Kalarmulai Nathar.

Festivals

Chithirai festival on Chitra star day in April-May; Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; Navarathri in September-October; Skanda Sashti in October-November; Margazhi Sashti, Arudra Darshan and Nama Shivaya Panchakshara Mantra initiation on Sadayam Star day ( 3 festivals) in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Prasad and Offering

Prayers

It is the faith of the devotees that if one prays to Lord here, it will ensure the salvation of all members of his/her family. Those afflicted by adverse aspects of Ketu-serpent planet- pray here for relief.

Thanks giving

Devotees perform abishek to Lord and offer vastras.

Near By Temple

Ponvaithanaathar Temple
Swarnapureeswarar Temple
Padaleswarar Temple
Satchinathar Temple
Sarguna Nathar Temple
Kaichinneswarar Temple

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest Air terminal is at Trichy.

Railways

The nearest Rail head is at Tiruthuraipoondi.

Road

Tirukalar is 21 km far from Mannargudi on the Tiruthuraipoondi Route.

Temple Address

Sri Parijatha Vaneswarar Temple,
Tirukalar, Tiruvarur.