Sri Veerabadraswami Vazhikaraiyan Temple

Overview

Sri Veerabadraswami vazhikaraiyan Temple is located in the village of Vazhuvur, 5 miles south-west of Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

About the temple

Sri Veerabadra is praised by the devotees as Vazhi Thunayan (bodyguard in journeys) and Vazhi Karaiyan, another name which means the same in Tamil. The vehicle (vahana) of Veerabadra Swami in this temple is a dog. Generally it is Lord Bhairava who has the dog for a vahan. Since he came to protect Dharma Sastha (Lord Ayappa) born to Lord Vishnu in the Mohini Avathara, he is seen with a Nama, the symbol of a Vaishnavite, in his forehead. There is also another shrine for Veerabadra, who is seen in a standing posture. Other Guardian Deities Thoondiveeran, Vagaiadiyan, Ladasannasi, Uthandarayar and Betharanaswami are nearby.

Lords Vinayaka, Chandikeswara and Agora Veerabadrar are in the front mandapam. People pray at this temple for the safety, health and educational progress of children.

About the Deity

Virabhadra or Veerabhadra is a terrifying form of the Hindu god Shiva. He was created by the fury of Shiva and destroyed the Yagna (fire sacrifice) of Daksha, after Daksha's daughter and Shiva's consort Sati self-immolated in the sacrificial fire. He is described as a warrior who ultimately blinded Bhaga, subdued Vishnu and broke, among many other countless gods, Pushan's teeth. Other gods fled the battlefield unable to sustain his power.

Devotees praise Sri Veerabadra as Vazhi Thunayan (an escort in journeys) and Vazhi Karaiyan, also bearing almost the same meaning in Tamil. Lord Bhairava has generally the dog vahan, which is for Veerabadra in this temple. As He came to protect Dharma Sastha born to Lord Vishnu in the Mohini Avathara, Alankara is done with Nama in His forehead the Vishnu symbol. There is also a shrine for another Veerabadra in a standing posture. Other Guardian Deities Thoondiveeran, Vagaiadiyan, Ladasannasi, Uthandarayar and Betharanaswami are nearby.

The shrines of Lord Vinayaka, Chandikeswara and Agora Veerabadrar are located in the front mandapam. People pray here for the safety, health and educational progress of children.

In the nearby Gajasamharamurthy temple, Lord Shiva blesses the devotees as Bikshadana and Lord Vishnu as Mohini. This temple is an Attaveera Sthala – one of the eight temples where Lord Shiva gives darshan in Veera roopa. Scattered over the landscape of Tamil Nadu are eight temples dedicated to Shiva in his awesome form as the slayer of everything evil. Sri Veerabadra appears in this temple in standing form.

Legend and stories

Once, Sages of the Tharukavanam were proud that only the Yajnas performed by them helped Devas to exist. Over a period of time the rishis had come to consider that it was Karma alone was essential and ultimate, and that the worship of god does not yield any fruits. And so they immersed themselves in the performance of yagnas and rituals, and endlessly followed this dogma of karma. Little did they comprehend the fact that these deeds could yield the desired fruits only if there is someone to distribute the same. The arrival of Bikshadanar on the scene was staged to teach these rishis the significance of worship rather than just performing Karma. He entered the Tharukavanam as Bikshadana with a bow seeking alms. Lord Vishnu joined as Mohini the attractive woman. Seeing Mohini, the sages completely forgot their duties. They simply stopped the yajna mid-way and started following Mohini. Meanwhile the wives of the Rishis lost their mental poise and began following the Shiva who had come in the handsome roopa as Bikshadana, the bewitchingly beautiful lord begging for alms with the kapala in his hand. The Rishis recovered from the illusion and not knowing the stranger was but Lord Shiva, created from their sacrificial fire many things like Agni, tiger, deer, snakes and a battle axe called Mazhu to destroy Lord Shiva. These were no match for the Lord. Lord Shiva made them his ornaments. Blinded with pride, the Rishis sent a wild elephant to kill him. The elephant was killed and Lord Shiva wore the skin of the elephant and appeared before the Rishis as Gaja (elephant) Samhara (killing) Murthy (God). Shedding their pride, the sages fell at Lord’s feet and sought His forgiveness. Sastha was born to Bikshadana Shiva and Mohini Vishnu. For his protection and upbringing Lord Shiva chose Veerabadra as a caretaker. Both Veerabadra and Bala Sastha grace devotees in this temple.

Festivals

10 day Masi festival which fall in the months of February – March.

Prasad & offering

Devotees perform special abishekam to Lord and offer Sarkarai Pongal (sweet pudding nivedhana).

Significance

1. Ancient temple ( Around 1500 yrs old)
2. This the birthplace of ( Thrukkavanam ) Lord Iyappan .
3. Worshipping the goddess " Balakurambigai" gives child to couples who struggle to get the kid.
4. This deity holds Lord Murugan in her hand which is more remarkable one.

Accessibility

One can reach Neikuppai village first on the Tiruvarur-Mayiladuthurai route. The temple is about 1 km from here. Auto facility is available.

Nearest Railway Station

Mayiladuthurai

Nearest Airport

Trichy

Address

Sri Vazhikaraiyan Temple,
Vazhuvur-609 401.
Nagapattinam district.