Thiru Sundareswarar Temple: Thiru Vettakudi, Puduchery.







The place Thiru Vettakudi is about 9 kms from Karikaal. This temple is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalams. The Main Raja Gopuram is of five tiers in this temple, and it has two prakaram.








Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Sundareswarar and his consort known as Santha Nayaki. Urchvar in this temple is known as Veda moorthy. Arjuna is seen with pasupdha asthram, Soolam in his hand and with Rudraksha garland, as urchava Vigraham.









As we go around the temple prakaram, we see Vinayakar, Subramanayar with valli Devanai, Maha Lakshmi, Natarajar, Punnai Vana Nadhar, Sani Bagawan, Sambandhar Poorna Pushkla Samedha Iyappan, and Chandekeswarar.
Sthala Vruksham is Punni Maram and Teertham is known as Deva Teertham.




Importance of the temple is here, Urchavar known as Veda Moorthy is seen with Bow and Soolam in his hands. Lord Subramanyar also has bow in his hand, along with Valli Devanai to his side. The purana says Lord Siva brought Lord Subramanyar along with him, hence both of them is seen with bow in their hand which is a unique.


Punnaivana Nadhar seen in separate sanctum in the prakaram is the Lord, on whom Sambandhar sang his Hymn. Near this sanctum Sani Bagawan and Sambandar are seen.



Sthala Purana says Vyasa guided Arujuna to penance in this place to get Pasupadha astharam from Lord Siva, to win in the war. Duruyodhan came to know about this and he saked Mukasuran to disturb Arjuna. Mukasuran came to the place in the form of a pig and disturbed Arjuna. Mukasuran was killed by Arjuna for his act.



A hunter with his wife and son came, to claim the pig which was a prey for his arrow. Arjuna refused to spare the pig. There was argument between the two. Lord made him realize that the hunter and his wife were Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy. Lord Siva gave Pasupatha asthrum which is the best one in the weapons and blessed Arjuna. Lord Siva was requested by Arjuna to stay in this place and bless the mankind as he has done for him. That is the reason here urchavar and Subramanyar are seen with bow in their hands and Parvathy holding a pot on her head.


Once at Kailasam Parvathy Devi told Siva, without her presence, he is nothing and cannot do anything. Lord Siva was offended by her ego, made her to be born in a fisher man’s family. She was brought up here as a fisherman’s daughter. As she grew she was worshiping Lord Siva who came down as a fisherman and married her. This is a place of parihara sthalam for marriage delays.


Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple.