This is the 263rd Thevara / Devara Padal Petra Shiva sthalam and 5th sthalm in Kongu Nadu. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. The temple is located at the confluence of rivers a branch river of Amaravathy joins with Amaravathy and Kudakanaru.
Sundarar’s Thevara hymn in praise of Lord Shiva...
எறிக்கும் கதிர்வேய் உதிர்முத்தமொடு ஏலம்
இலவங்கம் தக்கோலம் இஞ்சி
செறிக்கும் புனலுட் பெய்துகொண்டு மண்டித்
திளைத்து ஏற்று சிற்றாறு அதன்கீழ்க் கரைமேல்
முறிக்கும் தழைமா முடப்புன்னை ஞாழல்
குருகத் திகள்மேல் குயில்கூ வலறா
வெறிக்கும் கலைமா வெஞ்சமாக் கூடல்
விகிர்தா அடியே னையும்வேண் டுதியே
The sthalapurana of Venjamangudalur, as per Kongu Mandala Sathakangal.. Lord Shiva pledged Vinayagr and Subramaniyar to an old lady. Received gold and gave it to the Thiruthondar Sundarar.
கொள்ளைவண்டு இமிரும் நாட்பூங் கோதைஓர் பாகர் முன்பு
கள்ளமில் உள்ளத்து அன்பு கனிந்துள கிழவி யார்பால்
பிள்ளைகள் ஈடு காட்டிப் பெற்றசெம் பொன்னை யெல்லாம்
தள்ளிய தமிழ்பா சொன்ன திருத்தொண்டர்க்கு உவந்து அளித்தர்
( திருவெஞ்சமாக் கூடற் புராணம் )
Moolavar : Sri Kalyana Vigirtheeswarar, Sri Vigirthanatheswarar
Consort : Sri Mathurabhashini, Sri Pannermozhiammai,
Sri Vigirthanayaki.
Some of the important features of this temple are...
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram and the Deepasthambam or Vilakku thoon is in front. Vinayagar and Sri Subramaniyar sannadhis are on both side of Rajagopuram. The Temple is about 6 feet below the ground / road level. A flight of steps are constructed to reach the maha mandapam. At the entrance of moolavar sannadhi bas-reliefs of all the seven Kongu Nattu padal petra Shiva Sthalangal Moolavars / Shiva Lingas. Moolavar is swayambu. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.
In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Navagrahas, Bhairavar, Nambiyandar Nambikal, Sekizhar and 63var & Natarajar Saba. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Suryan, Chandran, Pancha Lingas, Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniyar ( One leg on the peacock vahanam is to be noticed ).
Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing east. Urchavars are Somaskandar, Pallakku, Chokkar and Subramaniyar.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per the Kongu Mandala Sathagam sthalapurana the place was ruled by a Vettuva king named Venjaman, hence this place is called as Venjamangudalur.
As per தென்னிந்திய கோயில் சாசனங்கள் பகுதி-II, Lord Shiva was called as Tiruvenjamagudal Udayar, Tiruvenjamagudal Nayanar of Venjamagudalur in Vengala nadu.
Kongu Chozha King inscription without year records the gift of tax free land at Nandanur Village, to Lord Shiva of this temple, mentioning the periphery limits. The palm leaf inscription gave permission to reproduce the same on Copper plates and Idols.
The 6th year rule of Jadavarama Sundara Pandiyan period inscription records the gift of Village Ilamadathur, after removing the Tax to the Adhi Sandeswarar Shrine, with Soolakal on all the four directions as Thevathanam.
Another Kongu King Thiribhuvana Chakravarthi KonerimaiKondan, period inscriptions records the gift of tax free deserted land as thevadhana with Soolakal on all four direction to this temple for meeting the expenses for the daily worship and festivals. The Land was re-colonized again. The inscription ends with Rajakesari.
Another undated Kongu King Jayakesari Konerimaikondan, inscription records the gift of a Venjamagudal Village to this temple, with all wells, a dam.
Another inscription Rajakesari Sri Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Konerimaikondan records the gift of Land with its periphery at Mudikonda Chozhapuram Village, measuring 6 Kalam of paddy sowing, after purchasing the land for 120 achu coin deposited in the Treasury. The tax on this land was also exempted.
Another inscription Kongu King Rajakesari Sri Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Konerimaikondan, records the gift of tax free Land at Nagampalli Village of Vengala Nadu to Lord Shiva of this Temple. The land spread over an area of 60 kalam paddy sowing. The income from the land to be used for the daily worship and Naivedyam with Vegetables.
Another inscription Kongu King Rajakesari Sri Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Konerimaikondan’s 2nd year rule (267th day ) rule, records the gift of tax free Land as devadhanam in the Village Turaiyur Nattam in Tattaiyur nadu. The income from the land to be utilized for the Naivedyam and abhishekam of moolavar on the King’s birth star.
Another inscription Kongu King Rajakesari Sri Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Konerimaikondan’s 15th year 14th week ( Masi month ) rule, records the gift of Village Kandiyadeva nallur as iraiyili, too meet the daily worship, Naivedyam and special Puratasi festival.
The Pandya king Jadavarman alias Tribhuvana Chakravarthy, Sundarapandyadeva’s 1st year rule and 14th year rule, records the grant of house site and a land at Nedunguli alias Munivarada Peruma nallur, for a temple’s staff ( Accountant ? ).
The temple was washed away by the flash flood in the river Kudakanaru and the same was reconstructed during 1982.
LEGEND
As per the legend Indra fell in love with Gautama Maharishi’s wife Ahalya. One day before dawn Indra came to ashram. Took the form of Cock / rooster and gave the wake up call / crowing. Gautama Maharishi woke up and went to river to take bath. In the mean time Indra took the form of Gautama Maharishi and entered in to the ashram. Un suspected Agalya rendered her service to Indra. After the bath in the river, Gautama Maharishi noticed that, it was not actually dawn and suspected some thing must be wrong. On seeing the Maharishi entering in to the ashram, Indra took the form of Cat and tried to runaway. Gautama maharishi, had seen what happened using his extra sensory power. Knew that it was Indra’s trick, cursed him to get eyes on all over his body. Indra came to this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva and got rid of Gautama Maharishi’s curse. Also requested Lord Shiva to Stay here and bless his devotees.
As per Kongu Mandala Sathakam, Sthala purana, Lord Shiva took the form of old man and pledged his sons Vinayagar and Subramaniyar to get gold from an old lady of this place. The gold thus obtained was given to saint Sundarar.
கிழவெ தியவடிவு ஆகி விருத்தையைக் கிட்டியென்றன்
அழகாரு மக்கள் அடகுகொண்டு அம்பெண் அருள்தியென்றுஏற்று
எழுகாத லால்தமிழ் பாடிய சுந்தரற்கு ஈந்தஒரு
வழுவேந் தியவிகிர் தேசுரன் வாழ்கொங்கு மண்டலமே
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, 10 days Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month Masi, Markazhi thiruvathirai, Aipasi Annabhishekam, Karthikai Deepam and Mahashivaratri are celebrated in a grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 17.30 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
Prabhu Gurukkal +91 9600291218 or +91 4324 262010 or +91 9943527792.
This temple is under the control of Karur Shiva temple details may be obtained from them also.
HOW TO REACH
On Karur to Aravakurich road, after 13 KM take diversion at 6 Roads junction, to reach this place after 8 KM travel.
Town bus to Aatru medu to Karur passes through this village. The regular buses from Karur to Dindukal passes through this village.
The temple at Venjamangudalur is 25 KM from Karur Bus Stand, 87 KM from Erode, 141 KM from Coimbatore and 411 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Karur.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
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