About trip

About Temple: This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 113th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).This temple is one of the “Pancha Aaranya Sthalam”.

• Moolavar:Sri Vilvaranyeswarar, Sri Vilva Vana Nathar, Sri Kollambuthur Udaiyar.
• Ambal:Sri Soundara Nayagi, Sri Azhakiya Nayagi.
• Theertham (Holy water): Brahma Theertham, Agasthiya Theertham, Ganga Theertham, Kaandeepa Theertham, River Vettaru.
• Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree):Vilvam tree.
• Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by: Saint Thirugnanasambanthar .
• Location:Thirukkollamputhur (Thirukkalampur), Thiruvarur,Tamil Nadu.

History:

• Saint Thirugnanasambanthar sang a pathigam here in order to keep his raft afloat on a flooded river. He crossed the river without the help of a boatman to reach this temple.
• This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• In front of the main tower, there is an arch in the outside corridor with beautiful sculptures of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, Vinayakar and Murugan.
• The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 01.07.1979.
• According to legend, in ancient times, this region was a forest densely covered with Vilva trees. Vilvam trees are also called “Koovilam” and hence this place gets the name Koovilambuthur. Later it has been changed to Kollambuthur. 
• These Vilva trees are said to have grown on the place where the celestial nectar “Amirtham” fell on earth. This sthalam is considered as auspicious as Kasi.
• This ancient temple is situated on the bank of the river Vettaru (Mulliyaru), a tributary of the river Cauvery. This river is also known as Agathiya Cauvery.
• The historical names of this place are Panchatchara Puram, Kandeepavanam, Brahmavanam, Koovilambuthur and Thiru Kalampur.
• As per stone inscriptions, this temple was built by Chola Kings Kulothungan-III and Rajarajan-III.
• Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of
• Poyyatha Vinayakar, Dandapani, Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Katchi Koduthavar, Lakshmi Narayanar, Gajalakshmi, Saraswathi, Visalakshi, Gangai Amman, Navagraham, Iyanar, Mariyamman, Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Saneeswarar, Nalvar, Valampuri Vinayakar and Mahishasuramarthini can be seen in the main hall and the corridors. There is also an idol of a Chola king along with his wife.
• There are three Shivalingams here named Gajamuktheeswarar, Mahaalingam and Aadhi Vilvanathar.
• Pancha aranya shivalingams - Mullaivana Nathar, Satchinathar, Pathala Varadhar, Vilvanathar and Aapathsahayeswarar can also be seen in the corridor.
• In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Narthana Vinayakar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai can be seen.
• Separate shrines for Vinayakar and Dandapani can be seen on either side of the main tower.
• There is a separate shrine for Goddess Soundara Mahalakshmi in the outer corridor.
• Participating in this temple’s boat festival is considered very auspicious. Devotees believe by participating in this festival they would be blessed with prosperity and happiness.
• Those suffering from mental ailments can worship the lord here to get relief.
• Devotees also believe that by worshiping the five “Aaranya” temples in a single day, they will be freed from the harmful effects of any planetary position in their horoscope.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Thiruvarur Sightseeing

Pick up from Theni/Dindigul. Proceeding towards Thiruvarur Hotel Check in. Then proceed to visit Veerataneswarar Temple, Thiruvirkudi, Arulmigu Abathsahyeswarar Temple. Arulmigu Saraswathi Temple. Come back to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 2 - Thiruvarur Sightseeing

After Refreshment and Breakfast at Hotel. Check out from Hotel. Then proceed to visit Sri Vilvaaranyeswarar Temple at Thirukkollamputhur (Thirukkalampur) Sri Agnieeswarar Temple sri Seshapureeswarar Temple. Then Starting Our Journey Towards Theni/Dindigul.