About trip

About Temple: This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 13th Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai). 
Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).

• Moolavar:Sri Velladai Eswarar, Sri Velvidai Nathar, Sri Ratnagireeswarar, Sri Swetha Rishabeswarar
• Ambal:Sri Kaviyangkanni Amman, Sri Neelothpava Visalakshi
• Theertham (Holy water):Velvidai Theertham (a well) / Paalkinaru
• Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree):Vilvam tree
• Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by:Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar).
• Location:Thirukkurukavur, Nagapattinam,Tamil Nadu.

History:

• This east facing temple has a single corridor. Although it has no main tower (Rajagopuram) or dwajasthambam (Flag post), there is a beautiful arch at the entrance.
• The water in this temple’s well is believed to turn white on the new moon day in the Tamil month of Thai.
• The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place on 18.06.1986.
• The historical name of this village is Kurukavur and that of the temple is Velladai. Now the village is known as Thirukkadaavur.
• The stone inscriptions available in this temple are from the periods of Kings Rajendra Cholan, Kulottunga Cholan-I, Vikrama Cholan, Parakesari Varman and Rajathirajan. 
• The temple was rebuilt in stone in the 10th century during the period of King Uttama Cholan.
• Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of lords Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Kasi Viswanathar and Vishalakshi, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Durgai, Vishnu and Mohini, Nalvar, Gajalakshmi, Sivalokanathar, Bhulokanathar, Sage Dhurvasar, Bairavar, Suryan  Iyyanar and Mariamman can be seen in the corridors.
• Here Lord Vishnu is named Kariamaanikka Perumal and his consort is Sri Bumi Devi. Lord Saneeswaran graces from a separate shrine.
• Lord Murugan is revered as Dakshinamurthy in this temple. He graces with his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Special poojas are performed to him on Thursdays, a day considered to be auspicious for Guru.
• Since Lord Shiva of this temple offered food to saint Sundarar, devotees believe that worshipping him here would ensure that they never face shortage of food.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Nagapattinam Sightseeing

Proceed towards Nagapattinam. Then transfer to Hotel. Hotel Check In. Then proceed to visit Dutch Fort. Kayarohanaswamy Temple. Sikkal Singaravelar Temple. Come back to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 2 - Nagapattinam Sightseeing

Morning Breakfast at Hotel. Check out from Hotel. Then Proceed towards Sri Velladai Eswarar Temple at Thirukkurukavur. Soundaryaraja Perumal Temple. Nellukadai Mariamman Temple. Finally drop at Railway Junction / Airport.