 Description:
This Shivastalam is located in the vicinity of Aalankudi
and Koyil venni near Needamangalam and is at a
distance of 10 km from Mannargudi. A 3.5 acre
temple dedicated to Mullaivaneswarar and Karpakavalli is located in the Mullaivasal
(Perambur) village nearby. This shrine is regarded as the 103rd in
the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola Region south of the river
Kaveri.Legend has it that Parvati who was born as
the Raja Rajesvari daughter of a king in Tirunelveli married Shiva who had come in the
guise of a Sidhhar and defeated her in a game of Chaturangam, hence the name Chaturanga
Vallabheswarar. Chamundeswari one of the Sapta Maatas is said to have raised Raja
Rajeswari; a 10 day festival is celebrated in her honor in the month of
Chittirai. It is believed that worshipping Chamundeswari here would
relieve devotees of ailments related to venomous bites. Legend also
has it that Shiva was worshipped by Suka muni here.
 The Temple: This temple with 2 prakarams covering an area of about 2
acres has 2 Ambal shrines - those of Karpakavalli and Rajarajeswari. Karunkuzhi Theertham
is the principal theertham here. Other theerthams here include the Pampani river and the
Ksheera Pushkarini. The temple is crowned with a five tiered rajagopuram.
There are also shrines to Ganesha, Lakshmi Narayana, Kasi Viswanatha,
Agastyar, Rama, Mahalakshmi, Ardhanaareeswara, Bhikshatanar and
others. Somaskanda here is revered as Tyagaraja (as in the vitanka
shrines).
Festivals: The annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of
Vaikasi here. Six worship services are offered each day. Festivals here
include Kartikai Deepam and Navaratri. The annual festival in honor of
Chamundeswari is heeld in the month of Chittirai. |
