Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

When the Devas and Asuras were churning the ocean, they forgot to worship Ganesha. They realized their error when the poison came out, and Indra immediately made an image of Ganesha out of the sea foam which had collected as a result of the churning of the ocean. Ganesha was pleased, and the Devas were able to obtain nectar. This is the Ganesha present in the temple.

Devendra (Indira) came down to Earth with Swetha Vinayaka seeking relief from the curse caused by his wrong behaviour towards Agalya. He came to this place finally after worshipping various Shiva temples. Lord Swetha Vinayaka, till then with Indira, wished to stay in this place for ever and prayed to Lord Shiva for the purpose. Lord Shiva came before Indira as a little boy. Indira asked the boy to keep his Vinayaka till he came back after worshipping Lord Shiva. The boy simply put the Vinayaka on the floor and disappeared. Indira could not find either the boy or his Vinayaka. He finally found his Vinayaka under the Bali Peeta in the temple but could not lift despite all his efforts. Indira brought Deva Shilpi (sculptor of great skills), made a Rath – Car covering the surroundings of the Bali Peeta and tried to pull Vinayaka to his place, but in vain. A voice said that if Indira worships Vinayaka in this place on each Vinayaka Chaturthi day (occurring in August- September), he would reap the benefit of worshipping him each day. It is believed that Indira visits the temple on each Vinayaka Chaturthi to worship Lord Swetha Vinayaka. Lord Swetha Vinayaka is made from sea water foam. Hence, no abishek is offered nor flowers, vastras or sandal placed on him. Only powdered Borneol (Pachai Karpuram) is sprayed on the idol without hand touch. Lord Vinayaka married here Indiradevi Kamalambal born of the eyes of Lord Maha Vishnu and Buddhi Devi born of the speech of Lord Brahmma in this sacred place, hence, those facing obstacles and problems in their marriage efforts worship Lord Swetha Vinayaka for reliefs.

With the graceful blessings of Lord Swetha Vinayaka, Mother Cauvery River began to flow towards Chola region from the Kamandalam of Sage Agasthya. Kamandalam is a pot usually carried by Sages. Knowing that Mother Cauvery is flowing towards his kingdom, Chola King Haridwajan went with his men to receive her with all honours. While entering this place, respectfully called Shakti Vanam, She circumambulated Lord Shiva (Valam Varudhal in Tamil) and entered through a hole (Piladwara in Sanskrit) in the northeast (Eesanya direction). Despite all efforts, the king could not bring out Cauvery. He surrendered at the feet of Sage Heranda performing penance in Kottayur. The Sage came to Thiruvalanchuzui and prayed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva through his voice (Asareeri in Tamil and Sanskrit) said that Cauvery would not come out unless a Sage with Jadamudi-thick and long hair- or a king with such Jada entered into the hole. The king was ready to do this. But the Sage himself entered the hole and made Mother Cauvery come out to benefit a huge number of people in the State. Mother Cauvery came out from the hole at a place called Melacauvery near Kumbakonam. As Cauvery came up, the place is named Melacauvery and Tiruvalnchuzhi as she came circumambulating Lord Shiva. Saivite Saint Tirunavukkarasar had sung the glory of Lord of Tiru Valanchuzhi in his Thevaram hymns.