History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Festivals, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Vairavanswamy Temple, Vairavapatti, Tamil Nadu, India
Vairavanswamy Temple also popular as Vairavanpatti or Vadukanthapuram is a Hindu Temple solely dedicated to Lord Shiva and situated in a small town called Vairavanpatti in Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu. This temple is one of the Ashta Bhairava Sthalams as here Lord Shiva is worshiped in form of Bhairava or Vairavan.
This Shiva Temple is third largest Lord Shiva temple run by the well known Nagarathar Chettiars community of this famous Chettinad region. This temple is one of the 9 temples of Nagarathar and was handed over by Pandyan kings. The history of temple is dated back to 1200 year ago and it was built during 8th Century by Pandya’s. But, during 18th Century the Nagarathars made it into a stone Temple. The ceiling of the temple has the most beautiful painting of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The key attraction of temple is Seven Note Pillar – Mandapam which are crafted amazingly and generates different seven Rag. The temple is very well maintained and you can see beautiful sculpture, painting and carving in entire temple campus.
As per Mythology, Parvati misunderstood the Brahma as a Lord Shiva with the five heads and Brahma didn’t correct her. When Parvati realized her mistake, she told Shiva about it and Shiva ordered Bhairava to cut off one of the head of Brahma. This incidence took place here so Bhairava is worshipped here.
Another interesting story behind the place is associated with Sooran – son of sage Kashyap who did rigours penance and got the boon that only Lord Shiva can kill him. Then Sooran had started torturing and punishing Devatas, thus God Indra requested Lord Shiva to save them from Sooran. Lord Shiva took the form of Bhairava or Vairavar and killed the Sooran and release devatas from torture of Sooran and thus presiding deity here is Valaroli Nathar.
Vairavanswamy Temple’s main deity is Swayambhu Lingam known as Valaronlindhar and in outside wall Painting of Lord Shree Ram in form of greeting a Vishwarupa Anjaneya with folded hand as he delivered the news of Sita Mata which showcase the quality of simplicity.
The Vairava Theertham or the water tank is one of the speciality of the temple. As it is believed that if you take dip in the tank you will be free from the skin diseases and bone related disorders. Devotees pray in the temple for freedom from enemy fear and relief from adverse planetary aspects. The visitors and devotees offers a dish to Lord Bhairava made up of Vadai on the eighth day of new moon fortnight. Champakasura Sashti, Kartheekai Deepam, Mahashivrathri, Vinayak Chaturthi etc. festivals are celebrated here with great zeal and devotion.
How to reach Vairavanswamy Temple, Vairavapatti, Tirupattur, Sivganga, Tamil Nadu, India
As Vairavanswamy Temple is major pilgrimage destination of south India it is easily reachable by road, rail and air network. Vairavanpatti is just 8kms from Tiruputhur Bus Station and 40 km from Sivaganga district. You can hire private vehicle to reach here. The nearest Railway Station is in Karaikudi at just 17 km and the nearest Airport is in Madurai at just 70 km. It is located close to important city like Karaikkudi, Madurai, Pudukkottai and Trichy.
