Thirukkarukavur - Velladai Eshwarar Temple (Rishabhapuram)

• Meditation: I meditate on Lord Velladai Eshwarar and Devi Neelotpala Vishalakshi at Thirukkarukavur.

• Greatness: The Velladai Eshwarar Temple of Thirukkarukavur is a Paadal Petra Sthalam whose glory was sung by the Nayanmars.

• Puranic Events:

1. Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu: Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a white bull. Hence the place is also called as Rishabhapuram as well as Vishnupuram.
- Note: The name of the Lord Velladai also refers to white (Vellai means white in Tamil).

2. Lord Shiva & Agni deva: Agni deva tested king Sibi Chakravarthi by taking the form of a pigeon. However, to regain his normal form Agni deva worshipped Lord Shiva here by creating a tank and offering its waters to Lord Shiva.
- Note: The name of the place Kurukavur refers to this incident (Kuruvi means pigeon in Tamil).

3. Lord Shiva & Sundarar: Lord Shiva provided food and shelter to Sundarar and his party by appearing in the guise of an old man. After food and rest, when Sundarar wanted to thank the old man, the man and the tent for shelter disappeared. Sundarar realized that it is Lord Shiva's grace and sang a Pathigam here.

4. Lord Shiva & Thirugnana Sambandar: Lord Shiva brought river Ganges in a well in this temple for Thirugnana Sambandar to take bath and get relieved of his sin of indirectly becoming the cause of death of many Jains.
- Event: Thirugnana Sambandar defeated the Jains by overcoming various challenges and established the supremacy of Shaivism in Tamil Nadu. As per the conditions set forth during the challenges, the Jains were hanged by the king. However, to atone the sin of indirectly causing deaths to the Jains, Thirugnana Sambandar decided to go to Kashi. When he sought permission of Lord Shiva at Sirkazhi, the Lord told him to go Karukavur instead. Lord Shiva also brought the waters of river Ganga in a well in this temple.
- Note: The well where Lord Shiva brought the waters of river Ganges is known as Paal Kinaru. On the Thai Amavasya day, the Teerthavari festival is celebrated here.

5. Lord Shiva & poor devotee: Lord Shiva bestowed gems to a poor devotee through Kubera. Hence the Lord is also known as Ratnagireswarar (Ratna means gems).

• Deities:
- Lord Velladai Eshwarar
- Devi Neelotpala Vishalakshi

• Sacred Geography:
- Velvidai Teertham: The Paal Kinaru well.
- Vilvam Tree (Bilva Tree or Bengal Quince): The Sthala Vriksha of the Temple.

• Location: Thirukkarukavur Velladai Eshwarar Temple is located in the Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. The temple can be visited from Sirkazhi (6 km), Chidambaram (25 km) and Mayiladuthurai (25 km).

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