Temple info -2324 Theneeswarar Temple, Vellalore , Coimbatore வெள்ளலூர் தேனீஸ்வர்ர் கோயில், கோயம்புத்தூர்
Temple info -2324
கோயில் தகவல் -2324
Vellalore Theneeswarar temple: I have already written about Vellalore. It is around 13 kms from Ciombatore. This time I will be covering the Shri Sivakamasundari sametha Shri Theneeswarar Temple here. This is only the second temple in the Coimbatore district where the idols of all the 63 Nayanmars are installed. This is another temple constructed by Karikala Chozhan who had constructed 36 temples in the Kongu region. It is situated close to the Noyyal river. This is an important Kala Bhairava Pooja temple. The old name for this place was Chathurveda Managalam or Bhaskara Kshetram ( as the rays of Sun decorate the Lord on the first day of Tamil month Chithirai- Apl 13 to 15th ).
Though it is more than 1000 years old, during the 14th century, Allaudin Kilji’s forces destroyed the temple and even the idols were not spared. Though skeleton poojas were done with the available idols, the complete re-construction could not be done for several centuries. This had affected the area with less rain fall or floods and the resulting miseries to the population. The village elders then decided to renovate the temple as they believed that when the temple was in good shape, the village also prospered. Accordingly during the 19th century ( in 1874 ), a complete renovation and Kumbabishekam were done.
I have already mentioned about the prophecy of a Kurathi ( gypsy ) to the Chozha King Karikala that his dynasty could get relief from Brahmahathi Dosham only when he constructed 36 temples. He started from Karur and ended up at Muttam in the old spice route. This place comes in the middle. At that time, it was occupied by a community called Irulars and their chieftain was called Vellai. They helped the king in recovering land from the forest and the king permitted the place to be called Vellalur after Vellai. When they were clearing the bushes, they unearthed the Swayambulingam of the Lord. The temple was constructed on that spot. As per the local belief, this was the Lingam worshipped by the celestial cow Kamadhenu and hence came to be calle Dhenu Eswarar which over a period of time, became Theneeswarar.
This is one of the large temples in Coimbatore District with 5 prakarams. The Rajagopuram is constructed in a peculiar way. Generally the rajagopurams are of 3, 5 or 7 tier structure. Here there is a wide platform on the first level where there are images of a Lingam under the hood of a serpent and Lord Shiva dancing in front. As per the temple officials this construction was done by a devotee who had a dream to that effect. There are four small gopurams on the four corners of this level.
When we enter the temple, on the left side is the shrine of Jothilingeswarar and Vadalur Ramalinga Adigalar is believed to have worshipped here. After crossing the mahamandapam and ardha mandapam, the shrine of Shri Theneeswarar could be reached. On the right side of the Lord is the shrine of the Mother Sivakamasundari in the standing posture. It is very rare to find both the Lord and the Mother under the same gopuram and coming around these shrines, gives lot of benefits.
There are shrines for other deities like Vinayakar, Balamurugan, Panchalingeswarar, Chandran, Saneeswaran and others. The most important sub shrine is that of Kala Bhairavar. Special poojas are performed on the Ashtami day of the new moon phase. Similarly praying to Saneeswaran here is believed to have the same impact as one gets in Tirunallar. There are five lines on the forehead of the Panchalingeswarar and hence the name. The idols of Vinayakar, Nandi and Panchalingeswarar are made of a peculiar stone similar to the soap stone ( called Venga Kal in Tamil ) and they were made by continuous polishing and were not carved! ( Note: Photos and materials were collected from various web sites ).
![]() |
Another view of the entrance |
![]() |
Lord with the Silver kavacham |
Comments
Post a Comment