Ukthavedeeswarar temple, Tiruthuruthi

Location

Tiruthuruthi (Now known as Kuththalam)

Deity

Ukthavedeeswarar, Vedhasuwarar, Sonnavaararivaar

Female Deity

Mughizhaambikai

Pathikam

Tirunaavukarasar -1, Sambandar - 2, Sundarar - 1

Gallery - Tiruthuruthi Temple

Main Gopuram View

Second Gopuram

Nandi, Balipeetam, Kodimaram

How to Reach

This Shiva temple is situated at Kutthalam, about 9 kilometers from Mayiladuthurai on the Mayiladuthurai–Kumbakonam route, and is located approximately 1 kilometer from the Kutthalam bus stop. Devotees can easily hire an auto from Kutthalam to visit this temple along with Tiruvelvikkudi, Tiruedirkolpadi, and Tirumananjeri—all of which can be conveniently covered within half a day.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Uthavedeeswarar Temple
Kuthalam
Kuthalam Post
Mayiladuthurai Taluk
Mayiladuthurai District
PIN – 609801

Temple Hours

Morning : 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Evening : 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Sthala Purana - The Divine Marriage

After assuming the form of a cow and wandering across the earthly realm, Goddess Parvathi regained Her original form at Tiruvavaduthurai. However, Her marriage with Shiva did not take place there, as another sacred destiny awaited Her. In fulfillment of the earnest penance of Sage Bharathama at nearby Kutralam, Goddess Parvathi manifested as a maiden from the sacred sacrificial fire (Yajna Kundam). Raised as the beloved daughter of Sage Bharathama, the Goddess grew up with the sole desire of attaining God Shiva as Her divine consort. Every day, She went to the River Kaveri, fashioned a Shiva Lingam on a mound of sand in the middle of the river, and worshipped Him with deep devotion. On the eighth day of Her penance, God Shiva manifested from the Lingam and gently held the Goddess's hand, signifying His acceptance of Her as His bride.

With humility, the Goddess said, "According to the sacred scriptures, my marriage should be solemnized in the presence of my parents and relatives." God Shiva graciously replied, "So be it. Our marriage shall be celebrated exactly as you desire." Having received His assurance, the Goddess returned to the sage's ashram. True to His divine promise, God Shiva solemnized the marriage in the presence of Sage Bharathama and the assembled relatives, exactly in accordance with the sacred rites. Since He fulfilled His word precisely as He had spoken, He came to be revered as "Sonnavaaru Arivaar"—the Lord who unfailingly keeps His word.

Sthala Vriksha – Utthala Tree

The sacred tree (Sthala Vriksha) of this temple is the Utthala tree, a variety of the Athi (fig) tree. According to the Sthala Puranam, when God Shiva manifested as Manavala Nathar to wed the Goddess, the tree spread its branches like a divine canopy, providing shade for the celestial wedding. Even today, a pair of sacred Paadhukas (divine sandals) can be seen beneath this venerable tree. Owing to the presence of the Utthala tree, the place came to be known as Utthala Vanam, a name that gradually evolved over time into Kuthalam.

Thurutthi – An Island in the Middle of the River

The place now known as Kuthalam was referred to as Thurutthi during the Thevaram period. The word Thurutthi denotes an island situated in the middle of a river. In his Thevaram hymns, Tirunavukkarasar reverentially refers to this sacred place as Tiru-Thuruthy. This suggests that, during the 7th century CE, the temple was situated on an island amidst the waters of the River Kaveri.

Sundarar and the Sundara Theertham

Sundaramurthi Nayanar (Sundarar) also sang a Thevaram hymn in praise of the presiding deity of this sacred temple. After breaking the vow he had made to Sangili Nachiyar at Thiruvotriyur and leaving her, he was afflicted with the loss of sight in both eyes. Although he later regained vision in one eye at Kanchipuram through the grace of God Shiva, his body remained frail and weakened. In this condition, he arrived at Tiru-Thuruthy and, filled with deep remorse, prayed earnestly to the Lord, seeking forgiveness and relief from his suffering.

Moved by his sincere devotion, the Lord spoke through a divine voice, instructing Sundarar to immerse himself in the pond on the northern side of the temple, assuring him that his physical ailments would be cured. Sundarar obeyed the divine command, and as he emerged from the waters, his body was completely restored, becoming even more radiant than before. Thereafter, the pond came to be known as Sundara Theertham in memory of this miraculous healing. A separate sannidhi dedicated to Sundaramurthi Nayanar stands on its banks. It was after receiving this divine blessing that Sundarar sang a Thevaram hymn glorifying both Tiru-Thuruthy and Tiruvelvikkudi.

Temple Structure

Rajagopuram

The temple stands prominently at the center of the town. The five-tiered Rajagopuram faces west. The temple has two prakaras (enclosures). Upon entering through the gopuram gateway, one encounters the flagstaff (Kodimaram) and the Bali Peetham. On the right side stands the Sthala Vriksha, the Utthala tree, along with the pedestal surrounding it.

Ukthavedeeswarar

The sanctum of the presiding deity faces west, while the Goddess has a separate south-facing sannidhi adjoining it. Both the Lord and the Goddess have independent prakarams, enabling devotees to perform circumambulation around each sanctum separately.

Thunaivantha Vinayakar

When God Shiva came to this sacred place to wed the Goddess, Vinayaka accompanied Him as His divine companion. He is therefore worshipped here as "Thunaivantha Vinayakar" (the Vinayaka who came as a companion). His sannidhi is situated in the south-west corner of the outer prakara, along the pathway leading to the Goddess's sannidhi. Devotees can also have darshan of Valanchuzhi Vinayaka in the inner prakara.

Other Deities

In the eastern prakara, devotees can have darshan of the exquisitely beautiful west-facing Shanmukha. The north-eastern section of the prakara houses the sannidhis of the Navagrahas, Saptarishiswarar, Saneeswarar, Bhairavar, and the Pancha Lingas. The sculptures adorning the vimana above the sanctum of the main deity are large in size and rich in artistic beauty worthy of admiration.

Divine Worshippers

Several divine beings and sages have worshipped the presiding deity of this sacred place:

Agni
The Saptarishis—Kashyapa, Angirasa, Gautama, Markandeya, Vasishta, Pulastya, and Agastya—worshipped here and attained divine grace
Surya (the Sun God)
Sage Bharatha