Vazhuvur Veerattam

God

Veerateswarar, Gajasamharar, facing east

Goddess

Bala Gujambigai, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaga, Muruga, Sahasralingam, Nalwar, 63 Nayanmar, Jeshtadevi, Nagas, Pidari, Lingams worshipped by Saptha Maadhar, Bhairava, Gajalakshmi, Saneeswara, Surya, Chandra, Navagrahas, Pitchadanar, Gajasamharamurthy

Vazhuvur Veerattam is a grand old and large east facing temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram, 3 Prakarams and a large temple tank inside the compound. This is one of the eight Veeratta Sthalams where Lord Shiva is said to have performed acts of fury valor. The others are Thirikadaiyur, Thirukandiyur, Thirukoviloor, Thiruvadigai, Thiruparaiyur, Thiruvirkudi and Thirukkurakkai.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Panchamuga Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Not known

History

Vazhuvur Veerattam temple dates back to the Medieval Cholas. A bronze statue of Gajasamharamurthi present here dates back to the 11th Century CE.

Legend

To humble some saints who had taken the path of non-belief, the Lord is said to have appeared as Bikshadanar, a very beautiful male form. The saints seeing their wives following this bewitching male form are supposed to have created a demonic elephant out of their Yaga and set upon him here at Vazhuvur Veerattam. Lord Shiva entered inside the elephant in a miniscule shape, killed the elephant and came out wearing the elephant skin. The scene is watched by a scared Parvati and a thrilled little Muruga in her arms as depicted in a beautiful image in the temple. Thus the name of Gaja (Elephant) Samharar (Killer). This aspect of Shiva is also known as “Kirthivasa” or “one who wears an elephant skin as a garment.

Directions

Vazhuvur Veerattam is about 7 Kilometers south of Mayiladuthurai on the Peralam Road. The temple is a kilometer inside right off the main road to Peralam.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Mayiladuthurai.