Kameswarar Thiruvellur

Saivite Temples, Thiruchirapalli District

God

Kameshwarar, facing east

Goddess

Sivakamasundari, facing south

Other Deities

Ganesha, Muruga, to be updated

Kameswarar Thiruvellur is a very ancient temple with a strange history of demolition and suppression. The temple has an immaculate stone structure for the entrance. As we went in 2012 it was under renovation.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Kameswarar Thiruvellur is believed to have been developed by Vijayalaya Chola I in the form of a granary to discourage other kings from worshiping here. His successor Vijalaya Chola II is said to have demolished the temple and kept a tunnel only to be entered by him. All this because the Lord here is so powerful that he who worships him cannot be defeated.

Legend

An Asura called Valan was blessed by Lord Shiva that he will not be destructed by any divine power. The Devas were suppressed by him and they went to Vishnu for advice and was told to ask King Musukunda to fight and kill Valan. The king prayed to the lord here, kept his arms under him and started the battle and won. Since then every ruler believed that the blessings of the Lord at Kameswarar Thiruvellur will ensure they never lose. This is also the base for the historical fact mentioned above. Another story is that Kama, the god of love was burnt by Shiva and upon request by his wife Rati he was resurrected here at Kameswarar Thiruvellur and hence the Lord’s name is Kameswara.

Directions

Kameswarar Thiruvellur is about 5 kilometers before Musiri when you go from Thiruchirapalli. Take a right on the main road and drive for a kilometer to reach the temple.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest for food is Musiri.

Saivite Temples

Kameswarar, Thiruvellur