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Veezhinathar , Azhagiya Maamulai Amman

Veezhinathar Temple&nbsp;&nbsp;is an ancient temple located in&nbsp;Thiruveezhimizhalai&nbsp;dedicated to Lord&nbsp;Shiva. Thiruveezhimizhalai is a revenue village in&nbsp;Kudavasal Taluka&nbsp;of&nbsp;Thiruvarur District&nbsp;in&nbsp;Tamil Nadu,&nbsp;India. This temple is the 61st&nbsp;Padal Petra Kovil&nbsp;also known as&nbsp;Paadal Petra Sthalams&nbsp;in the Chola Naadu, South of Kaveri.&nbsp;

Parvati&nbsp;is said to have been reborn as&nbsp;Katyayani&nbsp;and married&nbsp;Shiva&nbsp;here.&nbsp;Vishnu&nbsp;received the cosmic weapon Chakrayudam from Shiva here in lieu of the 1000 flower worship to Shiva. A panel depicting the divine marriage is seen behind the&nbsp;Shivalingam. The Moolvar vimanam is believed to be brought to here by&nbsp;Mahavishnu.

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The name Thiruveezhimizhalai is said to have come from two legends that took place here. The place was once a forest full of Sandhanam (Sandalwood), Senbagai, Pala (Jackfruit), Vila which is called Veezhi in Tamil. Also there is a plant by name Veezhi which grows in abundance at this place. Hence it is called Veezhi Kaadu(forest). Secondly there was a hunter by name Mizhalai Kurumbar who lived here. He used to offer Vila fruit to Lord Shiva daily. Seeing his&nbsp;bhakthi, Lord Shiva gave&nbsp;dharsan&nbsp;to him.&nbsp;&nbsp;Lord Shiva + Veezhi Plants + Mizhalai Kurumbar = Thiruveezhimizhalai&nbsp;

When&nbsp;Sambandar&nbsp;and&nbsp;Thirunavukarasar&nbsp;visit this place, there was a severe drought all around. They prayed to Lord Shiva who gave Padikasu (Gold Coin) one each every day to both of them.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sambandar gets Padikasu at the Pedam in front of Mahamandapam. Navukarasar gets gold coin in the Pedam in Merkku (west)&nbsp;prakaram(closed precincts of a temple). Using these gold coin, they offered food to the needy people. The&nbsp;Math&nbsp;where they did anandanam is located on Vadaku Therodum Veedhi (North car Street).

Image of the hall of the temple where bats cannot reside

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Image of the sanctum and entry tower

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From&nbsp;Kumbakonam, take Thiruvarur road till Natchiyar Koil and from there, take Poonthotam-Natchiyar Koil Road to reach Thenkarai. From Thenkarai, cross the Arasalarur in the north and walk 1&nbsp;km. to reach Thiruveezhimizhalai temple. Those who come from&nbsp;Chennai&nbsp;or&nbsp;Puducherry&nbsp;can come up to&nbsp;Mayavaram&nbsp;and take Mayavarum-Thiruvarur Road up to Poonthottam. From Poonthottam, take Poonthotam-Natchiyar Koil Road to reach Thenkarai.

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