Uthavedeeswarar Temple, Kuthalam.. Uthavedeeswarar Temple is a Shiva temple situated in Kuthalam, Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu.
Here Lord Shiva is worshipped as Uthavedeeswarar and he is the chief deity present in this temple. As per legend, Lord Shiva was believed to have been married to Ma Parvathi at the present place of this temple, and Lord Shiva has left his holy marks in this temple, before dwelling in Mount Kailash. The Saivite saint Sambandar has composed several hymns in praise of this temple in the holy text Thevaram.
Several sages like Kashyapa, Angirasa, Gotama, Markandeya, Vashista, Kulastya and Agastya had visited this place and glorified this temple through their foot marks. The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of River Kaveri. It is believed that the river was flowing on both sides of the village.
This temple is estimated to have been built 1000 – 2000 years ago.
Uddhala tree is famous in this temple. It is found only here in this entire world.
WONDERFUL SONGS IN PRAISE OF LORD UTHAVEDEESWARA
The Lord Siva, the great Uthavedeeswarar, who wears Ear stud on his ears,
Smears his body with ash From mega crematorium (of the worlds during the end),
Crescent moon adorns his head, He rides on the bull (of dharma with Vedic scriptures as its four legs) Lord Uthavedeeswarar Who resides In the Temple of Brahma pura (our body, the city of the soul) He is the thief captivates my heart (soul).
When Uthavedeeswarar our divine father was angry Saying that was wrong for me to drink the milk Without knowing that I was fed In a golden cup By the Goddess adorned with flowers
He the Noble One with the beautiful ear-ring, Seated here with that simple Gracious Lady
In the fertile city of Kzhumalam Enfolded me into His Grace.
Devi is his other half; His neck holds the poison that he swallowed. He tunes the pure Veenai. On his head he wears the crescent moon and the river Ganga. This Siva has entered my heart. Hence all the nine astrological planets of sun, moon, mars, mercury, jupitor, venus, saturn, including the shadowy planets of raahu and kEthu are good and pleasant for the devotees all days and all times.
The Holy Ash [Thiru neeRu] is mantra;
The Holy Ash adorns the Celestials;
The Holy Ash is the source of beauty;
The Holy Ash brings hands together in prayer;
The Holy Ash is meditation;
The Holy Ash is spoken of in scriptures of old;
The Holy Ash is from Him – Consort of the red-lipped Goddess;
Who resides in the temple of Thiruvaalavaay [Madurai]. If we meditate on Lord Siva of Thiru-kEthees-waram every morning, the ill effects of all our activities will be nullified. Lord Siva swallowed the devastatingly deadly poison and thus saved the celestials who wanted to enjoy the pleasures of sweet songs, music and dance. That Lord Siva, resides in Thiru-kEthees-waram on the seacoast, which has vast gardens full of beautiful· and fragrant flowers.
Even in the face of great obstacles, weakness, and unrelenting illness, I never forget worshiping you. You the Gracious, swallowed the poison mixed in the immortal imparting nectar from the ocean and held it at your throat (to save others). If there is nothing to give to us now in need, is this the way You admit us as your protégé? Is your sweet Grace like that? Oh! Lord Siva at Thiru-Avadu-thuRai!
“OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”
COMPILED BY
R. HARISHANKAR