| Description:
This Shivastalam is of the 8 Ashtaveeratta Stalams of Shiva, associated with the slaying
of the demon Jalandarasuran with the discus, Chakram. As with 5 of the other
Veerattastalams, Shiva faces west. It is only at the Tiruvazhuvur and Tiruvatikai Veerattams that Shiva faces East. The eight Veeratta
Stalams are Tiruvatikai, Tirukkurukkai,
Tirukkadavur, Tiruvazhuvur, Tirukkovalur, Tiruppariyalur, Tirukkandiyur and Tiruvirkudi. Tiruvazhuvur is considered to be a Tevara
Vaippustalam, as it has no Patikams dedicated to it.
Tiruvirkudi considered to be the
74th in the series of Tevara Stalams in
the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri.
Virkudi is also known as Gokarnam,
as the mound of sand which forms the base of the temple, in between two rivers resembles
the ear of a cow.Virkudi is surrounded by Nannilam
(NW), Tiruppanaiyur, Tiruppugalur
(N), Tiruppalliyin Mukkoodal (S), Tiruvarur (SW), Tiruvaanchiyam
(W) and Tiruppayatrankudi, Chenkattankudi and Tirumarugal
(E).
Legends: Many interesting
legends are associated with the demon Jalandharan. This shrine is also name
as Dhanushapuram, as Vishnu's bow, believed to have been broken by the Devas in the guise
of termites landed here. This legend is similar to that at Tiruvarur.
Interestingly Tulasi is the stalavriksham here, and is believed to be the reincarnation
of Brinda, the wife of the slain demon.
The Temple: Virkudi is situated in a rural locale blessed with lush
vegetation. This temple with 2 prakarams occupies an area of about an acre and its
entrance is crowned with a 200 feet high Rajagopuram at its Western Entrance. There are
pillared halls with interesting carvings. There is a separate shrine for Bhairavar here.
The festival image of Shiva - Jalandhara Samhara
Moorthy here bears the discus - chakram. Shiva is said to have given this discus to
Vishnu at Tiruveezhimizhalai nearby. There are
several theerthams in this temple. |
