திருவிற்குடி வீரட்டானேஸ்வரர் கோயில்Thiruvirkudi Veerateeswarar (Veerataneswarar) Temple

Sthala Mahātmyam

The Veerateeswarar (Veerataneswarar) Temple at Thiruvirkudi, about 10 km from Thiruvarur near Nannilam, is the Ashta Veerattanam shrine of Jalandhara Samhara. According to the legend, the mighty asura Jalandhara, born when the fire of Shiva's third eye fell into the ocean, was rendered nearly invincible by the chastity of his wife Vrinda (Tulasi) and waged war on the gods; after his protection was undone through Vishnu's intervention, Shiva fashioned a discus and severed the demon's head. The festival image of Jalandhara Samhara (Jalandharavadha) Murti bears the discus commemorating this victory. Shiva is worshipped as Veerateeswarar with his consort as Elavarkuzhali. A Paadal Petra Sthalam sung by Tirugnanasambandar in the Tevaram, the west-facing temple has a five-tier rajagopuram and two prakarams. Daily worship follows four kala pujas, with observances on Somavaram, Sukravaram, Pradosham, Amavasai and Sashti; Masi Magam and the Brahmotsavam are the major festivals.