Kapardeeswarar Temple, Thiruvalanchuzhi

The Kapardeeswarar Temple at Thiruvalanchuzhi, near Swamimalai, is a Shiva temple praised in the Tevaram hymns. Shiva is worshipped as Kapardeeswarar, with his consort as Brihannayagi. The temple is best known for its shrine to Ganesha, the Swetha (white) Vinayagar, and is often called the Vellai Vinayagar Temple.

Tradition

According to tradition, the white image of Ganesha was made from sea foam during the churning of the ocean. Another tradition says the sage Herandar brought the Kaveri river up from the underworld here, and that the river's winding course gave the village its name. Here, the trunk of Ganesha turns to the right. Because the image is believed to be made of sea foam, no ritual bathing (abhishekam) is performed on it; only powdered edible camphor (pachai karpooram) is offered.

History

Inscriptions record gifts from the Cholas and the Thanjavur Nayaks. The oldest parts of the temple are Chola; later additions date up to the 16th century. Buddhist images from the Chola period found in the temple show the influence of Buddhism in the region. It is administered by the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department.