YETTIKUDI - VELAVAN TEMPLE

Thiruvaimoor is another name for this holy kshetra Yettikudi. And as it was over grown with Yetti trees once, the name stuck to it aptly even today. It has a fantastic origin, and its growth with the demonstration of sports by Muruga are imbued with mystery. According to legend one Chola King by name Mutharayan happened to visit this region once by accident.  Enchanted by the eyeful sights of green forest blooming with bounteous beauty of colourful sights decided to settle down here. Accordingly he brought with him several eminent persons in every walk of life, like artisans, merchants, pundits and priests. Clearing a part of the forest, he built a grand city for comfortable habitation of the people, he brought with him. Then started the building of an imposing temple for Muruga - his ishta daivam. The Mahasilpi entrusted with the task of making beautiful icon of Muruga, searched for the most auspicious and befitting stone for months and got it at last.

Working on the image tirelessly for 12 days, he neared the completion of sculpturing . the image of Velavan with twelve hands seated on the peacock. Just then, he noticed perspiration. The work of giving drishti to the peacock was yet to be done. Fearing that the peacock would run way with Velavan, if sight were to be given, he arranged to tie the peacock's legs with strong iron chains. Soon after giving drishti - opening of the eyes, the peacock actually started flying, then the artist instantly wounded its leg with his sharp chisel. It remained unmoved. The delighted king and silpi installed the image along with Valli 'and Devasena in the grand temple completed by then. This powerful Muruga rained boons on the devotees liberally and so it became a great yatrasthala in a few years. Alas! its glory departed with the death of that immortal patron-king. Worship-both daily and yearly was stopped abruptly due to lack of funds. Then again a miracle happened. One renowned Muruga bhakta amassing wealth by his profession of curing the effects of sunya and witch-craft financed the temple administration to carry on the nityanaimithika worship. Thenceforward, several kinds of ritualistic worship including kavadi is being carried on and it is now a holy Muruga kshetra throbbing with devotional activities. A visit-worthy kshetra of unparalleled spiritual eminence.

It lies 20 km off Thuraipoondi between Nagapattanam and Millat, accessible by bus.

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