Thiruvalanchuzhi

Thiruvalanchuzhi - Swetha Vinayagar / Karpaganathar Temple

The Swetha Vinayagar Temple (Tamil: Vellai Vinayakar Koil) is a Hindu temple situated in the village of Tiruvalanchuzhi near Swamimalai in Kumbakonam taluk of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.

Lord Valanchuzhi Nathar is a swayambumurthi. Lord Vinayaka idol is made of the foam of Milk ocean (Thiru Parkadal), hence praised as Swetha Vinayaka – Vellai Vinayaka. Vellai in Tamil means white (the temple of the white Vinayaka, Nurai pillaiyaar).

Significance of Tiruvalanchuzhi Temple

Durvasa Muni is said to have carried out a yagnam here, and the Devas who attended it are said to have established several Siva Lingams in this temple.

As the trunk of Lord Ganesha is twisted towards his right hand side, the place is said to have got the name "Thiru Valam Suzhi".

It is also believed that once Kaveri went back into the earth and people were worried without the existence of holy river. A Rishi by name Heranda Muni went inside the small passage where River Kavery went inside the Bhumi and sacrificed himself.

After this incident, River Kavery came back to the surface near this shrine, and made a complete circle towards the right and hence the village got the name Thiruvalanchuzhi.

Tiruvalanchuzhi temple is the 25th Shiva on the southern bank of River Cauvery region praised in Thevaram hymns (Padal petra sthalam).

This temple is believed one of the “Pancha krosha sthalams around Pazhayarai”. 

The others temples are 
Thiru Nallur KalyanaSundareswarar temple
Patteeswaram Thenupuriswarar Temple, 
Keezh Pazhayarai Vadathali Someswarar Temple and
Avoor Pasupatheeswarar Temple.


It is considered very auspicious to worship all these 5 temples in a single day during “Dakshinayanam”.

Tiruvalanchuzhi - Kabardeeswarar Temple திருவலஞ்சுழி - கபர்தீஸ்வரர் கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Sadaimudinathar, ThiruValanchuzhi Nathar, Karpaganathar  Kabardeeswarar / Kabartheeswarar
Goddess Name	Sri Periyanayaki
Location	Thiruvalanchuzhi
Special	Ganesha made of Sea Foam
Significance	25th of 127 Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in southern bank of River Cauvery, Swetha Vinayagar Temple - Vellai Vinayagar Kovil One of 275 shiva temples,  One of the Pancha krosha sthalams around Pazhayarai
Ancient	1000 - 2000 years old
Travel Base	Kumbakonam

Nearby Temples : 

Swamimalai Murugan Temple,

Darasuram Airavatesvara Temple 

How to reach: The Thiruvalanchuzhi temple is located 6 Kms from Kumbakonam near Swamimalai (one of the 6 abodes of Lord Murugan). It is about 1 Km. from Swamimalai. One can also reach Tiruvalanchuzhi via Dharasuram. Frequent Bus and auto facility is available.