Kuthalam - Uthavedeeswarar Temple

Kuthalam is a panchayat town in Nagapattinam district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Thiruthurutthi , which is the ancient name of the place. The Kuthalam Shiva temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Tirugnanasambandar. This is the 37th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauveri praised in Thevaram hymns.

Kuthalam - Sri Uthavedeeswarar Temple
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Uthavedeeswarar
Goddess Name	Sri Arumbanna Vanamulai Nayaki
Location	Kuthalam (Tiruthuruthi, Kuththalam)
Significance	Paadal Petra Sivasthalam, Kaverikarai Sivasthalam, Swaymabu Linga, Equivalent to Kasi temple
Ancient	1000 - 2000 years old
Thala Virutcham	Uddhala tree
Travel Base	Kumbakonam / Mayiladuthurai
Near By	Mayiladuthurai

The place where Parvathi devi grew to adulthood as Bharatha Maharshi's daughter is within the town of Kuttalam. It is believed that Shiva arrived here for the marriage and the couple also departed from this place.  Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthi in the temple. As a token of His wedding event in this place, Lord Shiva had left His Sandals (Padukas) and the Uddhala tree that accompanied Him from Mount Kailas to offer Him shadow on the way.  As Lord Shiva’s marriage took place here, any obstacle in wedding proposals would vanish if the devotee prays here. 

One Rudrasanma was proceeding to Kasi for salvation.  Lord Shiva wanted to make him understand that this place itself was equal to Kasi.  He called Gundodhara to stop his journey taking the form of a serpent.  When Gundodhara intercepted his journey as a snake, Rudrasanma chanted the Garuda mantra.  The snake fell down fainted.  Lord Shiva came their as a snake charmer.  Rudrasanma understood who the charmer was.  He fell at Lord’s feet.  Lord told the devotee that his wish could be realized from this place itself.

How to Reach : Kuthalam can be reached from Kumbakonam to Mayiladuthurai, route around 25kms.