Shiva Temples-Pancha Aranya Sthalams- Tirukkollampudur

The Five Shiva Temples which collectively make the Pancha Aranya Sthalams are:

Name	Location	Vanam
1. Sri Mullaivananathar Temple	Tirukkarugavur	Mullai
2.  Sri Satchi Nathar Temple	Avalivanallur	Paadhiri
3. Sri Paathaaleswarar Temple	Tiru Aradaipperumpazhi	Vanni
4. Sri Aapathsahayeswarar Temple	Tiru Erumpoolai[Alangudi]	Poolai
5. Sri Vilvavaneswarar Temple	Tirukkollampudur	Vilvam

Lord Shiva

These Temples signify the Five Temples of Lord Shiva,  surrounded by forest. 

Pancha - 5 , Aranyam,Vanam - Forest

It is believed that one should see all the five Pujas in these five temples in a single day and get the Blessings of Lord Shiva.   One can make a tour of these temples called PANCHA ARANYA STHALANGAL. in a single day by keeping to the following timings:  

• 6.00 am – Mullaivananathar—Thirukkarugavur.
• 8.00 am – Satchinathar swamy –Aavalivannallur
• 12.00 pm – Paathaaleswara swamy—Tiruaradai Perumpazhi [Haridwara Mangalam]
• 5.30 pm –Aapathsahayeswarar Temple, Tiru Erumpoolai [Alangudi]
• 8.30 pm – Vilvavaneswarar- thirukkollampudur

More on the temple[Thirukkollampudur] which falls fifth among the five Pancha Aranya Sthalams.

5.  Thirukkollampudur

Thirukollampudur Temple

Name of the Temple :  Arulmigu Vilvavaneswarar Alayam

Period of origin: Before 7 th Century. Thirugnanasampanthar had sung in Devaram. 

Name of deity:

Moolavar[ Lord Shiva known as]: Vilvavaneswarar

Ambal[Female Deity]:Soundaryanayaki

Sthala Theertham: Brahma Theertham, Agasthiya Theertham, Kandiba Theertham and Vettaru

Stalavriksham: Vilvam 

Sthalapuranam: 

One of the Pancha Aranya Sthalam known to be "Vilvavanam" the Fifth in order. Arthajamam [Puja performed in the Night] is very famous in this sthalam.

Legend and Points of Interest:

1. The Vilva trees are said to represent splashes of the celestial nectar Amritam.

2.  Legend is said to have blessed Durvasa Muni with a vision of the Cosmic Dance here.

3.  Arjuna worshipped Shiva here.

Legend has it that Thirugnana Sambandar made a visit to the Pancha Aranya Sthalam, but due to some unfortunate reasons, was not able to get there ontime. To reach this temple he had to cross the river. As the river was flooding , the coracle's man[coracle is a light-weight boat] left the place early. Thirugnana Sambandar was struck and got worried that he could not reach the temple for Arthajama puja, hence he prayed to Lord shiva and took a coracle by himself without pedals and sung hymns. When the coracle reached the next bank, he got the darshan of the lord. Even till this day, in the month of Ippasi [Tamil month] the Oda Thiruvizha is celebrated here. 

One can see the Five Tiered Rajagopuram. In first praharam, shrines for Vinayagar and Subramanyar are seen. In the second praharam you can see Brahma Theertham, Mahalakshmi shrine, Sambandar in coracle sculpture; Inside the premises are Nalvar, Valampuri Vinayagar, Somaskanthar, Gajamugatheswarar, Mullaivananathar, Katchinatar, Pathaleswarar, Mahalingar, Vinayagar, Gangaiamman, Dhakshinamoorhty, Saraswathi, Visalaktchi, Arumugaswamy, Mahalakshmi, Bairavar, Navagraham, Sani Bhagavan and Suriyan Shrines are there.

In khostam Narthanavinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durga shrines are there for worship.

Temple Timings:

8.30 am to 11.30 pm and 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm

Temple Telephone Number:

04366 295569

Temple Address

Arulmigu Vilvavaneswarar Alayam
Thirukkollambudhoor
Thirukkollambudhoor[P.O]
Koradachery [Via]
Thiruvarur [Dist]
Tamil Nadu
India