Sri ThiruValanchuzhi Nathar temple – Thiruvalanchuzhi

Moolavar : ThiruValanchuzhi Nathar

Urchavar : –

Amman / Thayar : Peria Nayaki

Thala Virutcham : Vilwa

Theertham : Cauvery, Arasalaru, Jada theertham

Agamam / Pooja : –

Old year : 1000-2000 years old

Historical Name : Thiruvalanchuzhi

City : Thiruvalanchuzhi

District : Thanjavur

State : Tamil Nadu

The story of churning the milk ocean to get nectar with Mandara mount as the churning stick (Mathu in Tamil) and Vasuki snake as the churning rope is popular among Hindu believers. Unable to bear the speed and weight during this operation, Vasuki spit its venom threatening total destruction of all worlds. Devas surrendered to Lord Shiva. He said that they began the work without worshipping Lord Vinayaka and advised them to correct the error. Devas returned to milk ocean, made an idol of Lord Vinayaka with ocean foam and prayed to him and succeeded, thus goes the Sthala Purana. Vinayaka thus made of the foam is praised as Swetha Vinayaka. He is the Ishta Devatha of the Devas.

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